In this episode, host Sheena Katz sits down with Achia Nila — tech leader, entrepreneur, and founder of Women in Digital, an initiative empowering women and girls in Bangladesh throughtechnology and access to economic opportunity. Achia shares how her journey across global tech companies like Microsoft, Dell, and Vodafone shaped her mission, why closing the gender digital divide requires more than just training, and how she built a model that connects skills directly to income and leadership.

From supporting survivors of child marriage to training over 30,000 women and girls in digital skills, this conversation highlights the power of technology as a pathway to financial independence — and the importance of building ecosystemsthat enable women not just to participate in the digital economy, but to lead within it.

About the Podcast

Welcome to the World Pulse Podcast, where we explore how women around the world are driving social impact in their communities and across borders through leadership, connection, and collective action.

World Pulse is a global social impact network that supports grassroots women leaders advancing gender equity worldwide. We believe progress happens through connection — by building bridges that turn stories into shared understanding and meaningful change.

🌍 Learn more or support our work: https://bit.ly/486L4ZK

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(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:42) Meet Achia Nila

(00:05:34) Empowering Survivors of Child Marriage through Digital Skills

(00:09:44) Transforming Lives: Success Stories of Trained Women

(00:11:42) Building Women Leaders in Tech

(00:13:38) Creating Confidence Through Hackathons and Initiatives

(00:16:24) The Role of Digital Connection in Accelerating Change

(00:17:46) Systemic Barriers for Women in Tech

(00:20:02) Evolving the Tech Industry for Inclusivity

(00:21:53) Encouragement for Women Entering Tech

(00:23:06) Support from Leaders and Organizations

(00:24:06) Vision for the Future: Women Shaping the Economy

In this episode, host Sheena Katz sits down with Cristina Rodriguez — Vice President in the Network and Edge Group at Intel and General Manager of NEX, where she leads global business across telecom, enterprise, and connectivity. Cristina shares how her journey from hands-on engineering to global leadership shaped her perspective on technology, why access to connectivity and information is foundational to opportunity, and how the future of networks must be built with equity in mind.

From advancing AI-driven infrastructure to ensuring that connectivity reaches even the most remote communities, this conversation highlights the critical role of technology in expanding access to education, resources, and possibility — and the responsibility to design systems that truly serve everyone.

About the Podcast

Welcome to the World Pulse Podcast, where we explore how women around the world are driving social impact in their communities and across borders through leadership, connection, and collective action.

World Pulse is a global social impact network that supports grassroots women leaders advancing gender equity worldwide. We believe progress happens through connection — by building bridges that turn stories into shared understanding and meaningful change.

🌍 Learn more or support our work: https://bit.ly/486L4ZK

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(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:34) Meet Cristina Rodriguez

(00:03:02) Cristina’s Journey into Technology

(00:05:38) Perspectives in Leadership

(00:07:57) Navigating Inclusivity in Tech

(00:11:10) Evolving Leadership Philosophy

(00:13:59) Empowering Future Leaders

(00:16:19) The Role of AI in Networking

(00:19:14) Next Generation Connectivity

(00:21:03) Education and Access Through Technology

(00:23:16) Balancing Innovation with Responsibility

(00:26:04) The Importance of Representation

(00:28:09) Mentorship and Advocacy

(00:30:47) Advice for Emerging Leaders

(00:32:57) Democratizing Technology for All

In this episode, host Sheena Katz sits down with Mallory Sword Glenn — product marketing leader at the intersection of AI, identity, and cybersecurity, and World Pulse board member. Mallory shares how her career across companies like Okta, Adobe, and HP shaped her perspective on digital identity, why security and inclusion must be built into the foundation of technology, and how AI is reshaping access, trust, and participation online.

From translating complex technology into human impact to ensuring more voices are represented in how products are built, this conversation highlights the responsibility — and opportunity — to design systems that are both innovative and inclusive.

About the Podcast

Welcome to the World Pulse Podcast, where we explore how women around the world are driving social impact in their communities and across borders through leadership, connection, and collective action.

World Pulse is a global social impact network that supports grassroots women leaders advancing gender equity worldwide. We believe progress happens through connection — by building bridges that turn stories into shared understanding and meaningful change.

🌍 Learn more or support our work: https://bit.ly/486L4ZK

In this episode, host Sheena Katz sits down with Guayente Sanmartin — Senior Vice President and Division President of Commercial Systems and Display Solutions at HP. Guayente shares how her journey from engineer to global business leader shaped her leadership philosophy, why choosing work that brings joy matters, and how purpose, empathy, and what she calls a “diversity of soul” drive strong teams and business outcomes.

From global leadership across cultures to navigating innovation in the age of AI, this conversation highlights the power of people-centered leadership, resilience, and building environments where diverse perspectives can thrive together.

About the Podcast

Welcome to the World Pulse Podcast, where we explore how women around the world are driving social impact in their communities and across borders through leadership, connection, and collective action.

World Pulse is a global social impact network that supports grassroots women leaders advancing gender equity worldwide. We believe progress happens through connection — by building bridges that turn stories into shared understanding and meaningful change.

🌍 Learn more or support our work: https://impact.worldpulse.org/donate/2/digitalbridge

In this episode, host Sheena Katz sits down with Sowmiya Manickam — financial leader and strategist with experience spanning financial planning and analysis, investor relations, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate strategy.

Sowmiya shares how her global career has shaped her view of finance as a lever for stewardship and long-term impact, why translating data into meaningful narratives is essential for decision-making, and how curiosity and awareness can foster more inclusive, values-driven leadership. From financial strategy to purpose-driven leadership, this conversation highlights the power of aligning expertise with impact and what becomes possible when women bring both their skills and their full selves into building a more equitable world.

About the Podcast

Welcome to the World Pulse Podcast, where we explore how women around the world are driving social impact in their communities and across borders through leadership, connection, and collective action.

World Pulse is a global social impact network that supports grassroots women leaders advancing gender equity worldwide. We believe progress happens through connection — by building bridges that turn stories into shared understanding and meaningful change.

🌍 Learn more or support our work: https://impact.worldpulse.org/donate/2/digitalbridge

In this episode, host Sheena Katz sits down with Hawraa Ghandour — educator, peace builder, and founder of Whispers in the World’s Ears, an initiative amplifying the voices of women across conflict zones in Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine.

Hawraa shares how her journey through loss and motherhood shaped her commitment to peace, why storytelling and listening are essential tools for healing, and how women can shift from being seen as victims of war to leaders of change. From cross-cultural education to digital storytelling as a force for connection, this conversation highlights how amplifying women’s voices can build bridges, foster understanding, and create pathways toward peace.

About the Podcast

Welcome to the World Pulse Podcast, where we explore how women around the world are driving social impact in their communities and across borders through leadership, connection, and collective action.

World Pulse is a global social impact network that supports grassroots women leaders advancing gender equity worldwide. We believe progress happens through connection — by building bridges that turn stories into shared understanding and meaningful change.

🌍 Learn more or support our work: https://impact.worldpulse.org/donate/2/digitalbridge

In this episode, host Sheena Katz sits down with Sharmin Prince — trauma-informed leadership expert, organizational strategist, and World Pulse board member.

Sharmin shares how her early work with children, survivors, and veterans shaped her understanding of psychological safety, why burnout is often a systems issue rather than an individual failure, and how leaders can build environments that support both impact and human well-being. From trauma-informed leadership to the role of safety, agency, and community in healing, this conversation highlights how sustainable impact begins not with outcomes, but with the systems we create to support people.

About the Podcast

Welcome to the World Pulse Podcast, where we explore how women around the world are driving social impact in their communities and across borders through leadership, connection, and collective action.

World Pulse is a global social impact network that supports grassroots women leaders advancing gender equity worldwide. We believe progress happens through connection — by building bridges that turn stories into shared understanding and meaningful change.

🌍 Learn more or support our work: https://impact.worldpulse.org/donate/2/digitalbridge

In this episode, host Sheena Katz sits down with Elaine Montilla — tech executive, TEDx Speaker, and founder of 5xMinority.

Elaine shares how her leadership journey in tech reshaped her understanding of power, culture, and impact, why authenticity and psychological safety matter in the workplace, and how inclusive leadership can help redesign systems so more people are seen, heard, and supported. From tech leadership to workplace inclusion, this conversation highlights the power of courage, community, and building systems where innovation and belonging can grow together.

About the Podcast

Welcome to the World Pulse Podcast, where we explore how women around the world are driving social impact in their communities and across borders through leadership, connection, and collective action.

World Pulse is a global social impact network that supports grassroots women leaders advancing gender equity worldwide. We believe progress happens through connection — by building bridges that turn stories into shared understanding and meaningful change.

🌍 Learn more or support our work: https://impact.worldpulse.org/donate/2/digitalbridge