Podcast Episode
Zuzana Manhart: Break Workflows, Build Foundations

About this episode
Steve Budd speaks with Zuzana Manhart, Portfolio Manager for Data and AI at CBPE, about how the AI operator role has grown from solving narrow technical problems to shaping strategy across a portfolio. Zuzana explains where quick wins are landing, why AI features bolted onto familiar tools keep getting ignored, what's really holding agents back, and what to look for when hiring your first AI operator.
Takeaways
The AI operator job has grown from technical fixer into a strategic role across the portfolio
Quick wins like transcription and chat automation land first, the harder stuff comes later
AI bolted onto tools people already use tends to get ignored
Agents are stuck less on model capability and more on visibility into what they're actually doing
Hire someone technical, then let them own the roadmap from the data up
Links
Zuzana's LinkedIn
Zuzana's CBPE profile
CBPE
AI Pathfinder Private Equity AI Strategy Meet-ups:
https://www.aipathfinder.co/private-equity-ai-events
Have a question or would like to suggest improvements, please contact steve@aipathfinder.co