AI in Retail: IPSY CTO on what works, what’s hype, and how to win

Charanya "CK" Kannan is the co-founder and CEO of Pinkfish, where she's revolutionizing enterprise automation with a platform that delivers real ROI and eliminates technical debt. Before Pinkfish, CK served as Chief Product and Technology Officer at Talkdesk, where she was instrumental in scaling the company from Series A to a $10 billion valuation in just six years.

CK's vision for Pinkfish emerged from seeing enterprises invest millions in automation tools that sit underutilized while employees waste their time on manual, repetitive work. This led her to create Pinkfish's Generative Automation platform—a consolidated solution that replaces separate RPA, iPaaS, and document processing investments with one automation tool.

Under CK's leadership, Pinkfish has secured $7.6 million in funding from Norwest Venture Partners, Storm Ventures, and prominent angel investors. Her focus on enterprise-grade reliability has already attracted customers like IPSY, Elevate, Humach, and Talkdesk.

Sree Sreedhararaj, a visionary technology leader, and Chief Technology Officer at IPSY, a trailblazing name in the beauty and tech industry. Having previously held the position of Senior Vice President and CTO at Sephora, a recognized leader in the beauty and retail industry. With a career characterized by innovation, strategic acumen, and an unrelenting passion for cutting-edge technology, Sree has left an indelible mark on the beauty and retail tech landscape. In his new capacity as CTO at IPSY, Sree orchestrates the company's technology strategy, investments, and road mapping, ensuring that IPSY remains at the forefront of technological progress.

Sree's leadership inspires a culture of innovation, driving transformative initiatives that redefine the beauty tech sector. During his seven-year tenure at Sephora, Sree spearheaded the growth and development of the company's technology team, cultivating an environment of creativity and continuous improvement. His visionary leadership played a pivotal role in creating scalable solutions that empowered Sephora to deliver best-in-class technology services and infrastructure to its clientele.

Prior to joining Sephora, he honed his leadership skills at Walmart Labs, where he gained invaluable insights into large-scale technology operations and innovative solutions. Sree's passion for innovation is evident in his impressive portfolio of 14 received patents, with numerous others pending. His forward-thinking approach and ability to transform concepts into tangible solutions have left an enduring impact on the industry. Currently residing in the dynamic tech hub of San Francisco, California, Sree Sreedhararaj continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in the realm of retail technology. His dedication to innovation, client-centric focus, and commitment to driving transformative initiatives make him a true trailblazer in the field, promising a brighter future for IPSY and the beauty tech industry as a whole.