Aarna's News | Inspiring and Uplifting Stories of Women In STEM

In this episode of Aarna’s News, host Aarna Sahu sits down with Julia Ochinero, a full-stack marketing leader and founder of JMO Consulting, to explore how startups can go from zero to traction with the right go-to-market strategy. With experience spanning 6 startups (including multiple exits), leadership at a Series D unicorn, and senior roles at Accenture, top PR agencies, and a Fortune 50 $2B business unit, Julia shares practical insights on AI marketing, brand strategy, product launches, and startup growth. Listeners will learn how battle-tested marketing can fuel innovation across industries like tech, AI, telco, and manufacturing, while also hearing Julia’s perspective on the importance of creativity, collaboration, and resilience in building successful companies.

On this episode of Aarna’s News, host Aarna Sahu speaks with Natasha Henry, an entrepreneurial leader and AI innovator driving real-world impact in women’s health and healthcare technology. Natasha shares her journey from academic experiences at NYU and executive education at Oxford to founding MyoCurrent, where she develops AI-powered solutions to close care gaps for women. Listeners will gain insights into artificial intelligence, user-centered design, health tech innovation, and strategies for women in STEM to thrive in technical and leadership roles. This episode is perfect for anyone interested in AI in healthcare, female tech leadership, diverse career pathways in STEM, and empowering girls to pursue technology and innovation careers.

In this episode of Aarna’s News, host Aarna Sahu sits down with Oksana Kovalchuk, founder of a leading UI/UX design agency and Techstars mentor with over 18 years of experience helping startups succeed. Oksana, who wrote her first line of code at just five years old, shares her journey from launching the largest app ever built on the Parse platform to guiding over 200 startups with her rare blend of technical expertise and design strategy. We discuss the importance of intentional product design, startup scalability, women in STEM, and navigating male-dominated industries, while uncovering actionable insights for entrepreneurs, designers, and young innovators looking to make an impact.

In this episode of Aarna’s News, host Aarna Sahu sits down with Margot Gerritsen, a renowned computational scientist, engineer, and co-founder of Women in Data Science (WiDS) Worldwide, to explore the power of curiosity, lifelong learning, and embracing multiple passions instead of limiting yourself to one subject. Margot shares her inspiring journey from earning a PhD in Computational Mathematics at Stanford to leading Stanford’s Institute for Computational & Mathematical Engineering, with research spanning energy sustainability, ocean modeling, data science, and even building a remote-controlled pterosaur for National Geographic. Together, Aarna and Margot discuss overcoming imposter syndrome, building connections in STEM, and why multipassionate learners bring innovation and resilience to science, technology, and beyond.

In this episode of Aarna’s News, host Aarna Sahu sits down with Manail Anis Ahmed, a global leader in emerging technologies, AI governance, and biotechnology entrepreneurship, to explore how technology convergence is transforming business, society, and education. With over 20 years of experience building educational institutions and shaping human capital development strategies across the Middle East and South Asia, Manail now advises governments on digital public infrastructure and teaches at Johns Hopkins University. She shares insights from leading the global research group at the Center for AI & Digital Policy, contributing to the World Economic Forum’s AI Governance Alliance, and advocating for the economic participation of women and girls as a Public Voices Fellow for Equality Now. From AI policy to biotech innovation, and from inclusive leadership to preparing the next generation for the future of work, this conversation offers actionable takeaways for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, education, and equity.

In this episode of Aarna’s News, host Aarna Sahu sits down with Dr. Annie Kritcher, one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2023 and a global leader in nuclear engineering and fusion energy. Annie led the world’s first successful fusion ignition and target gain experiment, a historic breakthrough in the race for clean, sustainable energy. She shares her journey from earning her Ph.D. at UC Berkeley to making headlines for her work at the National Ignition Facility, along with the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated STEM field. If you're passionate about women in STEM, scientific innovation, or the future of fusion power, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode of Aarna’s News, host Aarna Sahu sits down with Alexandra Reid, a creative wellness coach and former medical device QA/RA specialist, to explore how women in STEM can prevent burnout and thrive by embracing both scientific rigor and creative expression. With nearly a decade of experience in the medical device industry—from early-stage research to FDA submissions—Alexandra now empowers high-achieving women through mindfulness-based art, reflective drawing, and stress management tools. Tune in to hear her journey from regulatory strategy to wellness coaching, and discover how integrating creativity into STEM careers can lead to more clarity, confidence, and long-term success. Perfect for anyone interested in women in STEM, burnout recovery, creative wellness, or navigating a non-linear career path.

In this episode of Aarna’s News, host Aarna Sahu interviews Eleni Sommerschield, CEO of OnTrack Agent—the leading web-based coaching and e-learning platform for real estate professionals. Eleni shares her journey from proptech executive to CEO, discussing how OnTrack Agent is transforming real estate education by connecting agents with top trainers to tackle industry challenges like low inventory markets, compliance regulations, and professional development. Discover how Eleni’s leadership is shaping the “MasterClass for Real Estate Coaching,” why digital rights management matters for content creators, and how women can build confidence and step into leadership roles in tech and business. Perfect for listeners interested in proptech, edtech, women in STEM, entrepreneurship, and leadership development.

In this episode of Aarna’s News, host Aarna Sahu sits down with Karen Smiley — AI ethicist, data strategist, and innovator with 14 U.S. patents — to explore the powerful intersection of inclusion, interdisciplinary learning, and ethical tech. With decades of experience leading diverse teams across startups and large corporations, Karen shares her insights on how embracing different perspectives fuels innovation, why ethical AI is more important than ever, and what she’s learned through her dynamic career journey. Tune in for a thoughtful, inspiring conversation about building a better, more responsible future in STEM.

In this episode of Aarna’s News, host Aarna Sahu sits down with Janice Levenhagen, a former computer engineer turned social impact leader, to explore the realities of being a woman in tech—and what it takes to change the system. Janice shares how her challenging experiences in the tech industry led her to found ChickTech, a global nonprofit dedicated to empowering girls and women in technology, and how she now continues that mission through Wevise, a mentorship-focused nonprofit. Together, they discuss the gender gap in STEM, the importance of representation and support networks, and how to overcome self-doubt to build a more inclusive future in tech.