Listen on:
Episodes
21 minutes ago
21 minutes ago
From athlete to architect of transformation, Rose Schamberger shares her journey from professional volleyball to leading global tech teams in this powerful episode of Software Without Borders. Hosted by Andy Hilliard and Olivier Poulard, the conversation explores agile leadership, customer-centric development, and what it really takes to modernize software in today’s fast-changing world. Rose offers a playbook for growth-minded leaders ready to elevate their impact by aligning teams, simplifying processes, and staying relentlessly focused on the customer.
Key Takeaways:
Agile Is a Mindset, Not a Framework
Rose and Olivier agree: following an Agile playbook isn’t enough. Success comes from adopting Agile values—feedback, iteration, simplicity, and ownership—regardless of process.
Customer Centricity Begins With Empathy
Rose emphasizes the importance of understanding the customer journey. Engineers should “eat their own dog food,” sit with support teams, and interact with products like real users.
Decentralize Decision-Making, Centralize Vision
Global teams thrive when each region has accountability and autonomy, but shares a unified direction. This alignment empowers faster, better decisions across time zones.
Value Over Code Elegance
Rose challenges teams to prioritize customer outcomes over technical purity. The best software isn't the most elegant—it’s the most useful and adopted.
AI is a Tool, Not a Silver Bullet
Generative AI is powerful but overhyped. Rose warns leaders not to chase tools without understanding the real problems they’re solving.
Cross-Functional Metrics Create Accountability
Shared KPIs between product, marketing, and engineering—like customer adoption and satisfaction—drive aligned execution and true collaboration.
Modernization Requires Contextual Strategy
Migrating to the cloud looks different for every product. Rose shares how both monolithic and microservices-based strategies can succeed—if aligned with customer needs.
Leadership Means Going to the People
Rose and Olivier agree that leaders must proactively engage teams, not wait to be approached. It's about listening deeply, enabling growth, and leading from the front.
Chapter Markers:
00:00 – Introductions and Wine Club Jokes
06:00 – From Pro Volleyball to Product Leadership
13:30 – Motivations Behind Leading Digital Transformation
15:45 – Rose’s Product Development Philosophy
20:00 – Why Engineers Must Understand the 'Why'
22:00 – Real-World Cloud Modernization Stories
25:00 – What It Means to Be Truly Customer-Centric
30:00 – Customer Journey Empathy and Field Feedback
35:00 – Empowering Engineers to Be Co-Creators
40:00 – Aligning Global Teams with Clear Vision
42:30 – CI/CD and Cloud Strategy for Efficiency
47:00 – Connecting Customer Satisfaction to ROI
53:00 – OKRs, Cross-Functional Metrics, and Alignment
55:00 – Rose’s Take on the AI Hype and Future Trends
58:30 – Final Reflections and Thank You
Keywords:
software leadership, customer-centric development, agile mindset, agile software, digital transformation, product management, Rose Schamberger, Olivier Poulard, Andy Hilliard, global engineering teams, software modernization, software strategy, CI/CD automation, cloud transformation, feedback loops, engineering culture, software ROI, product innovation, agile team alignment, empathy in software development, Software Without Borders podcast, Accelerance podcast, technology executive interview, product owner mindset, user experience in software, tech podcast for leaders
Monday May 05, 2025
Monday May 05, 2025
Manish Limaye doesn’t believe in data science for the sake of knowledge - he believes in applied data science that drives real business results. As Chief Data Officer at Revenate and a veteran of Equifax, Travelport, and CITA, he’s built a career transforming data from a back-office function into a revenue-driving force. In this episode, Manish joins Andy Hilliard and Olivier Poulard to discuss how data teams can bridge the gap between IT and business strategy, why stakeholder alignment is the key to impact, and how companies can move from theoretical data science to real-world execution.
To support our show please visit our sponsor:
Software Without Borders is delivered to you by Accelerance. Powering future-forward software outsourcing and project delivery solutions. https://www.accelerance.com
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Kenneth Lopez has built his career at the crossroads of software development and entrepreneurship, scaling various companies with relentless tenacity. As a software executive and investor, he’s mastered the art of bootstrapping, leveraging AI for smarter development, and navigating the delicate balance between technology and human connection. In this episode, Kenneth joins Andy Hilliard and Ryan Schauer to share his hard-earned insights on bringing products to market, scaling software teams, the future of AI-driven efficiency, and why trust drives business success.
To support our show please visit our sponsor:
Software Without Borders is delivered to you by Accelerance. Powering future-forward software outsourcing and project delivery solutions. https://www.accelerance.com
Monday Apr 21, 2025
Monday Apr 21, 2025
Adam Rhuberg has spent his career at the intersection of data science and product development at companies like Upwork, eBay, and Jawbone. His secret to success? Turning raw data into real results with clear roadmaps that connect analytics to smarter business decisions. In this episode, Adam joins Andy Hilliard and Ryan Schauer to unpack the powerful connection between data science and software development, how AI is rewriting the rules of data strategy, and why businesses that don’t adapt risk getting left behind.
To support our show please visit our sponsor:
Software Without Borders is delivered to you by Accelerance. Powering future-forward software outsourcing and project delivery solutions. https://www.accelerance.com
Monday Apr 14, 2025
Monday Apr 14, 2025
Mark Orttung has pulled off what many software companies fail to do - apply agile principles beyond software development. And the results are profound. With a career leading digital transformation at scale, Mark brings deep expertise in operational agility, leadership alignment, and business growth. In this episode, he joins Andy Hilliard and Rich Wanden to discuss how embracing agile thinking across an entire organization leads to faster decision-making, smarter scaling, and a culture of continuous improvement. He also breaks down the risks of ignoring agility in your own business, from leadership bottlenecks to stalled innovation.
To support our show please visit our sponsor:
Software Without Borders is delivered to you by Accelerance. Powering future-forward software outsourcing and project delivery solutions. https://www.accelerance.com
Monday Apr 07, 2025
Monday Apr 07, 2025
Jesse Demmel, CTO of Uplight, is helping energy companies tackle grid challenges with smart devices and customer behavior. With a career spanning giants like Intuit and Under Armour, and as a contributor to Andy Hilliard's upcoming book Total Cost of Delivery, Jesse brings unique insight to today's conversation. In this episode, he joins Andy and Ryan to break down how to access specialized skills in distributed teams, inspire developers to take ownership of their products, and get your team to obsess over solving customer problems.
To support our show please visit our sponsor:
Software Without Borders is delivered to you by Accelerance. Powering future-forward software outsourcing and project delivery solutions. https://www.accelerance.com
Monday Mar 31, 2025
Monday Mar 31, 2025
Where you invest in technology today determines your company’s value tomorrow. In this episode, Andy Hilliard and Rich Wanden sit down with Pete Panagakis, a veteran technology leader with deep experience in software outsourcing, business transformation, and scaling global teams. Pete shares practical insights on how to make smart technology investments, avoid crippling technical debt, and strategically align IT with business goals to maximize valuation. Whether you're scaling a startup or preparing for an acquisition, this episode is packed with real-world advice on turning tech investments into business growth.
To support our show please visit our sponsor:
Software Without Borders is delivered to you by Accelerance. Powering future-forward software outsourcing and project delivery solutions. https://www.accelerance.com
Monday Mar 24, 2025
Monday Mar 24, 2025
How can leaders navigate the balance between agility, innovation, and accountability in modern software development? In this episode, Andy Hilliard and Olivier Poulard are joined by Darrell Swope, a seasoned technology leader with a track record in scaling high-performance teams and implementing agile methodologies. Darrell shares real-world insights on creating strong product roadmaps, fostering team alignment, and integrating customer feedback into the development process. If you're ready to turn vision into action and lead with clarity, tune in and subscribe for an episode packed with actionable strategies.
To support our show please visit our sponsor:
Software Without Borders is delivered to you by Accelerance. Powering future-forward software outsourcing and project delivery solutions. https://www.accelerance.com
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Great software teams aren’t built by accident—they thrive under leaders who prioritize trust, simplicity, and agility. But how do you accomplish that in today's fast-paced global market? In this episode, Andy Hilliard and Olivier Poulard sit down with Jeff Andrews, a seasoned technology executive with over 30 years of experience in cloud, SaaS, and enterprise systems. Jeff shares practical lessons from his career with real examples of scaling global teams, promoting agile mindsets, and driving success through servant leadership. Forget the buzzwords—this episode is packed with actionable insights for leaders ready to make an impact.
To support our show please visit our sponsor:
Software Without Borders is delivered to you by Accelerance. Powering future-forward software outsourcing and project delivery solutions. https://www.accelerance.com
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Monday Mar 10, 2025
What sets successful tech startups apart in today’s competitive landscape? In this episode, Andy Hilliard and Ryan Schauer sit down with Howie Altman, a seasoned executive, tech entrepreneur, and Fractional CTO. Howie reveals the core principles behind thriving startups, from aligning technical strategies with business goals to building strong relationships and cultivating self-aware leadership. Learn how to navigate the challenges of scaling, embrace innovation, and create a team that will drive success.
To support our show please visit our sponsor:
Software Without Borders is delivered to you by Accelerance. Powering future-forward software outsourcing and project delivery solutions. https://www.accelerance.com
Andy Hilliard
Chief Executive Officer, Accelerance
As CEO, Andy leads and advocates for the globalization and collaboration of great software teams with companies in search of talent, innovation and a globally-distributed extension of their engineering function and culture.
Andy founded the ground-breaking nearshore software development services company, Isthmus Costa Rica. He began his global software services career as a division manager at Cognizant during their early formative years.
Andy is originally from Sonoma, CA and has visited more than 60 countries. His passion for global travel, cultural appreciation and cross-border collaboration stems originally from his experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica in the late 1980’s.
Andy holds an MBA in International Business, Finance and Marketing from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Epistemology from the University of Denver after attending Phillips Academy in Andover, MA.
Jarret Streiner
Director of Marketing, Accelerance
As Accelerance's Director of Marketing, Jarret oversees our omnichannel marketing model with expertise in digital channels, analytics, and trends.
As a cross-functional marketing leader with a focus on innovation and emerging technologies, Jarret has a track record of implementing high-level projects to improve process efficiency, reduce errors and expenses, and maintain or increase output quality and performance. With expertise in SEO/PPC, CRO, ROI, content, social media, web analytics, business intelligence, A/B testing, channel attribution, product management, and tag management administration, he has successfully directed strategies across digital, website, social media, paid search, and content for global companies.
With a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Wright State University and certification and training in digital marketing, management, and specialized skills, including Google Analytics, Google Ads, Hubspot, and Agile/Scrum, Jarret is an effective communicator with expertise in campaign management, team building, leadership and development, reporting and analysis, digital marketing optimization, process improvement, market research, strategy development, and project management. He is a Florida native and has visited 44 countries on five continents.