Podcasts about Women in Tech

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

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 […]

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 […] The post Hope Yin With Blueprint Coaching appeared first on Business RadioX ®.

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.

Women in Tech Takeover: In our latest Electronic Specifier Insights podcast, Guest host Sheryl Miles speaks with Jeana Bolanos, Founder and President, SalesE, all about an AI mindset.

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.

Last Saturday, teenage girls from across Ireland gathered at Portershed, a modern co-working hub in Galway's city centre, for the launch of Teen-Turn's 2025 Innovators programme, which is backed in part by BNY. The event marked the beginning of a year-long initiative designed to help participants turn promising afterschool projects into viable tech start-ups. Each year, several Teen-Turn teams develop ideas with real commercial potential - projects that could be brought to market or at least developed into minimum viable products (MVPs). The Innovators programme supports these teams through incubator and accelerator phases. By offering expert mentorship and hands-on support, with guidance from industry and academic professionals, participants are taken through the early stages of the start-up process - from concept to MVP, and, in some cases, company formation. "I'm really looking forward to this year's Incubator and the opportunity to work with such a talented and driven group of young women," said Iseult Mangan, Regional Manager for Teen-Turn. "It's a privilege to be part of a programme that helps transform those ideas into real-world solutions with impact - empowering these girls to become founders, build sustainable companies, and contribute meaningfully to society." The projects in this year's cohort are solving problems that are both personal and surprisingly universal - the kinds of ideas that don't always come from the tech industry, but should. Examples include, from Shannon, Caoimhe, Chloe and Biella are building Focus Future, a platform to help families manage the day-to-day challenges of dementia care. From Claremorris, Ema and Simona are developing Evolve Era, an AI-powered health journal that helps track, analyse and potentially flag skin conditions before they escalate. Michaela (Galway), Orlaith (Mayo), and Flourish (Limerick) are behind Own It, an app designed to help girls and young women navigate menstrual health alongside their sporting and academic lives. And Laila (Longford) and Sofiia (Wicklow) are working on Sweet Health, a diabetes and sugar intake management app. At the launch, the 2025 cohort had the chance to meet alumnae from previous years of Innovators - and get a glimpse of where their own projects might be headed next. Companies from the 2024 year group, who have graduated from the Incubator to the Accelerator phase, are now introducing to the market their tested MVPs. Donna Mae (Clare) and Dana (Mayo) created Gestura, a sign language learning and translation app. And Nora and Elizabeth, both from Galway, developed UNDump, an app encouraging the reuse and recycling of clothing and household items. From the 2023 Innovators cohort, Mary Lillibeth, Katie and Aoibheann, all from Mayo, will now embark on the final programme phase of the Teen-Turn initiative, known as Vector. Vector groups benefit from PayPal supports. Their app, HerdSync, is a farm management tool designed to digitise how Irish farms are run. What started a couple of years ago as a Technovation project after school is now being adopted by target users. At Saturday's launch, the girls had the chance to work with mentors Joe Smyth, SVP of R&D, AI, Digital and Journey Management at Genesys and Co-founder of Altocloud, and Alice Shaughnessy, Clinical R&D Engineer at Luminate Medical and Co-founder of Mirr. Both entrepreneurs shared their own journeys to startup exits and offered guidance throughout the day. Providing young founders with the opportunity to meet people who have actually built something - those who have taken an idea and turned it into a real product, a real company - is a key part of the Innovators programme. "It wasn't a huge event - just a small, focused group of teen girls and mentors in a hub - but it felt like the right space to start something meaningful," said Laila Faissal, one of this year's participants. For those girls entering into the incubator phase, in particular, the day marked their first step into the...

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

In this episode of Software People Stories, Gayatri Kalyanaraman speaks with Anu Dwaraknath, Staff Technical Program Manager at Lam Research, about her dynamic journey across geographies, domains, and roles. From her early days in telecom to becoming a driving force in the semiconductor space, Anu shares stories of adaptability, continuous learning, and purpose-driven leadership. Episode Summary In this inspiring episode of Software People Stories, Gayatri Kalyanaraman is in conversation with Anu Dwaraknath, Staff Technical Program Manager at Lam Research — a global leader in semiconductor capital equipment.Anu walks us through her transformative journey from a telecom software engineer to a program leader in the high-stakes world of semiconductors. With warmth and clarity, she shares how each stage of her career was shaped by curiosity, grit, and a willingness to embrace new challenges.Having started in C/C++ development at Alcatel-Lucent, Anu transitioned into technical program management after earning a general management MBA in the U.S. — a shift she undertook during the 2008 recession. With no prior semiconductor experience, she joined Lam Research as an intern and steadily built her domain knowledge, moving from internal IT to core product engineering over the next decade.Now based in India, Anu leads software initiatives on tools that power the chips behind every smart device — and actively advocates for greater awareness and participation in the semiconductor industry, especially for women in tech. Key Themes & Highlights Breaking Into Semiconductors with Persistence and CuriosityJoined Lam Research during her MBA through an internship focused on business analysis.Despite being new to the domain, she took on enterprise software migrations, bridging the business and engineering teams.Faced challenges around visa sponsorship and recession-era job market, but leveraged every opportunity to gain cross-functional exposure. Learning the Domain, One Layer at a TimeStarted in IT and internal systems, then gradually moved into product-facing roles within Lam.Through subconscious learning from team meetings, leadership messages, and everyday exposure, she began to understand the complex world of semiconductor fabrication and capital equipment.Upon relocating to India, she took on a more core product role — bringing her closer to engineers and customers, leading to rapid upskilling in domain knowledge.“I knew I was coming in from a non-product background, and I said yes — I'm ready for the steep learning curve.”️ Building the Beginner's MindsetEmphasizes the importance of staying mentally agile and open to new domains.Used every role — from unpaid internships to technical program ownership — as a learning opportunity.Believes you don't need to know everything on Day 1, but must carry the intent to learn continuously. Growing Semiconductor Awareness in IndiaEngages actively with communities like Grace Hopper (GHCI), Lean In, and PMI, often being the only semiconductor representative in the room.Speaks at schools and conferences to demystify what semiconductors are, how fabs work, and why this field matters — especially post-COVID and in India's Make in India drive.Helps others through referrals, career guidance, and mentorship — especially women interested in STEM and product roles Quote-worthy Moments“Your domain doesn't have to define you — if you carry the mindset to learn, the journey takes care of itself.”“I wanted to break out of my comfort zone — not just from engineering to management, but from one industry to another.”“Being in semiconductors now feels like representing a movement — and I take that responsibility seriously.”Anu can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/anu-dwarakanath-89728a15/Anu is Process innovator, critical thinker, and a corporate entrepreneur in the making! Solid program manager who adds strategic value and brings out competitive differentiation by focusing on business transformations.● 15 years of experience working in IT program management, specializing in waterfall (SDLC), agile and hybrid project management methodologies● A highly collaborative leader with a track record of building effective cross-functional teams and relationships, while delivering high scale solutions● Core competencies: structured problem solving & qualitative decision analysis, negotiation & consensus building Links & ResourcesLam ResearchGrace Hopper Conference IndiaLeanin.orgPMI.org

In this episode of The Broadband Bunch, recorded live at Fiber Connect 2025 in Nashville, host Brad Hine welcomes Charlene Gavel, President and CEO of SaskTel, to the show. Fresh from her "Operator Lightning Talk" presentation titled Lighting Up Saskatchewan, Charlene shares the remarkable journey of SaskTel—from its origins as a provincial telephone department in 1908 to its current role as a cutting-edge technology leader in Canada. Charlene reflects on her personal career path, including her early days as a CFO and her connection to SaskTel through her father, a 30-year employee. She offers insight into the unique challenges of delivering high-speed fiber to a population of just over 1 million people spread across a landmass the size of Texas. Despite the lack of scale, Charlene highlights how SaskTel's mission-driven approach as a Crown Corporation fuels innovation and prioritizes community outcomes. The conversation explores SaskTel's transition from a traditional telco to a forward-thinking “techco,” emphasizing infrastructure automation, OSS/BSS innovation through SaskTel International, and the need to monetize fiber investments through value-added services. Charlene also offers advice to aspiring leaders—especially women in tech—about using their voice, following their passion, and building strong, collaborative teams.

S5:E4 Empowering Women in Retail Tech: A New Era of LeadershipIn Season Five, Episode Four of The Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden engage in a captivating conversation with Shannon Flanagan, a seasoned retail leader and founder of Retail Women in Tech (RWIT). Shannon shares her journey from folding jeans at 18 to leading billion-dollar business transformations and emphasizes the importance of embracing change and innovation in retail. The episode underscores the critical role of diversity and inclusion in driving the industry forward, touching on the challenges and opportunities for women in tech and retail. Shannon discusses her vision for RWIT, a community aimed at fostering connections, mentorship, and leadership among women and allies in the retail tech space. With insights on change management, the impact of AI in retail, and the power of allyship, this episode offers valuable perspectives for retail professionals and tech enthusiasts alike.Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTubeAbout our GuestShannon Flanagan, founder of Retail Women in Tech, https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-e-flanagan/ - Retail Women in Tech, https://retailwomenintech.orgShannon Flanagan caught the retail bug at 18 and never looked back. A retail strategist, AI enthusiast, and career change practitioner, she brings a 360-degree perspective on retail transformation—from product creation to customer experience—shaped by her work with hyper-growth startups to Fortune 500 retailers, consulting firms and tech companies. As a strategic partner and top industry voice, she collaborates with RETHINK Retail, RetailWire and the RetailAICouncil to drive conversations that shape the future of the industry.As the founder of Retail Women in Tech, Shannon has built a global community dedicated to creating life-changing connections for women and allies who share a passion for retail and technology. As social as retail is, there are surprisingly very few communities representing every facet of the industry. Shannon is on a mission to change that—stay tuned for more to come!00:00 Preview 00:51 Show Intro 05:26 Welcome Shannon Flanagan 06:14 Shannon's Retail Journey Begins 08:47 Insights on Change Management 10:21 The Importance of Diverse Perspectives 15:03 Challenges in Hiring for Innovation 24:00 The Birth of Retail Women in Tech (RWIT) 34:42 Addressing the Leadership Gap 38:39 The Challenge of Asking for Help 40:36 The Harsh Reality for Female Founders 45:08 The Importance of Allies 49:01 Building a Supportive Community 59:32 The Future of Retail Women in Tech 01:06:22 Final Thoughts and Call to Action 01:08:53 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 & a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2025. Thinkers 360 has named him a Top 10 Retail Thought Leader, Top 50 Management Thought Leader, & Top 100 Digital Transformation Thought Leader, plus a Top Digital Voice for 2024. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and is the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2023 - 2025, and Retail Cloud Alliance advisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech!Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.

With over two decades of experience in the skincare and beauty industry, Tara specializes in building brands that move culture. Her work lives at the intersection of science, storytelling, and soul, and it is always anchored in results.She specializes in grit. Her dad is a third-generation pistachio grower in California, and that blend of artful curiosity, beauty, and serious hard work runs deep in her DNA. Today, as the Global President of Dermatological Skincare at Galderma (Cetaphil, Differin, Alastin, Benzac), she brings that same grounded tenacity to leading a portfolio of globally loved brands. She focuses on driving impact through innovation, advocacy, and breakthrough marketing.A California native now living in Switzerland, after a few unforgettable years in Paris, she brings a global perspective to brand-building. Her approach blends sharp market insight with emotional nuance and deep respect for local culture.She works closely with healthcare professionals to deliver superior outcomes that build trust, create value, and honor the deeply personal nature of skincare. Before joining Galderma, she led transformative work at iconic companies including Kendo Brands (LVMH), Too Faced, and Pierre Fabre, launching breakthrough campaigns and fueling growth across global markets.At her core, she is a builder. She thrives on mentoring future change makers, fostering collaboration, and creating bold, lasting brand value through curiosity, clarity, and purpose.She is also a frequent speaker and podcast guest, passionate about sharing insights on beauty, leadership, and brand-building at the intersection of science and soul.Val Vacante is an award-winning, creative catalyst and global innovator. As the SVP of Solutions Innovation at Dentsu, she uncovers cultural trends, commerce dynamics, and emerging technologies to shape next-generation product innovations, and solutions impacting the way people connect in the physical and digital world.Val is the product lead and innovator behind the Meta Global Messaging Alliance and Intelligent Messaging, Dentsu's first-of-its-kind full suite of end-to-end messaging innovations designed to accelerate 1:1 conversational messaging, AI-amplified assistance, and human connection – showcased at CES, SXSW, Cosmoprofs and featured in Digiday, MediaPost, Retail Brew and more.She is the co-creator behind Dentsu NXT Space, a co-space for rapidly realizing the future of AI, 3D spatial environments, and everyday technology in collaboration with Microsoft, LinkedIn and HeadOffice.space featured in PSFK's, “Best of CES,” Forbes, Fast Company, Digiday, Coindesk and more.Val is also the co-creator of ShopNXT™ — Dentsu's retail innovations focused on helping brands create more personalized shopping experiences increasing loyalty, sales, and customer joy. The ShopNXT suite of products has been named top product picks at CES by PCR Magazine featured in CNET, The Drum, PSFK, eMarketer, MediaPost, PCR among others.Additionally, Val architected and launched NXT Intelligence™ an innovation platform featuring 12 technology, innovation, and brand solutions designed to rapidly explore, evaluate and evolve business growth opportunities. Her latest work focuses on connected experiences, emerging technologies, gaming, retail and play.She is also the Founder of the strategy and innovation firm Collabsco; where she pioneered award-winning digital products and connected experiences across IoT, AR, VR, voice, robotics, and the first  connected play landscape featured in VentureBeat, The Drum, VRScout, and more.Her portfolio includes over 50+ brands including Microsoft, Hasbro, Mattel, Disney, Bandai Namco Entertainment, PepsiCo, P&G, Nestlé, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Galderma, AT&T, Vodafone, Honeywell, Sleep Number, Dell, MERGE, WowWee and Virsix Games, among others.Val has been named one of the Top 25 Women in Tech by PCR magazine and Women in Tech Global Product Management Leader of the Year.

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/

Join us on this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast as we sit down with Mariane Bekker, managing partner of Founders Bay, to discuss the realities of the startup ecosystem. Mariane shares invaluable insights on the hard work and time commitment required to succeed, misconceptions about overnight success, and the critical role of AI in revolutionizing various industries. Get inspired by her journey from Lebanon to Silicon Valley and learn about her mission to empower women in tech. This in-depth conversation covers everything from the hustle required to be a successful founder to the future of humanoid robots and flying cars. Perfect for anyone interested in startups, venture capital, and the future of technology. 00:00 The Reality of Raising Capital for Startups01:20 Introducing Mariane Bekker: A Powerhouse in Silicon Valley02:50 The Future of AI: Transforming Industries and Daily Life05:30 The Rise of Humanoid Robots and Flying Cars14:55 AI's Impact on Healthcare and Longevity19:48 Mariane's Journey: From Lebanon to Silicon Valley26:00 Empowering Women in Tech: Mariane's Mission46:12 The Hustle Factor: What Makes a Successful Founder48:40 The Hustle and Time Commitment for Success51:31 The Importance of Passion in Entrepreneurship54:12 The Roller Coaster of Being a Founder57:10 The Power of Social Media for Founders59:08 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs01:03:23 The Future of AI and Its Impact01:05:02 Personal Branding and Networking01:23:27 The DJ Dream and Future Aspirations01:32:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Are you wasting precious time in your job search without realizing it? In today's volatile job market, especially for women in tech, using the wrong strategies can cost you months of progress—and countless missed opportunities. Before you polish that resume or fire off another LinkedIn message, hit pause. This episode lays out the real dynamics of today's job market and gives you a proven playbook to navigate it with clarity, confidence, and intention. We dig into the tough truths about what's changed, why old advice doesn't work anymore, and how women in tech can stand out by leading with strategy and resilience. From AI-filtered resumes to hidden opportunities, we break it all down—so you don't waste your energy doing the wrong things. “If you're struggling, get help. Learning how to do this well, learning how to interview well, is not something you're taught in school.” — Toni Collis   What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why the current job market is unlike anything we've seen—and what that means for you How US elections and AI have reshaped hiring in tech The biggest myths holding women back in their job search What kind of leadership is in demand—and how to show you've got it Practical job hunting strategies tailored for women in tech How to navigate applicant tracking systems and stand out from the crowd An 8-step “job hunt recipe” to boost your odds of landing the right role Networking—that actually works Using data to track your job hunt and improve results How to build resilience, manage stress, and stay confident through rejection And more!   Looking for a better way to navigate your job search? If you're tired of sending out endless applications with little response, this episode breaks down what's actually working in today's market. From mindset to strategy to real-world results, you'll walk away with clarity on how to move forward—smarter and more effectively.   **Useful links** 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/episode257 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.

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...

Join host Samir Azizi at the heart of Toronto's booming Web3 scene as he visits the Solana Startup Village, hosted by Superteam Canada. In this vibrant episode, Samir sits down with Fibonacci to uncover how a scrappy team pulled together an epic 16-day build station packed with hackathons, live workshops, and community vibes—all just before the Consensus conference. From last-minute venue changes to planning investor panels and women-in-tech events, this deep dive captures the passion and chaos of building something truly special. Learn how local Web3 builders are shaping the Solana ecosystem in Canada—and why Super Team's community-first model is becoming a global blueprint.  • How Toronto's Solana hub came to life ✨  • The teamwork behind workshops, mentorships & events  • Web3 vs Web2 builders: who's showing up?  • Behind-the-scenes of community-led crypto infrastructure  • Super Team's unique model for local blockchain growth

What if the uncertainty you're feeling about your career path is more common and more solvable than you think? In this episode, Khushboo Sheikh tech leader and founder of Tech Exploration shares how community, storytelling, and strategic self-awareness can turn doubt into direction. Hear the real-life story of Subhan Ali's pivot from a civil engineering PhD to leading AI product development at NVIDIA, and discover how to spot the untapped skills and passions that could fuel your own transition. We dive deep into the unique challenges women face during major life changes like maternity leave, explore the underappreciated role of Technical Account Managers, and reveal how peer groups can offer clarity and confidence at every stage of your career. Whether you're debating a move into management or wondering what's next, this episode offers tactical insights and inspiring reminders that you don't have to navigate change alone. Timestamps 00:00:00 - Introduction and Welcome to Business Legacy Podcast   00:00:30 - Introduction of Khushboo Shaikh, Dynamic Technology Leader and Advocate for Women in Tech   00:01:15 - Discussing the Inception and Mission of Tech Exploration   00:02:30 - The Concept of Career Pivots and Leveraging Skills Across Roles   00:03:45 - Highlighting Subhan Ali's Transition from Civil PhD to AI Product Lead at NVIDIA   00:05:00 - Insights into Motivations, Challenges, and Transferable Skills in Career Pivots   00:08:13 - Exploring Peer-to-Peer Groups and Their Role in Career Transitions   00:09:00 - Understanding Diverse Career Roles Like Technical Account Managers   00:10:00 - Balancing Career Transitions with Motherhood and Personal Challenges   00:11:30 - Personal Anecdotes from Mothers in Tech on Career and Motherhood Balance   00:12:45 - The Importance of Recognizing Core Competencies and Passions   00:13:45 - Proactively Seeking Opportunities to Build Experience and Confidence   00:15:00 - Conclusion and Where to Find More Information About Tech Exploration   00:16:00 - Closing Remarks and Encouragement to Engage with the LinkedIn Community   Episode Resources: Connect with Khushbu here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khushbushaikh/ Legacy Podcast: For more information about the Legacy Podcast and its co-hosts, visit businesslegacypodcast.com. Leave a Review: If you enjoyed the episode, leave a review and rating on your preferred podcast platform. For more information: Visit businesslegacypodcast.com to access the shownotes and additional resources on the episode.

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

Send us a textSummaryIn this engaging conversation, Tammy Aguillon, a go-to-market leader at Google Workspace, shares her non-traditional journey into tech and sales, emphasizing the importance of women in the industry. She discusses her experiences navigating tech acquisitions, the significance of timing in career moves, and the transition to leadership roles. Tammy highlights the value of mentorship and the role it has played in her career, as well as her transformation in building confidence. The discussion also explores the impact of AI on sales and the necessity of maintaining human connections in a rapidly changing landscape. Finally, Tammy offers insights on establishing routines to maintain sanity in a volatile world, making this a rich and informative episode for anyone interested in career development and the future of sales.TakeawaysTammy's journey into tech was non-traditional and driven by personal exploration.Women in sales bring unique strengths and perspectives to the industry.Navigating acquisitions requires adaptability and resilience.Timing in career moves is crucial, especially for women with family responsibilities.Transitioning to leadership can be accelerated in startup environments.Mentorship is essential for career growth and development.Confidence can be built over time through experience and self-awareness.AI is changing the landscape of sales, but human connection remains vital.Establishing routines can help maintain sanity in a fast-paced world.Personal development is a continuous journey that requires self-reflection.Chapters00:00 Tammy Aguillon's Journey into Tech and Sales06:23 Navigating Acquisitions in Big Tech13:08 Timing and Career Decisions in Tech17:38 Transitioning from Individual Contributor to Leader24:24 The Importance of Mentorship and Sponsorship27:02 Empowering the Next Generation30:38 The Role of Coaches in Personal Growth34:42 Women in Sales: Breaking Barriers36:20 Building Confidence in Sales39:24 AI's Impact on Sales44:56 Maintaining Sanity in a Volatile World

Today's letter writers thought they had their work lives sorted. But… turns out, maybe not. Should they start a new job search? And if they do, what questions should they ask themselves—and their prospective employers? Listen in as Jen and Sara help these folks pause their panic and get choosy—instead of waiting around to be chosen.  Links:Check out the First Round Review's The 40 Best Questions to Ask in an InterviewGrab a copy of Simone Stolzoff's The Good Enough JobGot a work situation eating away at you? Send it to us! Submit your dilemma at PMLEshow.com

Text The New AmbitionIn the first episode recorded as The New Ambition, host Jen Phillips addresses the profound changes and challenges in the tech industry, sharing her personal journey from burnout to resilience. Jen discusses the critical role of community in overcoming adversity, as showcased by her own experience rebuilding a business after Hurricane Helene. There's an urgent need for strategic community building, especially for women in tech who face higher rates of job loss and burnout. Jen highlights steps for growing supportive networks and advocates for the work required to achieve healthy and sustainable success in the tech industry. We can make healthy change happen. Together. Episode ResourcesSubscribe to The New Ambition, the data-backed weekly newsletter for actionable tools to lead differently and live better. Connect with Jen on LinkedInBookmarkable: Women In Tech Stats 2025 [WomenTech Network] 39 Professional Women's Organizations and Associations [Duke Career Hub] 14 Tips to Start [Mentorship] Off on the Right Foot [Forbes]Like this episode? Subscribe to The New Ambition newsletter The Very Important Bottom LineThe New Ambition does not provide medical or mental health advice. The information including but not limited to: recorded and live episodes, text, graphics, images, and any other material contained on the podcast are for your informational purposes only. Nothing on The New Ambition is intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified provider. Never disregard professional medical or mental wellness advice or delay in seeking it because of something you've heard or content you've read or reviewed on this podcast. And please, if you're under duress or considering suicide, reach out right this very minute to the Suicide and Crisis lifeline by dialing 988 in the United States. Outside of the U.S., please reach out to helplines available to you in your country note: this link isn't owned by The New Ambition and should not be considered exhaustive or wholly accurate.

Dieses Interview ist einer von 3 Teilen unserer Serie On Tour @ #headinthecloud. Head in the Cloud ist eine Konferenz von Mittwald, die am 13. Juni 2025 in Espelkamp stattfand. WOMEN IN TECH Mit My…

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/

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, we sit down with three powerhouse women in cybersecurity—Emma, Aparna, and Sumi—who bring distinctly different journeys from pharmacy, law, technical sales, and engineering into one common mission: reshaping the cybersecurity industry from within. Together, they dive deep into what makes cybersecurity exciting, how resilience and authenticity fuel success, and why community—not conformity—is key to lasting impact.With candid conversations about navigating gender bias, building real allyship, and mentoring the next generation of women in tech, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to thrive in a male-dominated space. From managing cross-functional teams to balancing business needs with technical demands, these leaders share practical advice, hard-won lessons, and a powerful vision for a more inclusive, empowered future in cyber.Other topics we talked about:What drew each guest to cybersecurity from nontraditional backgrounds The role of mentorship and sponsorship in career growth Confronting misconceptions and biases in the workplace Why visibility and feedback are crucial for career advancement Balancing empathy and authority in leadership Retention strategies for women in tech The power of storytelling in inspiring the next generation How to build trust across business and security teams Whether you're deep in the industry or just cyber-curious, you'll leave inspired to challenge the status quo—and uplift others along the way.Stay Connected with our host, Raghu on LinkedInFor more information about Illumio, check out our website at illumio.com 

Are you still sending out resumes and hearing nothing but crickets? If you're stuck in the old "apply and hope" cycle, it's time to break out. The job market in 2025 rewards the networked, not just the qualified. Most people think of networking as a time-consuming chore or an awkward event—what if it's actually your most powerful leadership tool? Whether you're actively job hunting or simply keeping your options open, your network is your future. And it doesn't require hours of small talk or massive LinkedIn posts. It's about small, intentional actions that open doors.  In this episode, I dive deep into why networking—with intention and strategy—is your most important asset in the 2025 job market. From connecting with recruiters to rethinking how you engage with your peers, you'll walk away with practical ways to shift from invisible to irresistible.  “Networking doesn't have to take a lot of time. It's small, consistent action every single day.” — Toni Collis   What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why job seekers are hearing crickets in today's market How “micro-networking” fits into a busy schedule—even with a full-time job The difference between transactional networking and genuine connection How to reframe discomfort around networking and make it part of your leadership identity A step-by-step networking recipe for 2025 that actually works The powerful role of recruiters and how to build meaningful connections with them Tools and systems to stay organized and follow up effectively How to use your existing network to create new opportunities And more!   Want to take this further? Try reaching out to just one person today with a genuine message—and track your follow-up. Need a tool? Use a simple spreadsheet or personal CRM to manage your outreach.   **Useful links** 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/episode256 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.

Great leaders ensure their team's success is their own. Get career advice on management, customer advocacy, and allyship for women in tech.

Struggling to keep your wellness vibes high as the summer heats up? In this special season wrap-up, Megan Swan shines a spotlight on five visionary female founders who are rewriting the rules in tech—while prioritizing holistic wellness, social impact, and empowering communities.Key Points Discussed:Tech Innovation With Impact: Meet female founders leading in femtech, sextech, healthtech, and sustainable consumer products—all with a triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit.Groundbreakers You Need to Know: Highlights include:Ida Tin: Creator of the term "Femtech" and co-founder of Clue, bringing menstrual wellness and data empowerment to millions.Cindy Gallop: Founder of MakeLoveNotPorn and sextech trailblazer, reshaping narratives and access to healthy sex education.Mo Carrier: Co-founder of MyBliss condoms, revolutionizing women's sexual wellness with products designed for comfort, health, and empowerment.Linta Mustafa: Co-founder and CEO of Vitract, making gut health testing accessible and actionable for all.Sara Jónsdóttir: Co-founder of Revol Cares, innovating period underwear specifically for heavy bleeders and empowering women with bodily autonomy.Women, Capital & The Gender Gap: The state of funding for women and why investing in female founders isn't just right—it's smart.Creating Community: Why authentic connection, environmental stewardship, and showing up for others are essential summer wellness tools for leaders.Summer Wellness Tips: Simple ways to ground yourself in community, kindness, and nature—all from the perspective of thriving, not just surviving.TLDR: The future of wellness in tech is female, triple-bottom-line-focused, and radically inclusive. This episode celebrates badass women building tech for good, and reminds us to ground our impact work in holistic wellness, authentic connection, and empowered self-care—this summer, and beyond.Thank you for listening!If you loved this season, screenshot your favorite episode and tag @meganswanwellness on social—we love to see how you're inspired!Connect with Megan Swanhttp://www.instagram.com/meganswanwellnesshttp://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-swan-wellnesswww.meganswanwellness.comKeywords:women in tech, femtech, sextech, healthtech, wellness leadership, female founders, sustainable business, gut health, period care, sexual wellness, investment, VC funding gap, entrepreneurship, community building, summer wellness, environmental mindfulness, female empowerment, inclusivity

Are you a reluctant CEO? Telling yourself you're not CEO material? What if the story you've been telling yourself is the only thing holding you back from stepping into a powerful new chapter? Christine Spang never set out to become a CEO. As the co-founder and longtime CTO of Nylas, she spent over a decade in the trenches—coding, building, and deeply involved in the work on the ground. But when the time came to lead the company, she said yes... even though she didn't think she fit the mold. In this raw, insightful episode, Christine shares what it really looks like to evolve from hands-on engineer to strategic CEO. We explore the emotional weight of leadership, embracing your unique leadership style, and learning to lead in ambiguity. If you've ever felt like you're not the “right kind” of leader, Christine's journey will challenge and inspire you. "You don't have to be a CEO that looks like X. The company will change around you." — Christine Spang What You'll Learn in This Episode: How to lead when you don't see yourself as a CEO The emotional shift from CTO to CEO Why technical expertise isn't enough—and what to develop instead How introverted leaders can thrive without becoming someone they're not The role of coaching and hobbies (like rock climbing!) in building resilience How to find clarity in the chaos of leadership Advice for aspiring leaders who feel like they're “winging it” Want to go deeper? If this episode resonated with you, consider journaling on this: What story are you telling yourself about the kind of leader you're not? Then ask yourself: What if that story isn't true anymore? **Useful links** Connect with today's guest and sponsor, Christine: Follow Nylas:  Web: https://www.nylas.com/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/nylas Connect with Christine:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinespang/  X: @spang 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/episode255  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.  

Recorded amidst the buzz of the IT Press Tour in Palo Alto, this episode explores the evolving world of data intelligence through a candid conversation with

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to James Birch, Director of Strategic Technology Solutions at Ki Insurance—the first fully algorithmic syndicate in the history of Lloyd’s of London. In today’s conversation, we’ll explore: James’s journey from VC to algorithmic-underwriting pioneer, what a “director of strategic technology solutions” actually does day-to-day inside a digital syndicate, the partnerships, cloud architecture and data streams that let Ki quote in seconds, the biggest trends shaping Algorithmic Underwriting 2.0—and what they mean for brokers, capacity partners and the wider market, and practical take-aways for anyone who wants to thrive as the next wave of automation rolls through speciality insurance KEY TAKEAWAYS Ki is a growth stage business, not an incumbent, we’re trying to fight our way to win business and ultimately to grow. We have to do something different from everyone else to try to position ourselves differently and find competitive advantage where we can. That’s something I’ve carried over from the VC space. We started out looking at what the digital model of the traditional model, where was the toil in the value chain and the broker’s work plan process and how can we simplifying it and make it more efficient using digital capabilities that we saw in the VC space, in FinTech and other financial service industries. Lloyds of London is a heavily regulated market so we need to abide by any of the regulations that any carrier or underwriter do in that market. Our approach from day 1 was to engage with the regulator early, explain what we’re trying to do, be transparent, open and honest about where the gaps are if we’d not got to a certain level of maturity, don’t overstate the algorithm. We take regulation very seriously, which has helped because Lloyds has been highly supportive of us and our growth and have allowed us to grow as the market has grown. The main cost-save of the algorithmic underwriting for brokers is they don’t have to have loads of brokers running around the Lloyds of London building to find 2% on a slip or something, the broker negotiates with the lead underwriter, come onto the Ki platform for the follow, and then spend their time on new business and client opportunities. BEST MOMENTS ‘Any business should evolve as the market evolves and the marketing dynamics changes, you’ve got to react to those and be thinking 2-5 years ahead.’ ‘We still trip up on ourselves, even now, because we sometimes try to over-complicate things.’ ‘Speak to the customer, hear their problems, understand what’s not working for them, try to make it a simple transaction for them, and then they’ll use your products.’ ‘I’m a big advocate of the partner model because if you get 2, 3, or 4 like-minded companies as partners you can build something great together because you’re all strategically aligned.’ ABOUT THE GUEST James Birch is the Director of Strategic Technology Solutions at Ki Insurance, the market-leading algorithmic syndicate that’s redefining how Lloyd’s of London does business. Blending a venture-capital mindset with hands-on operating rigor, James has spent the past decade helping innovative companies move from bright idea to breakout scale. Passionate about demystifying insurance for the next generation, James is a sought-after speaker on topics such as data-driven risk selection, the future of algorithmic capacity and what it really takes to scale a regulated tech business. Whether mentoring founders or road-testing the latest ML models with his engineers, he’s driven by one simple goal: use technology to make risk transfer faster, fairer and radically more efficient. 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/

What if AI could finally solve one of the most overlooked challenges in women's health?Millions of women experience menopause, yet real support has always lagged behind, until now.In this episode of the 2B Bolder Podcast, I sit down with Susan Sly, tech founder, health advocate, and CEO of Pause AI, who is transforming how women navigate menopause through the use of artificial intelligence.Her journey is anything but traditional, from working on facial recognition algorithms in the '90s, to building a career in holistic health, to a life-threatening illness that nearly derailed everything. But that experience lit a fire—and brought her back to tech with a new mission: to build real-time, personalized solutions for the 1.1 billion women facing menopause.We talk about:The spark behind Pause AI at a Women in AI eventHow wearables and real-time data are changing the gameWhy only 2.5% of VC funding goes to women founders—and what she's doing anywayThe resilience it takes to walk away from what's working to build what's neededSusan gets real about leadership, aging, and why women should solve women's health issues.

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Mark Stern, founder and CEO of Custom Box Agency, an award-winning boutique specializing in bringing digital offers to life through innovative offline ‘box experiences.’ Today, he’ll share how he made the leap from corporate to startup life, offer practical tips for integrating physical touchpoints into a digital world, and discuss the secret sauce behind building high-impact customer journeys. I can’t wait to dive into his wealth of knowledge. KEY TAKEAWAYS When I mixed physical and digital together with my publication called ‘Entrepreneur Elements’ I people started posting unboxing videos, which a digital-only product can do. Everyone who received the product became an ambassador and lots of organic traffic was being created as a result. During Covid the virtual event game became bloody red, in terms of competition, because everyone became a virtual event expert overnight. But the boxes, and how we were approaching this to get results faster, was an unknown, exciting realm which I went 100% in on and the business skyrocketed from zero to a million in the first year just by pivoting and focussing on this opportunity. What we include inside our boxes is a welcome note, a getting started guide – which, for me is the most powerful sales pieces to orient people on the journey that they’re about to start and see your universe, a journey map – a visual depiction of the recipe that’s going to get you the result, then all the tools and resources. This isn’t SWAG (Stuff Without A Goal), think of it a product development and who we can truly get into your programme and give people the incentive structure to want to take one step at a time. I love data, so I can engineer feedback loops to say, once you’ve hit a certain milestone, how can I get you to provide me with the information I need so 1, I can celebrate you, but 2, it also gives me good intel to make the product you’re making better. BEST MOMENTS ‘In the online space done beats perfect. I approach the standards of the online realm in a corporate way; the client’s either ready or not ready at all.’ ‘If you have a digital product, you have to compliment it with something physical because physical can tap into other modalities and senses that digital can’t.’ ‘It’s not about you, it’s truly about your customers and their needs.’ ‘Boxes can be a tool to take what you’re already talking about/teaching, or the service you’re providing and making it easier for people to have the breakthrough in the tangible way the a digital-only product just can’t.’ ABOUT THE GUEST Mark Stern is an accomplished serial entrepreneur and the visionary behind Custom Box Agency, an award-winning experience design firm headquartered in Austin, Texas. Leveraging his background as a top-ranked strategy consultant at Deloitte, Mark has guided major retail and lifestyle brands through transformative growth initiatives. He holds an MBA from Duke University and has been recognized as a Forbes Next 1,000 Entrepreneur, as well as featured in Joey Coleman’s bestselling book Never Lose an Employee Again.Mark’s passion for merging the physical with the digital underpins his signature approach of crafting “offline-meets-online” experiences. By moving beyond standard swag and focusing on strategic box campaigns, Mark’s team has successfully launched 100+ direct mail initiatives—boosting conversions, slashing churn, and extending customer lifetime value. As a mentor at SXSW, sought-after keynote speaker, and champion for innovative entrepreneurship, Mark remains dedicated to helping businesses of all sizes adopt experience design as a powerful lever for growth. Email 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/