Women Disrupting Tech

In this episode, Andrea Cristancho shows how founders can turn stress into a source of clarity instead of chaos. We talk about pattern interrupts, wellbeing as a leadership skill, and a simple 10-second breathing practice you can use any time your mind starts to spin.Andrea Born-Christancho has built companies across Mainland China, South Africa, and Switzerland, and her work helps founders understand what their bodies are telling them so they can lead with more intention and less overwhelm.Chapters02:30 Andrea's Journey to Entrepreneurship and Health Coaching 05:35 The Impact of Burnout on Leadership 08:20 Wellbeing as a Foundation for Success 12:01 Integrating Wellbeing into Leadership 16:32 Managing Guilt and Prioritizing Self-Care 23:42 The Role of Pattern Interrupts in Daily Life 33:22 How Leaders Can Support Teams in Building Routines 37:41 Breathing Techniques for Better Focus 40:13 The Breathing Exercise 44:13 Stress as a Friend, Not the Enemy 49:45 The Role of Men in Supporting Women in LeadershipConnect with AndreaWebsite: https://www.andreacristancho.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaborncristancho-impactstrategyconsultant/Connect with host Dirkjan HupkesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirkjan-hupkesSubscribe to the Women Disrupting Tech NewsletterSubstack: https://womendisruptingtech.substack.comRead the full blog for this episodehttps://womendisruptingtech.blog

Gina Schinkel's founder career didn’t follow the straight line to being a founder. She built Driftawave and Leaderwave by choosing the world over the ladder and learning how travel, culture, and leadership shape each other. In this episode, we explore the power of workations, generous leadership, and what happens when you stop choosing one path and start integrating all the roads you’ve walked. Listen to episode 129 of Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.Chapters:03:43 Gina Schinkel's Journey to Driftawave and Leaderwave 06:12 The Intersection of Travel and Technology 09:09 Cultural Insights: Returning to the Netherlands 11:55 The Benefits of Team Retreats and Workations 14:20 Creating Connections: The Role of Workations in Team Dynamics 17:22 Navigating Remote Work and Office Mandates 19:55 Exploring Workation Locations and Experiences 22:52 The Evolution of Workations: Beyond Just Work 24:50 Workations and Startup Success: Attracting Talent 27:43 Measuring Success: KPIs for Workations 30:45 The Future of Work: AI's Role in Business 33:24 Leadership Trends and the Role of AI 35:09 Diversity and Inclusion in Work Culture 37:42 Building Trust and Connections in Business 47:32 Empowering Women in Tech 1:02:18 Closing the Funding Gap for Female Founders Links:Learn more about the episode on the blogConnect with Gina on LinkedInLearn more about DriftawaveLearn more about LeaderwaveFollow Women Disrupting Tech on Substack

What if feeling good about yourself was a precondition for being a good ally?In this episode, Salmaan Sana shares how allyship connects leadership, emotional health, and inclusion. A former medical student turned leadership facilitator, he explains why vulnerability matters, how overcompensation can repair old imbalances, and how small, human moments can drive real change.Listen to learn how men can become more effective allies for women in tech—starting with awareness, compassion, and action.🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.Chapters03:00 - Journey into Healthcare and Leadership10:30 - The Role of Medical Education in Leadership20:06 - Understanding Allyship and Its Importance31:45 - Men's Vulnerability and Emotional Health51:32 - Practical Steps to Become an Ally59:04 - Closing the Funding Gap for Female FoundersLinksYou can connect with Salmaan on LinkedIn or via his website.You can learn more about the episode on Substack.You can connect with host Dirkjan Hupkes on LinkedIn.

In this episode, Settly CEO Marieke van Iperen shares how her upbringing in a hippie community shaped her view on leadership, and how she built a fast-growing startup that combines business growth with human connection. We explore how relocation can drive inclusion, what founders can learn from impact investors, and why belonging is a business outcome, not a soft value.Whether you’re a founder, people leader, or HR professional, this episode will help you build inclusive, globally connected teams.Chapters00:00 - Intro 03:00 Journey to Becoming a CEO 04:16 Hippie Roots and Startup Culture 05:36 Bootstrapping and Values in Business06:51 Cultural Intelligence in Hiring 12:15 Navigating COVID-19 Challenges 15:16 Geopolitical Challenges in Expansion 17:16 Overview of Settly and Its Services 19:44 Impact of Government Policies on Business 24:59 Changing Perspectives on Immigration 28:38 Creating Safe Spaces in Companies 44:02 Men’s Role in Inclusivity 45:02 - New Features and Closing Thoughts Links:Connect with Marieke on LinkedIn.Learn more about Settly on the websiteGet free access to Tenant Hub here (Dutch companies only)Follow Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube for weekly episodes.

Yasmina Khababi runs Freshtable, a social impact catering company that creates meaningful jobs for highly skilled former refugees by matching their original expertise with new opportunities in the hospitality industry. One meal at a time, she connects sustainability, inclusion, and food accessibility.In this episode you will learn how she built this without investors, how she protects her mind as a sanctuary, and how inclusion in tech can become powerful when you stop waiting for permission.We talk about:00:00 - Introduction to FreshTable and Its Mission02:48 - Connecting Climate Change and Refugee Issues05:52 - The FreshTable Business Model and Its Values08:50 - Empowering Refugees Through Work and Education12:05 - Geographical Luck and Its Impact on Opportunity14:56 - Facilitating Change: The Role of FreshTable17:50 - Accreditation and Career Advancement for Refugees20:52 - Diversity vs. Inclusion in the Workplace24:00 - The Vision for a Sustainable Future26:53 - The Role of the FreshTable Foundation29:38 - Creating a Safe Space for Feedback33:24 - Servant leadership and safe spaces39:14 - Mindset as a Sanctuary45:26 - The Art of Letting Go53:05 - Rest as a Right, Not a Reward55:02 - The Role of Men in Promoting InclusionYasmina’s story is a reminder that inclusion is not mere theory; it is a practice. It is how you lead, rest, and let others grow.Connect with Yasmina Khababi on LinkedIn.Read about the magic moment, practical takeaways for founders, and my notes to self on the Women Disrupting Tech blog.Follow Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

What happens when inclusion stops being a policy and becomes the foundation of a company?In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, Magali Elhage and Matthijs Welle share how Mews turned diversity, leadership, and technology into a culture where people can be themselves and perform at their best.Chapters03:05 Journey to Mews: Personal Stories of Transformation 05:48 Breaking Barriers: The Struggles of Diversity in Hospitality 08:26 From Traditional to Innovative: The Birth of Mews 11:10 Building a Tech-Driven Hospitality Future 13:55 Inclusion by Design: Creating a Culture of Belonging 16:44 Empowering Voices: The Role of Leadership in Diversity 19:37 The Importance of Storytelling in DEI Initiatives 22:12 Navigating Challenges: The Path to Inclusive Leadership 25:07 Creating Safe Spaces: The Mews Experience 27:44 The Role of Employee Resource Groups in Culture Building 30:40 Parental Leave and Support: Building for the Future33:50 Addressing the Gender Pay Gap: A Long-Term Commitment 36:40 Leveraging AI for Growth and Learning 39:40 The Power of Allyship in Tech 42:17 Reflections on Personal Growth and Performance 45:31 Innovative Tools for Communication and Feedback 48:19 Facing Fears: Embracing Change in Leadership 51:11 Advice for Founders: Building an Inclusive Company 54:19 The Future of Mews: Vision and Strategy🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.💬 Discover more about this episode in the show notes🌐 Explore Mews: https://www.mews.com🔗 Connect on LinkedIn with Matthijs WelleMagali Elhage❤️ Follow Women Disrupting Tech for more stories on inclusion, innovation, and leadership.

What happens when a former founder becomes an investor and decides to change the system from within? In this episode, Anieke Lamers, Venture Partner at Borski Fund, shares how she is challenging bias in venture capital and backing bold female founders to build a more inclusive startup ecosystem. A former founder herself, Anieke knows both sides of the table. She talks about emotional attachment, burnout, and why founders deserve to be put on a pedestal. You will hear why understanding a fund’s vintage matters, how empathy leads to better investing, and what still needs to change for true equality in venture capital. If you have ever wondered what it takes to invest differently or to keep building when the odds are against you, this episode is for you.Chapters02:40 Journey to Borski Fund05:29 The Role of an Operating Partner08:28 Challenges for Women in Leadership11:26 The Founder-Investor Dynamic14:36 Building Peekabond: A Personal Journey17:26 The Emotional Attachment of Founders20:24 Coaching for Mental Health in Startups23:29 Changing Expectations in Pitching26:18 The Importance of Diverse Teams29:19 Borski Fund’s Mission and Impact32:21 The Slow Progress of Female Founders35:26 The Future of Gender Equality in VC37:57 Bias in Investment Decisions41:16 Selecting the Right VC44:04 The Need for Policy Changes47:01 Celebrating Female Founders49:53 Success Metrics for Borski Fund52:52 The Role of Men in VC55:48 Final Thoughts and Connections🎧 Listen to “How Anieke Lamers Closes the Inequality Gap by Backing Female Founders with Borski Fund” on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube.💬 If this episode made you think differently about startup investing, share it with someone who should hear it.

Capital fuels ideas. But whose ideas are we fueling?In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, Azin Radsan van Alebeek shares how she uses venture capital as a lever for change. Not just to generate returns, but to shift behavior, open doors, and fuel a broader cross-section of ideas.We talk about the funding gap, the film Show Her the Money, and what founders need to know when they pitch for investment. Along the way, Azin shares her own journey from boutique consultancy, to stay-at-home mom, to venture capitalist, reshaping outcomes.🎧 Listen in to learn why funding diversity is not just fair, but essential for innovation.Chapters03:30 Introduction and Background06:23 The Importance of Gender Representation in Venture Capital09:43 Azin's Journey into Angel Investing13:38 Cultural Perspectives and Personal Experiences18:06 The Impact of Underrepresentation in Venture Capital23:26 Statistics on Female Founders and Funding27:16 Changing Perspectives on Gender Roles29:14 Using Venture Capital for Change31:14 Show Her The Money: Film and Book Overview34:42 Inspiring Stories of Female Founders39:00 The Role of Male Investors in Supporting Female Founders43:05 Emmeline's Focus on Women's Health44:49 Understanding Women's Health Disparities47:09 Investing in Female-Centric Solutions48:50 The Ideal Founder Profile51:26 Integrity in Investment Relationships52:22 Comparing Support for Female Founders in Europe and the US55:15 What Makes a Pitch Deck Stand Out?59:13 Defining Venture-Ready Proposals1:03:06 Encouraging Women to Think Bigger1:05:03 Upskilling for Stay-at-Home Moms1:12:55 The Future of Venture Capital for Women🙋🏻‍♀️ Connect with Azin Radsan van Alebeek on LinkedIn.💡 Check out the show notes for magical moments, practical takeaways for female founders and my personal observations.🎙️ Follow the podcast for more Women Disrupting Tech.

Arosha Brouwer, co-founder of Quan and now Chief Impact Officer at TrueTribe, explains how she scaled workplace wellbeing with impact and integrity. In this episode, she offers unique insights into Quan’s acquisition, the power of focus, and why success for female founders is about more than ownership. From navigating investor relations to carrying the responsibility for “the sisters who come after,” Arosha’s journey is both practical and deeply inspiring.Listen to the full conversation to learn:- How Quan’s wellbeing software found the right home inside TrueTribe.- Why integrity, transparency, and respect guided every decision.- What founders should know before taking the VC route.Stay with us until the end, as Arosha’s advice for aspiring founders might change how you think about impact, storytelling, and scaling your mission.🙋🏻‍♀️ Connect with Arosha Brouwer on LinkedIn.🔗 Learn more about TrueTribe on the website and LinkedIn.🎙️ Follow Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

Dayana Marin Valencia, co-founder of Adasight, shares how she built a global company without VC funding. We talk about:Why data should be your co-pilot for growth.How bootstrapping sharpened Adasight’s focus on clients.Why mentorship evolves at every stage of your career.What active allyship looks like in practice.🎧 Listen now and discover what it takes to scale with purpose and conviction.👉 Prefer watching? Head over to YouTube.🔗 Connect with Dayana via the links in the show notes.

What if curiosity was the key to building better companies?In Episode 120 of Women Disrupting Tech, Henny Hoekstra, director and co-owner of Pluvo, shares how following her curiosity took her from growth hacker to co-owner of a SaaS company. We explore what it takes to lead in tech, why learning and development are essential for company survival, and how women can thrive even in male-dominated environments.But this conversation goes deeper. Henny opens up about imposter syndrome, the challenge of becoming an equal to her former bosses, and how growth as a leader involves more than just effort and grit. Her story shows that curiosity and courage are just as important for entrepreneurs as strategy and leadership.🎧 Listen and follow Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. 🔗 Connect with Henny Hoekstra on LinkedIn.🧠 Learn more about Pluvo on the website.🚀 Subscribe to Women Disrupting Tech on Substack for episode highlights and practical founder tips.

Only 2 percent of venture capital goes to all-female founding teams. It is one of the most persistent inequalities in tech, and in a decade it has barely moved.In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, I speak with Erica van Eeghen (VP Capital) and Maud Vermeulen (Golden Egg Check). Together they lead Women in VC NL, a network of 170+ women reshaping venture capital in the Netherlands.We talk about:How closed networks in venture capital shut women out, and what it takes to open them.Why stereotypes about women being “risk averse” miss the reality of risk-prepared founders.How new initiatives like the Venture Program create the education infrastructure VC has long ignored.This conversation shows that closing the gender funding gap is not only about fairness. It is about smarter systems, better decisions, and more opportunities for everyone.👉 Listen now to hear how Women in VC NL is changing what gets funded, and why it matters for the future of startups and investors alike.Follow the podcast on 🎧 Spotify 🍏 Apple Podcasts ▶️ YouTube💌 Subscribe to the Women Disrupting Tech ⁠Substack⁠ for insights and magic moments.🌐 Check out the show notes on the BlogConnect with my guests🔗 Erica van Eeghen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-van-eeghen-59446613/🔗 Maud Vermeulen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maudvermeulenn/🔗 Women in VC NL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-vc-nl

Are soft skills the one thing machines will never master?In Episode 118 of Women Disrupting Tech, I sit down with Anouk Vlietman, founder of UMAIN, to explore how AI might actually make us more human. We talk about:- Why disconnection is the silent epidemic costing billions every year.- How limiting beliefs hold us back, and what it takes to break them- Why soft skills like empathy, curiosity, and listening are our greatest edge in the future of workAnouk also shares how AI can be an accelerator for connection, not competition — and why inclusion starts with being valued for who you are.This is one of the most personal conversations I’ve had on the podcast. It’s systemic, funny, and packed with insights about technology, humanity, and the future of connection.🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.💌 Subscribe to the Women Disrupting Tech Substack for insights and magic moments.

How do you get from burnout to building an AI startup for mental health? That’s the journey of Kuhu Singh, founder of Amber. Remote work and imbalance left her burned out, but instead of giving up, she built an AI mental health companion designed to bridge the gap between AI and therapy.In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, Kuhu shares:- Why therapy is still a privilege, and how Amber makes it more accessible- How growth turns into responsibility when people depend on your product- Why resilience means treating criticism as white noiseHer story is one of resilience, persistence, and purpose, and it’s definitely one worth listening to.You can connect with Kuhu Singh and learn more about Amber via the links in the show notes.Follow Women Disrupting Tech on Substack for deeper insights into how we can close the funding gap.Follow Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube for more extraordinary episodes with founders, investors, and allies.

How do you scale a company in the age of AI without losing what makes it work?In this engaging episode of Women Disrupting Tech, Marili ’t Hooft-Bolle (CEO of Trengo and former COO of WeTransfer) shares what it takes to grow with confidence in a fast-changing world. We talk about:- Why scaling is never just about adding people, but about adding the right structure.- How AI is not about building the next version of what you know, but reimagining value for your customers.- Why hiring for complementary skills creates stronger, more diverse teams.Her biggest lesson: growth requires structure, but not too much.Listen now to learn how to navigate growth, leadership, and AI with Marili ’t Hooft-Bolle. For episode highlights, my personal takeaways, Marili's bio and links to connect with her, check out the show notes on the blog. And don't forget to drop your questions for Marili in the comments.

Join us as Marleen Somohardjo, founder of M2 Advisory, shares how to build a business that can weather any storm while staying true to its purpose. From launching her first consultancy during the 2008 financial crisis to helping companies prepare for the unknown, Marleen brings a rare blend of financial expertise and purpose-driven leadership.We explore why resilience is about more than cutting costs, how to align your business model with your “why,” and why personal resilience, through practices like yoga, golf, and breathwork, is just as critical as financial stability.Whether you are a startup founder, leader, or aspiring entrepreneur, you will take away strategies for being prepared, staying the course, and building a business that lasts.🎧 Listen now and start building a resilient, purpose-driven business.🔗 Connect with Marleen Somohardjo via the links in the shownotes.👉 Follow Women Disrupting Tech on Substack for episode insights and more.

What if the stories you learned as a child about money, risk, and confidence are still shaping your business decisions today?In this conversation with Catrine Rhenberg, co-founder of The Wealth Within Her, we explore how early social cues, from the way girls are praised to the expectations placed on them at home and at work, can turn into invisible limits later in life. Catrine shares a practical three-step process for changing those beliefs, building financial confidence, and defining success on your own terms.By listening, you'll hear how to:- Spot and challenge the patterns that hold you back- Use small, intentional actions to build real confidence- Redefine wealth so it works for you, not against youWe also talk about the power of authenticity over assimilation, why confidence does not automatically mean competence, and how communities of women can help each other take bigger, bolder steps.If you have ever felt you are playing by rules you did not set, this episode will help you start rewriting them.You can connect with Catrine and The Wealth Within Her via the show notes.Follow Women Disrupting Tech on Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. Subscribe to the Substack of host Dirkjan Hupkes for personal observations, trends across episodes and more.

Femke Brouwer-Hobbelen joins Women Disrupting Tech to share why working harder isn’t the answer—and why real change in tech needs more than just women pushing the system forward.We talk about:What it takes to build a culture that truly includesWhy tech is still not a meritocracyHer own experience with the gender pay gap and unconscious biasThe image of tech that still keeps women outHow male allies in leadership can drive real changeAnd why inclusion starts earlier than we think—at daycare, in school, and at homeThis is a conversation about power, potential, and the systems that shape both.If you’ve ever felt like doing all the right things still wasn’t enough, this episode is for you.You can check out the show notes on the Women Disrupting Tech blog.You can connect with Femke on LinkedIn.Follow Women Disrupting Tech on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for regular updates.Connect with host Dirkjan Hupkes on LinkedIn and Substack.

In episode 112, Cogensus co-founder Raju Joshi shares how AI can surface early signs of cognitive decline and help people stay connected, heard, and in control.We talk about:• Why loneliness hits women harder• What Cogensus tracks that caregivers often miss• How to build ethical AI that supports autonomy• What mindset shift is needed to make inclusion the new normal in tech🎧 For full show notes, including opportunities to connect with Raju and learn more about Cogensus, visit ⁠http://womendisruptingtech.blog/⁠

Join cybersecurity expert and She Unfolds co-founder Emily van Putten and host Dirkjan Hupkes for a powerful and deeply personal episode of Women Disrupting Tech. Emily shares her story as a transgender woman navigating a traditionally masculine tech industry. She offers a unique perspective on gender bias, leadership, and the silent challenges that drive high attrition rates among women in tech. Discover:- Why retention—not recruitment—is tech’s real gender equality problem- How social media algorithms fragment identity and create what Emily calls the "digital closet"- What inclusive leadership actually looks like when it’s tied to power, pay, and promotions.🎧 Listen now and join us in creating the future of tech. One where everyone can thrive, grow, and belong.You can connect with Emily and SheUnfolds via the links in the show notes.For more Women Disrupting Tech, please follow the podcast here and subscribe to our Substack.You can connect with host Dirkjan Hupkes on LinkedIn.