25: Leading people-focused tech transformations: Insights from Marathon Petroleum Corporation Commercial IT Leader, Justin Schwartz

25: Leading people-focused tech transformations: Insights from Marathon Petroleum Corporation Commercial IT Leader, Justin Schwartz

Author: Alan B. Hart November 14, 2025 Duration: 20:46

Justin Schwartz, commercial IT leader at Marathon Petroleum, shares how his team is bringing people and technology together to drive meaningful change across the business. He highlights that understanding the needs of different users, from field staff to traders, is key to shaping effective solutionsand emphasizes the importance of starting with the real business problem rather than simply chasing new technology.

Justin explains how field experiments with AI agents are helping his team learn in real time and improve performance, all while keeping humans at the center of innovation. He encourages leaders navigating rapid transformation to build an inclusive culture, engage teams early, and manage change with transparency and curiosity. Justin also notes that the pace of technology is only increasing, and that actively absorbing information and quickly adopting new ways of working is essential for long-term success. 

 

In this episode, you'll learn: 

Why engaging your people first, pinpointing real business challenges and designing solutions with clear value are crucial for leading successful transformation 

Ways to accelerate progress by making experimentation a habit, learning alongside your teams and quickly applying new insights 

Strategies to build a resilient team that is equipped to handle rapid transformation together 

 

Key highlights: 

[00:00] Introduction  

[01:00] Zone defense: Four kids under 12  

[02:00] Justin's path to Marathon  

[02:40] The scope of Marathon  

[03:30] Transformation throughout Justin's career  

[04:50] Doing "transformation" right  

[06:00] Justin's favorite transformation  

[07:50] Fostering culture during transformation  

[10:10] Experimenting with AI agents  

[11:40] Staying human-centric 

[13:20] An experience that defines you: Learning from challenges 

[15:20] Advice to your younger self: Focus on listening 

[16:20] A topic marketers need to learn more about: Deeper understandings  

[17:10] Subcultures and trends to follow: Human elements of digital transformation  

[18:20] Largest opportunity and threat to marketers today: The rate of change 

 

Resources mentioned:   

 

Follow the podcast:   

 

Connect with Justin Schwartz and Marathon Petroleum Corporation: 

 

Connect with Alan Hart and Deloitte Digital:    


Hosted by Alan B. Hart, Marketing Beyond moves past the buzzwords and surface-level tactics to explore the real strategic decisions shaping modern business. Each episode features a candid, in-depth conversation with a chief marketing officer or a founder who has fundamentally changed how a brand connects with its audience. These aren't just success stories; Alan guides his guests into discussing the pivotal failures, the unexpected pivots, and the nuanced challenges that rarely make the keynote stage. You'll hear firsthand how leaders navigate the convergence of creativity, data, and technology in a rapidly shifting landscape. This podcast provides a rare, unfiltered look at the thinking behind major campaigns and business transformations, offering practical wisdom rather than just theory. For anyone curious about the human judgment and long-term vision required to build lasting brands, these discussions cut straight to the core. Listening feels like being a fly on the wall for a masterclass in strategic marketing, where the focus is always on what comes next.
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