The growing presence of women in tech is not only transforming the industry but also inspiring future generations of female tech leaders. In this episode, Asmita Puri talks with Sally Wahba, a tech leader who reflects on her journey and the unique challenges faced by women in tech. Sally shares her journey from Egypt to a successful U.S. career, offering insights on mentorship, career choices, and nurturing future engineers. She talks about the cultural shocks of being a woman in tech, the importance of nurturing young talent and balancing her passion for teaching with leadership. Sally’s story highlights the resilience of women in tech and the power of mentorship to shape careers and industries.

It is easy to get trapped in imposter syndrome, especially if you are in a fast-paced and ever-evolving space such as the tech industry. Preeti Yadav refused to be stuck in her limiting beliefs, accepted her mistakes, and unleashed her fullest potential. In this episode, she joins Asmita Puri to look back on how she flawlessly handled several career transitions in the tech industry. From her early days in India to working in Berlin, she shares how she overcame imposter industry and experienced personal and professional growth. Preeti also offers candid insights about the courage to face risks, learning from your mistakes, and the power of having a supportive network of like-minded people.

A law degree may seem out of place in the world of tech, but Donna Kolnes begs to differ. In this conversation with Asmita Puri, she looks back on how her legal expertise allowed her to bring refreshing perspectives to the development of various tech products. She explains how her unique technical skill is vital in the tech industry, which is full of equally technical elements as well. Donna also shares valuable advice for women who are navigating careers in both technology and law, emphasizing how they can showcase their talents while navigating issues on diversity and inclusivity.

We all have obsessions, but are yours helping or hindering you? Discover the power of embracing the right kind of obsession—one that fuels your growth, empowers your journey, and elevates your life. In this episode, Asmita Puri engages in a captivating conversation with Vicky Demas, the visionary CEO of identifeye HEALTH. Vicky shares how her lifelong hyperfocus to learning and problem-solving has driven her journey in healthcare technology. Get ready to be captivated as Vicky shares key moments from her early passion for space and engineering to her groundbreaking work in AI healthcare. Don't miss this inspiring conversation – tune in now and unlock the potential of your positive obsession!

Ever dreamed of ditching your computer science career and launching a podcast about space? Buckle up, because that's exactly what our guest did! This season, we're diving deep with inspiring women in tech, and our first episode features the incredible Maria Varmazis. Maria's journey is anything but linear, and she gets real about the challenges of navigating societal expectations, the immigrant experience, and unexpected life detours. From mental health struggles to career pivots, Maria's story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and embracing the power of failure. Whether you're a woman in tech or simply someone who's ever felt like you didn't quite fit the mold, this episode is a must-listen.

This content discusses topics related to suicide and suicidal thoughts. If you are struggling with suicidal feelings, please know you are not alone. There is help available, and reaching out for support is a sign of strength.

You may contact:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 (US) (https://988lifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988/)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (US) (https://www.crisistextline.org/)

If you are outside the US, please search online for suicide prevention resources in your country.

Remember, you are not alone. There is help, and hope.

Art and engineering might seem like opposite ends of the spectrum, but they share a surprising connection. In this episode, Asmita Puri interviews Rachelle Mohtadi, who discusses her unconventional career path from an art history major to a successful VP of Engineering for a real estate technology startup. Rachelle shares the challenges she faced as a woman in the tech industry, from self-teaching HTML and CSS to navigating her first engineering job after a tech boot camp. Tune in to uncover the fascinating journey of blending creativity with technology, and be inspired to explore your unique career path. Don’t miss out—listen now!

Rachelle's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachmoht

Here are some of the resources shared by Rachelle:

Python (40 - 60 hours for the core chapters but can take +100 hours if you're thorough)

Depending on your learning style, it can be helpful to read the exercises first, take notes on vocabulary that is unfamiliar to you, and then go back and read the chapter looking for definitions. Working from the digital version of How to Think Like a Computer Scientist*, the following are the most important chapters.

How to Think Like a Computer Scientist: https://runestone.academy/ns/books/published/thinkcspy/index.html

Simple Python Data

Strings

Lists

Selection

Python Turtle Graphics

Functions

HTML and CSS

Codecademy's web track is good; you can scroll down and filter by Free, and it keeps track of your progress.

www.codecademy.com/tracks/web

Maddy Osman discovered her deep love for all things digital back when she was doing freelance work in tech. Finding her purpose in this space, she strived to grow her skills and build her network, eventually starting her own B2B content SEO agency. In this episode, she joins Asmita Puri to share the genesis story of The Blogsmith, as well as her strategies for maintaining a collaborative team and setting the right business standards. Maddy also discusses how she mastered the art of work delegation that allowed her to step away from the daily operations that consume a huge chunk of her time.

Tech innovation is successful when we appreciate everyone's input, encourage creativity, and foster a culture where ideas can grow, leading to a brighter future through breakthroughs. In this episode, Jillian Funes discusses the narrative of creativity, resilience, and passion in the tech world, particularly on her transition from software engineering to Technical Product Manager. She explores the importance of cultivating a creative atmosphere within teams, with a special focus on how psychological safety plays a critical role in fostering innovation. Jillian shows that building genuine connections and valuing every voice has the power to transform. Tune in now!