Optimization Catalyst

A Podcast Series Sponsored by Gurobi​

Optimization Catalyst

A Podcast Series Sponsored by Gurobi​

Optimization Catalyst

A Podcast Series Sponsored by Gurobi​

Where technology meets strategy and decisions get smarter.

Optimization Catalyst is a new podcast series sponsored by Gurobi, featuring conversations with global industry leaders who are using mathematical optimization to transform how their businesses operate. From supply chains to sustainability, this series reveals how organizations are solving their toughest challenges with data, technology, and advanced decision science.

Hosted by David O’Keefe in Collaboration with Gurobi Premier Partners

Each episode features an in-depth conversation between Gurobi’s Account Director for Partners, David O’Keefe, and key executives from top-performing companies — alongside Gurobi’s strategic partners — exploring real-world use cases of optimization in action.

What You’ll Learn

  • How leading companies are applying optimization techniques to drive innovation

  • Real-world use cases that highlight measurable impact

  • Why optimization is critical for competitive advantage in a data-driven world

Who Should Listen

If you’re a business leader, data scientist, operations researcher, or decision-maker looking to unlock the power of optimization, this podcast is for you.

Listen on: Spotify, Apple, Amazon

Where technology meets strategy and decisions get smarter.

Optimization Catalyst is a new podcast series sponsored by Gurobi, featuring conversations with global industry leaders who are using mathematical optimization to transform how their businesses operate. From supply chains to sustainability, this series reveals how organizations are solving their toughest challenges with data, technology, and advanced decision science.

Hosted by David O’Keefe in Collaboration with Gurobi Premier Partners

Each episode features an in-depth conversation between Gurobi’s Account Director for Partners, David O’Keefe, and key executives from top-performing companies — alongside Gurobi’s strategic partners — exploring real-world use cases of optimization in action.

What You’ll Learn

  • How leading companies are applying optimization techniques to drive innovation

  • Real-world use cases that highlight measurable impact

  • Why optimization is critical for competitive advantage in a data-driven world

Who Should Listen

If you’re a business leader, data scientist, operations researcher, or decision-maker looking to unlock the power of optimization, this podcast is for you.

Listen on: Spotify, Apple, Amazon

#007 🇺🇸 Driving Innovation on the Rails: Product Management, AI, and Transformation at Union Pacific Railroad

How does a 160+ year-old railroad reinvent itself for the digital age?

In this episode, we explore how Union Pacific Railroad is leveraging product management, AI, and optimization to modernize operations in a highly regulated, service-driven industry.

Host David O'Keefe sits down with:

• Prasanna Rajendran, VP, PS Technology, Union Pacific Railroad
• Steve Sashihara, Founder & CEO, Princeton Consultants

From better decision-making to measurable business impact, this conversation shows what real transformation looks like at scale.

One idea that stood out: modernization only matters if it drives real-world impact—otherwise, it’s just “digital theater.”

If you’re working with AI in complex environments or leading transformation in a traditional industry, this one’s worth your time.

#007 🇺🇸 Driving Innovation on the Rails: Product Management, AI, and Transformation at Union Pacific Railroad

How does a 160+ year-old railroad reinvent itself for the digital age?

In this episode, we explore how Union Pacific Railroad is leveraging product management, AI, and optimization to modernize operations in a highly regulated, service-driven industry.

Host David O'Keefe sits down with:

• Prasanna Rajendran, VP, PS Technology, Union Pacific Railroad
• Steve Sashihara, Founder & CEO, Princeton Consultants

From better decision-making to measurable business impact, this conversation shows what real transformation looks like at scale.

One idea that stood out: modernization only matters if it drives real-world impact—otherwise, it’s just “digital theater.”

If you’re working with AI in complex environments or leading transformation in a traditional industry, this one’s worth your time.

#007 🇺🇸 Driving Innovation on the Rails: Product Management, AI, and Transformation at Union Pacific Railroad

How does a 160+ year-old railroad reinvent itself for the digital age?

In this episode, we explore how Union Pacific Railroad is leveraging product management, AI, and optimization to modernize operations in a highly regulated, service-driven industry.

Host David O'Keefe sits down with:

• Prasanna Rajendran, VP, PS Technology, Union Pacific Railroad
• Steve Sashihara, Founder & CEO, Princeton Consultants

From better decision-making to measurable business impact, this conversation shows what real transformation looks like at scale.

One idea that stood out: modernization only matters if it drives real-world impact—otherwise, it’s just “digital theater.”

If you’re working with AI in complex environments or leading transformation in a traditional industry, this one’s worth your time.

#006 🇺🇸 Math into Margin: Navigating Volatility with AI and Decision Intelligence

How can today’s businesses use technology to translate math into margin? Our Optimization Catalyst podcast spotlights leaders who are using mathematical optimization to turn complex decisions into competitive advantage.

In our latest episode, host David O'Keefe sits down with experts from across the decision intelligence ecosystem to discuss how companies are using optimization and other AI technologies to navigate volatility and rethink planning, supply chains, and operational decision-making.

Featuring:
• Alison Cozad — Principal Decision Scientist, Aimpoint Digital
• Aakash Deep — Associate Director, ORMAE

Together, they explore how organizations can uncover hidden margin within existing constraints—and how optimization technology, combined with deep domain expertise, is helping companies make smarter, faster decisions. 

#006 🇺🇸 Math into Margin: Navigating Volatility with AI and Decision Intelligence

How can today’s businesses use technology to translate math into margin? Our Optimization Catalyst podcast spotlights leaders who are using mathematical optimization to turn complex decisions into competitive advantage.

In our latest episode, host David O'Keefe sits down with experts from across the decision intelligence ecosystem to discuss how companies are using optimization and other AI technologies to navigate volatility and rethink planning, supply chains, and operational decision-making.

Featuring:
• Alison Cozad — Principal Decision Scientist, Aimpoint Digital
• Aakash Deep — Associate Director, ORMAE

Together, they explore how organizations can uncover hidden margin within existing constraints—and how optimization technology, combined with deep domain expertise, is helping companies make smarter, faster decisions. 

#006 🇺🇸 Math into Margin: Navigating Volatility with AI and Decision Intelligence

How can today’s businesses use technology to translate math into margin? Our Optimization Catalyst podcast spotlights leaders who are using mathematical optimization to turn complex decisions into competitive advantage.

In our latest episode, host David O'Keefe sits down with experts from across the decision intelligence ecosystem to discuss how companies are using optimization and other AI technologies to navigate volatility and rethink planning, supply chains, and operational decision-making.

Featuring:
• Alison Cozad — Principal Decision Scientist, Aimpoint Digital
• Aakash Deep — Associate Director, ORMAE

Together, they explore how organizations can uncover hidden margin within existing constraints—and how optimization technology, combined with deep domain expertise, is helping companies make smarter, faster decisions. 

#005 🇧🇷 Como a IA e analytics aceleram decisões em setores estratégicos | Jorge Simões (EDP)

Fábricas digitais, aplicações preditivas e IA generativa impulsionam a inovação em infraestrutura. O uso de dados otimiza manutenção de ativos, viabiliza MVPs mais rápidos e apoia decisões técnicas e regulatórias em ambientes complexos e de rápida transformação tecnológica.

Participantes:

  • Jorge Simões, Executive Director for Digital & Technology, South America, EDP.

Host(s):

  • David O´Keefe, Director of Alliance Americas, Gurobi.

  • Thiago Oliveira, Diretor de Business da Bitka Analytics, Bitka Analytics.

  • Elízio Rezende, Líder de Inovação em Ciência de Dados, Bitka Analytics.

#005 🇧🇷 Como a IA e analytics aceleram decisões em setores estratégicos | Jorge Simões (EDP)

Fábricas digitais, aplicações preditivas e IA generativa impulsionam a inovação em infraestrutura. O uso de dados otimiza manutenção de ativos, viabiliza MVPs mais rápidos e apoia decisões técnicas e regulatórias em ambientes complexos e de rápida transformação tecnológica.

Participantes:

  • Jorge Simões, Executive Director for Digital & Technology, South America, EDP.

Host(s):

  • David O´Keefe, Director of Alliance Americas, Gurobi.

  • Thiago Oliveira, Diretor de Business da Bitka Analytics, Bitka Analytics.

  • Elízio Rezende, Líder de Inovação em Ciência de Dados, Bitka Analytics.

#005 🇧🇷 Como a IA e analytics aceleram decisões em setores estratégicos | Jorge Simões (EDP)

Fábricas digitais, aplicações preditivas e IA generativa impulsionam a inovação em infraestrutura. O uso de dados otimiza manutenção de ativos, viabiliza MVPs mais rápidos e apoia decisões técnicas e regulatórias em ambientes complexos e de rápida transformação tecnológica.

Participantes:

  • Jorge Simões, Executive Director for Digital & Technology, South America, EDP.

Host(s):

  • David O´Keefe, Director of Alliance Americas, Gurobi.

  • Thiago Oliveira, Diretor de Business da Bitka Analytics, Bitka Analytics.

  • Elízio Rezende, Líder de Inovação em Ciência de Dados, Bitka Analytics.

#004 🇺🇸 How technology and AI are streamlining airline operations | Solange Gelman (United Airlines)

Airlines use data-driven optimization to improve ground operations, enhance decision-making under uncertainty, and evaluate emerging technologies. AI, IoT, and automation are reshaping airport systems, with a focus on long-term sustainability and operational efficiency.

Participants:

  • Solange Gelman, Director of IT Application Development – Airport Operations Technologies, United Airlines.

Host(s):

#004 🇺🇸 How technology and AI are streamlining airline operations | Solange Gelman (United Airlines)

Airlines use data-driven optimization to improve ground operations, enhance decision-making under uncertainty, and evaluate emerging technologies. AI, IoT, and automation are reshaping airport systems, with a focus on long-term sustainability and operational efficiency.

Participants:

  • Solange Gelman, Director of IT Application Development – Airport Operations Technologies, United Airlines.

Host(s):

#004 🇺🇸 How technology and AI are streamlining airline operations | Solange Gelman (United Airlines)

Airlines use data-driven optimization to improve ground operations, enhance decision-making under uncertainty, and evaluate emerging technologies. AI, IoT, and automation are reshaping airport systems, with a focus on long-term sustainability and operational efficiency.

Participants:

  • Solange Gelman, Director of IT Application Development – Airport Operations Technologies, United Airlines.

Host(s):

#003 🇧🇷 Dados e modelos otimizam o futuro da energia | Mikio Kawai Jr. (Safira Energia)

Modelos matemáticos e análise de dados otimizam consumo e distribuição, conectam o setor elétrico ao varejo, ampliam a eficiência em sistemas públicos e privados. Em última análise, eles viabilizam a alocação inteligente de recursos em um cenário de fontes diversas e descentralizadas.

Participantes:

Host(s):

#003 🇧🇷 Dados e modelos otimizam o futuro da energia | Mikio Kawai Jr. (Safira Energia)

Modelos matemáticos e análise de dados otimizam consumo e distribuição, conectam o setor elétrico ao varejo, ampliam a eficiência em sistemas públicos e privados. Em última análise, eles viabilizam a alocação inteligente de recursos em um cenário de fontes diversas e descentralizadas.

Participantes:

Host(s):

#003 🇧🇷 Dados e modelos otimizam o futuro da energia | Mikio Kawai Jr. (Safira Energia)

Modelos matemáticos e análise de dados otimizam consumo e distribuição, conectam o setor elétrico ao varejo, ampliam a eficiência em sistemas públicos e privados. Em última análise, eles viabilizam a alocação inteligente de recursos em um cenário de fontes diversas e descentralizadas.

Participantes:

Host(s):

#002 🇺🇸 How AI and innovation are reshaping logistics | Sunzay Passari (UPS)

UPS drives large-scale transformation through AI and strategic innovation. The conversation explores key priorities for 2025, challenges of implementing AI in logistics, risks of technological stagnation, and how scale influences decision-making in a fast-evolving landscape.

Participants:

  • Sunzay Passari, Sr Director & Head – Innovation & Transformation, UPS.

Host(s):

#002 🇺🇸 How AI and innovation are reshaping logistics | Sunzay Passari (UPS)

UPS drives large-scale transformation through AI and strategic innovation. The conversation explores key priorities for 2025, challenges of implementing AI in logistics, risks of technological stagnation, and how scale influences decision-making in a fast-evolving landscape.

Participants:

  • Sunzay Passari, Sr Director & Head – Innovation & Transformation, UPS.

Host(s):

#002 🇺🇸 How AI and innovation are reshaping logistics | Sunzay Passari (UPS)

UPS drives large-scale transformation through AI and strategic innovation. The conversation explores key priorities for 2025, challenges of implementing AI in logistics, risks of technological stagnation, and how scale influences decision-making in a fast-evolving landscape.

Participants:

  • Sunzay Passari, Sr Director & Head – Innovation & Transformation, UPS.

Host(s):

#001 🇧🇷 Como a otimização transforma o setor de energia? | Franklin Miguel (Electra Energy)

A otimização matemática reduz custos, emissões e riscos na infraestrutura energética. Com o avanço do mercado livre, cresce o uso de ciência de dados para gerenciar portfólios, enfrentar os desafios da descarbonização e tomar decisões estratégicas em um setor cada vez mais dinâmico.

Participantes:

Host(s):

#001 🇧🇷 Como a otimização transforma o setor de energia? | Franklin Miguel (Electra Energy)

A otimização matemática reduz custos, emissões e riscos na infraestrutura energética. Com o avanço do mercado livre, cresce o uso de ciência de dados para gerenciar portfólios, enfrentar os desafios da descarbonização e tomar decisões estratégicas em um setor cada vez mais dinâmico.

Participantes:

Host(s):

#001 🇧🇷 Como a otimização transforma o setor de energia? | Franklin Miguel (Electra Energy)

A otimização matemática reduz custos, emissões e riscos na infraestrutura energética. Com o avanço do mercado livre, cresce o uso de ciência de dados para gerenciar portfólios, enfrentar os desafios da descarbonização e tomar decisões estratégicas em um setor cada vez mais dinâmico.

Participantes:

Host(s):