Enjoy this podcast replay: This week's guest is Heather Doran, Chief of Staff for Business Applications Marketing & Global Industry at Microsoft. Heather is an enthusiastic leader with a proven record of implementing high-performing marketing, operations, and event strategies. She has an innate ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to successfully develop a vision based on customer-focused insights and data that delivers results. Today we talk about Heather's move into the tech industry and how she moved her way up through the ranks at Microsoft. We also talk about how women can find success and break down barriers in a male-dominated industry. Thank you for listening; we hope Heather's story helps inspire others to seek or grow their tech career. Career Update: As head of Business Operations for Commercial Cloud & AI Marketing, I lead operational excellence at the center of product, marketing, and technology. My impact spans across organizational strategy, financial management, and operational enablement. In my role, I am an agent of change management, organizational design and thriving team cultures. My focus is driving operational efficiency at scale while influencing business growth and meaningful value creation. I partner across Microsoft’s senior leadership teams to improve quality, delivery and value, while optimizing to accelerate our AI transformation. I am known as an enthusiastic leader with a proven record of leading successful teams to drive business strategy, operations, rhythms of business, spend optimization and organizational efficiency across cloud & AI. I have an innate ability to inspire teams, collaborate cross-functionally, and successfully deliver business results at scale. My responsibilities include successful management of $500M+ marketing budget, discipline in portfolio management and optimization, and commitment to creating marketing excellence and growth-oriented team cultures that are marked by collaboration, growth mindset, accountability, and integrity. Specialties: business operations, executive communications, financial management, portfolio planning, product marketing, events, organizational design, change management, and inclusive team cultures. Known for high professional standards, attention to detail, inspirational leadership, inclusive teams and high impact.
Enjoy this podcast replay: This week on Tech in the right Direction, we’re joined by Kalin McKenna who joined Microsoft in 2011 leading the marketing efforts for Windows Phone and Surface devices, and later transitioning to the AI and Sustainability Market Development Team. Listen in to hear about Kalin’s journey from working in politics to joining the tech world, and her thoughts on the employment, pay and culture gap in the tech industry, how the industry is moving forward, and how discrimination plays a role despite these positive changes. Career Update: I am an award-winning marketing executive with strong customer obsession and 15+ years of experience leading strategy, execution, and high-performing teams. I believe in fostering team environments where team members feel empowered to share ideas, take calculated risks, and collaborate fearlessly. I believe customer centricity is the cornerstone of every successful marketing campaign and product success. I believe in the power of clarity, in leading with empathy, and in celebrating wins big and small. When not working you can find me chasing around my two young children, exploring the beauty of the pacific northwest, or seeking out an opportunity to dance. Kalin McKenna is part of the Lumen Technologies team. She is Vice President brand, product and solution marketing and Analyst Relations.
Enjoy this podcast replay: This week's guest is Supriya Gupta, the General Manager of Recommendations and Head of Product at Credit Karma - a personal finance company helping individuals reach their financial goals. Supriya is responsible for personalizing the Credit Karma app experience for their 120 million customers. She has taken her department to the next level and their recommendation system now makes more than 35 billion model predictions every day. Today we talk about Supriya's career journey and how she went from working on defense satellites to now managing an entire team within Credit Karma. We also discuss the importance of combining technical skills with soft skills and how strategy is key to creating success. The discussion continues with the challenges women face in today's business world and how to facedown imposter syndrome to reach new heights. Learn more about Credit Karma here: https://www.creditkarma.com/ Career Update: Supriya Gupta is a seasoned executive and AI strategy advisor, with over 20 years of experience building & scaling zero-to-one products & organizations to serve millions. Now, she helps founders and executives use AI to build better products and organizations. Most recently as a VP/GM at Credit Karma (acquired by Intuit for $7.1B), leading the AI transformation of every touchpoint, I brought a user-centric perspective to solving day-to-day financial needs. I built the AI-native Financial Assistant used by millions each month, as well as AI-powered personalization, simplifying consumers’ access to financial monitoring & products. Previously, I also drove AI innovations at Facebook, BrightRoll (acquired by Yahoo for $640M), and IBM, consistently turning cutting-edge technology into business impact. Through scaling AI products and building cross-functional teams to 300+ employees, what I’ve observed is that building AI technology is only the beginning. Equally critical is applying AI to solve real problems for real people, at scale. These have been my guiding principles to building impactful products: - Innovation needs guardrails, not barriers - User adoption trumps technical sophistication - Elegant AI whispers - so products simply work better - Feedback is an essential gift: User needs can evolve as quick as AI does - While trust is always hard to build and easy to break, it is even more critical to get this right with AI If you’re building impactful AI-driven products, scaling your business, or exploring the transformative potential of AI, I can help you with: - Strategy: Build innovative AI solutions that solve real problems for your customers & your employees - Execution: Accelerate time to market by optimizing people, process, and technology - Experiences: Implement AI intuitively to delight end users with outsized value Featured Speaker: ScaleUp:AI Conference, Grace Hopper Celebration Education: Wharton MBA, UIUC Engineering Learn more about me here: https://www.supriya.ai/ Thank you - we hope Supriya's story helps inspire others to seek or grow their tech career.
Enjoy this podcast replay: Our next guest on MENtors that Make a Difference is award-winning researcher and author, Tom Tonkin. Tom holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with a focus on Leadership and Management and defines himself as a ‘recovering executive’. We discuss the fact that technology has outpaced our ability to acknowledge and accept it, and that we are experiencing a social revolution with women in the tech industry. Listen in to hear Tom’s perspective of how allies can support women in technology and how privilege plays into the discrimination so prevalent in the industry today. Thank you for listening; we hope Tom's story helps inspire others to seek or grow their tech career. Career update: Tom Tonkin is now the Chief Executive Office of Ninestone Partners.
Please enjoy this podcast replay: This week on Tech in the Right Direction we are joined by Ansley Fender, a serial entrepreneur, and Founder/CEO of Atlas. Ansley started out college as a classically trained violinist who had to switch her trajectory when she suffered a hand injury. In order to graduate on time, Ansley decided on a whim to major in Non-profit Management, and later attended grad school for public finance. When Ansley became a stay-at-home mom to her first born she found herself needing an outlet, so started bookkeeping and financial consulting for non-profits. This is where Ansley stumbled on a market where no one was providing services in her area, and thus her journey as an accidental entrepreneur began. Listen in to hear Ansley’s story and what she’s accomplished as a woman in tech. Learn more about Atlas Solutions here: https://www.getatlassolutions.com/ Thank you - we hope Ansley's story helps inspire others to seek or grow their tech career.
Enjoy this Podcast Replay: This week's guest is Cynthia Meinke, a Senior Account Executive with New Era Technologies - a global managed technology solutions provider. They are trusted advisers to more than 9,000 customers worldwide and provide a seamless blend of solutions that securely connect people, places, and information in a rapidly changing digital world. Cynthia passionately embraces partnering with her clients to deliver an exceptional customer experience with every interaction through high-velocity and elegant innovation to push revenue growth up while driving costs down through improved business processes and operational excellence. Today we talk about Cynthia's career journey and how her early years in the foster system helped develop her into a strong-willed leader who wanted more in life. Cynthia saw that computers and technology could help her provide not only for herself but her family as well. She 'cut her teeth' early on by repairing various systems and eventually saw her opportunity in tech sales. Her career growth has led her to New Era, where she is a Senior Sales Executive. Listen to today's episode to learn more about Cynthia's remarkable story. Learn more about New Era Technology here: https://www.neweratech.com/us/ Thank you - we hope Cynthia's story helps inspire others to seek or grow their tech career. Professional update: As a certified healthcare consultant, helps healthcare organizations across the nation improve patient care and save costs by utilizing virtualization technologies to automate meaningful clinical workflows. Specialties: Virtualization Technologies, Healthcare Meaningful Use Automation, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, Cultivating Business Relationships
Enjoy this podcast replay: This week dive into true leadership, authenticity, and radical inclusivity as we are joined by Ashleigh Wilson, a San Francisco-based, life-long entrepreneur. Listen in to hear about how Ashleigh went from cleaning homes, to founding her own business, how her motto ‘People Over Profit’ impacts her day to day, and how her struggles led her to where she is today. Thank you - we hope Ashleigh's story helps inspire others to seek or grow their tech career.
Enjoy this Podcast replay: This week's guest is Susan Sanders, the Founder and CEO of Spinderok - an IT Consulting Firm focused on helping companies harness the power of Microsoft 365 to deliver the ultimate employee experience. Today we talk about Susan's career journey and what led her to become the Founder and CEO of Spinderock. We also discuss what it takes to be a leader in today's world and how we can help women forward in their careers. Listen to today's episode to learn more about Cynthia's remarkable story. Learn more about Spinderok here: https://spinderok.com/ Thank you - we hope Susan's story helps inspire others to seek or grow their tech career.
Enjoy this podcast replay: This week's guest is Sandra O'Sullivan, the Chief People Officer at Curriculum Associates - an organization focused on creating innovative solutions for the education space. Based in North Billerica, Massachusetts, and with offices and remote employees throughout the United States, Curriculum Associates has been awarded many recognitions as a top employer. Their team of more than 1,500 employees is comprised of lifelong learners who stand behind their mission, working tirelessly to serve the educational community with world-class programs and support every day. Today we talk about Sandra's career journey and how she went from a Web Designer to becoming a C-Level Executive. We also cover how diversity and inclusion can help organizations grow and thrive in today's world. We also discuss the challenges women face throughout different industries and how we can help them overcome obstacles and create success through education and training. Learn more about Curriculum Associates here: https://www.curriculumassociates.com/ Thank you for listening - we hope Sandra's story helps inspire others to grow their tech career. Professional update: My passion and expertise is in building teams and bringing out the best in people in high growth environments. My goal as a leader is to help people recognize and go beyond their potential to the benefit of our customers, our company and themselves. I excel at bringing a sense of purpose, order and process to entrepreneurial strategy and initiatives. I have a compassionate, driven and strong work ethic. I constantly seek the higher purpose and common ground across teams – as a result I am able to create cross functional effectiveness. Having a vision for the bridge between the strategic and the tactical efforts allows me to ‘think big’ and get my hands dirty to drive success.
This week's guest is Lauren Anderson, the Owner and Chief Recruiter for All-In Recruiting & Talent Boutique - an experienced Human Resources & Talent Acquisition Organization delivering exceptional hiring results with urgency. Nationally recognized Business Leader in Human Resources and Talent Acquisition and Founder of All-In Recruiting & Talent Boutique. Specializing in direct-hire placements and contingent workforce solutions, All-In Recruiting has helped top talented candidates across industries to secure over $4M in salaries globally, as well as invested significantly in underrepresented entrepreneurs through initiatives like the Shark-ish. Lauren's impact extends to start-up communities, workforce development, and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs. Her achievements have earned her capital backing, features in Rolling Out Magazine, honors from Black Image Magazine, and recognition from Nevada’s Lt. Governor. Today we talk about Lauren's career journey and how she found her passion in helping others grow their careers. We also discuss the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion and how it can drive positive results for organizations by showcasing the talent that otherwise wouldn't be acknowledged. We also cover how the hiring landscape has changed during the pandemic and what the future holds for the recruitment process. Learn more about All-In Recruiting here: https://www.all-inrecruiting.com/ Thank you for listening - we hope Lauren's story helps inspire others to grow their tech career.
This week's guest is Eva Helén, the CEO of EQ Inspiration, Board Director at Vasion, and the Author of Women in Tech - a Book for Guys. Eva is a seasoned business executive and an experienced board member. She has over 20 years of experience in high tech, international business, strategy, operations, and finance. In addition, she has refined her expertise in developing shareholder value in high-growth companies, advising on business development and human capital. Today we talk about Eva's early years in Silicon Valley and how it led her to become a Co-Founder, CEO, Board Member, Speaker, and Author. We also discuss the significant role men can play in growing women's presence in the tech industry and the steps they can take to become more inclusive. This idea is at the center of Eva's book, Women in Tech - a Book for Guys. Listen to today's episode and learn more about Eva and her incredible story. Learn more about EQ Inspiration and Women in Tech - a Book for Guys here: https://eqinspiration.com/product/women-in-tech-a-book-for-guys/ Learn more about Vasion here: https://www.vasion.com/ Thank you - we hope Eva's story helps inspire others to grow their tech career.
Enjoy the replay: Our next guest on our MENtors that Make a Difference segment is the co-founder of Kitcaster, Ryan Estes. He has owned a media and marketing agency for the last 10 years. For eight of those years he hosted the founders podcast Talklaunch. Consistently ranked in the iTunes "Top 100" podcasts. He has recorded 300+ interviews with more than a quarter million downloads, and attributes $1M+ in revenue as a direct result from podcasts. He loves podcasting, believes the medium possesses a giant opportunity for entrepreneurs, and is more than happy to discuss your prospects! Find out more about Ryan and Kitcaster at https://kitcaster.com/ Thank you for listening and we hope Ryan's story helps inspire others to grow their tech career.
This week on Tech in the Right Direction we follow Vanina Ivanova's journey in the Tech Industry and the extreme differences in digital marketing from when she first started her career to today. Vanina is currently the CMO at Adex Network, a blockchain powered system that is bringing full transparency to the digital marketing space through smart contract technology. She’s a cryptocurrency enthusiast herself, and is finding working for a blockchain company inspiring, empowering and overall – delightful. Join us as we dive into personal data, the lack of privacy in advertising, and what we can do to change this problem. Learn more about Adex Network here: https://www.adex.network/ Thank you - we hope Vanina's story helps inspire others to seek or grow their tech career.
This week on Tech in the Right Direction we are joined by Elizabeth Burstein, CEO and Co-Founder of Neura Health, who foundered this organization based on her personal journey with chronic pain and the challenges that came along with it. In this episode we discuss the lack of access, administrative burdens, and general struggles that exist within our healthcare system, how that affects quality of care, and how Neura Health helps solve these issues. Thank you - we hope Elizabeth's story helps inspire others to seek or grow their tech career.
This week's guest is Brandy Mayfield, the Chief Underwriting Officer at InShare - an insurance claims solution provider that focuses on services and solutions in Actuarial, Claims Operations, Claims Platform, Claims Process, Legal, Data Science, and Third Party Administration. Their focus on providing insurance within the gig economy is revolutionizing the industry and is filling gaps created by emerging technologies and apps. Today we talk about Brandy's career journey and how her goals and aspirations led her to a leadership position within InShare. We also discuss the ever-changing insurance industry and how InShare meets modern-day needs within the gig economy. We also cover women's influence on technology and how we can continue to encourage them to join the tech industry. Learn more about InShare here: https://inshare.com/ Thank you for listening - we hope Brandy's story helps inspire others to grow their tech career.
This week's guest is Jayme Ambrose, the CEO of Adobe Care & Wellness - an integrated health care solutions company utilizing innovative proprietary software with in-person wellness care to assess, track and improve outcomes and quality of life. They are the only health care company in the U.S. utilizing an integrative model for proactive and preventative care that successfully reduces ER visits and hospital readmits while increasing member retention and satisfaction. The company now provides healthcare solutions and services to more than 40,000 people. Today we talk about Jayme's career journey and how her work as a nurse eventually led to her becoming the CEO of Adobe Care & Wellness. We also cover how healthcare is changing and how tech is helping fill healthcare gaps for those in need. We then dive into the challenges women face in the tech industry and how to overcome them. Learn more about Adobe Care & Wellness here: https://adobecw.com/ Thank you for listening - we hope Jayme's story helps inspire others to grow their tech career.
Enjoy this podcast replay: This week's guest is Jane Wiseman, CEO of the Institute for Excellence in Government. This consulting services organization helps state and local government clients with strategy development, policy analysis, program implementation, and performance management. Jane is a seasoned government innovation and data analytics thought leader, strategy consultant, and experienced board member for social enterprises and non-profits. Today we talk about Jane's move into the tech industry and how she became an executive-level leader within her organization. We also talk about how women can drive change in male-dominated industries by overcoming their self-doubt and knocking down obstacles. Thank you for listening; we hope Jane's story helps inspire others to seek or grow their tech career.
Enjoy this podcast replay: This week's guest is Andrea Stevenson Conner, the Principal of Stevenson Conner Global Strategies - an organization that collaborates with game-changing, innovative leaders of regional/global nonprofit and for-profit organizations with missions for gender equity that seek significant impact extending to the 7th generation. Andrea is a consultant who knows how to build the team around critical initiatives and serves as an agent of change. She moves innovative initiatives forward from an idea, creates alignment of strategy, and focuses on team building with a global lens. Today we talk about Andrea's experiences throughout the world and how they helped her develop her approach to making significant positive changes for women. Andrea also shares what she attributes her success to. We also talk about how women significantly impact the global economy and the influence they wield. Thank you for listening; we hope Andrea's story helps inspire others to seek or grow their tech career. Career update: Andrea Stevenson Conner, now works as an Ecosystem Development director at First Flight Venture Center.
Enjoy this podcast replay: This week's guest is Sarah Haggard, the Founder and CEO of Tribute. A peer-to-peer mentorship platform that enhances team collaboration, learning, and productivity by creating real-time access to knowledge sharing via micro-mentorship. Sarah is an innovative people and business leader who has led multiple start-up initiatives within her decade-long career in Product Marketing at Microsoft, raising $40M to scale her last business. She is an expert in P&L management, enterprise software, and GTM strategy. Sarah's tenacity and drive for results led to her being recognized as a turnaround expert and new business incubator. Today we talk about Sarah's beginnings in the tech industry and what led her to found Tribute. We also talk about the importance of mentorship and how it can help shape your career. Thank you for listening; we hope Sarah's story helps inspire others to grow their tech career. Here is an update on Sarah's career: Sarah currently is managing partner at Darkride in Seattle Washington. I'm driven by a deep curiosity about how people and systems work—and how technology can responsibly enhance, scale, or reshape them. From earning a degree in anthropology to building enterprise SaaS products at scale, I’ve spent the last 20 years leading high impact work across product management, product marketing, and sales—at big tech companies and as a founder, taking my own AI startup from 0 to 1. Known for turning ambiguity into action, reinvigorating legacy teams, and charting bold paths through emerging technologies like AI. I operate at the intersection of strategy and execution: incubating new product ideas, pioneering go-to-market and commercialization strategies, and aligning cross-functional teams across engineering, design, and marketing. Whether I’m navigating complexity or driving growth, I lead with curiosity, clarity, and a deep belief in building products—and cultures—that scale to meet today's most urgent needs.
Enjoy this podcast replay: This week's guest is Gavriella Schuster, the founding sponsor of Women in Cloud and the Women in Technology Network. She currently sits on the board of both, along with being a board member of ChinaSoft International, IAMCP, and the University of Washington Bothell. Last year she gave a TEDx speech on "Gender Equity," where she launched her "Become Framework." As an Athena International Global Leadership Award winner and a former Corporate VP at Microsoft, Gavriella knows what it takes to make significant changes for women in tech. Today we talk about Gavriella's career journey and how she rose through the ranks at Microsoft as a woman in tech. Being at Microsoft for 25+ years, she reached an executive-level position by continuing to build on her knowledge and experiences to stand out from the rest. We also talk about her passion for growing women's presence in the industry and how she's turning that passion into real-world change through the various projects she helps manage. Finally, we talk about exposing the problems facing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the tech industry and how we can all help solve them. Learn more about Gavriella and the organizations she's involved with by following her on LinkedIn: Thank you for listening; we hope Gavriella's story helps inspire others to grow their tech career. ----more----