Tech Waka Podcast: Journeys of New Zealand Tech Leaders.
Here we dive into the stories of New Zealand's top tech leaders. Your host, Jakub Jurkiewicz, brings y...
Leadership in tech is tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. In this episode, we introduce the Tech Waka Mentoring Program—a 5-month journey connecting aspiring tech leaders with world-class mentors. Learn why mentorship is a game-changer, what you’ll gain from the program, and how to apply.🎧 Spots are limited—tune in now and take the next step in your leadership journey!👉 https://www.techwaka.co.nz/mentorship
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4:46
Celebrating 20 Episodes: Reflections, Milestones, and What’s Next for Tech Waka
Join Jakub as he celebrates 20 episodes of the Tech Waka podcast, reflecting on milestones, guest insights, and plans for 2025.
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9:17
Systems Thinking, AI, and Innovation with Annie Vella
In this episode of the Tech Waka Podcast, I sit down with Annie Vella, Distinguished Engineer at Westpac, to explore the intersection of systems thinking, technical leadership, and the transformative impact of AI on software engineering. Annie shares how systems shape outcomes, the evolving role of AI coding assistants, and what it all means for the future of engineering.
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47:22
From Individual Contributor to CTO: Chris Bertram's Leadership Journey
In episode #18, Chris Bertram shares his inspiring journey from a long tenure at Gentrack to stepping into a new industry and role as CTO at Fuse IT. He discusses the challenges, surprises, and valuable lessons of transitioning from a technical leader to a people leader while driving innovation and embracing change.
Together, we cover:
Chris Bertram’s career journey: from 18 years at Gentrack to becoming CTO at Fuse IT.
Transitioning from technical leadership to people leadership.
Insights on building shared understanding in teams and navigating organizational change.
Lessons on product management, agile practices, and solving real customer problems.
The importance of communication, feedback, and continuous learning as a leader.
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37:03
Legacy Tech, M&A, and SaaS Transformation: Lessons from Jan Behrens
In this episode of the Tech Waka podcast, we sit down with Jan Behrens, CTO at Devoli, to explore the intersection of technology and business leadership. Jan shares his insights on navigating complex challenges in tech leadership, drawing from his vast experience in legacy technology modernization, SaaS transformation, and managing mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the tech world.
Key Themes:
Legacy technology modernization and why it is a sign of success.
M&A activities: Integrating different tech stacks and cultures post-acquisition
Leadership lessons: Balancing technical debt with business needs in high-growth environments
Tech Waka Podcast: Journeys of New Zealand Tech Leaders.
Here we dive into the stories of New Zealand's top tech leaders. Your host, Jakub Jurkiewicz, brings you conversations with CTOs, CIOs, and tech innovators from across Aotearoa. Join us as we uncover the experiences, challenges, and successes that shape our tech community.
This is where New Zealand's technology journey unfolds.