✨Journeys of Empowerment✨ – 🥳 Episode 20🥳

Celebrating Milestones and Making an Impact! 

This episode is extra special not only because it marks our 20th episode, but also because of the inspiring conversation I had with Dirkjan Hupkes, a seasoned financial services professional turned entrepreneur and founder of True Story Company. Dirkjan’s journey from corporate life to launching a podcast Women Disrupting Tech focused on promoting women in tech is a testament to the power of resilience, transformation, and the drive to make diversity, equity, and inclusion a non-issue by 2032.

About the 20th episode milestone: it's a big one, as +99% of podcasters stop before episode 20, so this accomplishment needed to be celebrated (thanks to Sacha Martina 💁🏽‍♀️for that insight!). Promise kept: Dirkjan and I created a memorable experience together, which I discovered through a call with his love, Shangita Bose, who told me how much Dirkjan loves helping and cooking. So, we made it happen in the kitchen of my friend Yasmina Khababi of Freshtable.  

What we explored:

• The shift from finance to entrepreneurship: Dirkjan’s journey from a stable corporate job to building his own business and podcast to support women in tech;
• Women in tech and funding challenges: the significant gender gap in startup funding and Dirkjan’s efforts to raise awareness and provide role models;
• The power of curiosity: how Dirkjan’s curiosity has driven both his podcasting journey and personal growth;
• Overcoming bullying and exclusion: the impact of Dirkjan’s personal experiences with bullying and how they fueled his commitment to diversity and inclusion;
• Building supportive communities: Dirkjan’s vision of creating both online and offline spaces where women can meet role models and be inspired.

Nuggets of empowerment:

• Empowerment through curiosity: Dirkjan’s belief that curiosity, kindness, and respect are powerful tools for creating change;
• Resilience and transformation: how Dirkjan turned personal challenges, including bullying, into motivation for creating positive impact;
• Challenging systemic biases: the importance of representation and breaking traditional gender roles to build more inclusive and innovative workplaces.

Connect with Dirkjan:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirkjan-hupkes/ 

• Website: https://womendisruptingtech.blog 

Struggling to create lasting behavior change? Discover how Positive Reinforcement can help you inspire and motivate with real impact!

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Stand with those still fighting within Join Robin’s 2,000 KM march for healing:

• Learn more and donate: https://www.nl4ua.org  

What’s one change you’ve made in your professional journey to support diversity and inclusion? 

Share your thoughts by leaving a comment or review and let’s continue the conversation on creating more inclusive spaces in tech and beyond