In episode #122, discover the inspiring journey of Ria Cheruvu, a prodigious AI architect at Intel, who challenges the status quo with her groundbreaking work from a young age. Ria's incredible story takes us through her accelerated academic achievements and dedication to security, privacy, and fairness in AI systems. We explore her passion for the convergence of neuroscience and cognitive computing and her advocacy for women in STEM, showcasing how she is shaping the future of technology with her innovative mindset.

Ria shares her inspiring journey as a young AI architect at Intel. She offers insights into her career path, the importance of mentorship, and the evolving landscape of AI. She encourages women in tech to overcome challenges, embrace growth, and leverage community support while exploring opportunities in this transformative field.

Here are some topics covered:

• Ria's journey from a high school prodigy to an AI architect at Intel
• The significance of mentorship and community in overcoming challenges
• Exploring AI's intersection with neuroscience and technology
• Ria's focus on security, privacy, and fairness in AI systems
• Encouragement for young women to pursue careers in STEM
• The necessity of communication, confidence, and rest as key skills
• Recommended resources for learning about AI
• The potential of AI to reshape career opportunities and ethical considerations

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of building a career in AI, where both technical and non-technical skills are essential.   

AI resources for AI enthusiasts:

Ria’s Profile linkedin.com/in/ria-cheruvu-54348a173

Websites

• scholar.harvard.edu/riacheruvu (Portfolio)
• researchgate.net/profile/Ria_Cheruvu (Portfolio)
• riacheruvu.github.io (Portfolio)
• https://riacheruvu.medium.com
• https://m.youtube.com/@riacheruvu555

 Leaders to follow

• Fei-Fei Li
• Yejin Choi
• Sebastian Raschka
• Tom Yeh - AI By Hand - https://aibyhand.substack.com

Ria’s courses 

• https://www.pluralsight.com/authors/ria-cheruvu-53
• https://www.udacity.com/course/discovering-ethical-AI--cd13462
• https://www.udacity.com/course/data-analyst-nanodegree--nd002

Support the show

When you subscribe to the podcast, you are supporting our work's mission, allowing us to continue highlighting successful women in a variety of careers to inspire others helping pay our wonderful editor, Chris, and helping me in paying our hosting expenses. 🎉

On episode #121, join me as I sit down with Alyssa Pollack, a well-known and respected entrepreneur who has navigated the corridors of corporate giants and the fast-paced lanes of tech startups. Alyssa takes us on her journey from her early days at Walgreens to her transformative role in launching Uber Eats and ultimately onto co-founding Fello, a startup tackling the loneliness epidemic with a groundbreaking peer-to-peer model. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience and the impact of pushing one's boundaries in pursuing personal and professional growth.

Throughout my conversation with Alyssa, we discussed her startup life, which was filled with exhilarating challenges and unparalleled rewards. Discover how she helped scale Uber Eats into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise by staying relentlessly customer-focused and resilient in the face of obstacles. Alyssa generously shares her strategies for building self-confidence and asserting value in high-stakes environments, especially for women striving to make their mark. She also shares her approach to leadership and compensation strategies, emphasizing the importance of self-recognition, leveraging personal strengths, and advocating for fair compensation in the entrepreneurial world.

Alyssa offers invaluable insights into the significance of nurturing supportive networks and securing financial backing. Learn her secrets for building robust business foundations and fostering transparent relationships with mentors and investors. We also touch on the importance of energy management and maintaining passion over the long haul. This episode is brimming with actionable advice and inspiration, perfect for anyone looking to carve out their path in business and tech. Don’t miss this captivating exploration of empowerment, entrepreneurship, and the pursuit of meaningful connections.

Support the show

When you subscribe to the podcast, you are supporting our work's mission, allowing us to continue highlighting successful women in a variety of careers to inspire others helping pay our wonderful editor, Chris, and helping me in paying our hosting expenses. 🎉

Episode #120 Female CEOs are growing in numbers but still quite rare, so it was a real honor to have Lisa Spellman, the newly appointed CEO of Cornelis Networks,on the show.

As a well-respected industry tech leader, Lisa shares her inspiring journey from her tenure at Intel, driving innovative technology, where she championed AI workloads and tirelessly advocated for women in tech. Now leading Cornelis Networks, she champions the appeal and value of network performance optimization as a critical next frontier in computing. With a diverse career spanning finance, marketing, and technical sales, Lisa’s unique perspective is a masterclass in leadership and growth.

Listen to Lisa candidly discuss the multifaceted challenges of leading in the tech industry. She cites team culture, trust, and collaboration as cornerstones for creating a positive work environment. She also reflects on her nonlinear career path and emphasizes the importance of thoughtful communication and the balance between being respected and liked. Gain insights into how she navigates high-pressure decision-making, takes calculated risks, and leverages a strong network of peers for support.

During the interview, we also touched on the influential role of mentorship and advocacy for women in tech. Lisa sheds light on the pervasive issue of unconscious bias and offers practical strategies for women aiming for equitable wages. She passionately discusses forming inclusive teams and the necessity of bold, self-reflective career choices.

As Lisa shares her thoughts on balancing work and personal life in high-stakes roles, she encourages embracing bold decisions and ensuring one's career aligns with personal aspirations. Anyone passionate about leadership and technology should tune in and gain valuable insights and inspiration.

Resources:
Lisa Spelman on LinkedIn
CEO Cornelis Networks

Support the show

When you subscribe to the podcast, you are supporting our work's mission, allowing us to continue highlighting successful women in a variety of careers to inspire others helping pay our wonderful editor, Chris, and helping me in paying our hosting expenses. 🎉

Ever wonder what it would be like to be a Tech Influencer? Tune in to be inspired by the incredible journey of Danielle Hern, better known as @TechieDani, who sheds light on her transition from her corporate 9-5 role at Intel to becoming a full-time content creator who has flexibility and full creative license in her life now.  As a tech influencer with over half a million followers, Dani reveals the catalyst for discovering her passion for smart home technology content. Her story shows how passion, authenticity and the knack for making complex tech accessible can turn a simple creative outlet into a flourishing career.

Join us as we get an insider's view of the often-unseen world of content creation. Dani shares the nitty-gritty of producing tech content, from product testing to the art of scripting engaging videos. Balancing her role as a part-time stay-at-home parent, she discusses the challenges of growing a personal brand and the potential for expanding her team. Despite the hurdles, Dani expresses gratitude for the flexibility and unique opportunities the creator life offers, especially when it comes to family time.

Explore the ever-evolving landscape of influencer marketing, especially within the tech industry. Dani dives into her experiences with major tech brands, emphasizing the importance of maintaining audience trust while navigating brand collaborations. The conversation also touches on the emotional aspects of content creation and setting boundaries to ensure mental well-being. Dani's insights into leveraging personal uniqueness and the supportive nature of the content creator community offer invaluable takeaways for aspiring creators.

Resources: 

·       Dani on TikTok

·       Dani on Instagram

·       Dani on YouTube

·       Dani on X

·       Dani on Facebook

·       Shop Dani’s Recommended Products

Support the show

When you subscribe to the podcast, you are supporting our work's mission, allowing us to continue highlighting successful women in a variety of careers to inspire others helping pay our wonderful editor, Chris, and helping me in paying our hosting expenses. 🎉

What if self-doubt could be your greatest ally in pursuing a life of meaningful impact? That's a hint of insight you'll gain from my conversation with Penny Locaso, a groundbreaking behavioral scientist and impact expert. On episode #118 of the 2B Bolder Podcast, Penny shares her inspiring journey from a successful career in the oil and gas industry to founding HackingHappyco, which is a testament to the power of bold decisions and authenticity. She shares how leaving a long-term relationship and corporate job led her to redefine success through personal fulfillment and impact, all while single-handedly raising her son.

Penny opens up about the pesky persistence of self-doubt and how it often masquerades as fear in moments that don't actually pose any threat. Drawing from her experiences, like delivering a TED Talk and securing a book deal, Penny illustrates the importance of taking bold steps and forging relationships outside one's comfort zone. The shift from a corporate giant like Shell to entrepreneurship required her to unlearn certain habits and embrace adaptability, shedding light on how corporate skills can hinder and propel a successful business journey and emphasizing the importance of self-awareness.

Penny provides invaluable strategies for building a personal brand with resilience and micro bravery. We explore the realities of entrepreneurship as a numbers game, where facing rejection is par for the course, but persistence and alignment with one's goals lead to true impact. Penny's candid reflection on setbacks is a powerful reminder that perseverance is the cornerstone of meaningful change. Join us to uncover how embracing risk and resilience can lead to greater impact and personal fulfillment.

Alongside her entrepreneurial endeavors, Penny is the published author of Hacking Happiness, a contributor to the Harvard Business Review, a passionate yoga teacher, a faculty member at the esteemed Singularity University, and a student completing her Graduate Diploma in Psychology.

Tune in to be inspired and gain valuable insights from one woman to another.

Support the show

When you subscribe to the podcast, you are supporting our work's mission, allowing us to continue highlighting successful women in a variety of careers to inspire others helping pay our wonderful editor, Chris, and helping me in paying our hosting expenses. 🎉

What happens when you blend years of corporate experience with an unyielding commitment to personal growth? Karla Blanco joins us on episode #117 of the 2B Bolder podcast to share her journey from an aspiring attorney to a leader in diversity and inclusion at Intel. Her story is filled with unexpected turns and valuable lessons, and Karla’s insights into embracing change and resilience are invaluable for anyone looking to advance in their career. Family influences and personal challenges shaped her path, and she speaks candidly about navigating the phasing out of Intel's factory operations in Costa Rica (2014), highlighting the resilience it took to overcome such hurdles.

Karla’s global career has spanned continents and inspired many, leading her to write a bestselling book and develop a workshop on career advancement. Her passion for self-awareness and strategic planning shines through as she shares how she built a board of advisors to guide her journey. Karla’s anecdotes, from learning to embrace feedback to growing as a TED Talk speaker, underline the power of cultural adaptability. She reminds us that public speaking is a skill that even introverts can master and that having a supportive network can open doors to unexpected opportunities.

In our discussion, we also explore being the CEO of your life and career. Karla and I discuss the significance of defining your purpose and aligning it with your brand. Through personal stories, including a practical exercise on assessing one’s brand, we emphasize the role of resilience and the importance of values such as commitment and transparency. Karla’s insights into diversity, equity, and inclusion underscore its necessity for innovation in today’s business world. This episode will inspire you to take charge of your life and career path.

Support the show

When you subscribe to the podcast, you are supporting our work's mission, allowing us to continue highlighting successful women in a variety of careers to inspire others helping pay our wonderful editor, Chris, and helping me in paying our hosting expenses. 🎉

In this episode of the 2B Bolder Podcast, I sit down with Kathryn Kaminsky, a 31-year veteran of PwC and the current Chief Commercial Officer. Kathryn’s passion for serving clients has driven her impressive career, which spans business transformation, complex accounting, regulatory matters, and tech-led innovation. As a trusted advisor, she has led engagement teams to help clients navigate financial reporting and transformation challenges.

Throughout the episode, Kathryn shares insights from her leadership journey, including her role in PwC’s Trust Solutions division, where she integrated Audit, ESG, Digital Assurance, and Tax Reporting to help clients build stakeholder trust. She discusses pivotal moments that shaped her career and offers invaluable advice for women seeking leadership roles in male-dominated industries.

We dive into the pivotal moments that influenced her decision to pursue a career in accounting and how she navigated her way to becoming Chief Commercial Officer. Kathryn also provides insights on what it means to be a woman in leadership in male-dominated industries and shares advice for women looking to follow in her footsteps.

Here are some of the key questions we explore in the episode:

• "Was there a defining moment or decision early in your career that shaped the path you took to reach your current role as Chief Commercial Officer?"
• "For women looking to build a career similar to yours, especially in leadership positions, what advice would you give them?"
• "How have you balanced the demands of a high-level career with family life as a wife and mother of three? Any advice for women struggling with this balance?"
• "What challenges have you faced as a leader in male-dominated industries, and what strategies can you offer to women trying to navigate similar spaces?"
• "What are the most demanded role opportunities for women and the skills needed?"

Kathryn also reflects on how she has embraced networking, the importance of building a support system, and how being “bolder” has influenced her career. She offers actionable advice on staying on top of technological trends and why innovation is key for business success.

Tune in to hear Kathryn’s invaluable advice for women aiming for leadership success, her perspective on navigating the complexities of business transformation, and what it means to lead boldly in today’s business world.

Listen now to be inspired by Kathryn Kaminsky’s incredible journey and insightful career advice!

Support the show

When you subscribe to the podcast, you are supporting our work's mission, allowing us to continue highlighting successful women in a variety of careers to inspire others helping pay our wonderful editor, Chris, and helping me in paying our hosting expenses. 🎉

In episode #115 of the 2B Bolder podcast, we featured Krista Palmer, a well-respected Technical Program Manager at Google Play. Krista has an impressive career journey, from front-end development to product management to now leading impactful initiatives at one of the largest tech companies in the world. With a degree in Computer Science and a passion for design and technology, she has mastered the art of blending creativity with technical execution to create seamless digital experiences.

As the founder of CX with Kris, Krista is committed to empowering professionals, especially women, to break into technical program management roles. Her dedication to mentoring others and helping professionals in career transitions has made her a go-to expert in the industry. Krista opens up about her career evolution, from coding to leading high-level technical programs, and the pivotal moments that shaped her professional path.

Krista also shares invaluable insights into her day-to-day role at Google Play, highlighting the importance of collaboration, problem-solving, and vision in tech. For those curious about the intersection of design and technology, Krista provides a fresh perspective on how the two worlds combine to enhance our digital lives.

Krista reflects on her journey, discussing how she tackles challenges like self-doubt and her strategies for staying resilient. She offers practical advice on personal branding, goal setting, and the importance of mentorship—especially in a male-dominated industry like tech.

Whether you're a seasoned professional looking for career inspiration or considering a shift into technical program management, Krista’s story is a must-listen. Tune in for an inspiring episode filled with actionable insights, and discover how Krista is shaping the future of tech—one program at a time.

Resources:
Your Guide to a Technical Program Management Career
Krista Palmer on LinkedIn
CX With Kris 

Support the show

When you subscribe to the podcast, you are supporting our work's mission, allowing us to continue highlighting successful women in a variety of careers to inspire others helping pay our wonderful editor, Chris, and helping me in paying our hosting expenses. 🎉

In episode #114 of the 2B Bolder Podcast, we've got a great guest!! We're diving deep into a career in tech and self-advocacy with Shailvi Wakhlu, a fantastic woman thriving in this space.

Shailvi is a seasoned Data Leader with over 17 years of experience building impactful teams and shaping technology products at companies like Salesforce and Fitbit and as the Head of Data at Strava. But that’s just the beginning—she’s also a leading self-advocacy expert, having spoken at nearly 100 global conferences and coached 500+ individuals on how to unlock their true potential.

In this episode, we discuss Shailvi's incredible journey through tech, her best-selling book Self-Advocacy, and how mastering this skill can elevate your career. Shailvi shares game-changing insights on leadership, data storytelling, and navigating the challenges of the ever-evolving tech world.

Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to advance to the next level, this episode is packed with advice you can apply today. Plus, we dive into how Shailvi balances her career with her personal life, living in San Francisco with her husband—and her 60 plants!

🌟 Key Takeaways:

• Master the art of self-advocacy in the workplace.
• Learn how to build and lead impactful teams.
• Discover how data storytelling can influence business success.
• Gain insights on negotiation strategies and create a customized career plan.
• And so much more!

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation for any woman who wants to go from surviving to thriving in tech and beyond.

Support the show

When you subscribe to the podcast, you are supporting our work's mission, allowing us to continue highlighting successful women in a variety of careers to inspire others helping pay our wonderful editor, Chris, and helping me in paying our hosting expenses. 🎉

Episode #113 of the 2B Bolder podcast featured Diana Khan, an attorney, real estate broker, and entrepreneur who has built a successful career through determination and hard work. Diana is the founder and CEO of DK Law Group, where she focuses on estate planning and real estate law. With over 15 years of experience, she also manages seven companies across different industries. Her approach to balancing these roles while providing exceptional service to her clients is something that anyone in business can learn from.

Diana’s career is rooted in a strong foundation of education and experience. She holds a J.D., MBA, and M.P.A. from the University of Baltimore, and has been named one of the ABA’s "On the Rise Top 40 Lawyers." Her dedication to helping others through legal services and real estate has earned her a reputation for excellence and trustworthiness.

What You’ll Learn from This Episode

In this episode, Diana shares her personal journey, providing an inside look at how she manages her businesses, stays organized, and continues to grow professionally. This isn’t just a conversation about law and real estate—it’s a candid discussion about the daily challenges, decisions, and strategies that have helped Diana succeed in multiple ventures.

Here’s what you can expect to take away from the episode:

• Balancing Multiple Businesses: Diana discusses how she organizes her time and resources to successfully manage seven different companies. From strategic planning to delegation, she shares practical advice for anyone juggling multiple responsibilities.
• Career Challenges and Resilience: Throughout her career, Diana has encountered obstacles that tested her resilience. She talks about these challenges openly, offering insights into how she stayed focused and found solutions even in difficult times.
• Personal Branding and Reputation: In her field, personal reputation is key. Diana explains how she has built her brand over the years, from client relationships to community involvement, and why maintaining a strong personal brand is crucial to long-term success.

Why You Should Listen

If you’re a professional managing a busy career, interested in entrepreneurship, or simply looking for inspiration from someone who’s mastered the art of balancing multiple roles, this episode is for you. Diana’s story provides a thoughtful perspective on what it takes to grow a business, stay organized, and navigate the ups and downs of a demanding career.

Unlike many conversations that focus solely on success, Diana also delves into the less glamorous aspects of her journey—the long hours, tough decisions, and moments of doubt. These insights will resonate with anyone who’s faced similar challenges in their own career path.

At its core, this episode is about resilience and finding ways to continue growing, even when the road is tough. Diana’s experiences serve as a reminder that success isn’t just about achieving goals—it’s about learning, adapting, and finding balance along the way.

Listen Now

For more resources, visit Diana’s LinkedIn profile here or her company’s website, DK Law Group.

Support the show

When you subscribe to the podcast, you are supporting our work's mission, allowing us to continue highlighting successful women in a variety of careers to inspire others helping pay our wonderful editor, Chris, and helping me in paying our hosting expenses. 🎉