Tech Legacies

Hosted by Fanny Dunagan

Technology Business

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Want to get ahead in the tech industry? Want tech insights? Join host Fanny Dunagan as top executives share their untold stories about their tech careers, reveal what lessons they've learned, and offer advice for professionals who hope to get ahead. Are you motivated? Looking for career growth? Then make sure you follow this show. Get tips from tech executives from AT&T, FedEx, Verizon, Hasbro, Textron, and EY. Discover strategies for technology and team culture. Learn about the importance of innovation and how it drives company culture. Enjoy personal stories and leadership advice. Gain valuable leadership skills and explore new ideas. If you want to succeed in tech, then Tech Legacies with Fanny Dunagan is for you!

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October 20, 20261 hr 7 min

How to build #1 competitive advantage in AI world - from Fortune 500 Head of AI Governance - Tiffany Benitez | E07

Your AI is only as smart as your data. So why is data governance still an afterthought? In this Tech Legacies conversation, host Fanny Dunagan sits down with Tiffany Benitez, Head of Data and AI governance across multiple Fortune 100 companies, and founder of Women+ in Technology of Northwest Arkansas. They unpack what it really takes to make AI work in the enterprise.From Bank of America to Walmart, Lowe's, and Tyson Foods, Tiffany has seen what happens when companies race to adopt AI without clean, trusted data. Tiffany breaks down AI governance in plain English, why most companies get ROI wrong, and why Fanny says we're "building the parachute as we're falling from the plane." Plus, she gets candid about the "broken rung" pushing women out of tech at the senior manager level, how she built an 11-chapter community from scratch, and the mindset shift every IT leader needs to go from service provider to trusted partner. Her closing message? "Do it afraid." In this episode: 🔹Why garbage data = garbage AI — and how to make data cool again 🔹The simple way to explain AI governance to anyone 🔹The #1 mistake CIOs make with AI ROI 🔹How to build influence through relationships, not just tech skills 🔹Inside the movement training girls to get AI certifications Connect with Tiffany Benitez on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-benitez-csm-safe-itil-65ba64126/ Want to build your authority and brand as a tech leader? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, a free branding guide and 1-hour training for tech professionals: https://techlegacies.ck.page/newsletter Connect with the podcast host, Fanny Dunagan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannydunagan/ Links to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/techlegacies ------------------------- Huge thank you to the sponsors and partners of the #TechLegacies podcast. Hit that FOLLOW button on their pages for the latest updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cginfinity/ - IT Consulting Services, especially in energy and Salesforce https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunnablack/ - Executive Coach and & Heart-Centered Leadership https://www.linkedin.com/company/odyssey-information-services/ - IT recruitment and managed services https://www.linkedin.com/company/techcxolaunchpad/ - Program to elevate you to senior leadership and C-Suite https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketscale/ - For your studio recording needs and platform for user content

October 6, 20261 hr 1 min

How Dallas AI Grew to 10,000 Members: The Origin Story with Aamer and Babar | E06a

In this episode, Fanny sits down with Aamer Charania and Babar Bhatti, the co-founders of Dallas AI, to hear how a small idea grew into a community of more than 10,000 members. Aamer shares how it all began in late 2017, when neural networks and deep learning were taking off. He was looking for practitioners to learn from, but many of the groups he found were tied to a company or provider, which made it hard to stay focused on education instead of sales. So he started his own group. More than 100 people signed up in the first week, and he nearly shut it down before his wife encouraged him to find a partner instead. Babar then shares why he joined as co-founder, what he saw in that moment of change, and how the two of them committed to a clear mission from day one: education, no sales pitch, and a community where people can connect. They also talk about the early days of carrying water bottles up multiple floors, hunting for affordable pizza, and welcoming beginners alongside experienced practitioners. Learn more about Dallas AI: https://dallas-ai.org Links to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/techlegacies ------------------------- Huge thank you to the sponsors and partners of the #TechLegacies podcast. Hit that FOLLOW button on their pages for the latest updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cginfinity/ - IT Consulting Services, especially in energy and Salesforce https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunnablack/ - Executive Coach and & Heart-Centered Leadership https://www.linkedin.com/company/odyssey-information-services/ - IT recruitment and managed services https://www.linkedin.com/company/techcxolaunchpad/ - Program to elevate you to senior leadership and C-Suite https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketscale/ - For your studio recording needs and platform for user content

September 22, 20261 hr 1 min

How to Future-Proof Your Career in the AI Era - Dallas AI Founders | E06

Navigating the AI Era with Dallas AI Co-Founders In this episode of the Tech Legacies podcast, host Fanny Dunagan sits down with Aamer Charania - Founding President & Chief AI Officer at Dallas AI, and Babar Bhatti - Chief AI Officer at Prism & Co-Founder of Dallas AI. Founded in late 2017, Dallas AI has grown into a thriving non-profit community with over 10,000 members dedicated to unbiased, pitch-free AI education. In this episode, they discuss: The Dallas AI Origin Story: How a small idea to share deep learning knowledge turned into a 10,000+ member organization. The AI Revolution: What surprised them most about the rise of ChatGPT and the rapid democratization of AI. Job Disruption & Workplace Mindset: How AI is reshaping workflows, automating tasks, and why everybody needs to unlearn old habits and adapt. Enterprise & Retail Trends: How AI is moving from standard searches to personalized advisory roles for consumers. Advice for Executives & Startups: Key strategies for demonstrating ROI, calculating value vs. cost, and using responsible AI as a tool to move faster safely. Personal Career Lessons: From engineering roots to overcoming career mistakes, finding time for continuous learning, and defining their lasting legacy. 🔗 Learn more about Dallas AI: https://dallas-ai.org ----------------------------- Want to build your authority and brand as a tech leader? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, a free branding guide and 1-hour training for tech professionals: https://techlegacies.ck.page/newsletter Connect with the podcast host, Fanny Dunagan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannydunagan/ Links to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/techlegacies ------------------------- Huge thank you to the sponsors and partners of the #TechLegacies podcast. Hit that FOLLOW button on their pages for the latest updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cginfinity/ - IT Consulting Services, especially in energy and Salesforce https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunnablack/ - Executive Coach and & Heart-Centered Leadership https://www.linkedin.com/company/odyssey-information-services/ - IT recruitment and managed services https://www.linkedin.com/company/techcxolaunchpad/ - Program to elevate you to senior leadership and C-Suite https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketscale/ - For your studio recording needs and platform for user content Work with our podcast team at PathLynks: info@pathlynks.com 👍 Like, subscribe, and share if this resonated with you 0:00 The Origins of a Tech Community 1:51 Meet the Visionaries Behind the Mission 5:07 The Spark That Ignited the Movement 11:00 The Turning Point of Democratization 16:30 Addressing the Fear of Job Displacement 23:07 Childhood Curiosity and Tech Roots 37:07 Solving Business Problems with AI 45:34 Retail Transformation and Future Trends

September 1, 20263 min

Virality Is the New Product | E05a

You can build the best product in the world. But if nobody knows about it, does it really matter? In this conversation, Dan shares a powerful perspective on what separates startups that simply build from startups that actually succeed: “At the end of the day, it comes down to not the best idea, but I would say the best distribution.” He goes even further: “Virality is actually a product nowadays.” For founders, this changes the conversation. It’s not enough to have a great idea or impressive technology. You need to know how to get in front of customers, create attention, go to market, and ultimately build a business. Because the best product doesn’t always win. Sometimes, the best-known product does. 🎙️ Watch the full conversation to hear Dan’s take on distribution, virality, product-market fit, and what founders need to think about beyond the product itself. Links to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/techlegacies ------------------------- Huge thank you to the sponsors and partners of the #TechLegacies podcast. Hit that FOLLOW button on their pages for the latest updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cginfinity/ - IT Consulting Services, especially in energy and Salesforce https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunnablack/ - Executive Coach and & Heart-Centered Leadership https://www.linkedin.com/company/odyssey-information-services/ - IT recruitment and managed services https://www.linkedin.com/company/techcxolaunchpad/ - Program to elevate you to senior leadership and C-Suite https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketscale/ - For your studio recording needs and platform for user content

August 18, 20261 hr 2 min

The Real Reason Startups Die (It's Not the Product) - Dan Sinawat | E05

Dan Sinawat has watched hundreds of founders fall in love with their product and forget the one thing that actually decides if a startup survives: can anyone find it? In this episode of Tech Legacies, Dan — founder of AI CONNEX and CEO of VC ARENA — breaks down why "the best idea" almost never wins, what he tells founders who show up to pitch meetings without an MVP, and why virality itself has become a product in the AI era. We get into: → Why "everybody can build the app" is the new normal — and why that's a problem → The Cluely story: how a founder went viral with no real product and raised millions → Why AI is 95% business problem, 5% tech problem → What it actually takes to go from idea to Fortune 100 customer without outside capital → Why VCs are quietly stepping back from funding traditional SaaS → The "services as software" model — and a real example of how the economics work → What "outcome-based" pricing actually looks like in practice → Why understanding the business problem matters more than the tech stack → His two-year window for founders to capture the shift before the landscape changes again If you're building something right now and quietly wondering whether the product or the go-to-market is going to make or break you — this one's for you. ----------------------------- Connect with Dan Sinawat on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dansinawat/ Want to build your authority and brand as a tech leader? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, a free branding guide and 1-hour training for tech professionals: https://techlegacies.ck.page/newsletter Connect with the podcast host, Fanny Dunagan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannydunagan/ Links to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/techlegacies ------------------------- Huge thank you to the sponsors and partners of the #TechLegacies podcast. Hit that FOLLOW button on their pages for the latest updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cginfinity/ - IT Consulting Services, especially in energy and Salesforce https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunnablack/ - Executive Coach and & Heart-Centered Leadership https://www.linkedin.com/company/odyssey-information-services/ - IT recruitment and managed services https://www.linkedin.com/company/techcxolaunchpad/ - Program to elevate you to senior leadership and C-Suite https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketscale/ - For your studio recording needs and platform for user content

July 28, 20262 min

How AI Frees Clinicians | E04a

Clinicians didn’t go into healthcare to spend hours on paperwork, but many still spend 30–40% of their day on documentation, chart reviews, and administrative tasks. In this episode of Tech Legacies , Dalia Powers explains how AI is transforming healthcare by reducing administrative work by as much as 80% , giving clinicians more time to focus on what matters most: their patients. Dalia and host Fanny Dunagan also discuss: • How AI improves access to healthcare in underserved communities • Why AI is a powerful assistant, not a replacement for clinicians • How telehealth and AI are expanding access to quality care • Reducing clinician burnout through smarter workflows • Why AI allows healthcare professionals to operate at the top of their license If you’re interested in AI, healthcare innovation, digital transformation, or technology leadership, this conversation is packed with valuable insights. 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with technology leaders shaping the future. Links to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/techlegacies ------------------------- Huge thank you to the sponsors and partners of the #TechLegacies podcast. Hit that FOLLOW button on their pages for the latest updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cginfinity/ - IT Consulting Services, especially in energy and Salesforce https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunnablack/ - Executive Coach and & Heart-Centered Leadership https://www.linkedin.com/company/odyssey-information-services/ - IT recruitment and managed services https://www.linkedin.com/company/techcxolaunchpad/ - Program to elevate you to senior leadership and C-Suite https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketscale/ - For your studio recording needs and platform for user content

July 21, 202656 min

Fortune 500 CIO on the AI Mistakes Everyone’s Making - Dalia Powers | E04

AI is reshaping healthcare, but according to Fortune 50 CIO Dalia Powers, the technology itself is the easy part. The real challenge? Building the data infrastructure and governance guardrails that make AI trustworthy — and the cultural transformation that makes innovation stick. In this episode of Tech Legacies, host Fanny Dunagan sits down with Dalia Powers, whose CIO career spans IBM, Dell EMC, Capital One, and Humana. Dalia shares why she believes "governance is what gives us the license to go fast," how her team is exploring digital twins for predictive health, and why she's convinced that culture doesn't just eat strategy for breakfast — it eats technology for lunch, too. This conversation goes far beyond the server room. Dalia opens up about her journey from software engineer to the C-suite, the moment she learned to measure team sentiment instead of just KPIs, and why today's CIOs are finding themselves in sales and marketing meetings. "Technology is the table now," she says. If you're an aspiring tech leader, a professional navigating AI transformation, or someone who believes the best leaders invest in people above all else, this episode is for you. ----------------------------- Connect with Dalia Powers on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/daliapowers/ Want to build your authority and brand as a tech leader? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, a free branding guide and 1-hour training for tech professionals: https://techlegacies.ck.page/newsletter Connect with the podcast host, Fanny Dunagan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannydunagan/ Links to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/techlegacies ------------------------- Huge thank you to the sponsors and partners of the #TechLegacies podcast. Hit that FOLLOW button on their pages for the latest updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cginfinity/ - IT Consulting Services, especially in energy and Salesforce https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunnablack/ - Executive Coach and & Heart-Centered Leadership https://www.linkedin.com/company/odyssey-information-services/ - IT recruitment and managed services https://www.linkedin.com/company/techcxolaunchpad/ - Program to elevate you to senior leadership and C-Suite https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketscale/ - For your studio recording needs and platform for user content

June 16, 20262 min

They Run Phishing Attacks On Their Own Staff | E03b

Most companies try to prevent phishing attacks. Mastercard runs phishing attacks on its own employees. In this clip, Jon Brickey discusses how Mastercard keeps its teams prepared through monthly phishing simulations, capture-the-flag competitions, cyber defense exercises, and large-scale crisis response training. From friendly competitions and pizza parties to realistic cyberattack scenarios involving major corporations and government agencies, cybersecurity readiness requires more than technology. It requires practice. Topics discussed: • Why Mastercard runs monthly phishing simulations • How employees are rewarded for identifying malicious emails • What capture-the-flag cybersecurity competitions look like • How red teams and blue teams train together • The role of CISOs and incident response leaders during cyber crises • Why collaboration between industry and government is critical during cyber events • How organizations prepare for attacks they know will eventually happen Cybersecurity isn’t just about defending systems. It’s about preparing people. If you could implement one cybersecurity training exercise at your company, what would it be? ----------------------------- Connect with Jon Brickey on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjonbrickey/ Want to build your authority and brand as a tech leader? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, a free branding guide and 1-hour training for tech professionals: https://techlegacies.ck.page/newsletter Connect with the podcast host, Fanny Dunagan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannydunagan/ Links to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/techlegacies ------------------------- Huge thank you to the sponsors and partners of the #TechLegacies podcast. Hit that FOLLOW button on their pages for the latest updates: 🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/cginfinity/ - IT Consulting Services, especially in energy and Salesforce 🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunnablack/ - Executive Coach and & Heart-Centered Leadership 🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/odyssey-information-services/ - IT recruitment and managed services 🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/techcxolaunchpad/ - Program to elevate you to senior leadership and C-Suite 🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketscale/ - For your studio recording needs and platform for user content 👍 Like, subscribe, and share if this resonated with you

June 9, 20262 min

I Bet You Didn’t Know This About Mastercard | E03a

Most people think Mastercard is a credit card company. It’s not. At least, not anymore. On a recent episode of Tech Legacies, Jon Brickey shared a perspective that may surprise many leaders: Mastercard is fundamentally a technology company operating in the payments industry. While its iconic logo is visible on billions of cards worldwide, Mastercard’s role extends far beyond consumer transactions. The company builds, maintains, and operates the network that connects consumers, merchants, financial institutions, governments, and businesses across a global ecosystem. Even more interesting, traditional payment networks now account for only about 60% of Mastercard’s business. The remaining 40% comes from services, including cybersecurity, threat intelligence, risk management, and fraud protection. Through strategic acquisitions and innovation, Mastercard has expanded its reach far beyond payments to help organizations better understand and manage risk. It’s a powerful reminder that the companies we think we know are often evolving far faster than public perception. What company surprised you when you learned what they actually do behind the scenes? ----------------------------- Connect with Jon Brickey on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjonbrickey/ Want to build your authority and brand as a tech leader? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, a free branding guide and 1-hour training for tech professionals: https://techlegacies.ck.page/newsletter Connect with the podcast host, Fanny Dunagan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannydunagan/ Links to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/techlegacies ------------------------- Huge thank you to the sponsors and partners of the #TechLegacies podcast. Hit that FOLLOW button on their pages for the latest updates: 🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/cginfinity/ - IT Consulting Services, especially in energy and Salesforce 🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunnablack/ - Executive Coach and & Heart-Centered Leadership 🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/odyssey-information-services/ - IT recruitment and managed services 🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/techcxolaunchpad/ - Program to elevate you to senior leadership and C-Suite 🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketscale/ - For your studio recording needs and platform for user content 👍 Like, subscribe, and share if this resonated with you

June 2, 20261 hr 4 min

Future of Cybersecurity: Mastercard Executive & Former NSA Leader's Predictions

What is at risk with cybersecurity, now and into the future? In this episode, Tech Legacies Host, Fanny Dunagan sits down with Jon Brickey, SVP at Mastercard and former NSA leader, to talk about the future of cybersecurity and lessons from military leadership. From discovering his hacking instincts as a kid on a TRS-80, to leading cyber strategy at the NSA post-9/11, to building an elite team that Fortune 500 leader calls "the best training I've ever received" — Jon's journey is a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and staying ahead of digital threats. In this episode, you'll learn: 🔐 Why cyber is now the 5th domain of warfare — and what it means for every business 🪖 The military leadership principle ("leaders eat last") that transformed Jon's management style 🤖 Why AI gives hackers a dangerous edge — and how elite defenders are fighting back 🧠 The "mood of zeal" framework that replaced fear with passion in their cybersecurity team 💼 Career advice for every stage — from hands on analyst to executive cybersecurity leader Whether you're a tech professional, aspiring executive, or curious about the invisible war being fought online every day — this conversation will change how you think about cybersecurity and leadership. ----------------------------- Connect with Jon Brickey on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjonbrickey/ Want to build your authority and brand as a tech leader? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, a free branding guide and 1-hour training for tech professionals: https://techlegacies.ck.page/newsletter Connect with the podcast host, Fanny Dunagan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannydunagan/ Links to the full episode on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts: https://linktr.ee/techlegacies ------------------------- Huge thank you to the sponsors and partners of the #TechLegacies podcast. Hit that FOLLOW button on their pages for the latest updates: 🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/cginfinity/ - IT Consulting Services, especially in energy and Salesforce 🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunnablack/ - Executive Coach and & Heart-Centered Leadership 🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/odyssey-information-services/ - IT recruitment and managed services 🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/techcxolaunchpad/ - Program to elevate you to senior leadership and C-Suite 🔹 https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketscale/ - For your studio recording needs and platform for user content 👍 Like, subscribe, and share if this resonated with you

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