This podcast episode features Vidya Eashwer, CTO at Forge, discussing the evolution and significance of treating data as core engineering within the tech industry. Highlighting the shift in perception towards data from a backend supportive role to a critical product element, Vidya shares insights from her career experiences, including her time at the New York Stock Exchange, to illustrate how data has become a foundational aspect of software engineering and product development. The conversation also covers the alignment of data engineering with software engineering best practices, the impact of AI on data strategy, and the importance of reliable, timely data for customer engagement and internal decision-making. Furthermore, Vidya discusses how the structure and positioning of data teams within an organization can enhance operational efficiency, product innovation, and customer satisfaction. Highlights 00:10 Understanding Data as Core Engineering 00:48 Forge: A Global Private Securities Marketplace 01:11 The Evolution of Data in Engineering 03:55 Data: From Backend to Frontline in Customer Engagement 06:50 Aligning Data Engineering with Software Best Practices 08:07 The Role of Data in Product Management and Engineering 11:31 Data Integrity and Customer Engagement 15:39 Streamlining Operations with Data Engineering 18:15 Leveraging AI for Operational Efficiency and Innovation Vidya Eashwer is the CTO of Forge. She has18+ years of experience creating and executing innovative fintech technology strategies. She's the former Head of Technology, Edge Systems, at Intercontinental Exchange and was the Managing Director of IT at the New York Stock Exchange, managing international teams. https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidya-eashwer/ ---- Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Tech Trek. We would appreciate it if you would take a minute to rate and review us on your favorite podcast player.Want to learn more about us? Head over at https://www.elevano.comHave questions or want to cover specific topics with our future guests?Please message me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirbormand (Amir Bormand)