Podcasts about Women in Tech

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Mike Gulla, CEO of Adaptive Insurance, whose team is redefining what it means to be resilient in an era of climate uncertainty and operational volatility. We'll explore why now is the time for parametric and adaptive insurance, what inspired the creation of Adaptive, and how emerging technologies like AI, big data, and cloud computing are transforming the insurance landscape. KEY TAKEAWAYS          Mike started Adaptive in early 2024 to help businesses build financial resilience against climate change, using parametric-style products and unique data assets. Starting a business comes with many challenges – revenue planning, product selection, and insurance. Our focus is helping owners understand how environmental factors like extreme weather or business interruptions could impact them over time. Power outages show that even with backup systems, grid failures can cause major disruptions – from dark streets to reduced customer traffic. As climate shifts, populations are moving into areas with new weather risks. My focus is on creating innovative insurance products that turn these challenges into opportunities for good BEST MOMENTS ‘The consumer needs knowledge to understand what the things are that are ultimately going to impact their business.' ‘Speed is huge, which is why we use parametric products, a business owner needs to be able to make a decision very quickly after an event occurs. When you combine knowledge with speed it helps them make a better decision for their business.' The insurance industry has suffered from how fast things have changed.' ‘Parametric insurance products are similar to streaming services in that they allow the consumer a new opportunity to have access to a different type of coverage that specifically focusses on something that might impact their business.' ABOUT THE GUESTS Mike Gulla, CEO and Co-Founder of Adaptive Insurance, has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry and is passionate about transforming how insurance works by leveraging technology and innovative strategies. His career is marked by a commitment to making insurance more adaptive, efficient, and customer focused. Mike's leadership at Adaptive Insurance reflects his vision for a smarter, more responsive industry—one that meets the evolving needs of clients in a rapidly changing world. Known for his forward-thinking approach and dedication to excellence, Mike continues to inspire teams and drive meaningful change across the insurance landscape. 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/  

Rajia Abdelaziz is the CEO and co-founder of invisaWear, a company at the forefront of smart jewelry and life-saving technology. An advocate for women's and children's safety, Rajia scaled invisaWear to reach over 100,000 customers, successfully raised millions of dollars, and earned coveted recognition including Forbes' 30 Under 30 North America, Boston Globe's Tech Power Players, BostInno's 25 Under 25, and the New England Innovations Award. Just last week invisaWear was selected by Oprah Winfrey for this year's Back to School List. As a minority female CEO, Rajia is passionate about mentoring other young entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams and beat the odds, guiding aspiring entrepreneurs at UMass Lowell's Entrepreneurship program.

What happens when the life you worked so hard to build… stops working?In this powerful episode, I'm joined by coach and ex- Adobe executive Jessica Berg for a conversation about burnout, nervous system healing, and what it really means to come home to yourself as a woman.Jessica shares her journey from high-achieving exhaustion to embodied, feminine leadership — and the unexpected breakdown that started it all. We talk about:The nervous system's role in burnout and healingRewiring success patterns that leave you drainedLearning to feel safe in softness and restNavigating marriage and motherhood while healingThe difference between doing more… and becoming moreIf you've been carrying the weight of it all and wondering if there's another way — this conversation is a breath of fresh air.–Connect with Jessica: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicalynnebergWebsite: www.jessbergcoaching.comJessica is a transformational coach for high-achieving women in tech. After spending 20 years in high-tech and ad agencies, she leaned into a pull to help ambitious women shift out of burnout and into a version of success that actually feels good, not just looks good on paper.–Connect with Deanna:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deannaherrin/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanna-herrin/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedeannaherrinWebsite: http://www.deannaherrin.net

I'm popping back into your feed to celebrate a milestone: SIX YEARS of helping women in tech build the skill of bravery to stress less, work less, and then earn more. In this episode, I build upon the last episode (link below). Then I share how I applied the Build Your Brave framework - clarity, momentum, accountability - to make a bold move in my own career. I also talk about the opportunities that still exist for women in tech who are willing to bravely leave behind what doesn't serve them and intentionally build the careers—and lives—they truly want.Want to take control of your career and build your bravery? Dive in, listen now, and reach out if you're ready to work together or want to join my waiting list for coaching. Reference resources: Bravely Bejeweled: Reflections on a Year of Loss & My Choice to Allow 2025 E62: Build Your Brave Framework 2.0Join the waiting list or schedule your three hour intensive: email me at Nicole@TrickSteinbach.comYou 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

In this episode of Tank Talks, we're joined by Michelle Zatlyn, Co-founder, Co-chair, and President of Cloudflare, a company protecting and powering a major part of global internet traffic. Cloudflare helps businesses stay online, load faster, and block threats before they reach the door.Michelle explains how growing up in Saskatchewan shaped her views on leadership and teamwork, and how that experience still guides her as Cloudflare scales. She shares how a hallway conversation at Harvard became the starting point for the business, how they raised their first round of funding without a product, and why they moved to Silicon Valley during a downturn with no connections.She talks through the pressure of going public, the spike in traffic when COVID hit, and how the team responded when customers suddenly needed help keeping their services running. She also walks through Cloudflare's new AI crawler model, how it gives content owners more control, and why a new business model for the web is overdue.From managing billions of attacks a day to helping publishers keep their content protected, Cloudflare shows what it means to stay reliable when the stakes are high, and Michelle makes it clear that good infrastructure only works if people trust it.We explore:* How do you raise money with no product, no revenue, and no connections?* What happens when a hallway idea becomes core infrastructure for the internet?* What changes when your company goes public six months before a global crisis?* Can creators control how AI models use their content?* What can founders do to make their teams more inclusive without making it performative?* Why $100M-to-$1B is more fun than $0-to-$100MThe Canadian Roots and Early Values of a Tech Founder (00:02:36)* Growing up in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan* How cold winters and community spirit shaped her leadership* From science nerd to Silicon Valley co-founderWhy She Left Medicine for Business (00:06:49)* How a summer research job made her rethink med school* Falling into tech through work in Toronto* Applying to Harvard without knowing how to pay for it* The support from Canadian alumni that made it possibleThe Hallway Conversation That Sparked Cloudflare (00:10:50)* A casual remark turns into a business idea* How she and Matthew Prince turned Project Honeypot into a startup* Using their .edu emails to get early help and access* Getting credit for the project instead of taking another classRaising Money With No Traction (00:20:34)* Moving to Silicon Valley in a U-Haul with no connections* Pitching investors with nothing built* Getting $2M on a $4M pre-money valuation* Why the Valley still bets on early-stage founders with clear ideasHiring, Scaling, and Keeping a Startup Culture (00:24:52)* Going from 20 people to over 4,500* Why they still focus on shipping and momentum* How ownership and trust make the difference* Running fast without losing focusGoing Public, Then COVID Hit (00:28:00)* Why they went public when they did* Customers who once said no came running back* What changed when traffic spiked overnight* How customer demand and product pressure collided* Working through the crisis while remote* What Cloudflare learned under fireCloudflare's AI Crawler Controls (00:40:04)* What's happening with AI scraping content* Why Cloudflare built a way to block or license crawlers* The impact on small content creators* How this fits into wider changes to how the web worksDDoS Attacks and Online Threats (00:48:06)* Stopping 190 billion attacks per day* The evolution of DDoS threats in 2025* Why using modern security tools is non-negotiableMichelle's Vision for the Next 15 Years (00:51:18)* Cloudflare as generational infrastructure* Building the most trusted connectivity cloud* Why Internet infrastructure is as vital as plumbingChampioning Women & Diversity in Tech (00:53:27)* Leading by example* Small asks, big impact: improving referral pipelines* Creating space for underrepresented founders and talentCloudflare has grown into critical internet infrastructure, but Michelle talks about it like a work in progress. The problems are large, but they stay focused on solving them one at a time. Her view is practical: strong teams, clear goals, and ongoing effort.About Michelle ZatlynCo-founder, Co-chair & President of CloudflareOne of the most influential leaders in Internet infrastructure, Michelle is a Canadian-born tech executive known for building and scaling Cloudflare into a global powerhouse. A champion for cybersecurity, innovation, and women in tech, she brings passion and grit to every conversation.Connect with Michelle Zatlyn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellezatlyn/Visit Cloudflare Website: https://www.cloudflare.com/Connect with Matt Cohen on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/matt-cohen1Visit the Ripple Ventures website: https://www.rippleventures.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tanktalks.substack.com

Hila Lauterbach, Founder of 10x GTM, and Klue Advisor. 10x GTM is a company partnering with high-growth B2B SaaS companies to accelerate revenue through strategic GTM and product marketing excellence. In this episode, KJ Hila discuss the rise of data-driven and AI-powered investment models—and why they’re not enough on their own. They also explore the most common go-to-market mistakes: lack of alignment, unclear audience, and missing foundational strategy. Key Takeaways: [5:47] Hila’s Origin Story & Overcoming Rejection [13:45] The Broken Investment Model [16:39] Building a Repeatable Go-to-Market Engine [26:50] The Future of SaaS & AI’s Impact Quote of the Show (27:00): “Every time the door was closed, I built a new door. You have to keep iterating, keep believing, and keep working hard towards your goals.” – Hila Lauterbach Join our Anti-PR newsletter where we’re keeping a watchful and clever eye on PR trends, PR fails, and interesting news in tech so you don't have to. You're welcome. Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval Ways to connect with Hila Lauterbach: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilalauterbachmarketing Company Websites: 10XGTM.com and https://klue.com/ How to get more Disruption/Interruption: Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlDSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest is Katharin Ahrend, co-managing director of the Clubcommission Berlin, a pivotal force in protecting and shaping the city's club scene. Born in East Germany just before the fall of the Wall, Katharin grew up navigating the grey zones of youth culture, rave spaces, and political shifts.We talk about everything from abandoned buildings turned dance floors to her journey into cultural policy. Katharin opens up about leadership in male-dominated spaces and her deep-rooted belief that club culture is culture. Beautiful, political, and essential, especially in times of division and crisis.If you've ever danced all night and felt something shift or wondered what it takes to protect that freedom, this episode is for you.And if you love this episode, leave a review, send it to a friend, or just hit replay.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 ★

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Sterling Parker, Senior Vice President of Global Solutions and Services at Ivanti. Sterling is a recognised leader in workplace technology and digital transformation, with deep expertise in helping organizations of all sizes – from global enterprises to fast-growing startups – navigate the evolving world of work. On this episode we dive into the finding of Ivanti's latest report which gives insights into how leaders can build workplaces that are not only more efficient, but also more human, flexible, and future-ready. KEY TAKEAWAYS Ivanti's latest “Technology at Work” report reveals a striking insight: while 73% of office workers and 83% of IT professionals consider flexible working “high value” or “essential,” only 23% of employees say their current job is highly flexible - highlighting a major flexibility gap that organisations must address to attract and retain top talent. The study also explores the widening flexibility gap, the rise of shadow AI, and the critical balance between optimising technology and empowering people. Leaders need to hear the feedback from their teams. In terms of what's preventing them – whether it's perception or reality – from having flexibility in their day-to-day job. If you're trying to address something without first hearing what your team demands, in terms of flexibility, then you will have a hard time marrying the demand to the business objectives. That's a delicate balance. If you're not defining what success looks like for an individual, how are you going to be able to measure, as you pivot to more flexible work, whether or not that is really leading to the outcomes you need as a business to continue to invest in that flexibility. To redefine flexibility it comes down to what are the mutual benefits involved in the definition of ‘flexibility' to individuals. From what I've seen it happens from a team level, especially when you're working to different objectives. BEST MOMENTS ‘Lack of investment from businesses is leading to this 23% feeling like they don't have any flexibility.' ‘There's real cost in time spent with family, there's real cost in the commute and people weigh those options.' ‘Since covid individuals are more willing to leave businesses for flexibility. Refusing to adapt will increase the likelihood of losing skilled employees which will cost the business. ' ‘When top talent leaves, or isn't being attracted, then you're going to have an innovation stagnation.' ABOUT THE GUESTS Sterling Parker is the Senior Vice President of Global Solutions and Services at Ivanti, where he leads the company's worldwide support, services, and solutions strategy. With a deep background in IT operations and customer experience, Sterling is responsible for ensuring that Ivanti's clients—ranging from large enterprises to small businesses—can securely and efficiently manage their digital workplaces in an era defined by rapid technological change and evolving workforce expectations. Discover more about Ivanti's most recent report here. 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/

Send us a textIn this rich and heartfelt episode, Joey Pinz sits down with Becky Teal, community leader at Huntress and longtime MSP industry advocate, to explore the real stories behind service, connection, and fulfillment.Becky shares her unique “short-term hobbies” approach to life, allowing herself to fully explore new interests—like scuba diving and kayaking—without guilt or pressure. She opens up about her personal growth journey, including her work-from-home discipline, travel routines, and what it means to stay fully present both at conferences and at home. With over a decade in the MSP community, Becky reflects on the industry's biggest challenges—security, staffing, and scaling—and how the solution always comes back to community.

Send us a textIn this episode, Joey Pinz sits down with Hyla Strauss-Stanton, Strategic Account Executive at Acronis, for a wide-ranging conversation about legacy, leadership, and evolving with purpose.From crocheting calming gifts for others to driving Acronis' growth through Roost integrations, Hyla brings clarity and authenticity to every part of her life. She opens up about her move across the country, her passion for helping MSPs scale, and the joy of real connection in an industry that's often virtual. Hyla reflects on her start in the channel during COVID, how Acronis supports service providers from security to disaster recovery, and how motherhood, personal growth, and structured spontaneity shape her journey.

Kirsty Mason, CIO at Bentley Motors, joined host Lee Rennick for this episode of CIO Leadership Live. They discussed building the foundations for AI adoption through data literacy and skills development, defining workplace actions that support women in tech, and creating business and IT partnerships in the automotive industry.

In dieser Episode tauchen wir ein in die Welt der Frauen im Cloud und Techbereich: darüber wie AWS Women's User Groups, die Tech-Landschaft bereichern, die Bedeutung der Women of the Cloud Stage auf dem AWS Summit, und auch wieso Mentoren und Sponsoren für Frauen im Techbereich so wichtig sind.  AWS Cloud Horizonte Host Michelle Mei-Li Pfister, Solutions Architect bei AWS, spricht mit drei inspirierenden Gästen: Linda Mohamed, AWS Hero und Organisatorin der AWS Women User Group Wien, Anariina Komljenovic, Executive Vice President bei valantic, und Rebekka Mossal, Organisatorin der Women of the Cloud Stage beim AWS Summit Hamburg. Wir sprechen darüber wieso es wichtig ist solche Räume für Frauen zu schaffen, teilen inspirierende Erfolgsgeschichten und geben praktische Tipps, wie Interessierte Teil dieser wachsenden Bewegung werden können.  Kernthemen der Episode: Die Rolle von AWS Women's User Groups und anderen Women Communities für den Karriereeinstieg Wie wichtig Mentoring und Sponsoring sind  Praktische Tipps für den Karrierestart in Tech Allyship und wie man als Unterstützer*in aktiv werden kann Key Learnings: Communities bieten sicheren Raum zum Experimentieren und Wachsen Erfolgreiche Karrieren brauchen sowohl Mentoren als auch Sponsoren Progress over Perfection: Mut zum Imperfekten ist wichtiger als Perfektion Netzwerke frühzeitig aufbauen und pflegen Die Tech-Branche bietet vielfältige Karrierewege jenseits des Codings Über die Gäste: Linda Mohamed: AWS Hero und Organisatorin der AWS Women User Group Wien Annariina Komljenovic: Executive Vice President bei valantic Rebekka Mossal: Organisatorin der Women of the Cloud Stage und Sales Managerin bei AWS Links: AWS Women's User Group Vienna AWS Women's User Group Munich AWS Women's User Group Berlin Women of the Cloud Stage beim AWS Summit Hamburg  #86: Allyship und Vielfalt bei AWS  AWS Cloud Horizonte ist der offizielle deutschsprachige AWS Podcast.

For tech firms serving banks, survival isn't guaranteed. It takes more than a great product or engineering talent to stay ahead. It requires relentless innovation, the ability to scale without losing agility, a deep understanding of financial institutions' pain points, and above all, visionary leadership that adapts to change rather than fears it. On this episode of Banking Transformed, we welcome Ana Inés Echavarren, the dynamic CEO of Infocorp, a company that has not only survived but thrived in this volatile environment. But her story isn't just about corporate growth — it's a story of personal reinvention. From her roots in engineering to becoming one of the few female tech CEOs in Latin America, Ana's journey is marked by lessons in courage, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and the transformative power of mentorship. A vocal advocate for women in tech and leadership, Ana challenges old paradigms and champions diversity as a competitive advantage. This conversation serves as a roadmap for what it truly takes to build a resilient, purpose-driven, and future-ready organization.

Are you tired of shrinking yourself just to fit in—when deep down you know you were born to lead, inspire, and shift the atmosphere?In this transformational episode, award-winning coach and UK tech leader Padmasini Dayananda shares her deeply inspirational and motivational story—from childhood resilience in India to confronting workplace bullying, overcoming burnout, and redefining what authentic leadership truly looks like for women in high-pressure industries. If you've ever doubted your worth, struggled with imposter syndrome, or felt lost trying to balance ambition with well-being—this powerful motivational speech is for you.You'll Learn How To:Silence the inner critic and overcome self-doubt with Padma's empowering Triple E Framework: Explore, Empower, ElevateReclaim your voice and identity as a leader—without sacrificing your values, wellness, or purposeAvoid burnout while accelerating your growth through transformational leadership, authentic self-worth, and impactful legacy-buildingHit play now to discover how to unlock bold, unapologetic leadership and turn your pain into power with this deeply inspirational and motivational conversation.Padma's Contact Info and Links:Website: https://www.transformwithpadma.com  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/padmasini-dayananda Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformwithpadmaApplication form to join the program: HER Circle of Influence- Transformative Coaching & ConsultingTo book a free discover call: Book a Call- Transformative Coaching & ConsultingFree resource:  https://zpr.io/vYv226ApRqWQinspirational, motivational, motivational speech, empower women, leadership mindset, self-doubt coaching, burnout recovery, authenticity in leadership, women in tech, confidence coaching, personal growth podcast, motivational podcast for women, overcome fear, bold leadership, find purpose, real talk podcast, Padmasini Dayananda, Reginald D podcast, faith-based empowerment, motivational interview, success without burnout, motivational stories Send us a textSupport the showFor daily motivation and inspiration, subscribe and follow Real Talk With Reginald D on social media:Instagram: realtalkwithreginaldd TikTok: @realtalkregd Youtube: @realtalkwithreginald Facebook: realtalkwithreginaldd Twitter Real Talk With Reginald D (@realtalkRegD) / TwitterWebsite: Real Talk With Reginald D https://www.realtalkwithreginaldd.com Real Talk With Reginald D - Merchandise

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On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Sam White , CEO of Stella Insurance. Sam is not just a leader in the insurance industry; she's a trailblazer, entrepreneur, and advocate for creating a fairer, more inclusive world. In today's conversation, we'll dive into Sam's incredible journey as an entrepreneur, her vision for Stella Insurance, and how she's challenging the status quo in a traditionally male-dominated industry. We'll also explore her thoughts on leadership, innovation, and the future of insurance. KEY TAKEAWAYS We didn't realise, when we set Stella up, just how revolutionary it was because we had an entirely female management team all in our 20s and 30s, very spirited and high energy, going out and doing business in a very male-dominated marketplace. There are gender differences and I think we come at things with a different perspective, women do business differently, approach things differently, and have different needs and risks that they're exposed to. What I love about the concept of insurance is the idea that a group of people come together and put money in the pot so that if one of them is vulnerable they can be supported. That community ideology is very appealing. When you look through the lens of women, you see a set of circumstances where my general experience when it works well with a large group of women that are all aligned on the same goal and support each other is magic. In terms of building good relationships, the principles apply. Firstly, you can't build a good relationship with somebody who hasn't got a good relationship with themselves and isn't prepared to accept, acknowledge or work on that. My first business was launched from my sister's conservatory where I picked up the phone to brokers and asked if they'd let me handle their claims. The benefit of that is that you don't need to get funding and you can do it your own way, you're learning on the job and experiencing direct feedback. The downside is that the foundations you're building on may not be ideal. BEST MOMENTS ‘I was diagnosed with dyslexia as a kid and I think that creates a different type of mindset in terms of problem solving as well as resilience.' ‘I like complicated problems, and insurance is one hell of a complicated problem!' ‘Imposter syndrome is much higher in women than men, they second guess themselves continually. Most women are educated to not back themselves from the age of 7-8 and societally we also questions women far more than men.' ‘The irony is; the process of the ‘do' is the thing that gives you the confidence to keep on doing the doing. But, you have to do the first thing and make it through your first really big challenge.' ABOUT THE GUESTS Sam White is a dynamic and visionary entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in building and scaling successful businesses. As the CEO of Stella Insurance, Sam is a trailblazer in the insurance industry, known for her innovative approach and commitment to creating meaningful change. Under her leadership, Stella Insurance has become a trusted and award-winning brand, recognized for its customer-centric ethos and dedication to empowering women in a traditionally male-dominated sector. 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

We plug into the real world Matrix – the digital Wild West of surveillance capitalism that dominates this Age of Information. Behind it is the unholy alliance between Big Tech and Big Brother. Privacy is the first casualty and democracy dies with it. Our guide is Cindy Cohn, director of Electronic Frontier Foundation, with her decades of experience challenging digital authoritarianism. Featuring Cindy Cohn, the Executive Director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation since 2015, served as EFF's Legal Director as well as its General Counsel from 2000 to 2015. Among other honors, Ms. Cohn was named to The Non-Profit Times 2020 Power & Influence TOP 50 list, and in 2018, Forbes included Ms. Cohn as one of America's Top 50 Women in Tech. Resources ⁠Cindy Cohn – The Climate Fight is Digital⁠ | Bioneers 2024 Keynote ⁠Tools from Electronic Frontier Foundation⁠ Credits Executive Producer: Kenny Ausubel Written by: Kenny Ausubel Additional production and writing: Leo Hornak Senior Producer and Station Relations: Stephanie Welch Program Engineer and Music Supervisor: Emily Harris Producer: Teo Grossman Host and Consulting Producer: Neil Harvey This is an episode of the Bioneers: Revolution from the Heart of Nature series. Visit the ⁠radio and podcast homepage⁠ to learn more.

What if the smartest thing you could do as a leader... was make yourself unnecessary?  In an era where AI is changing how we work and lead, tech executive Amber Winter proves that success isn't about working harder—it's about working smarter.  From her start as a marketing coordinator to becoming CEO in just eight years, Amber shares how she's used continuous learning, smart delegation, and artificial intelligence to lead high-performing teams without burning out. In this episode, she opens up about what it really takes to scale your leadership while staying human in a tech-driven world.  "Relationships are your superpower." — Amber Winter Amber reminds us that even with AI on your side, people still matter most. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How Amber uses AI tools to scenario-plan, prioritize, and problem-solve on the fly Her "tour of duty" approach to leadership—and why it's a game-changer for growth What she learned from creating AI agents for her teams (and trying to make herself unnecessary) A real talk moment that taught her the power of clear, human-centered communication The career path that took her from coordinator to CEO to CRO—without following a traditional roadmap Why treating people as individuals (not resources) leads to stronger results How AI can help uncover blind spots, support strategic thinking, and prep leaders for tough conversations  ✨ Want to lead smarter, not harder? Start by reflecting on how you show up—and where AI   can amplify your strengths.

Jay Schwedelson finally found someone who might just have the answer to his time struggles: Rebecca Shaddix. She's not only a Forbes contributor and the force behind UCLA's Women in Tech research, but she's also on a mission to rescue your day—90 seconds at a time. This episode isn't about productivity hacks that require color-coded calendars or waking up at 4 a.m. It's about the tiny gaps you already have and how to reclaim them with purpose.ㅤListen to Rebecca's podcast Time Billionaires for short, actionable ways to reclaim your day. Learn more at timebillionaires.org and follow her on LinkedIn.ㅤBest Moments:(01:00) Why a car accident at 15 forced Rebecca to rethink how she used time(02:45) The connection between micro moments and COVID-era burnout(04:45) How filling short gaps with email and doomscrolling backfires(06:02) The simplest shifts to stop draining your brain between meetings(07:30) Rebecca's favorite 2-minute actions that actually reset your energy(09:35) Why we check email too often—and what to do instead(12:04) Rebecca's exact daily structure, from no-phone mornings to energy-aligned gaps(14:00) The six categories she uses to decide how to fill her micro moments(17:00) Why we spend time on things we'd never spend money onㅤCheck out our 100% FREE + VIRTUAL EVENTS! ->Guru Conference - The World's Largest Virtual EMAIL MARKETING Conference - Nov 6-7!Register here: www.GuruConference.comㅤCheck out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/ㅤMASSIVE thank you to our Sponsor, Marigold!!Email chaos across campuses, branches, or chapters? Emma by Marigold lets HQ keep control while local teams send on-brand, on-time messages with ease.Podcast & GURU listeners: 50 % off your first 3 months with an annual plan (new customers, 10 k-contact minimum, terms apply).Claim your offer now at jayschwedelson.com/emma

Today's letter-writer is filling about five different roles at his company—and feels like he's failing at all of them. Add in gaslighting executives and the finite number of hours in a workday, and he's about ready to shut down entirely. Should he just take off all these extra hats and quiet-quit? Should he just care less about work? Listen in as Jen and Sara help him decide which balls to drop and how to redefine success, and failure, on his own terms. Links:Sign up for Nice Work, the Active Voice newsletterMentioned on the show: “Middle managers fade as AI rises”Got a work situation eating away at you? Send it to us! Submit your dilemma at PMLEshow.com

What does it really take to carve out space for a new business in an industry dominated by giants? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Kimberly Evans, the inspiring founder and CEO of Just Her Rideshare, a women-centric rideshare service focused on safety, community, and empowerment.Kimberly shares her personal story of why she created Just Her Rideshare, drawing from her own experiences and deep commitment to serving women who often feel vulnerable using traditional rideshare options. As a fourth-generation entrepreneur, she talks candidly about the challenges of fundraising, the lessons learned from bootstrapping, and the value of staying connected to the community at every stage of growth.If you're passionate about startups, social impact, or want to understand the realities of building something new against the odds, this episode is a must-listen. Kimberly's journey is filled with actionable insights on fundraising, effective marketing, and the power of focusing on community—offering inspiration and practical advice to founders and investors alike.And don't forget you can also participate in the Wefunder crowdfunding campaign to support Just Her Rideshare.https://wefunder.com/justherrideshare/ To get the latest from Kimberly Evans, you can follow her below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/justherride/https://www.justherrideshare.com/ https://wefunder.com/justherrideshare/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Amélie Breitburd, the former CEO of Lloyd's Europe, and a leading voice in the movement to rethink how we insure against tomorrow's biggest shocks – from climate and cyber to the long-tail risks the industry still avoids. In today's conversation, we'll unpack her journey to Lloyd's, explore the institution's evolving role in a risk-saturated world, and dig deep into the bold ideas behind her latest work. KEY TAKEAWAYS Every day people should focus on their specification and should be reminded of it. When I see syndicates doing business only in the US, they could do business in Europe almost for free because, from a capital perspective, diversification helps. We're here to help people. People wouldn't do anything: Take a bike, drive a car, fly to Mars without insurance. It's a key enabler. As leaders in the insurance industry I believe we can show a great sense of purpose. There was a period during which companies were mainly looking at buying, and this was killing teams. I think now we're definitely in the partnership era which is great for startups because they can work for different companies which increases diversity and has people learn from each other. Insurers have a lot of data but it's a bit outdated. Risk is evolving because the automotive industry, for example, is moving towards autonomous cars, now data about car behaviour is not as important as it used to be, now the software and batteries that will be in cars is more important so we must build another set of data. Then there are things like flying to Mars and carbon capture where there is no data because we don't know how we're going to be doing it. BEST MOMENTS ‘Risk is at the heart of what insurers do and risk is about diversification.' ‘The statistical aspect is that when you are together you're taking risks together and lowering the cost of capital.' ‘the journey today is like moving from paper to pdf, but the next change perspective is moving to more digitalised exchanges between various parts of the company.' ‘Coopetition is the idea that if we work together as competitors we can access a market which is currently inaccessible because it's not affordable, we can price the risks differently to make them more accessible.' ABOUT THE GUESTS Amélie Breitburd is a strategic powerhouse in Europe's insurance and risk management ecosystem, driving a bold agenda to double the size of the continent's insurable market. With a sharp eye on the protection gap, Amélie brings an unflinching perspective on how to future-proof European economies—through syndication, public-private partnerships, and radical coopetition. A thought leader who thinks beyond tradition, Amélie fuses financial acumen with game theory principles to challenge how we scale solutions to climate risk, cyber threats, and long-tail systemic exposures. Her work on the Digital Insurance Exchange Market (Euro DIEM) envisions a next-gen insurance infrastructure—anchored in data access, distributed underwriting, and multi-layer diversification. 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/

Lately, we've been talking to some of the most incredible women in Tech about some of the most non-incredible moments in their careers - stories of setbacks, mistakes that felt unrecoverable, and outcomes that seemed like failures.  We've been doing this because we want all of you in our community to know you're not alone - this happens to all of us. We truly believe that you can learn some of the most important lessons from the times you think things went irrevocably wrong. But what about when you feel like the career ladder has just broken beneath you despite doing great work? Why does it sometimes seem like the only option is to leave the tech field behind instead of finding new ways forward? In this episode, Brenda sits down with Lareina Yee — senior partner at McKinsey, co-author of “The Broken Rung,” and champion for women in tech — to talk about setbacks, resilience, and the real strategies that help women move forward during those crucial forks in their career paths. Lareina gets real about micro-failures, the power of honest feedback, and why bold career moves matter. Plus, why building your own “board of directors” can be a game-changer, and how to pack a “round trip ticket” for your career — no matter how long you plan to step away. Whether you're navigating your own broken rung, considering a big leap, or just need a reminder that you're not alone, Brenda and Lareina have you covered with practical advice, actionable insights, and the support to keep climbing, no matter how high on the ladder you are. For more, check out Lareina on... LinkedIn - /lareinayee And you can find out more about The Broken Rung, and order your own copy, here. --- At AnitaB.org, our mission is to enable and equip women technologists with the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to thrive. Through innovative programs and initiatives, we empower women to chart new paths, better prepared to lead, advance, and achieve equitable compensation. Because when women succeed, they uplift their communities and redefine success on their terms, both professionally and personally. --- Connect with AnitaB.org Instagram - @anitab_org Facebook - /anitab.0rg LinkedIn - /anitab-org On the web - anitab.org  --- Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services. --- B The Way Forward Is… Hosted and Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson. Produced by Avi Glijansky Associate Produced by Kelli Kyle Sound design and editing by Ryan Hammond  Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski  Additional Producing help from Faith Krogulecki Operations Coordination for AnitaB.org by Quinton Sprull. Creative Director for AnitaB.org is Deandra Coleman Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Frequency Machine  Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org

Ever wondered how customer stories come to life in global tech companies? Welcome to a fascinating conversation with Alyssa Maschi, Head of the Customer Reference Center of Excellence at Lenovo.Alyssa's career journey defies traditional expectations. Starting in nonprofit work, she made a bold transition into tech through channel marketing before finding her way to customer advocacy. Her candid admission that she "had to Google what customer reference marketing was" when applying for her current role reveals an important truth: career paths rarely follow a straight line. What carried her through these transitions? The soft skills she cultivated along the way, communication, relationship-building, and adaptability.Building Lenovo's customer reference program from scratch presented enormous challenges. Alyssa shares how she established the operational foundation, engaged with sellers, recruited customers, and eventually expanded from a single business unit to a company-wide center of excellence. Her role evolved from hands-on implementation to strategic leadership, focusing on program expansion and securing executive support. This evolution offers valuable lessons for anyone tasked with building something new within a large organization.The conversation takes an honest turn when discussing corporate politics and finding advocates. Alyssa credits her success in scaling the program to having a VP who believed in her work and provided the platform to pitch directly to the CMO. For women navigating large tech organizations, this highlights the critical importance of finding champions who can elevate your work to higher levels. When leadership guidance is lacking, Alyssa recommends returning to strategic foundations and expanding your internal network, practical advice for maintaining momentum during uncertain times.Looking to position yourself for promotion? Alyssa suggests a methodical approach: understand the specific requirements for the next level position and document how you're already fulfilling those responsibilities. This evidence-based approach creates a compelling case that's difficult for management to dispute.Join us for this illuminating conversation about career transitions, building global programs, and what it truly means to be bolder, embracing curiosity and following opportunities that spark your interest, even when they aren't obvious next steps.Support the show When you subscribe to the podcast, you are supporting our work's mission, allowing us to continue highlighting successful women in a variety of careers to inspire others helping pay our wonderful editor, Chris, and helping me in paying our hosting expenses.

Have you ever sugarcoated feedback to avoid hurting someone's feelings? Or avoided a tough conversation because it just felt too uncomfortable? In this episode of Leading Women in Tech, I'm diving into how to be professionally blunt—the leadership communication skill that will help you be more respected, more effective, and build high-performing teams with less confusion and more trust. What You'll Learn in This Episode:  Why we default to vague or “nice” communication The high cost of avoiding direct conversations What professional bluntness actually looks like (hint: it's not rudeness) How to give feedback at work with clarity and kindness Language you can use to be clear without being harsh Mindset shifts to expand your emotional capacity as a leader The ripple effect of clarity in leadership communication And more! If you're ready to stop sugarcoating, speak with confidence, and develop powerful direct communication in leadership—this one's for you. Check out episode 245 on passive-aggressive leadership tendencies and how to shift them: https://tonicollis.com/episode245

Shae & Ericka interview Espree Devora from the podcast Women In Tech! Espree talks about taking opportunity by the horns and never turning back. You are going to enjoy this one!

Hope Yin is an award-winning Tech Executive who has become a Coach, Speaker, and Advocate for Women in Tech. She partners with global companies and executives to elevate their leadership presence, foster team cultures, and drive business growth. As a sought-after speaker, she has inspired over 10,000 individuals, including at the world’s largest conference for […]

Helena sits down with Farrah Khan, former mayor of Irvine and the first Muslim, South Asian woman ever elected to the city council. They unpack how Farrah broke through political resistance, navigated public microaggressions, and turned personal identity into political power.They talk about the emotional toll of leadership, pivoting after rejection, and why vulnerability and transparency aren't weaknesses—they're leadership superpowers. Farrah shares what helped her run again after losing, and how she turned sexist and racist jabs into assets, and why she believes community-driven governance is the future of innovation. Under her leadership, Irvine officially celebrated Pride and Juneteenth for the first time. She also passed anti-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ+ community.If you're a person of color, a young leader, or someone navigating power structures that weren't built for you—this episode will leave you grounded, fired up, and ready to lead on your terms.

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Geetha Sham, MD and President of CamCom in Europe, and Sathes Singam, innovation scout and programme manager at ERGO Group. In this episode we will explore how ERGO's Venture Client model turned a promising pilot into a production with great capability, then we will investigate what it really takes to deploy AI in regulated multi-market environments, and how governance – if used right – can become a growth accelerator not a roadblock. KEY TAKEAWAYS During initial discussions with our first insurance customer, we realised the process of inspection was time consuming, human heavy, subject to human fatigue resulting in expensive, long cycles and inconsistency. This gap is now filled by our AI model which provides a machine vision eye, using a mobile device accurately capturing images of vehicles which leads to damage assessments, reducing false positives. We want to democratise image capture, hence we have built our product in such a way that it can operate on any type of forum, and mobile devices made since 2016. That makes us a leader in our own area, staying focussed without scattering in the name of trying to do everything ourselves. There has been global adoption of AI – although what it does and how it is used varies – because every industry is seeing the value add. The standard way of implementing it is simple: It has to be aligned to the businesses and should not hamper the existing business or processes that exist within the industry/group. Edge cases must be addresses in a different way and modified so they are not completely controlled by the standard feedback learning. BEST MOMENTS ‘Startup collaboration, in my experience, should become top of management agenda.' ‘It's crucial to have someone locally who knows the culture in their particular country, and knows the people that need to be addressed.' ‘It's all about involving all relevant stakeholders in clear and transparent communication.' ‘Each country has local laws, so there's not only customisation, there's also localisation that has to addressed. That's where the governance model comes in handy.' ABOUT THE GUESTS Geetha Sham is MD and President of CamCom in Europe. She is a seasoned technologist and scale-up strategist who has held senior roles at Oracle and Mindtree and is now building out CamCom's European footprint from Dusseldorf. Sathes Singam is an innovation scout and programme manager at ERGO Group. He is the lynchpin behind ERGO's deployment of CamCOm across the Baltics, Europe's first testbed of this solution. 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/

What if the path to leadership in tech isn't just about technical skill, but about breaking down systemic barriers and fostering true inclusion?In this episode of Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors, Erica Rooney sits down with Anna Radulovski, CEO and founder of Coding Girls and co-founder of Global Innovation Catalyst. Anna is a dynamic force dedicated to empowering women and diverse leaders in tech through education, inspiration, and connection.Together, they dive into the critical reasons behind the scarcity of women in tech, the nuances of allyship, and the importance of advocating for your worth. Anna shares invaluable insights from her new book, Chief in Tech, offering strategies for women to negotiate powerfully, join impactful boards, and leave a lasting legacy in the innovation economy.Inside the Episode:The Root of the Problem: Exploring why so few women lean into tech, from early childhood influences to the lack of visible role models.Beyond the Numbers: Why diverse teams are more innovative and financially successful, and the challenges of changing entrenched systems.Effective Allyship: Practical advice for men and women on how to speak up against microaggressions and injustice in the workplace.Your Personal Board of Directors: The power of a trusted circle for honest feedback, expert advice, and crucial support in your career journey.Dreaming Without Borders: Cultivating the mindset that your worth is your birthright and embracing healthy entitlement to achieve your biggest aspirations.Negotiating Your Worth: Strategies for women to powerfully advocate for themselves in salary negotiations and career advancement.Making Boardroom Impact: Navigating different types of boards to drive change and build a legacy, beyond just public company boards.The 24-Hour Rule: A practical approach to managing highs and lows in your career and maintaining resilience through life's challenges.If you're ready to break through self-imposed ceilings and lead with authenticity and impact in the tech world and beyond, this episode is your blueprint.

What if the path to leadership in tech isn't just about technical skill, but about breaking down systemic barriers and fostering true inclusion?In this episode of Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors, Erica Rooney sits down with Anna Radulovski, CEO and founder of Coding Girls and co-founder of Global Innovation Catalyst. Anna is a dynamic force dedicated to empowering women and diverse leaders in tech through education, inspiration, and connection.Together, they dive into the critical reasons behind the scarcity of women in tech, the nuances of allyship, and the importance of advocating for your worth. Anna shares invaluable insights from her new book, Chief in Tech, offering strategies for women to negotiate powerfully, join impactful boards, and leave a lasting legacy in the innovation economy.Inside the Episode:The Root of the Problem: Exploring why so few women lean into tech, from early childhood influences to the lack of visible role models.Beyond the Numbers: Why diverse teams are more innovative and financially successful, and the challenges of changing entrenched systems.Effective Allyship: Practical advice for men and women on how to speak up against microaggressions and injustice in the workplace.Your Personal Board of Directors: The power of a trusted circle for honest feedback, expert advice, and crucial support in your career journey.Dreaming Without Borders: Cultivating the mindset that your worth is your birthright and embracing healthy entitlement to achieve your biggest aspirations.Negotiating Your Worth: Strategies for women to powerfully advocate for themselves in salary negotiations and career advancement.Making Boardroom Impact: Navigating different types of boards to drive change and build a legacy, beyond just public company boards.The 24-Hour Rule: A practical approach to managing highs and lows in your career and maintaining resilience through life's challenges.If you're ready to break through self-imposed ceilings and lead with authenticity and impact in the tech world and beyond, this episode is your blueprint.

Fluent Fiction - Japanese: A Summer's Shift: Finding Her Voice in Ueno Park Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ja/episode/2025-07-16-22-34-02-ja Story Transcript:Ja: 夏の温かい風が上野公園を包み込んでいました。En: The warm summer breeze enveloped Ueno Park.Ja: 家族連れが海の日を祝うために集まり、賑やかな声と笑い声が公園じゅうに響き渡っています。En: Families gathered to celebrate Marine Day, and the lively chatter and laughter echoed throughout the park.Ja: 緑豊かな桜の木の下で、ピクニックを楽しむ人々がたくさんいました。En: Many people were enjoying picnics under the lush cherry blossom trees.Ja: その中に、あるテックカンパニーのチームがいました。En: Among them was a team from a tech company.Ja: リーダーはカイトです。En: Their leader was Kaito.Ja: 彼はいつも周りに人気があります。En: He was always popular with those around him.Ja: 体験が豊富なソフトウェア開発者はハルカです。彼女は自分の努力が認められていないと感じています。En: An experienced software developer, Haruka, felt that her efforts were not being recognized.Ja: 新メンバーのジュンは、良い印象を与えようと一生懸命です。En: The new member, Jun, was doing his best to make a good impression.Ja: その日、チームは公園で集まりました。En: That day, the team gathered at the park.Ja: カイトはジュンの働きに感謝し、最近のプロジェクトでの貢献を称えました。En: Kaito expressed gratitude for Jun's work and praised his contributions to a recent project.Ja: しかし、そのプロジェクトは実際にはハルカのアイデアから始まったものでした。En: However, the project had actually started with Haruka's idea.Ja: ハルカは胸がつかえる思いをしました。En: Haruka felt a tightness in her chest.Ja: そして、グループがピクニックランチをする間、ハルカは勇気を出して言いました。En: While the group was having their picnic lunch, Haruka mustered the courage to speak up.Ja: 「このプロジェクトは、実は私が最初に提案したものです。En: "This project was actually my original proposal.Ja: ジュンの力も素晴らしいけれど、私の努力も見てもらえると嬉しいです。」En: Jun's efforts are amazing, but I would be happy if my efforts were recognized too."Ja: 彼女の言葉に周囲は静まりました。En: Her words brought a hush over the group.Ja: カイトは少し驚いた様子で、彼女の目を見て、En: Kaito, a bit surprised, looked her in the eyes and sincerely said,Ja: 「ハルカ、ごめん。En: "I'm sorry, Haruka.Ja: 君の貢献を見落としたようだ。En: It seems I overlooked your contribution.Ja: これからは注意します。」En: I will be more attentive from now on."Ja: チームメンバーも全員、ハルカのアイデアと貢献に感謝の意を示しました。En: All the team members also expressed their gratitude for Haruka's ideas and contributions.Ja: その瞬間、彼女は自分の思いを伝える大切さを実感しました。En: In that moment, she realized the importance of expressing her thoughts.Ja: 自信を持つことが、どれほど重要かを学びました。En: She learned how crucial it is to have confidence.Ja: そして、穏やかな風がまた公園を通り抜け、桜の葉を揺らしました。En: Then, a gentle breeze passed through the park again, swaying the cherry tree leaves.Ja: ハルカの心も、新たな一歩を踏み出したように感じました。En: Haruka felt as though she had taken a new step forward.Ja: 彼女はこれからも、自分の声を大切にしていくことを決心しました。En: She resolved to continue valuing her own voice from now on.Ja: 上野公園の一日は、穏やかな夏の夕暮れと共に終わりました。En: The day in Ueno Park ended with the calm summer dusk.Ja: 家族たちはそれぞれに思い出を胸に抱き、日常へと戻っていきます。En: Families cherished their memories and returned to their daily lives.Ja: ハルカもまた、明日からの新しい日々に向かい、希望を胸に歩み出しました。En: Haruka, too, moved forward towards the new days ahead with hope in her heart. Vocabulary Words:enveloped: 包み込んでいましたlively: 賑やかなchatter: 声lush: 緑豊かなexperienced: 体験が豊富なgratitude: 感謝praised: 称えましたtightness: つかえるmustered: 勇気を出してrecognized: 認められてhush: 静まりましたattentive: 注意しますcherished: 抱きresolved: 決心しましたcrucial: 重要confidence: 自信swaying: 揺らしましたdusk: 夕暮れcontribution: 貢献moment: 瞬間impression: 印象realized: 実感しましたproposal: 提案gathered: 集まりましたadmiration: 称賛overlooked: 見落としたexpressing: 伝えるfamilies: 家族連れvaliant: 勇敢treasured: 大切にして

Are you missing the strategic blind spots that could unlock your next big move? What if the key to leveling up your leadership wasn't in working harder—but in thinking more strategically?   In this episode, we sit down with serial entrepreneur and strategy expert Ashley Wright, who shares how to spot the hidden gaps that slow teams down—and how to shift from reactive mode to confident, forward-thinking leadership.   With stories from her time at General Mills, launching an AI-driven startup in the green industry, and guiding founders through major pivots, Ashley brings a rare mix of big-picture vision and tactical insight. Whether you're leading a team or building your own thing, this episode will help you lead with clarity, context, and purpose.   "You can either live your life trying to make someone else's dream happen, or live it trying to make yours happen." — Ashley Wright   What You'll Learn in This Episode: How to identify strategic gaps before they become roadblocks What “Why me? Why now?” means—and why every founder needs to answer it How to make confident decisions from a place of opportunity, not fear The role of AI in niche industries (and why humans still matter) How to lead diverse teams with authenticity and clear deliverables What it looks like to play to win instead of playing catch-up The mindset shift that turns early-stage chaos into long-term clarity  

Kayl Parker, Senior Operations Consultant at Sparklos, discusses how important it is for librarians to value themselves and make themselves marketable. She mentions Women in Tech during our conversation.

What if growing your business doesn't mean working more—but working smarter instead? I sat down with automation expert and founder of Evolve Systems, Jenna Evola, to explore how entrepreneurs can reclaim their time using AI, virtual teams, and systems that scale. From her own journey of launching a medical clinic before the pandemic to now leading a team of eight with efficiency and ease, Jenna shares the exact strategies that helped her turn overwhelm into optimized growth. We talked about the first tools you should automate, why hiring overseas talent isn't just cost-effective, and how to find your executive assistant before you burn out. If you've been stuck in the hustle loop, trying to do it all yourself, this episode is your permission slip to stop grinding and start growing. Tune in to learn how AI can help you buy back your time, build a lean team, and create systems that run your business—even while you sleep!“Time is our only non-renewable resource. We can't make more of it, so we have to just learn how to manage it better.” ~ Jenna EvolaIn this Episode:- The power of AI and automation for entrepreneurs- Real-Life success stories and practical tips for AI automation- How to build and manage virtual teams- Essential AI tools for entrepreneurs- Balancing hustle and efficiency when scaling a business- How Jenna is empowering women in tech and automation- Jenna's journey to speaking engagements- How to align your personal brand with high-level systems - Final thoughts on AI and Jenna's contact informationAbout Jenna Evola:Jenna Evola is the founder of Evolve Systems and a seasoned small business systems coach. Drawing from her background in news and automotive marketing, she transitioned into entrepreneurship in 2019. Recognizing the challenges small business owners face—being overwhelmed by daily tasks rather than focusing on growth—Jenna established Evolve Systems. Through her agency, she empowers entrepreneurs to scale efficiently by integrating AI automation and virtual assistants, enabling them to reclaim their time and concentrate on strategic expansion. Website: https://www.evolvesystems.ai/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenna.evola/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-evola Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenna.evola Connect with me here:

In this episode of Automox Insiders, host Maddie Regis sits down with Kat Breeggemann, Digital Customer Experience Manager at Automox, to explore her unique journey from journalism and communications into the world of customer success. Kat shares how a leap-of-faith internship opened the door to a career in CX, the pivotal moment she advocated for her own role, and why scaling digital experiences is the key to supporting thousands of end users effectively.You'll learn:What digital CX looks like in actionHow to transition your skillset into techThe importance of proactive, scalable customer educationWhy assuming user knowledge can break your product experienceCareer advice for new grads and professionals making a switchWhether you're navigating your own tech career or building better customer journeys, this episode is full of practical insight and inspiring takeaways.

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Joel Agard, Group Head of Innovation at Zurich Insurance, who has been driving bold, transformative startup collaborations across 40+ markets. His work has reshaped the way a global insurance giant works with startups, proving that innovation isn't just about flashy tech – it's about building real, meaningful partnerships that deliver results. From navigating the early days of Zurich's Innovation Championship back in 2018 to scaling the program during a global pandemic – and now leading the charge into the future – Joel brings passion, strategy, and a touch of risk-taking to every conversation. KEY TAKEAWAYS The football World Cup in 2018 inspired us to piggyback on the concept of a competition to try and raise awareness of corporate/startup partnerships. Back then, working with startups in our industry wasn't the norm, we were working with big technology companies. We asked ourselves; how can we show the art of the possible and show that working with startups can really work? This is when we invented the Zurich Innovation World Championship. In the beginning the pace that startups wanted to – and could – go didn't always resonate with the pace Zurich wanted to go. We had to align expectations and create a safe environment where we could test fast and where it was OK to fail. I've fallen in love with cool technologies so many times, and I still do: I'm a geek. But, we had to learn that if these shiny, amazing technologies don't really solve a problem for our customers or internal stakeholders, it's not fit for purpose for us. It might be that it's too early or is not a good fit for us. BEST MOMENTS ‘We at Zurich bring our reputation, brand, and insurance expertise from 150 years. Startups bring agility and speed because they are born in a digital world.' ‘Failing in a big corporate often doesn't have a good image. We've proved that failing fast and cheap is something we can achieve and is beneficial for the startups. It's now a normal part of our process.' ‘The Covid pandemic accelerated digital transformations, there were a lot of opportunities out there to accelerate our initiatives, so increased the number of startups, pilots.' ‘It's crucial to understand the gaps and problems you want to solve because we'd be wasting each other's time otherwise.' ABOUT THE GUEST Joel Agard is Group Head of Innovation at Zurich Insurance. With a career dedicated to fostering groundbreaking solutions, Joel spearheads Zurich's Venture Client Startup Engine, a program that drives innovation across 40+ markets worldwide. His work focuses on bridging the gap between startups and corporate needs, enabling Zurich to leverage cutting-edge technologies and solutions to stay ahead in the ever-evolving insurance landscape. LinkedIn Zurich Innovation Championship 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/

Send us a textIn this deeply reflective episode recorded at Pax8 Beyond 2025, Joey Pinz chats with legal-tech leader, artist, and founder of Cloud Contracts 365, Kim Simmonds. From songwriting at the piano to transforming legal AI for MSPs, Kim opens up about the intersections of creativity, leadership, and transformation.The conversation begins in melody and moves into mission — how Kim's self-taught songwriting parallels her bold move to launch an AI-powered legal tool designed just for MSPs. She shares her views on the ethical risks of careless AI use (including lawyers being debarred for citing fake case law), and how her platform avoids hallucinations by not relying on LLMs.They explore differences between US and UK work culture, the undervaluation of MSP services in England, and why shifting from revenue-chasing to meaningful service is the ultimate mindset upgrade. 

Chris and Shaun talk with Chris' friend, Trish Tierney, co-founder of WAKE, Women's Alliance for Knowledge Exchange. The gang discusses Notre Dame, rowing, kids, Trish's development of WAKE, lessons in travel, matchmaking women in tech with nonprofits around the world, WAKE's aims to scale its US program while exploring new countries for its international efforts, WAKE success stories, men's involvement in the program and more!Learn more about Trish and WAKE hereGet Mental at 20% discount: http://getmental.com/IYCTF

What does it take to go from childhood dreams of building a Terminator robot to leading AI innovation at Intel? Karenga Ross's remarkable journey offers a masterclass in career development that combines technical expertise with business acumen, authentic relationship-building, and a willingness to embrace the unknown.As Intel's Senior Director shaping the future of data center AI, Karinga shares how unexpected pivots became her greatest assets—from abandoning mechanical engineering after a challenging thermodynamics course to discovering her leadership voice at Coca-Cola where she was first challenged to articulate her personal brand. Her candid reflections reveal how saying "yes" to opportunities, even when they required significant life changes, opened doors she never imagined possible.For women intimidated by fields like AI and data center engineering, Karinga offers refreshingly accessible advice, demystifying complex technical concepts by connecting them to everyday experiences. "Don't be intimidated; be curious," she emphasizes, explaining that companies hire for aptitude and willingness to learn—not complete mastery of every technical detail. This perspective transforms imposing career paths into approachable possibilities.Perhaps most valuable is Karinga's evolved understanding of leadership essentials often overlooked in technical fields—strategic vision-building, cross-cultural communication, and the courage to ask for help. She reveals her personal strategy development process, which includes scheduled time away from digital distractions to think clearly among trees, and how discovering that people genuinely enjoy sharing knowledge transformed her approach to networking from something that felt like "schmoozing" to building authentic relationships based on mutual support.As AI continues transforming industries, Karinga provides practical guidance for both early-career professionals and those facing potential displacement. Her approach to continuous learning—currently pursuing a PhD in business leadership while leading at Intel—embodies her philosophy: "If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready." This conversation is essential listening for anyone navigating technical careers with ambitions beyond coding.Support the show When you subscribe to the podcast, you are supporting our work's mission, allowing us to continue highlighting successful women in a variety of careers to inspire others helping pay our wonderful editor, Chris, and helping me in paying our hosting expenses.

Ever freeze mid-sentence in a meeting? Start rambling when challenged? Or walk away thinking, “Why didn't I speak up?” You're not alone. This episode is going to be your go-to toolkit for navigating those high-pressure moments with more clarity and confidence. In this episode, I unpack what pressure really does to high-achieving women — and more importantly, how to coach yourself through it in real time, even when your heart is racing and your voice feels like it's vanished. If you've ever wanted to feel more grounded, more articulate, and more in control under fire, this one's for you. "Leadership isn't about what you say out loud, it's about what you say to yourself before you open your mouth." — Toni Collis What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why freezing, rambling, or going silent is NOT a sign of incompetence How to interrupt the “pressure spiral” before it derails your confidence Micro self-coaching tools — no journaling required Shifting from reactive to grounded leadership in high-stakes situations How to apply my “Hold, Don't Carry” method so you stop replaying every meeting in your head Using the Say It Like a Leader script pack to pair inner clarity with outer confidence And more! This is for you if: You've ever walked out of a meeting replaying every word You freeze, clam-up and worry about speaking up You get frustrated when interrupted or dismissed You want to build executive presence without faking it You're navigating pressure, visibility, or senior rooms and want to show up powerfully — even when interrupted, dismissed, or put on the spot   **Useful links** Download the free companion guide: Say It Like a Leader: https://tonicollis.com/sayitlikealeader Want to learn more about the concept of Hold Don't Carry? Listen to Episode 195: Hold Don't Carry with Lindsay White here: https://tonicollis.com/episode195  If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy  Catch the show notes, and more details about today's episode here: https://tonicollis.com/episode258 Check us out on Youtube. Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women's tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives.  

Today I'm sitting down with someone I've known for quite some time. Watching her grow, build, reinvent, and create from the inside out has been inspiring, and honestly, a little wild, in the best way. Cynthia Mensah-Neglokpe is the founder of clicqui and KORE. In this conversation, we talked about starting over,  more than once. About what burnout really looks like when you're the one everyone counts on. And how community, when done right, can quite literally bring you back to yourself.You'll hear how Cynthia went from managing luxury brands to building grassroots spaces in four cities, all while figuring out how to protect her energy and build something that actually lasts. If you've ever thought about creating something real, something that connects people and still keeps you whole. This one's for you.Let's get into it. And if you love this episode, leave a review, send it to a friend, or just hit replay.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 ★

Stand Up is a daily podcast. I book,host,edit, post and promote new episodes with brilliant guests every day. Please subscribe now for as little as 5$ and gain access to a community of over 750 awesome, curious, kind, funny, brilliant, generous souls Check out StandUpwithPete.com to learn more Outclassed: How the Left Lost the Working Class and How to Win Them Back Described as having “something approaching rock star status” in her field by The New York Times Magazine, Joan C. Williams is a scholar of social inequality and a prominent public intellectual. Williams is the author of 12 books and 116 academic articles in law, sociology, psychology, medical and management journals. She is the 11th most cited legal scholar both in critical theory and employment law. She is a Sullivan Professor and the Founding Director of the Equality Action Center at UC Law San Francisco, former Founding Director of the Center for WorkLife Law. She has three TED/TEDx talks, including one with over 1.3 million views. Her 2016 essay on why Trump attracted so many non-college voters went viral, with over 3.7 million reads, becoming the most-read article in the 90-year history of Harvard Business Review. She is widely known for “bias interrupters,”—an evidence-based metrics-driven approach to eradicating implicit bias introduced in the Harvard Business Review in 2014. The website  biasinterrupters.org with open-sourced toolkits for individuals and organizations has been accessed over 500,000 times. She was profiled in Financial Times and has published on class dynamics in American politics in The New York Times, Washington Post, The Atlantic, The New Republic, Politico, The Hill, the Wall Street Journal and elsewhere. Her work on class includes her upcoming book Outclassed: How the Left Lost the Working Class – And How to Win Them Back (forthcoming St. Martin's, May 2025) and her critically acclaimed 2017 book White Working Class – one of three books President Biden carried, dog-eared and annotated, during his 2020 presidential campaign, according to the Washington Post. Her work on gender includes What Works for Women at Work: Four Patterns Working Women Need to Know (NYU Press, 2014) and her prize-winning Unbending Gender: Why Family and Work Conflict and What To Do About It (Oxford, 1999). Williams' work helped create the field of work-family studies, modern workplace flexibility policies, and the study of maternal wall bias in sociology. Her work on race includes eight studies documenting how racial and gender bias play out in today's workplaces, including two focused specifically on women of color: Pinning down the Jellyfish: Racial and Gender Bias against Women in Tech (2022) and Double Jeopardy? Gender Bias against Women of Color in STEM (2014). She is a leading voice on diversity, equity, and inclusion; with her team, she has published 39 articles published in Harvard Business Review. In 2014, she launched Bias Interrupters, a data-driven approach to interrupting bias in organizations whose website has been downloaded over half a million times. Williams has received awards in several different fields. For her contributions to the legal profession, she is one of the few people to receive both the American Bar Foundation's Outstanding Scholar Award (2012) and the ABA's Margaret Brent Women Award for Lawyers of Achievement (2006).  For her contributions to the work-family field, she received the Work Life Legacy Award from the Families and Work Institute (2014) and MSOM Responsible Research Award in Operations Management (2022). For her contributions to women's advancement in engineering, she received the President's Award from the Society of Women Engineers (2019). For contributions to psychology, she received the Distinguished Publication Award from the Association for Women in Psychology (2005). Her work has been funded by three National Science Foundation grants, as well as grants from Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the W. W. Kellogg Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She holds degrees from Yale, Harvard, and MIT as well as an honorary PhD from Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Join us Monday's and Thursday's at 8EST for our Twice Weekly Happy Hour Hangout's !  Pete on Blue Sky Pete on Threads Pete on Tik Tok Pete on YouTube  Pete on Twitter Pete On Instagram Pete Personal FB page Stand Up with Pete FB page All things Jon Carroll  Follow and Support Pete Coe Buy Ava's Art  Hire DJ Monzyk to build your website or help you with Marketing Gift a Subscription https://www.patreon.com/PeteDominick/gift

Bridget Todd joins us to discuss the truth about recent privacy claims from apps like WhatsApp - now owned by Meta - and other apps in a landscape where we very much need to be aware. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Gregor Gimmy, founder of 27pilots, a company dedicated to helping companies build and scale Venture Client units and allows them to benefit from startup innovations faster at large scale and significantly lower cost and risk than traditional corporate venturing methods. On this episode we will explore how this Venture Client model is shaping corporate innovation, the strategic benefits it offers, and how companies can adopt this game-changing approach to stay ahead in a competitive world. KEY TAKEAWAYS When I joined BMW in 2012 I was surprised to find out the small number of startups that it was leveraging to improve its technology landscape across its value chain. I told them that CVCs were investing in 2.8 startups per year. This is not nearly the number needed to solve all the technology challenges that we have, we need more like 100. My initial idea was not to invent a new model but to improve the current one. I was told that if they invested in 50 startups per year they would have around 250 startups in 5 years whose equity state we would have to manage, which is impossible. I concluded that VC isn't scalable, but it didn't solve the problem BMW had either, which was accessing, adopting, and transferring cutting edge technology fast because it's about investment not technology transfer. These are two totally different business processes. We needed to look for a new approach: becoming a Venture Client. Accelerators and CVCs are indirect models – like using a third party's battery technology in the cars you produce – you first make the investment and then do the adoption of the technology. The different in the Venture Client model is cutting out the middleman. If you want to be good at something you need a dedicated unit. If you do it part time it will only work partly. If you make it a department you can have more time you can dedicate to it, you can have a dedicated budget, you have a more solid KPI structure. BEST MOMENTS ‘More than getting into the world of Venture Client Modelling, I invented the world.' ‘A Venture Client is a company that adopts startup technologies through procurement and M&A.' ‘A corporate cannot compete against a good startup like Palantir or Oracle when they were startups.' ‘The Venture Client model will displace Corporate Venture Capital to become the standard of corporate venturing.' ABOUT THE GUEST As captain of the 27pilots endeavour, and the visionary behind the Venture Client model, Gregor GImmy focuses on advancing Venture Client knowledge and growing the global community through 27pilots' corporate clients and academic allies. Gregor is deeply engaged in researching, publishing, and lecturing on the Venture Client model through leading business schools and top business engagements. Gregor is also a frequent speaker at startup-relevant conferences such as Slush, Web Summit, 4YFN and DLD. 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/

Building High-Performing WordPress Sites: Insights from Meeky Hwang, CEO of NdevrIn this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge speaks with Meeky Hwang, CEO and Co-Founder of Ndevr, a development firm specializing in high-performing WordPress solutions. Meeky shares how digital publishers can scale effectively, the "three-legged stool" framework for site success, and how to secure and optimize WordPress for high traffic and e-commerce.The Three-Legged Stool of WordPress SuccessMeeky emphasizes that a successful WordPress site rests on three foundational pillars: audience experience, editor experience, and developer experience. For site visitors, speed, mobile responsiveness, and accessibility are crucial. A seamless front-end experience keeps users engaged and ensures compliance with accessibility standards.From an editorial standpoint, she advises leveraging the Gutenberg block editor and custom workflows to streamline publishing. An intuitive backend not only enhances productivity but also reduces content errors and improves team morale. Editors need tools that fit their workflow, not ones they must work around.For developers, Meeky recommends maintaining a clean codebase, using version control systems like Git, and implementing continuous integration and deployment pipelines. This technical foundation supports performance, security, and scalability—especially critical for high-traffic sites. All three experiences must work in harmony for a WordPress site to perform at its best.About Meeky Hwang:Meeky Hwang is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ndevr, a WordPress development agency trusted by leading digital media and enterprise companies. With over 20 years of experience in web development and open-source technology, she specializes in optimizing complex digital ecosystems, strengthening DevOps, and aligning technology decisions with business goals. A passionate advocate for women in tech, Meeky is also a frequent contributor to Forbes, BuiltIn, and Thrive Global, where she shares leadership and digital strategy insights.About Ndevr:Ndevr is a WordPress development agency focused on high-traffic digital publishers and WooCommerce-driven e-commerce businesses. Their services include site audits, performance optimization, custom development, and strategic consulting.Links Mentioned in this Episode:Meeky Hwang on LinkedInNdevr Official WebsiteEpisode Highlights:The "three-legged stool" framework: audience, editor, and developer experience.Key WordPress best practices for high traffic and enterprise-grade publishing.How Ndevr grows through partnerships and referrals.WooCommerce security and performance strategies.Why regular audits and managed hosting are essential for WordPress success.ConclusionJosh and Meeky highlight the importance of strategic infrastructure and balanced user experiences in building successful WordPress sites. From scalability to security, Ndevr's insights provide a blueprint for digital publishers and e-commerce leaders aiming to optimize performance. Whether you're a growing brand or a seasoned media company, implementing Meeky's advice will help future-proof your web presence.Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guestMore from UpMyInfluence:We are...

In this milestone 250th episode, host Kelly Kennedy sits down with Janice Baskin, Manager of the Edmonton Regional Innovation Network (ERIN), for a deep dive into how Alberta entrepreneurs can better navigate the complex ecosystem of supports, funding, and opportunities available to them. From breaking down the role of ERIN as a connector organization to sharing personal insights from her own entrepreneurial journey, Janice offers a transparent and practical look at what's working—and what's still missing—for founders across Edmonton and beyond.Together, Kelly and Janice explore the reality of growing a business in Alberta, including the challenges of accessing support, the confusion many founders face when searching for help, and the gaps that still exist in serving women in tech and growth-stage companies. Whether you're launching a startup, scaling an established business, or just trying to figure out what's available to you, this episode is a must-listen playbook for understanding how to plug into Edmonton's rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem.Key Takeaways: 1. Entrepreneurs often don't know what support exists, and lack of awareness remains one of the biggest barriers to growth in Alberta.2. You don't need to go broke to start a business—service-based models can be profitable early with smart planning and clear value.3. There's support available for more than just startups; growth-stage companies struggling to scale can also access funding and guidance.4. The ecosystem is powerful but disconnected, and what's truly missing is a central connector to guide founders through what's available.5. ERIN exists purely to support entrepreneurs, without taking equity or fees, and is funded entirely by Alberta Innovates.6. Gaps still exist—especially around women in tech and programming that supports underrepresented founders.7. Balance as an entrepreneur isn't daily, it's seasonal; the key is recognizing when to push and when to rest.8. Ask the “dumb” questions, especially when it comes to finances—avoiding them leads to much bigger problems later.9. Warm connections and intros can shortcut weeks of confusion and open real doors inside the ecosystem.10. If a solution isn't a fit, don't stop—ERIN's role is to keep helping you explore options until the right one clicks.Companies mentioned in this episode: Hypervac Technologies Fabled Solutions atWork Office Furniture Capital Business Development BDC Canada Alberta Innovates Alberta Women Entrepreneurs Edmonton Unlimited Edmonton Regional Innovation Network

In this classic, Bridget Todd shines a light on the Lenna image, an image that became foundational to the internet and has an enduring legacy. The story of how this image became so widespread without the consent or fair compensation of the model in question highlights problematic attitudes around women in tech spaces.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks about the launch of a new series of podcasts exploring the Venture Client Model which is turning corporate innovation on its head. Instead of merely investing in startups and crossing fingers, big companies buy from startups to drive innovation – today, not years from now. Imagine a world where a major fortune 500, an automotive manufacturer, an insurance giant or a bank can plug in a cutting-edge startup solution as easily as adding a new app to your phone. The questions Sabine tackles include: What if your company's next breakthrough isn't built in-house, but bought from a startup in an early pilot? And what if being a startup's customer is more powerful than being its investor? KEY TAKEAWAYS At its core, a venture client is a corporation that purchases and uses a startup's solution to gain strategic benefit. No equity stakes, no controlling shares – just buying the solution early, when the startup is still a venture. The company becomes the startup's client (often the first or an early client), giving the startup revenue and feedback, while the corporate gets to solve a problem with a cutting-edge product. Insurance is traditionally conservative – heavy on compliance, cautious with new tech – slow, one might say. But that's exactly why venture clienting is so powerful here: it creates a safe sandbox for insurers to experiment with startups. – Zurich has no corporate VC arm at the group level, so everything they do with startups ends up as a venture client relationship or partnership. That means all the effort goes into tangible pilots and deployments, not minority stakes in startups that might not align with the business. It's a bold approach, but clearly paying off. Imagine car insurance: traditionally, if you buy a policy in many countries, an agent might physically inspect your car, or if you have an accident, an adjuster needs to assess damage. CamCom replaces a lot of that with a DIY solution – the customer can just take a video of the car, and the AI will spot scratches, dents, cracked windshields, you name it, and even estimate repair costs. That means faster claims, smoother policy underwriting, and less hassle. BEST MOMENTS ‘The Venture Client Model flips the usual script: instead of investing in ten startups and hoping one succeeds, you pay a startup to solve a problem and start benefiting immediately.' ‘This isn't just theory. It's happening now.' ‘The model turns the corporation into what I like to call an innovation magnet – attracting the best startups because the word is out: “This company loves to buy new tech”.' ‘By the end of this series, you'll know the ins and outs of the model, from big-picture strategy down to on-the-ground tips, like why having a one-page startup contract can save you months of headaches, or why “impossible” should be banished from your vocabulary.' 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/

Sabine VdL talks to Lou Smith, a true trailblazer in the world of financial services and insurance. In today's episode, we'll dive into Lou's incredible journey, explore the vision behind Neuron, and discuss the key takeaways from the latest report that insurance providers need to consider.    KEY TAKEAWAYS We all have moments in life where the last thing we want to look at is out credit rating and history, but those things can affect how you access financial services in the future. Lou was part of the team that delivered the first end-to-end mortgage renewal online, started to break down investments and getting it to the hands of the many rather than the few. Everybody says insurance is behind the rest of the financial services industry, and it's a funny statement. It doesn't matter. What I'm seeing in insurance in the last 5-6 years is that this conversation has circled around about what do we do? But in the last 12-18 months I've seen a passion for how do now think about using digital, distribution models, digital, analytics and AI and thinking of all of those things together and deliver distribution models that start to move industry forward. The challenge is always in leadership, culture and change adoption. This is because it's really difficult to step into an unknown and think it's going to be better than what you're doing today. You want to power people with the data and capabilities so they can do what they're brilliant at, which is focusing on the best product and position for their client. Neuron and others enable brokers to do that. You also want to attract a new generation into the brokering sector, but rather than have them focus on the admin of that sector, they should be having great conversations with clients. All the work we're doing enables brokers to do that.   BEST MOMENTS ‘When starting my career I had a real passion for how to make the services we were offering more successful for clients and customers.'‘We care about the customer and making financial data accessible to you through the narratives we use.'‘I'd love to say this was all planned out, we didn't call it anything or know what it looked like, we just started to bring data and technologies together to build ‘workflow' and that's now become cool.'‘We want to be the easiest, most predictable and consistent broker to work with.'   ABOUT THE GUEST Louise (or Lou) Smith is a trailblazer in the financial services and insurance industries, with a career spanning leadership roles across digital transformation, data, product innovation, distribution, technology, and operations.  Her journey has been marked by groundbreaking achievements, including delivering the UK's first steps into digital distribution at Barclays, leading the digital transformation of the Royal Bank of Scotland (including NatWest) during its turnaround to profitability, and becoming the first-ever Chief Digital Officer at Lloyd's of London.  Currently, Louise is at the helm of Neuron, a transformative initiative aimed at redefining the insurance and financial services landscape. Through Neuron, she is driving innovation, collaboration, and growth, focusing on creating a more connected and customer-centric industry. WTWCO 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/