Crux appoints industry veteran, naggi asmar as CTO

I recently had the opportunity to interview Naggi Asmar, Crux’s new Chief Technology Officer, and I was excited to learn more about his journey, his achievements, and his vision for the future of data technology.

Daniel: "Naggi, it's great to have you on the Crux team, and it's an honor to walk through some of your experiences today."

Naggi: "It's my pleasure to be here."

Daniel: "Let's start with your career journey. Can you share with us the experiences that have shaped you as a leader in data technology?"

Naggi: "Absolutely. I've had the opportunity to work with some fantastic companies over the years. As Chief Engineering officer at Matillion, I led the creation and delivery of the Data Productivity Cloud— the first complete cloud-based data integration platform to leverage AI to remove data friction. Before that, I was SVP of Engineering at Medallia, where I oversaw the global expansion of the Medallia Experience Cloud. My earlier roles at Oracle and Plumtree Software laid the foundation for building and scaling innovative data solutions. Each step along the way has really been a learning experience and instrumental in helping shape my approach to leadership and technology."

Daniel: "That's an impressive journey, Naggi. Can you highlight some of the key accomplishments in your career that you're most proud of?"

Naggi: "Certainly. I believe one of my proudest achievements was launching the Data Productivity Cloud at Matillion—it truly transformed how we approach cloud-based data orchestration. Separately, I also had the opportunity to lead the modernization of Medallia’s application infrastructure, rolling it out globally and across different cloud vendors. Also, during my time at Oracle, I contributed to delivering Fusion Middleware and Fusion Applications, which significantly advanced the data integration landscape."

Daniel: "Incredible. Shifting gears a bit, what is your vision for innovation at Crux, especially regarding external data and model-ready operations in the financial services sector?"

Naggi: "At Crux, I really see a unique opportunity to address the perennial issue of data entropy in financial services. We have the chance to deliver reliable, high-quality data directly into financial models by building robust middleware and infrastructure that bridges the gap between data suppliers and consumers. This approach will significantly improve reproducibility and efficiency in the market."

Daniel: "That’s a compelling vision. I'm also curious about your leadership style. How do you foster collaboration and drive innovation within your teams?"

Naggi: "I believe in a balance between innovation and execution. I enjoy driving change that prioritizes the delivery of outcomes while still pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Essentially, my focus is on building agile, high-performing teams that embrace continuous improvement. When you strike that balance, you're well on your way to achieving both product and technology goals."

Daniel: "Given the rapid evolution of technology, which trends do you think are most influential right now?"

Naggi: "There's no doubt that AI is the overriding trend in technology today. With powerful AI and large language model (LLM) technologies emerging, we have a tremendous opportunity to drive data quality and efficiency—reducing operational toil while achieving breakthrough outcomes. This is a game-changer for our industry."

Daniel: "Finally, I would love to hear what ultimately attracted you to Crux, and why you feel your background is a strong fit for our mission."

Naggi: "I joined Crux because I saw an opportunity to leverage my experience in software delivery and data integration to make a significant impact on the financial services data market. I was eager to dive deeper into this area and help drive its evolution. At Crux, our challenge is to use AI to help data teams solve the persistent problem of data entropy. In financial services, where accuracy and quality are non-negotiable, this challenge is also our greatest opportunity to make an outsized impact."

Daniel: "Thank you so much for sharing your journey, vision, and insights with us today, Naggi. Your experience and forward-thinking approach are inspiring, and I'm confident that with your leadership, Crux will continue to push the boundaries of data integration."

Naggi: "Thank you, Daniel. I'm excited to be part of the team, and I look forward to all that we can achieve together."