Afleveringen
-
What happens when a learning designer with no coding background decides to build AI-powered solutions that put people first?In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, Meena Satishkumar sits down with Lian Passmore â founder, ethical AI builder, researcher, self-taught developer, and mother of five â to explore her remarkable journey into technology.In just two years, Lian transitioned from organisational learning and facilitation into building AI products designed around care, inclusion, accessibility, and human connection. She shares how curiosity led her to teach herself coding, build conversational AI tools, and develop innovative projects focused on feedback systems, coaching, wellbeing, and family relationships.In this conversation, we explore:đč How Lian went from non-technical to building AI products herselfđč The story behind her first conversational AI projectđč Building AI coaches and relationship support toolsđč Why ethics and safety must be designed into AI from the beginningđč MÄori values and tikanga-led approaches to AI developmentđč AI literacy challenges in regional New Zealandđč The opportunities and risks AI creates for women in the workforceđč Why now is one of the best times to transition into technologyđč Advice for women and gender-diverse professionals considering careers in techLian also shares powerful insights on creating technology that serves people, preserving cultural values in AI systems, and ensuring emerging technologies are accessible to communities often left out of the conversation.Whether you're curious about AI, considering a career transition, or interested in building technology that creates positive social impact, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration.đïž Tech Beyond Gender explores the experiences, challenges, and achievements of women, gender-diverse professionals, and allies in technology, while creating pathways for a more inclusive future.#TechBeyondGender #ArtificialIntelligence #EthicalAI #WomenInTech #DiversityInTech #MÄoriInnovation #Leadership #CareerChange #Technology #DigitalTransformation #AI #Inclusion #TechCareers #WomenInLeadership #NewZealandTech #ConversationalAI #FutureOfWork #Innovation #LianPassmore #TechPodcast
-
What does it really mean to be a mentor?
In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, Meena Satishkumar sits down with Sid Kumar to explore the art, craft, and joy of mentoring beyond buzzwords and frameworks.With over 25 years of experience across technology, finance, and leadership, Sid shares a refreshing and deeply human perspective on mentorship.In this conversation, we explore:-
- Why mentoring is a craft before it becomes an art
- The difference between mentoring, coaching, and training
- How real mentoring is like a dance not a script
- The importance of listening (and why itâs so hard)
- How mentoring helps break self-limiting beliefs and invisible barriers
- The role of mentoring in creating more inclusive workplaces
- Why you should never create a âmini version of yourselfâ
- And the powerful moments where true growth actually happens
âIt is in that moment⊠when something clicks⊠thatâs where the joy comes.â
-
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
-
International Womenâs Day is celebrated around the world every year â but what actually changes once the events are over?In this special Tech Beyond Gender panel conversation, host Meena Satishkumar is joined by returning podcast guests Camy Bhandari, Noor-Un-Nissa Syed, and Amanda Watson to explore the reality behind diversity conversations in the workplace.Together, they discuss the gap between awareness and action, the challenges women continue to face in leadership and technical roles, and what organisations need to do to move beyond symbolic gestures toward meaningful change.
-
In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, Meena Satishkumar sits down with John Bessey to explore what success really looks like beyond titles, beyond linear career paths, and beyond the highlight reel.
In this honest and deeply reflective conversation, we explore:
The reality of starting from scratch and building a career without a clear pathThe role of resilience, mindset, and inner work in shaping successNavigating mental health challenges alongside leadership responsibilitiesand many more topics!
This is not just a story about success, itâs a story about reinvention, self-awareness, and doing the work to become who you are meant to be.
-
In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, Meena Satishkumar sits down with Jeevan James, a strategic technology leader with over 20 years of experience across banking, insurance, and FinTech.
Together, they explore how software engineering has evolved from small, agile teams and generalist roles to highly specialised functions and why the industry may now be coming full circle in an AI-driven world.
This is not just a conversation about technology.
Itâs about how the role of engineers is shifting, what skills truly matter, and how to stay relevant in a rapidly changing landscape.#TechBeyondGender #MeenaSatishkumar #SoftwareEngineering #AI #FutureOfWork #CareersInTech #WomenInTech #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #TechCareers #EngineeringCulture #Innovation #LearningMindset
-
In this powerful episode of the Tech Beyond Gender Podcast, Meena Satishkumar is joined by John Bessey, Katy Sweetman, and Noor Syed for a deeply insightful conversation on leadership, focus, and creating meaningful impact.At a time when professionals are stretched thin, juggling priorities and navigating invisible workloads, this conversation explores a powerful idea:Leadership is not about doing more â itâs about focusing on what truly matters.John and Katy share the thinking behind their book Rituals of Impact â introducing simple, repeatable âritualsâ (or systems) that help leaders and professionals:Cut through complexityPrioritise what actually drives resultsBuild high-performing teamsLead with clarity, purpose, and energyNoor brings a deeply personal perspective on how rituals shape resilience and grounding, while Meena connects these insights to real workplace challenges â especially for women and gender-diverse professionals in tech.
-
In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, Meena Satishkumar is joined by Enneagram specialist Yuliya Schamrel for a powerful conversation on self-awareness, limiting beliefs, and the patterns that quietly shape our lives.The Enneagram is a framework that describes nine different ways we think, feel and act, helping us understand the deeper motivations behind our behaviour. More than a personality tool, it offers a way to recognise unconscious patterns and create more choice in how we respond to the world around us.#TechBeyondGender #enneagram #selfawareness #personalgrowth #womenintech #leadershipdevelopment #emotionalintelligence #mindsetshift #knowyourself
-
In this episode of the Tech Beyond Gender Podcast, host Meena Satishkumar is joined by co-host Pip Klenner for a thoughtful and engaging conversation with Helen Cuddy, Engineering Manager at Unleash (part of the Access Group).Helen shares her journey from studying engineering as one of the few women in her class to leading engineering teams in the technology industry today. The discussion explores how mentorship shaped her career, the importance of challenging self-limiting beliefs, and how leaders can support people in recognising their potential.Together, Meena, Pip and Helen explore the realities of working in technology, the importance of creating supportive environments for women in technical roles, and how leadership, coaching and community can help build confidence and growth.This episode offers valuable insights for professionals navigating careers in technology, leaders developing high-performing teams, and anyone interested in the future of women in tech.
-
International Womenâs Day is celebrated around the world every year â but what actually changes once the events are over?In this special Tech Beyond Gender panel conversation, host Meena Satishkumar is joined by returning podcast guests Camy Bhandari, Noor-Un-Nissa Syed, and Amanda Watson to explore the reality behind diversity conversations in the workplace.Together, they discuss the gap between awareness and action, the challenges women continue to face in leadership and technical roles, and what organisations need to do to move beyond symbolic gestures toward meaningful change.Website: https://www.techbeyondgender.orgYouTube: Tech Beyond GenderSpotify: Tech Beyond Gender Podcast
-
In this episode of the Tech Beyond Gender podcast, Meena Satishkumar speaks with Amanda Watson from Tech Women New Zealand about the evolving reality of women in the tech industry.Amanda shares insights from nearly 25 years in IT, highlighting the progress made and the challenges that still remain for women navigating technical careers, leadership pathways, and workplace bias.The conversation explores:âą Why women still face barriers in technical roles and leadershipâą The impact of career breaks and fast-moving tech environmentsâą Bias in hiring, progression, and workplace cultureâą The role of initiatives like ShadowTech and mentoring circlesâą How organisations can better support women returning to workâą Generational shifts shaping the future of tech careersThis is an honest, grounded discussion on what it really takes to create inclusive, supportive environments for women in technology â and what needs to change next.If you're working in tech, leading teams, or passionate about gender equity in the industry, this episode will resonate deeply.
-
In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, host Meena Satishkumar speaks with Victoria Vaughan, a global tech leader who has shaped some of the most influential narratives in the crypto and technology space.Born and educated in Russia, Victoria began her journey in a deeply technical environment before stepping into leadership roles at an unusually young age. At just 24, she became the CEO of Cointelegraph, helping grow it from a small startup into the worldâs largest crypto media platform with over 18 million monthly readers. After leaving Cointelegraph, Victoria went on to build her own ventures, including a blockchain wallet startup and later founding B612 PR, a boutique tech PR agency now working with AI, biotech, and deep-tech founders across the US.A powerful, honest episode about confidence, courage, storytelling, and rewriting your own narrative in technology and life.
-
In this final episode of the Tech Beyond Gender podcast for 2025, host Meena Satishkumar speaks with Chetna Chaudhari, Delivery Manager for Data & Analytics at Fidelity Life, about her journey from growing up in a small village in India to building a successful technology career across two very different countries.Listen to Chetna's inspiring and heart warming story of her journey and real insignts into how to make the transition in tech from India to NZ smoother. #techbeyondgender #womenintech #MigrantInTech#speakingup #leadershipjourney
-
In this inspiring episode of the Tech Beyond Gender Podcast, Meena Satish Kumar sits down with Julia Bower â Co-Founder & CTO of Fractional Directory â to unpack her remarkable journey from failing high-school computer studies to leading one of APACâs fastest-growing fractional talent platforms.Whether youâre a woman in tech, an aspiring founder, a parent navigating career transitions, or someone curious about fractional work and portfolio careers â this episode is packed with honesty, humour, and insight.Watch us on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yFsHvanuZ8AwfSoSaZNPd?si=jySlPiJ3ShmEdNmXv80Tyw&nd=1&dlsi=c8432d2077754168Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tech-beyond-gender-talks/id1749944130Youtube: âš@TechBeyondGenderâ©
-
What happens when quantum computing, brain-like AI, and neurobiology come together?
In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, host Meena Satishkumar sits down with two extraordinary women:Dr. Helena Bahrami, AI & Machine Learning Lead Expert pioneering quantum-inspired models for neurodegenerative diseases, and Noor Syed, CTO for Health at Microsoft New Zealand.
Together, they take us on a journey that is equal parts scientific, visionary, and deeply human.From the complexity of dementia and the future of drug discovery to digital twins and personalized medicine, Dr. Helena explains how quantum-powered models could shrink a 12-year drug development cycle into hours â and why data access, ethics, and equitable healthcare matter more than ever.Noor brings an industry lens: how platforms like Microsoft Azure enable safe research environments, responsible AI, and secure collaboration at global scale.This is a mind-stretching, heart-opening episode about the future of healthcare, the emergence of quantum AI, and the importance of keeping technology rooted in human values.If you're curious about the next big leap after generative AI â this episode is your gateway.
Watch us on
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yFsHvanuZ8AwfSoSaZNPd?si=jySlPiJ3ShmEdNmXv80Tyw
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tech-beyond-gender-talks/id1749944130
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TechBeyondGender
-
In this inspiring episode of Tech Beyond Gender, host Meena Satishkumar sits down with Andrea Bald, a trailblazer whose tech career began by chance in 1985 and evolved alongside the telecom industryâs biggest transformationsâfrom analog to digital, copper to fibre, and now cloud and 5G.
Andrea reflects on her accidental start as an engineering draftswoman at New Zealand Post Office, her rise to leadership in her 20s, and how she navigated bias, motherhood, and change through four decades in technology. She shares powerful lessons on building trust as a young leader, creating inclusive hiring practices, and the importance of curiosity and lifelong learning.
Tune in to hear Andreaâs thoughtful take on leadership, resilience, and whatâs next for Telco in the age of AI â plus how yoga and even competitive pistol shooting shaped her focus and balance along the way.
#WomenInTech #Leadership #Inclusion #TechBeyondGender #Telecommunications #CareerStories
-
After facing unimaginable loss, Priya Mathur rebuilt her life and career with courage and conviction. From starting as a young data engineer in India to becoming the Head of Enterprise Data at Fidelity Life in New Zealand, Priyaâs story is one of resilience, reinvention, and leadership grounded in empathy.
In this inspiring conversation with host Meena Satishkumar, Priya opens up about:
Navigating life as a migrant woman in tech
Balancing motherhood and career growth
The power of education and financial independence
Finding purpose through community and governance roles
How data and AI are shaping the future of leadership
A powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, you can rise, lead, and inspire others to do the same.
-
In this special episode of Tech Beyond Gender, host Meena Satishkumar is joined by Noor Syed and Rob Lonie from Microsoft, and Diksha Sandhu from the University of Auckland, for a powerful cross-generational conversation on gender equity in technology.
Together they explore what it really means to move from diversity to true inclusion, the unseen barriers women face from school to senior leadership, and how mentorship, allyship, and curiosity can change the game.
From Noorâs insights on inclusion, to Robâs reflections on allyship and parenting, to Dikshaâs honest university experiences, this episode is a heartfelt look at the pipeline problem â and what it takes to create real change in tech.
đïž Hosted by: Meena Satishkumar
đ§ Featuring: Noor Syed, Rob Lonie, and Diksha Sandhu
đŹ Produced by: Tech Beyond Gender#TechBeyondGender #WomenInTech #DiversityAndInclusion #Allyship #MentorshipMatters #BreakingBarriers #FutureOfTech #GenderEquity #STEMInclusion #RepresentationMatters #Leadership #NewZealandTech #EmpowerHer #InclusiveInnovation -
In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, host Meena Satishkumar sits down with Wendy Stevenson-Vrame, Engineering Manager at Trade Me, whose career journey spans fashion design, recruitment on Wall Street, and leading tech teams in New Zealand and the U.S.
Wendy shares her inspiring story of adaptability and growth, from winning the U.S. green card lottery to navigating the dot-com boom in San Francisco and returning to Aotearoa to lead cloud and database reliability teams. She opens up about:
Lessons from thousands of interviews across industries
How recruitment instincts shaped her people-first leadership style
Creating inclusive spaces where women and underrepresented voices thrive
Breaking myths about tech careers and encouraging more women into the sector
The importance of empathy, community, and paying it forward in leadership
A must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, recruitment, and building inclusive teams in tech.
#TechBeyondGender #WomenInTech #Leadership #Inclusion #CareerGrowth #TechCareers #DiversityInTech #Recruitment #EngineeringLeadership #Podcast
-
In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender, Meena Satishkumar sits down with Ambica Dixit, Principal Partner for Data, AI, and Robotics at VedArc. With a career spanning India, the US, and New Zealand, Ambika shares her inspiring journey from childhood curiosity in STEM to leading data-led transformation and intelligent automation.
She opens up about:
Breaking into IT during the outsourcing boom of the early 2000s
Her transition from teaching computers to strategic tech leadership
Pioneering AI-driven solutions in both legacy and modern systems
Advocating for responsible AI with pillars of security, trust, and inclusivity
The myths around AI âreplacing jobsâ and why she sees it as a creator of opportunities
Whether youâre curious about digital transformation, the future of AI, or the values that sustain global leadership, this conversation will leave you motivated and informed.
#TechBeyondGender #AI #ResponsibleAI #WomenInTech #DigitalTransformation #Leadership #InclusionInTech #Robotics #DataScience #TechPodcast
-
In this milestone 50th episode of Tech Beyond Gender, host Meena Satishkumar sits down with Ankita Dhakar, co-founder of Capture the Bugâa community-powered cybersecurity platform redefining penetration testing for modern digital teams.
Ankita shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Jaipur, India, to moving to New Zealand as an international student, and ultimately becoming an âaccidental founderâ in the cybersecurity spaceâdespite not having a computer science background. She opens up about the challenges of being a migrant woman in tech, the resilience it takes to build networks from scratch, and her belief that âsuccess is best when itâs shared.â
In this conversation, Ankita discusses:
The inspiration behind founding Capture the Bug and disrupting traditional pen testing.
The hurdles and unique strengths of being a migrant woman entrepreneur in New Zealand.
How consistency, patience, and community have shaped her leadership.
Her vision for the future of cybersecurity, including AI-driven autonomous pen testing.
Whether youâre an aspiring entrepreneur, a migrant professional, or simply curious about cybersecurity innovation, Ankitaâs story offers powerful lessons in resilience, purpose, and believing in yourself.
#TechBeyondGender #PodcastEpisode #50thEpisode #CyberSecurity #PenTesting #CaptureTheBug #Innovation #TechForGood #WomenInTech #WomenFounders #DiversityInTech #InclusionMatters #BreakingBarriers#Leadership #Resilience #Consistency #StartupLife #MigrantVoices
- Laat meer zien
