Podcasts about Women in Tech

How do you build enterprise software for the companies that keep the world turning, while also building a leadership culture where people can actually thrive? In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, I spoke with Kerrie Jordan, Group VP of Product Management at Epicor, about her journey from studying literature to helping shape cloud ERP strategy at a global software company serving more than 20,000 customers worldwide. Kerrie's story is a reminder that there is no single path into technology leadership. Sometimes the foundations are laid in unexpected places, through storytelling, creativity, and a deep curiosity about people. Kerrie shares how her early career in product lifecycle management opened her eyes to the human side of software. Interviewing customers and writing case studies showed her that behind every system implementation is a personal story, a career milestone, or a business trying to survive and grow. That perspective still shapes how she approaches product and marketing today at Epicor, a company recently recognized as a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud ERP for Product-Centric Enterprises for the third consecutive year. But this conversation goes far beyond market recognition. We talk openly about burnout, resilience, and the reality of leading through pressure. Kerrie reflects on the importance of protecting time, creating space to reconnect, and building a culture where empathy is practiced, not just discussed. Her view of leadership is grounded in communication, psychological safety, and being tough on problems rather than people. Mentorship is another thread running throughout our discussion. Kerrie explains why powerful mentorship is not passive. It requires vulnerability, preparation, and a willingness to hear difficult advice. A single phrase from a mentor early in her career, "stick-to-itiveness," continues to shape how she approaches hard problems today. We also explore the future of women in manufacturing and technology. Kerrie highlights the need for intentional change across education, early career development, and leadership visibility. She believes technology, particularly AI, can expand access, enable upskilling, and introduce flexibility that supports long-term career growth. At the same time, she makes a simple but powerful point. Women in tech want the same thing as anyone else: the space and autonomy to do their jobs well. From customer co-innovation and community-driven product roadmaps to inclusive leadership under commercial pressure, this episode offers a candid look at what it really takes to lead in enterprise technology today. If you are building products, leading teams, or questioning your own next career step, I think you will find something in Kerrie's story that resonates.

How fractional leaders get hired isn't random — but it does follow a very different logic than most people expect. If you've been having good conversations, receiving positive signals, and still not seeing those conversations turn into paid work, this episode will help you understand what's really happening on the hiring side. In this episode, we step out of the leader's perspective and into the mindset of the organisation making the decision — because fractional leadership hiring doesn't follow a traditional job search or sales process. Instead, hiring happens when recognition, trust, and timing align. In this episode, we explore: Why fractional leadership opportunities don't follow a linear funnel The difference between visibility and recognisability The three conditions that consistently lead to fractional leadership hiring Why timing matters more than effort How trust is built before a hiring decision is ever made Why so many capable leaders get stuck in "almost" conversations   This episode is for senior women in tech who: Are fractional-ready but not yet chosen Are getting interest, but not conversion Want to stop guessing — without resorting to hustle or salesy tactics Listen if you want to: Understand how fractional hiring decisions are actually triggered Feel calmer and more in control of the process Make your leadership easier to recognise and hire Next steps: Book a Strategy Session (Positioning + Hiring Clarity)

In this episode, Kat sits down with Emily Gill (founder at Levra and recognised as one of the Top 50 Women in Tech) for a real conversation about modern busyness, perfectionism, and the habits that protect human performance. They unpack why we've become human doings, how tiny “basic” habits (sleep, breathing, movement) create outsized impact, and why human skills like empathy, connection and communication are becoming even more valuable in the age of AI.What you'll hear in this episodeWhy life feels like we're being pulled in “50,000 directions” - and how to decide what deserves your energy todayThe perfectionism trap: “Sometimes good enough is enough”Kat's take: we've shifted from human beings → human doings (and what constant consumption is doing to our brains)The habit most people ignore: the wind-down routine (and why we treat kids better than ourselves at bedtime!)Why we don't do the basics… even when we know they workHow Kat creates change in teams: pattern disruption + questions that help people see it for themselvesThe power of shared experience: real behaviour change happens when people realise they're not aloneEmily's insight: human connection is what “fills up our soul” — and why loneliness is a real performance problemWhy discomfort is part of growth (and why in-person connection is coming back)Phones, attention, and the impact on family connection (the restaurant moment that hit hard)Emily on AI: automation will rise - so human skills (empathy, conflict management, reading the room, asking better questions) become the differentiatorA brilliant reframe: kids wear an Elsa outfit with full confidence… what would change if adults did life with that energy?ABOUT THE GUESTEmily Gill is the Co-Founder of LEVRA, an award-winning EdTech company solving Human Skills gaps for businesses by using psychometrics, and AI to measure and develop Human Skills, such as communication, teamwork and EQ. A former Finance Lawyer at Clifford Chance, she completed her MBA at the University of Oxford and has been recognised as one of the Top 50 UK Women in Tech. Emily is a Certified Coach (CPCC) and serves as Chair of School Governors at Harris Clapham.LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilygilllevra/ABOUT HOST KATKat started her career as a teacher, before moving into Tech where she worked in different executive roles within teaching and consulting working across the globe, both in the public and private sector. Despite appearing 'successful' on the outside, she paid a heavy ‘life' price. In 2016, her whole world collapsed. The reason? The compound effect of years of unhealthy and toxic habits that destroyed her health, relationship, and career. She rebuilt herself by changing just one small habit and built a series of positive habits which has transformed her professional and personal performance, resulting in becoming the healthiest and happiest version of herself. She is a positive habits international keynote speaker and teacher, giving talks and delivering high impact programmes to organisations across the globe.https://www.linkedin.com/in/katthorne https://www.instagram.com/the_morning_gamechanger

In the current discourse on creativity and leadership, Amy Vaughan emerges as a formidable force, redefining paradigms in the digital landscape. This episode elucidates her multifaceted approach to empowering women in technology and marketing, a mission that is both timely and critical in today's evolving corporate environment. As the Chief Executive Officer of Together Digital, she champions a network that facilitates strategic connections among over 500 women, fostering a community built on collaboration and innovation. Furthermore, her role as Managing Director of Marketeer Collaborative demonstrates her commitment to cultivating spaces conducive to creativity and collective growth. Throughout our dialogue, we traverse her personal journey, her visionary insights on team dynamics, and the imperative of intentional networking within professional spheres, emphasizing that meaningful connections serve not only as a foundation for success but also as an essential element of personal well-being.Amy Vaughn joins us to share her remarkable journey of transforming creativity and leadership in the digital age. As a seasoned creative director and the CEO of Together Digital, Amy champions the empowerment of women in tech, pushing boundaries and advocating for innovation that makes a tangible impact. She emphasizes the importance of building meaningful connections and community, which she views as essential to personal and professional growth. During our conversation, we delved into the challenges women face in the tech sector, including the persistent pay gap and the need for greater representation. Tune in as we explore how fostering a culture of collaboration and understanding can pave the way for a more equitable future in the workplace.Takeaways:The importance of running towards aspirations rather than fleeing from fears is a fundamental principle for personal and professional growth.Building an effective team necessitates a focus on cultural addition rather than mere conformity, thereby enhancing diversity of thought and experience.Time management is paramount for fostering creativity; establishing structured periods for deep work facilitates innovation and productivity.Networking is critical; leveraging connections can significantly enhance career opportunities, especially in hidden job markets that are not publicly advertised.Women in tech and marketing face systemic challenges, including the persistent gender pay gap and underrepresentation, necessitating proactive measures from leadership to promote equity.Embracing a hybrid work model is essential for modern organizations, as it accommodates the evolving preferences of a workforce increasingly valuing flexibility and autonomy.Links referenced in this episode:togetherindigital.comthemarketercollab.comhttps://www.becomingbridgebuilders.org/Mentioned in this episode:My friend Dr. Noah St. John calls this 'the invisible brake.' He's giving our listeners a free Revenue Ceiling Audit to help you see what's REALLY holding you back. You'll also get a FREE 30-day membership to Noah Bot, giving you access to Dr. Noah's 30 years of experience to help you reach your next level. But hurry, because there are only 50 available this month. So if you're tired of being stuck at the same revenue level and want to finally break through, get your FREE Revenue Ceiling Audit at https://www.noahvault.com?aff=d28bf6c78150c7f09896297dfe1701c1cd191ac6fc9976779212cec5d38e94d6

What does ambition look like when you're navigating identity, immigration, and leadership — all at once? In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, Dr. Lola Adeyemo sits down with award-winning author, tech leader, and podcast host Sheekha Singh to explore immigrant ambition, women in tech, burnout, and redefining success beyond hustle culture. Born and raised in India, educated in the United States, and now based in Canada, Sheekha brings a global immigrant lens to leadership and high performance. She is the author of: Unburnable Ambition — a practical, reflective guide for overachievers who want to win without burning out. The IT Girl — winner of the 2021 Dan Poynter Global Ebook Award (Gold) in Technology/Engineering. In this conversation, we explore: • The immigrant perspective on burnout • Cultural expectations and pressure to succeed • Women in tech and representation gaps • H1B transitions and cross-border leadership journeys • Why overcompensating leads to exhaustion • How to advocate for yourself without playing the victim • Boundaries as a leadership skill Sheekha's core belief: Ambition doesn't have to cost you your peace. If you are an immigrant professional, a first-generation leader, a woman in tech, or someone navigating layered identities in the workplace, this episode will resonate.

While prospects for women in tech and AI have improved over the years, women still comprise just a fraction of the tech workforce. Ayumi Moore Aoki is the founder of Women in Tech Global, an organization with a presence in over 60 countries around the world, one designed to empower women in the sector. She shares how a leaky talent pipeline makes opportunity harder to seize, what's needed at each stage of women's careers to bridge gaps and what leaders can do to ensure they make the most of their team's talents. She'll also explain what skills will be more important than ever for leaders in an AI-powered workforce, the question she asks herself now more than at any time in her career, and the one topic that will define AI in the months ahead. Lastly, this advocate and founder also details how her background has prepared her to run WTG, from her time in South Africa during apartheid to her lessons learned as an entrepreneur.  Related links: Women in Tech Global: https://women-in-tech.org/Ayumi Moore Aoki: https://ayumimooreaoki.com/ Related reports:  Global Gender Gap Report: https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-gender-gap-report-2025/ Global Gender Gap Report Global Parity in the Intelligene Age: https://www.weforum.org/publications/gender-parity-in-the-intelligent-age-2025/ Related episodes:  Be your own role model - a female rocket scientist, pioneer and science influencer explains Listen here: https://tinyurl.com/y4n9cmec 7 women leaders on the books that shaped their lives Listen: https://tinyurl.com/vuketc78  

Listen in as I respond to the generous and conflicting feedback that you sent about my last episode, "Bravery in the Meantime." Your feedback was the full range responses—positive, relieved, dismissive, and angry. I share your feedback and also offer my own thoughts on what comes next for us all. What You'll Hear:Four buckets of listener feedback, from validating to challengingMy vulnerable response to criticism about privilege, systemic change, and individual copingAn invitation: What can Nicole create to support you in building your brave career?Key Takeaway:What you want to reject because it threatens you might be exactly what you need to work on right now.Mentioned in This Episode:Previous episode: "Bravery in the Meantime: How to Use a Tough Career Phase for Long-Term Success"Past episodes: "The Glass Floor" and "Recognizing Toxic Career Surroundings"Connect with Nicole:You can be a woman in tech and enjoy your career. When you build the skill of bravery, you will stress less, work less, and then earn more. Check out the following resources designed to help you thrive in your career: Check out my websiteJoin my mailing list for more insights, opportunities, and inspirationConnection with me on LinkedIn

After stepping off stage from moderating a panel, a Senior Frontend Developer from Capgemini waited to say hello. She asked for a quick photo, and within minutes, we were deep in conversation about hackathons, women in tech, mentoring, and the pride she felt watching Egypt host a platform of this scale. Her name is Alaa Ali Kortoma, and what began as a quick introduction turned into her very first podcast appearance. In today's episode, you will hear directly from someone on the ground in Cairo about what AI Everywhere means to her, to Egypt, and to a generation of more than 750,000 graduates entering the workforce each year. We talk about bridging the gap between academia and industry, shrinking the distance between startups and investors, and why she believes AI represents opportunity rather than replacement. If AI really is everywhere, it should look like a possibility. It should look like inclusion. It should look like young women mentoring at hackathons. It should look like national strategies focused on responsible adoption and skills development. So let me beam your ears to Cairo and introduce you to Alaa Ali Kortoma. And after spending three days at AI Everything MEA, what does AI Everywhere mean to me? It is not hype. It is not a headline. It is policymakers embedding AI into public services. It is engineers building Arabic language models tailored to local needs. It is healthcare systems using AI to detect disease earlier. It is investors listening to founders. It is young professionals investing in themselves. One phrase from this conversation will stay with me long after the microphones were turned off. Proud and full of possibility. Over the last decade, I have seen technology stories unfold across continents, but Cairo reminded me why I started this podcast in the first place. Technology becomes powerful when it connects people. When it builds confidence. When it proves that innovation is not reserved for a select few regions. AI is often framed as a Silicon Valley or East Asia story. What I witnessed in Egypt suggests something broader is taking shape. Capital is flowing differently. Partnerships are forming across Africa and the Middle East. Talent is visible. Voices are confident. So if AI can thrive beside the Nile, if it can empower graduates in Cairo to see opportunity rather than threat, then perhaps AI really is everywhere. The final question is this. What does AI Everywhere look like where you are, and what role are you playing in shaping it? Wherever you are listening from, I would love to hear your story too.

Swati Vauthrin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Recess, the parenting platform redefining how families connect, learn, and shop through community and circular commerce. A seasoned engineering leader turned mission-driven founder, Swati spent over 15 years as an engineer building and scaling products at Instagram, BuzzFeed, ESPN, and Disney—most notably leading global growth for Instagram Reels. Her inspiration for Recess came directly from her own motherhood journey. As a mom of three, Swati experienced firsthand how isolating, overwhelming, and expensive parenting can be so she's building Recess to create the trusted, spam-free, AI-powered space she wished existed when she became a parent—where families can get real advice, find community, and shop high-quality secondhand gear safely and affordably.

In this episode, I sit down with Kate Turner—a powerhouse coach with 15 years of experience in Sales and Technology. We explore her journey through the highs and lows of working in fast-paced tech environments, fundraising rounds, executive roles, and the personal transformation that came from burning out while "doing everything right."Kate shares how she rebuilt her life and career from a place of deeper alignment, integrating nervous system awareness, boundaries, and intentional choices that serve her body and her values. If you've ever found yourself chasing success while losing yourself in the process, this conversation is a must-listen.We dive into the difference between achievement and fulfillment, why the stories we tell ourselves about productivity are often rooted in fear, and how to begin untangling your identity from your career. This episode will help you pause, reflect, and ask: what does success really mean to me?Connect with Kate:www.linkedin.com/in/kateturner9www.instagram.com/@all.in.with.katewww.kateturnercoaching.comWORK WITH ME 1:1:❥Softening into self- 3 month 1:1 with Whats App Support:https://marina-yt.mykajabi.com/offers/PAWQhZHu❥❥1:1 Coaching with me: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWcZM5s9c2OjOLwoGMI5jE6rh_JAzjN2d_vCtuVe7e3pVGxw/viewformDOWNLOAD FOR FREE:Stay or Go: 5 Clarity Questions to Reconnect with Your Inner Knowing: https://marinayt.com/stay-or-go-guideAttachment Practice: Discover the actual blocks beneath the surface so you can actually have the deep intimacy you crave: https://marinayt.com/attachment-practice Connect & Ground: 10 Incredible Somatic Practices for Nervous System Regulation: https://marinayt.com/connect-and-groundAlive & Aligned: 7 Embodiment Practices For Self Connection: https://marinayt.com/alive-and-alignedTrigger to Rooted: A step by step process of working with your triggers: https://marinayt.com/trigger-2-rooted VIEW MY COURSES & RESOURCES:https://marinayt.com/resources#/ CONNECT WITH  ME:Follow me on Instagram:⁠ ⁠www.instagram.com/marina.y.t⁠⁠ Subscribe to YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@marinatriner Top Episode Quotes:“I thought burnout meant you were weak, not that the system was broken.”“I had to unlearn the idea that my worth was tied to what I produced.”“You can still be successful, but the cost no longer has to be your body.”“Nervous system regulation became the foundation for how I now approach everything—from work to rest.”“Reclaiming your power often means rewriting the story that got you here.”burnout recovery, redefining success, nervous system regulation, women in tech, healing from burnout, somatic healing, leadership coaching, boundary setting, burnout prevention, career transformation, kate turner, poker

Send a textCheck out this replay episode for kids and parents interested in cyber security.Curious about how artificial intelligence shapes our daily lives? Join us as we chat with Tennisha Martin, the visionary founder of Black Girls Hack, who shares her journey from a tech-savvy childhood to leading a nonprofit that empowers underrepresented communities through cybersecurity and technology. Discover the thrill of breaking and testing software for security purposes, and learn how AI, from predictive text to smart home devices, is seamlessly woven into our routines. Tennisha explains AI concepts in ways kids can grasp, emphasizing why it's crucial to understand AI's benefits and potential risks for safety and security.Ever wondered about the ethical implications of AI misuse? We explore these challenges, especially how AI-generated code can be exploited, and discuss Tennisha's motivations behind establishing Black Girls Hack. Learn about the organization's hands-on training and support, and get inspired by the empowering environment of cybersecurity conferences like Hack for Summer Camp and SquadCon. We wrap up with a fun game of Two Truths and a Dream, sharing personal anecdotes and practical advice for young tech enthusiasts. This episode is a treasure trove of insights and tips for anyone keen on venturing into the world of technology and cybersecurity.Resources:BlackGirlsHack - Our cornerstone brand advocating to increase diversity of Black girls and women within Cyber https://blackgirlshack.org/We Got Next Cyber - 9th through 12th grade training program wegotnextcyber.comSquadCon/ Girls Hack Village - Girls Hack Village has a cybersecurity conference that provided a gender-diverse platform for women and girls in cybersecurity squadcon.meHacking Events - BlackGirlsHack - Events Support the showHey parents and teachers, if you want to stay on top of the AI news shaping your kids' world, subscribe to our weekly AI for Kids Substack: https://aiforkidsweekly.substack.com/ Help us become the #1 podcast for AI for Kids and best AI podcast for kids, parents, teachers, and families. Buy our debut book “AI… Meets… AI”Social Media & Contact: Website: www.aidigitales.com Email: contact@aidigitales.com Follow Us: Instagram, YouTube Books on Amazon or Free AI Worksheets Listen, rate, and subscribe! Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Other Like o...

Efua Akumanyi, chief technology officer at Coding Black Females, discusses her own entry into the world of software development as one of the few women on an AI degree, why so many women feel discouraged from entering the sector and how she re-dedicated her career to supporting black women entering tech. Coding Black Females is the largest community of black women in the UK tech industry. The group aims to grow, educate and inspire one of the most underrepresented groups in the industry. 

In this episode of the Tech Beyond Gender podcast, Meena Satishkumar speaks with Amanda Watson from Tech Women New Zealand about the evolving reality of women in the tech industry.Amanda shares insights from nearly 25 years in IT, highlighting the progress made and the challenges that still remain for women navigating technical careers, leadership pathways, and workplace bias.The conversation explores:• Why women still face barriers in technical roles and leadership• The impact of career breaks and fast-moving tech environments• Bias in hiring, progression, and workplace culture• The role of initiatives like ShadowTech and mentoring circles• How organisations can better support women returning to work• Generational shifts shaping the future of tech careersThis is an honest, grounded discussion on what it really takes to create inclusive, supportive environments for women in technology — and what needs to change next.If you're working in tech, leading teams, or passionate about gender equity in the industry, this episode will resonate deeply.

If women don't experiment with AI now, we risk hard-coding today's leadership gaps into tomorrow's technology. In this episode I'm joined by Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada's Ocean Supercluster, to explore the intersection of women in leadership, AI readiness, representation, and emerging technology. This conversation goes beyond theory. It tackles the real risks and opportunities facing women leaders as AI, climate tech, and other emerging technologies reshape how leadership works — and who gets to shape the future. In this episode, we discuss: ◾ Why representation in leadership matters more than ever in emerging tech ◾ How AI adoption in the workplace can either reduce or reinforce gender bias ◾ Why women's hesitation to experiment with AI is a leadership issue — not a technical one ◾ What it takes to lead confidently in male-dominated industries like tech and ocean  innovation ◾ How leadership pipelines for women are shaped early — at work, at home, and through education ◾ The role of experimentation, confidence, and visibility in closing the leadership gap Kendra shares her own journey — from stepping away from STEM early in life to leading large-scale innovation and commercialisation — and offers practical insight into how women leaders can engage with AI and emerging tech without needing to be technical experts. If you care about: ✔ women in tech leadership ✔ AI readiness for leaders ✔ gender diversity in leadership ✔ bias in AI algorithms ✔ emerging and sustainable technology this episode is for you. If you're ready for your next  level explore how to strengthen your leadership clarity, visibility, and career trajectory by booking a discovery call via the link in the description.   **Useful links** Connect with today's guest and sponsor, Kendra MacDonald: ◾  W: kendramacdonald.com ◾ Substack: https://substack.com/@saltwatersignals  This episode was sponsored by our guest, Kendra MacDonald. Thank you Kendra for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!  

It's your weekly dose of the Scoop from Tapod with all of your TA & Recruitment news from here and abroad. We cover all sorts of headlines, including…  Candidates paying recruiters in the US, MAFS is back! Companies scrambling to rehire humans, Good jobs news from the UK, Women in Tech & Finance subject to AI bias. And much more.Thanks to Indeed for partnering with us on The Scoop. 

June Angelides MBE is a globally recognized venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and one of the most influential voices in tech, inclusive leadership, and investing in Africa and Europe. In this Founders Connect episode, June Angelides sits down with Peace Itimi to share her journey from growing up in Yaba, Lagos to becoming a leading investor backing startups across Africa and the UK.June opens up about her childhood in Nigeria, moving to the UK at 16, building her career at Thompson Reuters and Silicon Valley Bank, and why she decided to leave a stable corporate career to launch Mums in Tech, the UK's first child-friendly coding school for mothers. She breaks down the realities of building a startup without profit, the emotional toll of shutting down a company, and what founders must understand about fundraising, runway, and paying themselves.This conversation goes deep into venture capital, diaspora investing, building global companies from Africa, and the differences between African and Western startup ecosystems. June also shares powerful insights on women in tech, wealth creation, venture capital diversity, and why founders must think global from day one.If you are a founder, investor, tech professional, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with real lessons on startup funding, venture capital, diaspora capital, and building impactful companies in emerging markets.This episode is sponsored by Obiex. Instantly buy and sell bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies at zero fees here: https://www.obiex.finance/Connect with us:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundersconnectshow/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersconnect_X: https://www.x.com/thefcshow_

If performance were enough, more women in tech would already be promoted. They're not. In this episode of Leading Women in Tech, Toni Collis breaks down executive presence for women in tech — what it actually means, why being good at your job isn't enough at senior levels, and how leaders are really evaluated when promotion, influence, and trust are on the line. This episode is for high-performing women who've been told they need "more executive presence" — without ever being given clarity on what to change. You'll learn why executive presence is not about confidence theatre or personality, why women are often misread at senior levels, and how to build leadership presence without changing who you are. In this episode, you'll learn: ◾ Why performance alone doesn't create executive presence ◾ What executive presence for women in tech really looks like at senior levels ◾ How leaders are evaluated on judgement, framing, and decision-making ◾ Why executive presence is harder for women (and how bias actually shows up) ◾ The difference between confidence and leadership presence ◾ Practical ways to build executive presence without becoming someone else

Key TakeawaysAI's progress: Wiese expresses excitement to return to the event after a year to hear real case studies on how people have embraced AI, especially appreciating the human and change‑management side of this transformational journey. Specifically, she's eager to learn where organizations have tested, scaled, or faced pushback over the past 12 months, noting that adopting AI is an ongoing, iterative process.Curating the agenda: "I think my number one view of all of the submissions was around innovation," notes Wiese, who played a role as a Programming Committee Board member, selecting sessions for the 2026 AI Agent & Copilot Summit agenda. In her process, she looked for examples of where organizations have truly innovated with this technology. "I want honest, too. You know, 'this is what we tried. It didn't work, but we came back at it, here's how'".AI's impact on women in tech: On Thursday, March 19, Wiese will lead a Fireside Chat around her new book, "You're on Mute." The book explores whether AI has actually helped women enter and thrive in the tech industry amid persistent adoption and trust gaps. Through stories from contributors, it examines AI's impact on leveling the playing field and encourages more women to see AI as a path into tech.Event expectations: The real power of conferences and events comes from being together, notes Wiese. With the lineup of speakers, she believes attendees will gain access to candid insights and meaningful peer connections. Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Send us a textSummaryIn this conversation, Jill Wilson shares her unique journey from finance and healthcare to becoming a senior director at Google. She discusses the challenges and learnings from her transition, the importance of values in decision-making, and how she embraces risk in her leadership style. Jill emphasizes the significance of small wins, building confidence, and the role of frameworks in leadership. She also reflects on her experiences as a woman in tech, navigating expectations, and the legacy she aims to leave behind.TakeawaysJill Wilson's journey is marked by unexpected opportunities and transitions.Leadership is about authenticity and finding one's unique style.Embracing risk is essential for growth and innovation.Small wins are crucial for building confidence and momentum.Frameworks can be helpful but should not replace deep thinking.Authentic leadership involves learning from others while being true to oneself.Women in tech face unique challenges but can navigate them with openness.Comparison can hinder personal achievement and joy.Taking time for strategic thinking is vital for effective leadership.Legacy is about defining personal success on one's own terms.Chapters00:00Introduction to Jill Wilson's Journey01:47Transitioning from CEO to Director at Google07:39Core Values and Leadership Philosophy09:53Embracing Risk and Bold Decisions12:49The Importance of Incremental Wins19:31Building Confidence and Autonomy24:03Frameworks vs. Authentic Leadership26:36Frameworks That Stick27:50Defining Authentic Leadership32:23Embracing Uniqueness in Leadership33:43Strategizing Amidst Busyness37:45Navigating Expectations as a Woman in Tech40:18Building a Diverse Network46:22Legacy and Personal Achievement

I'm really happy to welcome Preeti Malkani, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board and Co-founder of Women for Women International Germany. With Indian and German roots, and a career that spans global advertising, entrepreneurship and humanitarian leadership, Preeti has dedicated her work to empowering women in conflict zones and rethinking how we talk about power and inclusion.In this conversation, we speak about the moments that shaped her path, the stories she's witnessed in places like Rwanda, Iraq and Bosnia. And we'll also talk about what each of us can do, beyond donations, to support women across the globe.If you enjoy this conversation, don't forget to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform.Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Today on the Invest In Her Podcast, host Catherine Gray interviews Nomiki Petrolla, a product leader and tech founder on a mission to close the access gap for women in technology and entrepreneurship. With more than 15 years of experience leading product, design, and strategy across healthcare, fintech, artificial intelligence, and enterprise SaaS, Nomiki has built and scaled products in some of the most male-dominated sectors of tech. She is the founder of PDS Lab, an accelerator launched to help women build and launch tech companies from the ground up, and the creator of Theanna, a data-networking platform designed to bring transparency, insight, and connection to the female founder journey. Based in Ohio and a mother of four, Nomiki is also an active mentor, educator, and speaker, working with organizations such as Techstars and speaking at institutions including Harvard. In this conversation, Catherine and Nomiki explore the structural barriers women face in tech entrepreneurship and why access to product knowledge, data, and networks remains one of the biggest challenges for women founders. Nomiki shares what she observed firsthand while advising startups—how women are often excluded from critical early-stage information—and how that insight led to building platforms that democratize knowledge and connection. The discussion also dives into the importance of community, the role of data in leveling the playing field, and what investors, accelerators, and ecosystems must do differently to support women-led innovation at scale. This episode is a powerful look at how intentional infrastructure and transparency can transform outcomes for women founders—and the future of tech as a whole. Websites mentioned: https://theanna.ai https://www.showherthemoneymovie.com www.sheangelinvestors.com    Follow Us On Social Facebook @sheangelinvestors Twitter (X) @sheangelsinvest Instagram @sheangelinvestors & @catherinegray_investinher LinkedIn @catherinelgray & @sheangels   #InvestInHer #FinancialWellness #WomenInFinance #FinancialEmpowerment #MoneyMindset #InclusiveFinance #FintechForGood #BehavioralEconomics #WealthBuilding #FinancialHealth #EmpowerWomen #MoneyMatters #SheAngelInvestors #InvestInYourself #FinancialFreedom  

In this special Women in Tech episode, guest host Sheryl Miles speaks with Ruth Gray of Z2Data about how supply chain risk parallels gender imbalance, the blind spots when it comes to retaining women in tech, the importance of shared responsibility in ensuring a strong talent pipeline, how to predict female talent drop-out before it happens, and so much more.

It’s a fast but mighty 20 minute bonus episode of Insider Interviews! Took my “she-cam” on another* spontaneous journey through the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2026) to speak with six different women, of six different tech and media areas. They provided first-hand insights on #AI, content, and advertising. These industry leaders span audio, advertising and age tech, sports, streaming, and out of home, so there’s really something for everyone! Quick coverage bites include: Vobble at CES • A snippet about ‘Vobble,’ an interactive audio device that lets kids build stories; MY sound didn’t do it justice, but your kid might love it IRL (and you might love it as a bedtime story aid!) • A walk through the innovations for better health and aging in place via the Age Tech Collaborative from AARP, thanks to their VP of Startup Programming, Amelia Hay. A la this being an episode with all women in tech and media, as Amelia said of the Collaborative: “We have over 200 startups in the collaborative, and probably 40% are women founders… I think we’re really pushing that envelope and putting our stake in the ground in technology.” (PS: did I mention I’d love that sleep-helper AND the hearing-helping eyeglasses from EssilorLuxotica on display there?!) BrightLine Interactive Ads • I got a lesson in the history of ad innovations and how to apply “Changemaker” thinking, from Brightline (and SustainChain) founder, and now author, Jacqueline Corbelli, who I call “the doyenne of interactive advertising!” A simple summary of “changemaker” playbook is what Jacquie has done her entire career: “Think about what you want and go further…” • A chat with the dual founder of Sports Studio, Inc. and Rasenberger Media, Cathy Rasenberger , illuminated how her freshman streaming platform is scoring distribution wins, perhaps because it’s appropriately named “Free Live Sports“?! FreeLive Sports Cheers to them for “aggregating more free sports content than any other platform… We’re democratizing sports for all the fans.” • Stacy Minero, newly named CMO of Outfront Media, and Erin Harris, Head of Fluency Sales for SiriusXM, explain changes in their now UNtraditional mediums and how they each are leveraging AI to power creative and efficient DOOH advertising and audio content, respectively. Erin noted that, “We still see the strongest performance with human voice, but we’re extremely excited about AI in terms of helping us find little levers to pull, to make things more personal.”  And as Stacy added: “There’s a huge opportunity for AI to unlock productivity, especially in the area of post-production… to do some of the grunt work so that people can focus on the fun work.” AI meets Outfront Media We say, “YES!” Don't miss out on learning from each of these powerhouse women and their compelling companies. *And don’t miss my last full episode — also captured at CES — with executives in audio, video and brand marketing! Connect with E.B. Moss and Insider Interviews: With Media & Marketing Experts            LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mossappeal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insiderinterviews Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsiderInterviewsPodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@insiderinterviews Substack: Moss Hysteria Please follow Insider Interviews, share with another smart business leader, and leave a comment on @Apple or @Spotify… or a tip in my jar!: https://buymeacoffee.com/mossappeal!  THANK YOU for listening!

Send us a textIn this energizing and uplifting conversation, Joey Pinz sits down with cybersecurity rising star ChiChi Ubah, whose passion for learning, adventure, and personal growth lights up every moment of the dialogue. ChiChi shares her love for adrenaline-filled activities, her ambitions to learn to fly a small aircraft, and the mindset that fuels her ongoing pursuit of new experiences—including her PhD focused on AI-driven cybersecurity curriculum development.A dedicated advocate for women in cybersecurity, ChiChi discusses the life-changing support she's received from WiCyS, where mentorship, training, and certifications helped guide her path into cloud security. She reflects on the role of representation, allies, and community in creating opportunities for women in a male-dominated industry.The conversation also explores breaking old beliefs, embracing intentionality, and the everyday practice of consistency—whether pursuing certifications, maintaining health, or building a TikTok channel from 0 to 5,000 followers. ChiChi also opens up about motivation, legacy, and redefining success through freedom, impact, and personal evolution.This episode is packed with insight, heart, humor, and the fearless drive of someone committed to becoming better every day.

The hidden cost of silence—and the power of speaking up Kae Kronthaler-Williams is a global software marketing executive, speaker, and unapologetic advocate for women who refuse to shrink at work. With three decades in tech, she's seen the system from the inside—and she's done playing nice with broken cultures. Through bold storytelling, public speaking, executive coaching, and nonprofit leadership, Kae calls out bias, confronts toxic workplaces, and helps women reclaim their power. Her mission is simple and radical: make sure every woman is seen, supported, and equipped to lead. Because when women rise, organizations—and entire industries—rise with them. Visibility. Equity. Leadership. Change. Not Made For You If you've ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or quietly pushed out of the room—this book is for you. Not Made For You pulls back the curtain on the unspoken realities women face in tech and corporate America: sexism, harassment, ageism, racism, microaggressions, and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) systems designed to keep power exactly where it is. But this isn't just a book about what's broken—it's a guide to surviving, navigating, and winning anyway. With unflinching honesty and hard-earned insight, Kae transforms lived experience into a practical, empowering playbook. She gives women the language to speak up, the tools to protect themselves, and the confidence to lead on their own terms. Silence becomes solidarity. Resistance becomes reform. It's time to rewrite who gets to lead, thrive, and succeed in tech. Inside the Book In her powerful debut, Kae chronicles her 30-year rise from telemarketer to tech executive—offering a rare, insider view of the exclusionary systems still shaping women's careers today. This is not theory. This is survival—and strategy. Readers will discover: Real-world scripts to respond to bias, exclusion, and workplace gaslighting Critical legal insights every woman in tech should know (but rarely does) A leadership framework built from lived experience, not corporate buzzwords Tools for self-advocacy, career longevity, burnout prevention, and systemic change Whether you've personally faced discrimination or want to be a more effective ally, Not Made For You equips readers with the clarity, courage, and leadership language needed to drive lasting change. women in tech, workplace bias, gender equity, leadership development, corporate culture, DEI, women's empowerment, career advancement, microaggressions, toxic workplaces, executive leadership #NotMadeForYou #WomenInTech #LeadershipMatters #EquityAtWork #BreakTheBias #CareerAdvocacy #WomenWhoLead #CorporateCulture #DEI #SystemicChange Connect with Kae Website: kaewilliams.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaekronthalerwilliams/ Substack: https://substack.com/@kaekronthalerwilliams Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaekwilliams/

It's about time we really talk about beauty tech, what it already looks like in parts of Asia, and what it could become in our homes in the next few years, in ways we probably can't even imagine yet.That's exactly what I explore in this episode with Wanfen Xia, CMO and Managing Director at Ulike Europe.Wanfen brings a clear and grounded perspective on where the beauty-tech sector is heading. We talk about how advanced Asian markets already are, what Europe can learn from them, and how new self-care routines might soon become a natural part of everyday life at home.What I especially appreciated in this conversation is Wanfen's gentle, thoughtful approach, shaped by literature, aesthetics, and a deep understanding to what beauty can mean beyond performance or perfection. It's a reminder that some things are meant to be felt intuitively.If you enjoy this conversation, don't forget to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform.Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Send us a textIn this inspiring conversation, Joey Pinz speaks with cybersecurity advocate Brianna Steele, who brings a refreshing and deeply human perspective to one of the world's most technical professions. With a background in psychology and a passion for understanding human behavior, Brianna explains why attacker motivations, intentions, and emotional drivers are just as important as the tools they use.Brianna shares her journey from Arizona to the Washington, D.C. area, her involvement with Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS), and why representation and mentorship are pivotal for bringing more women into the field. She breaks down how behavioral analysis shapes her interest in SOC work and why understanding “why people hack” matters as much as how they do it.The conversation expands into AI as a study companion, fasting and lifestyle discipline, motivation rooted in love, and the importance of self-awareness when entering a high-pressure industry. Brianna's warmth and clarity make this an energizing episode for anyone exploring cybersecurity, career transition, or personal growth.

In this episode, host Natalie Benamou sits down with Sue Harnett, the Founder and CEO of Rewriting the Code to discuss how a background in sports inspired a global movement for women in technology. Sue shares how she identified a systemic lack of belonging for women in university computer science programs and turned a pilot program with 80 students at universities into a global community of 40,000 women.Hear how why it is so important for peer-to-peer mentorship and discover the specific challenges Gen Z women face in the workforce. Sue shares insights about the launch of the new "Rewrite AI" initiative designed to ensure women have a voice in the future of artificial intelligence.This is a must listen for leaders who need inspiration in not going alone and how having peer supporters will make the difference. You got this!About Our Guest:Sue Harnett is the CEO & Founder of Rewriting the Code (RTC), one of the largest nonprofit peer-to-peer network of students and women in tech that offers support and resources to help women advance in technology industries. Sue is extremely passionate about breaking down barriers for women technologists, with a deep belief in equity. seek to bridge the gaps through corporate partnerships, philanthropy, and programming that connect women with opportunity, mentorship, and industry access. At the heart of it all is community.Sue Harnett on LinkedInRewriting the CodeKeep shining your light bright. The world needs you.HerCsuite® is a leadership network where women build what's next. Our members land board roles, grow businesses, lead the AI conversation, and live their best portfolio career with our programs. Join us at HerCsuite.com, and connect with host Natalie Benamou on LinkedIn.

Join us on the AdTechGod Pod as we dive into an inspiring conversation with Julie Van Ullen, President and CRO at iSpot. Discover her journey through leadership roles at IAB, OpenX, Freewheel, Rakuten Advertising, and Rakuten Rewards. Julie shares her insights on maintaining authenticity, the importance of mentorship, and navigating the evolving landscape of digital advertising. Tune in to learn from her experiences and gain valuable advice for aspiring leaders. Takeaways Julie's career has been fueled by authenticity and mentorship. Trust is essential in leadership and team dynamics. Change is a constant in the tech industry, requiring adaptability. Measurement in advertising must evolve to keep pace with consumer behavior. The future of advertising is promising, with a focus on data-driven insights. Women in tech face unique challenges but can overcome them with support. Mentorship is crucial for personal and professional development. Authenticity in leadership fosters a positive work environment. The advertising industry is ripe for innovation and change. Building trust with teams leads to better outcomes. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Julie Van Ullen 01:04 Julie's Career Journey and Mentorship 04:01 The Importance of Authenticity in Leadership 08:38 Transitioning from Traditional to Connected Television 11:37 The Role of Measurement in Advertising 14:05 Positive Outlook for the Future of Advertising 15:33 Navigating Gender Dynamics in Ad Tech 19:55 The Power of Mentorship and Support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Tracy Poizner, founder of Space | Time Alchemy, about the powerful role of presence in how we connect and lead. Tracy helps high-performing women in tech and innovation recalibrate their energy so they can attract the right people, without forcing outcomes or overextending themselves.We explored how subtle energetic shifts can reshape the quality of our relationships, how intuition pairs beautifully with strategy, and why authenticity isn't about saying the perfect thing; it's about how we show up. Tracy's blend of science, consciousness, and practical business insight offers a refreshing reminder that connection thrives in alignment, not effort.Key TakeawaysPresence Precedes Strategy – Before any tactic or outreach, how we show up sets the tone for every relationship.Energetic Alignment Attracts Opportunity – When our values and energy are congruent, the right people naturally find us.Authenticity Is Magnetic – Influence doesn't come from performing; it comes from resonance.Intuition and Planning Co-Exist – Listening inward supports clearer, more strategic business decisions.Connection Requires Clarity – The quality of our relationships mirrors our internal alignment.Connect with Tracy:Website: http://tracypoizner.comPodcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/limitless-a-space-time-alchemy-podcast/id1762946819In appreciation for being here, I have some gifts for you:A LinkedIn Checklist for setting up your fully optimized Profile:An opportunity to test drive the Follow Up system I recommend by checking this presentation page - you won't regret it.AND … Don't forget to connect with me on LinkedIn and be eligible for my complimentary LinkedIn profile audit – I do one each month for a lucky listener!Connect with me:http://JanicePorter.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/janiceporter/https://www.facebook.com/janiceporter1https://www.instagram.com/socjanice/Thanks for listening!Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode andthink that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the socialmedia buttons on this page.Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a note inthe comment section below!Subscribe to the podcastIf you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you cansubscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.Leave us an Apple Podcast reviewRatings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us andgreatly appreciated. They

Send us a textSome workplaces weren't built with women in mind — but that doesn't mean you can't lead, be heard, and thrive.In this episode of Starter Girlz, Jennifer Loehding sits down with Kae Kronthaler Williams, global software marketing executive and author of Not Made For You. Kae shares her journey from starting as a telemarketer to becoming a CMO, and what she has learned about leadership, navigating bias, and thriving in male-dominated environments.This conversation explores the realities of workplace bias, the value of diverse teams, and leadership insights Kae has gained throughout her career. You'll hear discussion-based insights on how curiosity, awareness, and collaboration shape inclusive, high-performing teams, and how women and marginalized voices can navigate systems that weren't built for them.⭐ What You'll Learn in This EpisodeHow bias shows up in everyday workplace interactions — and why noticing it mattersThe role of leadership in creating inclusive, high-performing teamsWhy diverse perspectives make teams stronger and decisions sharperHow women and marginalized voices can navigate systems that weren't built for themThe importance of connection, awareness, and reflection in leadershipSupporting others and fostering collaboration as part of effective leadershipHow curiosity and open-mindedness can shift workplace cultureKey insights from Kae's career on staying resilient and continuing to grow

This week on AND/BOTH, I'm joined by Nomiki Petrolla, founder of Theanna and a mother of four who is reshaping what early-stage entrepreneurship can look like for women in tech.Nomiki has spent 15 years in the tech world, sitting beside founders, engineers, and venture-backed teams, often as the only woman in the room. That experience eventually led her to build Theanna: a platform designed to support women tech founders from idea to launch.In this episode, we talk about:Why women are turning to entrepreneurship not out of ambition alone, but out of a desire for agencyThe realities of building a startup with four young kidsHow AI is completely changing what's possible for early-stage foundersWhy venture capital isn't the only — or even the most aligned — path for most entrepreneursThe difference between building your first business for money and your later ones for meaningHow motherhood sharpens clarity, decision-making, and boundariesWhat Nomiki is noticing about the next wave of women building techSustainable entrepreneurship vs. the unicorn mythology we've all absorbedIt's a conversation about choosing your own path, understanding your season, and building something that fits your actual life, not a version of life you're supposed to pretend you have.Connect with Nomiki:Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn: @nomikipetrollaTheanna: @theannaioConnect with Ashley:Website: https://www.ashleyblackington.comPodcast website: https://www.andbothpodcast.com/Dovetail® App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dovetail-app/id6744341822Instagram: @mydovetail.appLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyblackington/

Send me a text (I will personally respond)Are you struggling to transition from founder-led sales to a scalable sales-led model in your cybersecurity startup? Wondering if hiring a team of reps is really the fastest way to drive growth, or if there's a better approach? Curious how senior sales leadership involvement early on might speed up your journey to true product-market fit? If so, this episode is packed with insights for you.In this conversation, we discuss:

Send us a textIn this conversation, Sarah Clatterbuck, a seasoned engineering leader with over 30 years of experience in tech, shares her journey at major companies such as Google, LinkedIn, and Yahoo. She discusses her recent decision to take a break from her career, her thoughts on leadership, the importance of authenticity, and the cultural differences she experienced after moving to Zurich. Sarah also reflects on the impact of COVID-19 on team dynamics and the challenges of executive leadership.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Sarah Clatterbuck01:13 Navigating Career Transitions05:03 The 30-Year Career Arc08:36 Transitioning into Engineering12:21 Growth at LinkedIn16:33 Challenges of Executive Leadership19:25 Leaning Out: A New Perspective21:11 Moving to Zurich: A New Chapter24:31 Cultural Differences in Leadership25:22 Building Culture During COVID28:59 Authenticity in Leadership32:20 Leaving the Google Bubble

My guest today is a dear friend and graduated client, Catherine Roy Lund. Catherine is an award-winning, globally experienced IT executive who brings brilliance, heart, and a touch of magic to everything she does.    Catherine's story is one of courage, reinvention, and feminine leadership. After being laid off from a corporate position, she transformed uncertainty into opportunity, launching her own consulting firm and redefining what success looks like for women in tech and leadership.    In this engaging, soul-filled conversation, Catherine and I talk about what it really means to transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship - the fears, the freedom, and the fierce faith it takes to rise again. We also explore the shifting landscape of business after COVID-19 and the importance of women stepping into leadership roles with strategy, wisdom, and grace.    Together, we unpack:   - The power of sisterhood, mentorship, and delegating what drains your energy   - How Catherine leveraged her disaster-recovery expertise during COVID-19 to grow her business   - Why financial literacy is sacred … from 401k plans to truly knowing your numbers   - The art of investing in yourself and your business (because magic loves commitment)   - How age, experience, and wisdom become your greatest business assets   This episode is a powerful reminder that reinvention is always possible, no matter your age or circumstance - and that when women claim their worth, the world changes.    So, pour a cup of tea, light your candle, and join us for this empowering, heart-centered conversation that blends strategy, soul, and a sprinkle of magic.    Subscribe now so you'll never miss an episode and leave us a review! It really helps us know which content resonates with you the most.    Join our Feminine Business Magic Facebook Group (https://tinyurl.com/ygdkw7ce)  with your host, Julie Foucht. This is a community of women dedicated to connecting, supporting, and celebrating each other in growing businesses that honor their Divine Feminine while filling their bank accounts abundantly.    Resources mentioned:    Take the Witchpreneur Quiz and discover which Feminine Magic is your Key to Financial Success. (https://bit.ly/witchpreneur-quiz)    Purchase Love-Based Feminine Marketing (https://tinyurl.com/ydmzb6qz)                 **Contact Catherine Roy Lund via LinkedIn or https://croyconsult.com/**    **Connect with Julie Foucht via Facebook (https://tinyurl.com/yeb82uuj) or email at https://juliefoucht.com/** 

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Sangha Penesetti, founder and CEO of goZeal, who didn't just break the glass ceiling—she installed a flexible skylight. Today we'll dive into the economics of equity, why flexible work is not a perk but a performance driver, and how insurers can win by rethinking who gets a seat at the table—and how that table is set. KEY TAKEAWAYS In my early career, every client meeting I walked into was a room full of men. I was the only woman of colour. When I became a mother in 2010 I felt first-hang how unforgiving the industry was, there was no real flexibility, no empathy around new mums (though that may have just been the company I worked for then), and certainly no system that was designed for working mums. During Covid I found my own community: Brilliant, highly educated women, especially Indian and Asian mums, step out of the workforce to raise kids and never return. Not because they lacked ambition, but because the system simply wasn't build for them. That's the moment I realised it wasn't an individual struggle but a systemic design flaw, that's when goZeal was born. We talk about empowerment a lot, but what is empowerment? It‘s the financial empowerment, the capacity for women to have the money to spend on whatever they want be that a Gucci bag or feeding their kids. The data is clear: When women (and especially women of colour) advance, companies become more innovative and perform better financially.  BEST MOMENTS  ‘My experience taught me that being included isn't the same as being empowered.'  ‘Radical inclusion flips the dynamic. It's not about representation, it's about access to meaningful work decision-making authority and economic mobility.' ‘Remote work is not “flexibility.” Flexibility means flexibility of time. I wanted to hire women directly to give them the autonomy of time. Direct impact comes when you are the employer.' ‘True flexibility allows for peak productivity not proximity. When people work at their best insurers benefit from higher quality work, lower burnout, less attrition, stronger retention, all of that good stuff.' ABOUT THE GUEST Sangha Penesetti is the powerhouse founder and CEO of goZeal, a company rewriting the rules of work by directly hiring skilled women, especially women of colour, for high-impact, flexible roles in insurance and tech. With 18 years of experience in finance and insurance, she's lived the challenges of being the only woman at the table—and decided to build her own. Under her leadership, goZeal is more than a talent platform—it's a movement. One that's tackling systemic inequity, modernizing legacy operations, and showing insurers that flexible work is not a perk but a strategic edge. She's here to talk about the real economics of inclusion, why hybrid isn't enough, and how insurers can close talent gaps while building a future-ready workforce. ABOUT THE HOST Sabine is a corporate strategist turned entrepreneur. She is the CEO and Managing Partner of Alchemy Crew a venture lab that accelerates the curation, validation, & commercialization of new tech business models. Sabine is renowned within the insurance sector for building some of the most renowned tech startup accelerators around the world working with over 30 corporate insurers, accelerated over 100 startup ventures. Sabine is the co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, a top 50 Women in Tech, a FinTech and InsurTech Influencer, an investor & multi-award winner. ⁠Twitter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Email⁠ ⁠Website⁠ This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Meet the lovely Alaina Shearer! Alaina launched a nationwide network for women in tech, founded a marketing agency, somehow raised kids while doing all this, and oh yeah ran for Congress that one time?? Along the way she learned to navigate and push back in male dominated fields — including as a radio host, and working for a Don Draper-level sexist stripped of anything that resembles charming. Officially the most grown-up adult we've ever interviewed, Alaina has wonderful insights to share as someone who gets it. Support her podcast! @citizenrebelpodcastFollow her ig! @alainashearer_ (**Alison decided to record this one underwater. Just for fun. Or maybe the audio settings were jacked, the quality suffered, and we're really sorry. Glub club.)

In this episode of 2B Bolder, I sit down with Sandy Carter, Chief Business Officer at Unstoppable Domains, former AWS and IBM executive, Forbes contributor, and author of AI First, Human Always.We talk about what it really means to take smart risks, build influence through visibility, and lead in fast-moving spaces like AI and Web3, even when you don't feel 100 percent “ready.”Sandy shares pivotal career moments, including a $5 billion bet that didn't seem obvious at the time, and the lessons she learned about arriving early, staying late, and taking ownership before permission is granted. We reframe visibility, not as self-promotion, but as credibility, narrative control, and leadership when the stakes are high.We also dig deep into what an AI-first, human-always mindset actually looks like in practice. Sandy explains why AI should start with business outcomes, not tools, and how leaders can redesign workflows, decisions, and customer experiences with AI as the lever, while keeping human judgment firmly in control. From pressure-testing arguments to accelerating research, we talk about where AI adds leverage and where humans must always own voice, values, and accountability.This conversation gets refreshingly real. Sandy shares stories about AI agents quietly changing their own limits, robots learning the wrong behaviors by watching humans, and why simple guardrails, human-in-the-loop oversight, logging, and escalation paths matter more than flashy demos. We also explore why building your own agents, not just relying on ChatGPT, is becoming essential for leaders who want real control and resilience.Finally, Sandy walks through the origin of Unstoppable Women of Web3 and AI and the powerful three-part formula behind it: education, tribe, and recognition, a model that has trained tens of thousands of women and dismantled the tired excuse of “we can't find qualified women.”If you're a senior leader navigating responsible innovation, or a rising builder wondering if now is the moment to step forward, this episode offers a clear message: lead while you learn, act before consensus, and put guardrails in place so innovation compounds instead of derails.If this conversation resonated, share it with someone who needs a nudge to be bolder, and leave a review telling me the bold move you're committing to this week.Resources: Sandy's Profile linkedin.com/in/sandyacarterBooksBySandy.comsocialmediasandy.wordpress.com/ 

In this episode, I talk with Neelam Patel, who left a 22-year tech executive career to follow her passions for poetry, dance, and performance. We dive into the risks and rewards of creative self-advocacy, how joy and anger can guide personal transformation, and what it really means to rebuild a life around authenticity. If you've ever felt the pull between convention and creativity, this conversation will inspire you to reclaim your own voice.Featured in this episode:  Neelam's Instagram account @dancewithneelamNeelam's website: tailoredpoetry.comNeelam's book: Burning It Down: Dancing Through the RubbleJamie's 1:1 executive coaching practice: https://www.jamieleecoach.com/applyTimestamps:[00:00] — Introduction and Neelam's background: Jamie Lee opens the episode, introduces Neelam Patel, and they discuss Neelam's journey from tech executive to poet and artist.[04:21] — Tech career and personal transformation: Neelam describes how improv and creative pursuits influenced her growth (and promotions) in the tech world.[10:47] — Risky conversations and work-life negotiation: Neelam shares stories of honest, risky conversations at work, including advocating for her creative needs.[34:36] — Anger as an ally: Neelam and Jamie discuss the power of anger, addressing repression, shame, and channeling anger into advocacy.[48:04] — Life after “burning it down” and current work: Neelam gives an update on her creative career, including her dance residency and ways listeners can connect with her (Instagram, website).Text me your thoughts on this episode!Enjoy the show? Don't miss an episode, listen and subscribe via Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Leave me a review in Apple Podcasts. Connect with me Book a free hour-long consultation with me. You'll leave with your custom blueprint to confidence, and we'll ensure it's a slam-dunk fit for you before you commit to working with me 1:1. Connect with me on LinkedIn Email me at jamie@jamieleecoach.com

What if the real trap is not working hard, it is spending your best years building someone else's empire with money you do not even trust?Mike Peterson sits down with Efrat Fenigson (@efenigson) during Bitcoin Historico for a blunt conversation about the fiat system, corporate life, and why “growth for growth's sake” eventually stops making sense. Efrat explains how years of being great at driving revenue for other people pushed her toward a bigger question: who is this all really for?Before Bitcoin, Efrat Fenigson was deep in the tech world, first as a developer in Australia, then rising to executive roles in Israel. She talks about being a woman in tech on male-dominated teams, the early career reality behind the kinds of paths people imagine when they search video game designer job opportunities, and the moment she realized the work was not the same as purpose.Then things get personal. Efrat shares what happened when she spoke out during Covid, how backlash followed, and why free speech became a line she would not cross, even if it cost her socially and professionally. This is the part of the story where “play it safe” stops being advice and starts being a warning.Bitcoin enters through one sharp question that changed everything, “can they touch it?” Efrat Fenigson describes why self-custody, sound money, and censorship resistance felt like freedom tech, not just finance. It is also where her drive for financial independence turns into something broader, a freedom movement mindset built around sovereignty and personal responsibility.Finally, they zoom out to Bitcoin adoption in El Salvador, including Bitcoin Beach in El Zonte and what a real circular economy looks like when it is not just theory. Efrat and Mike Peterson talk about merchants accepting Bitcoin, why even small savings windows can change how people plan their lives, and why on-the-ground reality matters more than headlines.-Bitcoin Beach TeamConnect and Learn more about X: https://x.com/efenigson YT: https://www.youtube.com/@EfratFenigson Support and follow Bitcoin Beach:X: https://www.twitter.com/BitcoinBeach IG: https://www.instagram.com/bitcoinbeach_sv TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livefrombitcoinbeach Web: https://www.bitcoinbeach.com Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:00:00:00 - Intro: Observing the reality of Bitcoin in El Salvador 00:08:13 - How do you become a global CMO in Israel? 00:09:43 - How can single motherhood and divorce debt push someone to pursue financial independence and retire early? 00:13:58 - Why do high earners quit corporate jobs? 00:17:51 - What happens when you speak out during Covid? 00:21:11 - How did Efrat Fenigson get into Bitcoin?  00:21:47 - Can the government seize Bitcoin? What does ‘can they touch it' mean for self-custody and censorship resistance?  00:34:52 - Is Bitcoin still being used in El Salvador? What is Bitcoin Beach in El Zonte really like for visitors?  00:41:20 - Why do merchants accept Bitcoin in El Salvador? Does Bitcoin adoption actually help small businesses save money?  00:42:13 - Why is Bitcoin called freedom tech? How does sound money connect to a freedom movement and personal sovereignty? Live From Bitcoin Beach

If you've ever felt mentally exhausted, emotionally overwhelmed, or physically unwell despite doing everything “right,” this conversation will change how you understand burnout, productivity, and the signals your body is sending. In this episode, we explore the moment when high performance turns into self-abandonment—and why burnout isn't about weakness or laziness, but long-term misalignment. Burnout isn't just about working too much. It's about the beliefs underneath the work. My guest, Haley Scruggs, shares her breaking point—from severe burnout and panic to questioning her own sanity—and how her body ultimately forced her to listen. What looked like dysfunction was actually a signal calling her back into alignment. We talk about how ADHD, chronic stress, and the pressure to prove worth through productivity quietly rewire the nervous system—until the body speaks through anxiety, insomnia, migraines, digestive issues, and shutdown. This isn't a conversation about hacks or routines. It's about asking the question most people avoid: What do I actually need?

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Marinela Profi, Global Market Strategy Lead for AI, GenAI and Agentic AI at SAS, about the rise of agentic AI and how we will move from hype to real, reliable AI. In today's episode, we'll discuss: Why LLMs alone don't solve business problems – and what does, how governance is becoming the new frontier of AI trust, and what leaders should expect by 2026, as enterprises shift from experiments to autonomous, explainable intelligence. KEY TAKEAWAYS A generative AI chatbot is really good and answering questions, generating text, or summarising content. But, it typically stops when it comes to conversation. On the other hand, an AI agent goes beyond that, it can take action, it has goals, memory, reasoning capabilities and can orchestrate multi-set workflows using a combination of not just large-language models but also rules, data and analytics. Generative AI talks, and agentic AI does. The 5-step lifecycle of an agent is a framework I put together to help me and my customers understand what an agent actually does step-by-step in practice. 1. Perception 2. Cognition 3. Decisioning 4. Action, and 5. Learning. Governance boards in 2026 will act more like digital oversight committees, they will ensure that agents aren't just smart, but they are safe, explainable and accountable.  BEST MOMENTS  ‘Post action the agent learns from feedback from a human operative. It's important to monitor the learning loops, you cannot allow the agent to “self-update” in ways that are uncontrolled.'  ‘How autonomous should an agent be? 90% of the time it depends on the risk and impact of the task.' ‘Autonomy without accountability is a risk multiplier.' ‘Governance doesn't stop at deployment, performance must be continuously monitored.' ABOUT THE GUEST Marinela Profi helps organizations move from AI hype to trusted impact. As Global Market Strategy Lead for AI, GenAI and Agentic AI at SAS, she works with enterprises in financial services, healthcare, and government to build AI systems that don't just act fast—but act responsibly. With an MBA and a Master's in Statistics and AI, Marinela bridges two worlds: translating complex data science into clear business strategy. Her work focuses on how agentic AI—intelligent systems that perceive, reason, and act autonomously—can deliver governed, explainable decisions instead of black-box predictions. A frequent keynote speaker at international AI and analytics events, she shares insights on the evolution from generative to agentic AI and the new frontier of AI governance, trust, and human-AI collaboration. Marinela is also an Advisory Board Member for Wake Technical Community College's Data Science Program, helping shape future-ready curricula that connect classroom learning with real-world AI innovation. ABOUT THE HOST Sabine is a corporate strategist turned entrepreneur. She is the CEO and Managing Partner of Alchemy Crew a venture lab that accelerates the curation, validation, & commercialization of new tech business models. Sabine is renowned within the insurance sector for building some of the most renowned tech startup accelerators around the world working with over 30 corporate insurers, accelerated over 100 startup ventures. Sabine is the co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, a top 50 Women in Tech, a FinTech and InsurTech Influencer, an investor & multi-award winner. Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Facebook  TikTok Email Website This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Elena Verna is the head of growth at Lovable, the leading AI-powered app builder that hit $200 million in annual recurring revenue in under a year with just 100 employees. In this record fourth appearance on the podcast, Elena shares how the traditional growth playbook has been completely rewritten for AI companies. She explains why Lovable focuses on innovation over optimization, how they've shifted from activation to building new features, and why giving away their product for free has become their most powerful growth strategy.We discuss:1. Why 60% to 70% of traditional growth tactics no longer apply in AI2. Why you have to re-find product-market fit every 3 months3. The specific growth tactics driving Lovable's unprecedented growth4. Why giving away product is a growth strategy that beats paid ads5. “Minimum lovable product” as the new standard (not minimum viable product)6. Why activation now belongs to product teams, not growth teams7. Whether you should join an AI startup (honest tradeoffs)—Brought to you by:WorkOS—Modern identity platform for B2B SaaS, free up to 1 million MAUsVercel—Your collaborative AI assistant to design, iterate, and scale full-stack applications for the webPersona—A global leader in digital identity verification—Transcript: ⁠https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-new-ai-growth-playbook-for-2026-elena-verna⁠—My biggest takeaways (for paid newsletter subscribers): ⁠https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/i/181207556/my-biggest-takeaways-from-this-conversation⁠—Where to find Elena Verna:• X: https://x.com/elenaverna• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaverna• Newsletter: https://www.elenaverna.com—Where to find Lenny:• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/—In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introduction to Elena Verna(05:19) The scale and growth of Lovable(08:55) Confidence in Lovable as a business(12:17) Retention at Lovable(15:02) Lovable's unique growth levers(28:13) The role of marketing in Lovable's success(38:09) Launching new features(40:59) Hiring and team dynamics(43:17) The value of vibe coding(49:46) The importance of community(51:47) Giving away your product for free(56:26) Tripling their company size(01:00:23) Product-market-fit challenges(01:08:50) Advice for joining AI companies(01:12:00) Work-life balance(01:15:20) What it's like to work at Lovable(01:19:45) Women in tech(01:25:29) Final thoughts and lightning round—Referenced:• Elena Verna on how B2B growth is changing, product-led growth, product-led sales, why you should go freemium not trial, what features to make free, and much more: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/elena-verna-on-why-every-company• The ultimate guide to product-led sales | Elena Verna: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-ultimate-guide-to-product-led• 10 growth tactics that never work | Elena Verna (Amplitude, Miro, Dropbox, SurveyMonkey): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/10-growth-tactics-that-never-work-elena-verna• Lovable: https://lovable.dev• Building Lovable: $10M ARR in 60 days with 15 people | Anton Osika (co-founder and CEO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/building-lovable-anton-osika• Stripe: https://stripe.com• What differentiates the highest-performing product teams | John Cutler (Amplitude, The Beautiful Mess): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/what-differentiates-the-highest-performing• How to win in the AI era: Ship a feature every week, embrace technical debt, ruthlessly cut scope, and create magic your competitors can't copy | Gaurav Misra (CEO and co-founder of Captions): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-to-win-in-the-ai-era-gaurav-misra• “Dumbest idea I've heard” to $100M ARR: Inside the rise of Gamma | Grant Lee (CEO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-50-people-built-a-profitable-ai-unicorn• Eric Ries on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eries• Elena's post on LinkedIn about Lovable Missions: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/elenaverna_everythingispossible-lovableway-activity-7401627519646474242-hn6e• SheBuilds: https://shebuilds.lovable.app• Shopify + Lovable: https://lovable.dev/shopify• The Product-Market Fit Treadmill: Why every AI company is sprinting just to stay in place: https://www.elenaverna.com/p/the-product-market-fit-treadmill• Cursor: https://cursor.com• The rise of Cursor: The $300M ARR AI tool that engineers can't stop using | Michael Truell (co-founder and CEO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-rise-of-cursor-michael-truell• Unorthodox frameworks for growing your product, career, and impact | Bangaly Kaba (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Instacart): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/frameworks-for-growing-your-career-bangaly-kaba• The adjacent user: https://brianbalfour.com/quick-takes/the-adjacent-user• Granola: https://www.granola.ai• Wispr Flow: https://wisprflow.ai• I'm worried about women in tech: https://www.elenaverna.com/p/im-worried-about-women-in-tech• Slack founder: Mental models for building products people love ft. Stewart Butterfield: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/slack-founder-stewart-butterfield—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.—Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed. To hear more, visit www.lennysnewsletter.com

In this episode of "The Free Lawyer" podcast, host Gary interviews Valentina Flores, CEO of Red Sentry. Valentina shares her journey from law enforcement to leading a proactive cybersecurity company, emphasizing the importance of ethical hacking and prevention for law firms. She offers practical tips—like enabling multi-factor authentication, limiting data access, and preparing response plans—to help lawyers protect sensitive information. Valentina also discusses the collaborative nature of cybersecurity, the human element in defense, and aligning security practices with core values, making cybersecurity accessible and actionable for legal professionals.Valentina Flores is the CEO and Co-Founder of Red Sentry, a proactive cybersecurity company that breaks into your network, so hackers never get the chance. Before protecting companies, she served as a detective on joint federal task forces, tracking cybercriminals through digital back-alleys. Now a public speaker on hacker psychology, a two-time award-winning cybersecurity leader, and a fierce advocate for women in tech, Valentina is redefining what leadership looks like in the industry, championing smarter and more accessible security for all.Transition from Detective to Cybersecurity (00:01:33) What is Penetration Testing? (00:02:56) Success Rate and Client Vulnerabilities (00:03:35)Understanding Hacker Psychology (00:05:30) Why Law Firms Are Targets (00:06:38) Triggers for Law Firms to Seek Help (00:07:46) Compliance vs. Proactive Security (00:09:09) Human Element in Cybersecurity (00:10:16) Making Clients Comfortable with Ethical Hacking (00:11:55) Emerging Threats and the Future of Cybersecurity (00:13:25) Cybersecurity for Small and Medium Businesses (00:14:43) Diversity in Tech and Cognitive Diversity (00:16:37) Awards and People-First Leadership (00:17:27) Leadership in Cybersecurity vs. Traditional Business (00:18:20) Role of Coaching and Mentorship (00:19:28) Annual Testing and Follow-Up (00:20:21) Prioritizing Cybersecurity in Law Firms (00:21:13) Collaboration vs. Competition in Cybersecurity (00:22:17) Top Three Cybersecurity Actions for Lawyers (00:23:29) First Steps for the Unprepared (00:25:39) What is Penetration Testing? (Clarification) (00:26:39) Freedom and Work-Life Balance (00:27:06) Aligning Practice with Values (00:27:51) You can find The Free Lawyer Assessment here- https://www.garymiles.net/the-free-lawyer-assessmentWould you like to learn what it looks like to become a truly Free Lawyer? You can schedule a complimentary call here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-callWould you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free

Send us a textChristina Klein, a visionary leader at Lansweeper, joins Joey Pinz at IT Nation Orlando to share her unique blend of creativity, discipline, and data-driven leadership. From learning carpentry as a child to leading tech innovation and women's leadership programs, Christina discusses how she bridges design, technology, and purpose. She reveals how Lansweeper empowers MSPs with deep asset visibility, accelerates cybersecurity response times, and enables scalable growth through efficiency and trust. The conversation explores leadership authenticity, the impact of AI, and how small daily actions can unlock big transformations — in business and life. 

What if the fastest way to grow your career isn't a straight climb but a series of smart, sideways moves that sharpen your empathy and judgment?  In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Catherine Wong, COO and CPO at Entrata, to unpack how she scales products and people by shaping cultures where every voice is invited, and the best ideas surface early. From engineering during the dot-com downturn to leading global teams through acquisitions and hypergrowth, Catherine shares the habits that turn uncertainty into momentum: practice your voice, ask for real feedback, and reward behaviors that build trust.We go deep on how product and operations intersect when you're building an operating system for real estate. Catherine explains why diverse perspectives improve outcomes and how leaders can intentionally signal what matters by recognizing thoughtful execution, not just loud opinions. Her take on the future of work is refreshingly actionable: AI changes the “how,” not the “why.” Whether you specialize or stay broad, treat curiosity like a muscle. Run small experiments, unlearn out-of-date tactics, and stay anchored to clear business outcomes.You'll hear practical frameworks for deciding under ambiguity. widen inputs, seek data, welcome dissent, and iterate with agility. Catherine also breaks down visibility tactics for women who are competent but overlooked: volunteer for updates, lead slices of complex projects, and request precise post-meeting feedback. Her story of integrating a UK acquisition while battling imposter syndrome reveals a simple truth: courage plus clarity compounds into trust, scope, and impact.If you care about culture design, product leadership, AI fluency, and building a resilient career in tech, this conversation is a blueprint you can use today. Follow along, share it with a friend who needs a nudge, and subscribe to get more candid, practical conversations. Loved this one? Leave a review and tell us the bold step you're taking next.Resources:Catherine Wong on LinkedInEntrata

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Andrei Craciunescu, founder and CEO or RiskCube about why the next generation of insurance will be built like software; adaptive, transparent, and embedded into every business platform. They also talk about how AI and data are transforming the role of the broker from middleman to intelligent orchestrator, and what the insurance experience of 2030 could look like when protection becomes invisible and trust becomes the new currency. KEY TAKEAWAYS What companies want from the insurance market is fast underwriting, not to talk with humans so much any more, especially startups, they want a quote in minutes not months. This is how we got into the segment where we offer business insurance for startups – mainly venture backed startups. There are some providers that already offer what we are doing, but there is no comparison. Every founder needs to go to every insurance company separately and ask for a quote, which often vary a lot – sometimes 40% difference between quotes. They spend a lot of time investigating these quotes which is expensive and hard to understand. RiskCube is an AI insurance agency for startups where founders can buy and manage insurance online. We looked at what an agency traditionally does; they have different processes in place like application for insurance, renewal, cancellation and claims. We tried to map out all these processes to see which can be done by AI agents. AI cannot solve the whole insurance value chain, but we see a huge adoption on the claims and applications processes. Generally, most founders don't really care which insurance company they're with, they care that they have somebody that really understand them as a customer. We want startups to come to us because they trust the system which provides a fast experience that works for them. It's not very complicated, what we do for them at the beginning, we provide a smooth process where we can say they have high, medium or low risk then evaluate different quotes for them. BEST MOMENTS  ‘Everybody's pushing on the AI front, but the insurance market is also evaluating if it's really necessary, it's not all in which is impressive.'  ‘We build the firm first and then embedded the technology inside the firm, this will make us defensible in the future because we will own the data in our agency and use it to train our own model.' ‘People are using a lot of AI nowadays, but nobody really understands where the data is going or hosted.' ‘Insurance companies tend to adapt AI for themselves, not for the whole market. We want to bring them all together in one channel.' ABOUT THE GUEST Andrei Craciunescu is redefining risk management with RiskCube, an AI-powered platform revolutionising insurance by streamlining risk assessments, accelerating quote processes, and providing real-time insights to help businesses secure coverage faster and smarter. LinkedIn ABOUT THE HOST Sabine is a corporate strategist turned entrepreneur. She is the CEO and Managing Partner of Alchemy Crew a venture lab that accelerates the curation, validation, & commercialization of new tech business models. Sabine is renowned within the insurance sector for building some of the most renowned tech startup accelerators around the world working with over 30 corporate insurers, accelerated over 100 startup ventures. Sabine is the co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, a top 50 Women in Tech, a FinTech and InsurTech Influencer, an investor & multi-award winner. Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Facebook  TikTok Email Website This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Rob Schimek, Group CEO at bolttech, about how bolttech's connector model is redefining global insurance distribution, from telcos to auto makers and beyond. They also talk about why the future of protection will depend on trust, data and design more than policy documents and premiums, and what leadership really looks like when you are building at the intersection of revelation, innovation, and human impact.  KEY TAKEAWAYS If you have an hour to solve a problem you should spend 55 minutes on the problem and then 5 minutes on the solution. I've spent my career in the problem, the formation of bolttech is the attempt at the solution – it's the path that I've chosen to bring that solution to the marketplace. Our mission is to work out how to close a multi-billion-dollar protection gap that has existed for years, that's getting bigger? In order to do that we need to really understand the problem. We think there are 4 basic drivers for this multi-billion-dollar protection gap that and they're pretty irrefutable. We're trying to make a seamless connection between the buyers of protection products (insurers) and the distribution partners who have access to the customers so we can put those solutions into the hands of the customers. bolttech's here to try to provide tailored, affordable, accessible, and convenience insurance in the hands of the customer on a B2B2C basis, connecting big partners who have lots of customers to the insurance providers. Without the data there's a tendency to paint everything with one brush, like it's all the same. Data is accessible and available on a real-time basis today and it can be available with no intervention, straight from the vehicle telematics about the unique driver. BEST MOMENTS  ‘We really want to connect people with more ways to protect the things that they value, we want to close the global protection gap.'  ‘The more we make connections frictionless, the more the connection will happen and the more the protection gap will get closed.'‘ If the mission and the vision are super-well-known then nothing can distract you from solving that problem, regardless of what's going on in the marketplace around you.'‘ If a customer doesn't trust the use of AI in their interactions with you then AI won't be successful in that space because it won't be accepted in that space. Ultimately it comes back to do we do things the right way and give the customers a reason to trust us?' ABOUT THE GUEST Rob Schimek is Group Chief Executive Office at bolttech where he leads the team across its operations globally, overseeing its growth and partnership opportunities. With more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, Rob previously held senior leadership roles, including Managing Director & Group Chief Operating Officer for FWD Group, President and Chief Executive Officer of AIG's commercial insurance businesses worldwide, and Chief Executive Officer of the Americas for AIG. Prior to that, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of EMEA for AIG, and was the Chief Financial Officer of AIG's global property and casualty insurance business. LinkedIn ABOUT THE HOST Sabine is a corporate strategist turned entrepreneur. She is the CEO and Managing Partner of Alchemy Crew a venture lab that accelerates the curation, validation, & commercialization of new tech business models. Sabine is renowned within the insurance sector for building some of the most renowned tech startup accelerators around the world working with over 30 corporate insurers, accelerated over 100 startup ventures. Sabine is the co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, a top 50 Women in Tech, a FinTech and InsurTech Influencer, an investor & multi-award winner. Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Facebook  TikTok Email Website This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to us about all she's learned from the numerous guests on the show recently, from startup founders who build AI to simplify the chaotic insurance back office, to innovation leaders in Fortune 500 firms wrestling with ethics, regulation, and talent shortages. After dozens of conversations here's what Sabine has learned: AI isn't just changing our tools. It's changing our temperament. This episode is her reflection on those lessons; a guide for leaders and builders trying to navigate this new age of intelligence and unpacks five principles that define successful AI adoption. KEY TAKEAWAYS When Branch Insurance introduced AI into its claims process, something unexpected happened. It wasn't the customers who resisted, it was the adjusters. They were worried, not because AI made mistakes but because it didn't. When Lisa Bechtold's (who led AI governance at Zurich Insurance, now at Nestlé) team started implementing AI, they faced the classic dilemma: Move fast or move right. Lisa said: “We don't see governance as slowing innovation – we see it as enabling trust at speed.” ERGO Group worked with CamCom, a startup from India that uses computer vision to detect car damage from photos or drones. The tech was brilliant. The challenge? Integrating it into a multinational insurer's process. They didn't just hand over the product, they sat side by side – engineers, adjusters, compliance officers, even lawyers – to make it work. It took nearly a year to get from pilot to production and the result wasn't just faster claims; it was a new relationship model. The startup learned how corporates think. The corporate learned how startups move. That's the real win. After all the talk about data, systems, ethics, and pilots, what really matters is how humans evolve. AI won't replace people, but people who know how to use AI will replace people who don't. That's not a threat, it's an invitation. AI is already changing what we expect from talent. Claims adjusters now need to interpret AI outputs. Underwriters must question models. Leaders must learn to manage digital teammates. BEST MOMENTS  ‘Intelligent tool don't remove human judgment; they reveal it in higher resolution.'  ‘In this AI era, trust is the new currency.'‘Every AI dream dies in the shadow of bad data.'‘The irony is that the more intelligent our systems become, the more human our leadership must be. Empathy, creativity, ethics aren't data points, they're our differentiators.' ABOUT THE HOST Sabine is a corporate strategist turned entrepreneur. She is the CEO and Managing Partner of Alchemy Crew a venture lab that accelerates the curation, validation, & commercialization of new tech business models. Sabine is renowned within the insurance sector for building some of the most renowned tech startup accelerators around the world working with over 30 corporate insurers, accelerated over 100 startup ventures. Sabine is the co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, a top 50 Women in Tech, a FinTech and InsurTech Influencer, an investor & multi-award winner. Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Facebook  TikTok Email Website This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Melinda French Gates is a philanthropist, business leader, and New York Times bestselling author who has spent decades transforming lives around the world. Melinda opens up to Hoda about why her latest chapter is more personal than ever, how she learned to let go of perfection, and what it means to lead with empathy. She reflects on her lifelong advocacy for women and families, the faith and friendships that have grounded her, and why she believes the smallest acts of kindness can spark the biggest change. Plus, she shares where her focus lies today through her work with Pivotal Ventures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.