Code To Cloud

Most fintech startups dream of building a bank, but Neo Financial is redefining what’s possible by starting in the cloud.

 

In this episode of the Code to Cloud podcast, host Kevin Evans sits down with Fahad Zaidi, Director of Software Development at Neo Financial, to discuss how a Calgary startup scaled into one of Canada’s most ambitious digital banks using a tech-first, customer-focused approach.

 

Fahad shares how Neo Financial built a cloud-native platform designed for speed, scalability, and innovation without the limitations of legacy banking systems. The conversation explores how modern engineering practices, strong developer experience, and disciplined execution allow Neo to serve millions of customers while continuously evolving its products.

 

In this episode, we discuss:

 

How Neo Financial built its banking platform using cloud-native infrastructure and microservices architecture
How the team reduced developer onboarding from weeks to hours
Balancing innovation with compliance, regulation, and security requirements
How partnerships with established financial institutions enable rapid fintech growth
The role of AI and automation in fraud detection, personalization, and customer experience
Why a customer-obsessed mindset is central to Neo’s long-term vision

 

This episode is ideal for fintech founders, engineering leaders, software developers, and technology enthusiasts interested in modern banking, cloud architecture, and large-scale software systems.

 

Host
Kevin Evans
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinevans01

 

Guest
Fahad Zaidi
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fahadzaidi/

 

Code to Cloud Podcast
https://codetocloud.io

 

If you’re interested in building faster, smarter, and more customer-centric financial platforms, this conversation offers practical insights into what it takes to challenge established banking models and build the future of finance.

Most AI discussions focus on the technology itself—what's new, what's powerful, what's next. But what if the real transformation lies in how we think about AI, workflows, and our entire approach to problem-solving?

Kevin Evans teams up with AI strategist and developer Adam Cooke to explore a revolutionary perspective: AI as an extension of our decision-making architecture rather than just another tool.Adam shares how he visualizes AI agents as non-deterministic state machines—powerful, adaptable, and akin to human reasoning—blurring the lines between workflows, infrastructure, and intelligence.

You’ll discover:
• How AI-powered workflows mirror the architecture of long-running, resilient systems—scaling, retrying, and decision points integrated into a seamless process

• The surprising analogy between agentic workflows and traditional deterministic processes like document indexing or infrastructure automation

• Why the future of AI may revolve around creating adaptable, standard-driven agent frameworks—think of AI containers that can be interpreted and rendered in countless ways, breaking down barriers between application and user interface

• Practical insights into testing, refining, and trusting AI agents—covering multi-agent orchestration, avoiding bloat, and improving accuracy using innovative frameworks

• The counterintuitive importance of focusing on your core problem*—not just the shiny tech—ensuring AI accelerates your goal, not distracts from it

This episode is perfect for developers, architects, product teams, and AI enthusiasts looking to rethink what’s possible. Adam’s innovative approach unlocks a vision where AI is not static but a platform-agnostic, decision-making entity that evolves with your needs.

Whether you're building AI-driven tools or just curious about the big picture, you’ll walk away with a new lens on AI’s potential—and practical tips to make it real.

Follow Adam on LinkedIn, where he's working on upcoming projects to bring these concepts to life. Dive in now to challenge your assumptions and discover how to turn AI from an exotic addition into a fundamental part of your digital architecture.

Code To Cloud

Most organizations overlook the superpower hidden in their teams—translating technical language into business value. Keran McGuire, SVP of AI and Technology Platforms at Canadian Tire, reveals how mastering the art of communication can accelerate your career and solve the toughest tech challenges.

Host: Kevin Evans

n this episode, Keran shares her unconventional journey from startup innovation to leading AI initiatives at a household name. She dives into how challenging industry silos and embracing empathy through simple gestures—like breaking bread—can create unexpected breakthroughs. You'll discover her proven approach to navigating complex, highly regulated environments like finance, and how to turn communication barriers into opportunities for collaboration and success.We break down the importance of understanding the full-stack tech landscape—not just specialists, but versatile "ninjas" who can adapt across infrastructure, cloud, security, and AI.

Keran explains why the future belongs to those who can see the big picture without losing sight of the details. She emphasizes the value of humility, curiosity, and a genuine desire to understand others’ perspectives—key traits that transform team dynamics and drive innovation.The stakes are clear: organizations that fail to bridge the communication gap risk stagnation, lost opportunities, and unresolved crises.

Meanwhile, those who master empathy and versatile skills stand to unlock new levels of efficiency, resilience, and growth—especially as AI and cloud technologies accelerate change.If you’re a tech leader, aspiring professional, or someone passionate about making complex ideas accessible and impactful, this episode is your blueprint.

Keran’s practical wisdom on leadership, adaptability, and culture will inspire you to reframe challenges as pathways to progress—and remind you that the simplest act of understanding can be transformative.

Connect with Keran McGuire on LinkedIn to learn more about her work and advocacy for women in tech. Prepare to rethink your approach to technology and communication—because in today’s fast-changing digital landscape, the best skill you can develop is your ability to relate and translate.

Discover how cloud enablement, AI, and automation are transforming modern businesses. Join Kevin Evans and Jim Spignardo as they explore practical use cases, governance, and future trends in AI adoption.Key Topics:

The evolution of AI in enterprise cloud strategies over the past nine years

How Microsoft’s AI and Agent 365 improve visibility, security, and control

Practical use cases: from law firms to energy sector automation

Building effective AI centers of excellence across organizations

Common pitfalls, including misaligned use cases and over-engineering

The role of governance, data hygiene, and low-resistance solutions

Future outlook: autonomous workflows, agent maturity stages, and blending IoT with AI

When “State-of-the-Art” Backups Fail | Cybersecurity Lessons with Dom Vogel
Most organizations assume their backups, disaster recovery plans, and security controls will work during a cyberattack.

 

But what happens when those systems have never actually been tested?

 

In this episode of Code to Cloud — Firewall Fridays,  Host Kevin Evans sits down with cybersecurity expert Dom Vogel breaks down a real-world incident where a mid-sized construction company lost nearly $500,000 after discovering their “state-of-the-art” backup system failed when it mattered most.

 

This wasn’t caused by advanced ransomware or elite hackers.

 

It was caused by a common organizational mistake: trusting technology without validating it.

 

If you lead IT, manage risk, oversee finance, or run a business dependent on digital systems, this conversation explores the practical realities of cybersecurity, backup testing, and organizational resilience.

What You’ll Learn

Why modern backup systems still fail during ransomware incidents

The hidden risk behind untested disaster recovery plans

How cybersecurity myths create operational blind spots

Why continuous validation is replacing traditional security audits

How everyday devices and jailbroken streaming boxes become enterprise attack vectors

The shift from top-down cyber threats to bottom-up vulnerabilities

Leadership, governance, and accountability in cybersecurity decision-making

Practical ways organizations can strengthen cyber resilience today

Who Should Listen
This episode is designed for:

Business owners and executives

CFOs and risk leaders

IT directors and managed service providers

Cybersecurity professionals and CISOs

Organizations operating cloud, on-premise, or hybrid environments

Anyone responsible for business continuity, data protection, or cyber risk management will recognize challenges discussed in this conversation.

Why This Episode Matters
Cyber incidents rarely happen because organizations lack technology.

 

They happen because systems are assumed to work instead of being proven to work.

 

Dom Vogel explains why cybersecurity must evolve from compliance checklists and tool purchases toward continuous testing, systemic thinking, and organizational accountability.

 

Cyber resilience is not built during an incident — it is validated long before one occurs.

 

Cybersecurity Guide
Practical cybersecurity guidance for Canadian organizations:

 

Code To Cloud Guide

 

Subscribe to Code to Cloud
Code to Cloud explores real cybersecurity incidents, leadership decisions, risk management strategies, and lessons learned from the front lines of IT and security.

 

New episodes released regularly.

 

 

Chapters
00:00 Introduction — Code to Cloud & Firewall Fridays

01:20 The Myth of “State-of-the-Art” Backups

02:00 The $500K Backup Failure Case Study

05:15 Why Testing and Validation Matter

09:30 Cloud vs On-Prem Backup Reality

12:45 Leadership, Accountability & Cyber Risk

16:40 Fixing Organizational Security Culture

20:00 The Jailbroken “Super Box” Story

24:30 Hidden Hardware Security Risks

28:30 Key Cybersecurity Lessons & Wrap-Up