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

In this episode of Aarna’s News, host Aarna Sahu sits down with Dr. Salima Bhimani, a global leader in Responsible AI, inclusive technology, and moonshot innovation. As Alphabet’s (Google) first Chief Strategist and Director for Responsible and Inclusive Technology, Salima played a pivotal role in shaping billion-dollar ventures like Waymo, Wing, and X through ethical and inclusive design. With over 25 years of leadership across tech, government, nonprofits, and academia, she shares her insights on building future-ready businesses, leading with purpose, and closing the gender gap in STEM fields. Now the CEO/Founder, 10X Responsible Tech, Dr. Bhimani dives deep into how we can build ethical AI, elevate diverse voices in tech, and drive real change in emerging industries. A must-listen for anyone passionate about AI ethics, tech for good, and empowering women in STEM.

In this episode of Aarna’s News, I sit down with Gina Wilson — executive coach, healthcare strategist, and author of Silicon Valley East — to explore the power of empathy, soft skills, and mindset in STEM. From her early days in software development to her current role coaching high-level leaders, Gina shares what it means to lead with authenticity and human connection. We discuss how behavior science can shape career growth, why redefining success is essential, and the real-life inspiration behind her novel addressing imposter syndrome and workplace culture. This conversation is for anyone looking to build a meaningful, people-centered path in tech and beyond.

Check out her book out now! https://www.ginamwilson.com/

In this episode of Aarna’s News, we sit down with Wing Commander Jaya Tare, a first-generation Indian military aviator, decorated veteran, and aerospace pioneer leading the world’s first all-female space mission, Mission ShakthiSAT, set to launch in 2026. With 3,500+ flying hours, expertise as an Aircraft Accident Investigator, and a historic role as the first female Flight Liaison Officer to the Prime Minister of India, Jaya has made groundbreaking contributions to aviation, space exploration, and STEM education. Now, as CEO of Newrizon Space, she’s shaping the future of aerospace technology and innovation. Tune in to hear her inspiring journey, insights on women in STEM, and the impact of her work on the future of space exploration.

#WomenInSTEM #SpaceExploration #MissionShakthiSAT #Aerospace #Aviation #Leadership #BreakingBarriers #FutureOfSpace

In this episode of Aarna’s News, host Aarna Sahu sits down with Nicole Leffer, a seasoned marketing leader and generative AI expert, to explore how AI is transforming marketing strategies, workflows, and business outcomes. With 3.5+ years of hands-on AI experience, Nicole has helped marketing and revenue teams integrate tools like ChatGPT and generative AI to boost efficiency, enhance creativity, and drive better results. She shares actionable AI strategies, must-have AI skills for marketers, and insights into the future of AI in digital marketing, B2B SaaS, and beyond. Whether you're a marketing professional, tech enthusiast, or business leader, this episode is packed with valuable insights on how to leverage AI for smarter, faster, and more effective marketing strategies. Listen now!

Curious about how AI is transforming cybersecurity, policymaking, and global security? In this must-listen episode of Aarna’s News, I sit down with Tiffany Saade, a Stanford master’s candidate and AI & Cybersecurity Policy Fellow, to uncover the hidden risks of AI in cyberattacks, election misinformation, and international conflict resolution. Tiffany has briefed NATO leaders, the U.S. Secretary of the Air Force, and top policymakers, making her insights invaluable for anyone in tech, security, or AI policy. Learn how AI-driven threats are evolving, why interdisciplinary knowledge is the key to innovation, and what YOU can do to stay ahead. Don’t miss out—listen now to stay informed on AI’s impact on cybersecurity and the future of tech!

#Podcast #AI #Cybersecurity #TechPolicy #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfTech #WomenInSTEM #Innovation #CyberThreats #AarnaSahu #AarnasNews

In Episode #105 of Aarna’s News, I sit down with Pubali Sen, a Generative AI & ML Specialist at Google, to explore how enterprises are adopting AI, ML, and cloud computing at scale. With 14+ years of experience in AI-driven solutions across GCP, AWS, and EC2, Pubali shares insights on building cost-effective, high-performance cloud strategies, collaborating with tech executives, and investing in early-stage startups like Sable, Butlr, and Buildstream. She also offers invaluable career advice for women in STEM, making this episode a must-listen for aspiring AI professionals and tech innovators alike! Tune in now to hear her expertise on the future of AI, cloud engineering, and breaking barriers in tech!

In this episode of Aarna’s News, host Aarna Sahu sits down with Natalie Pan, an engineer manager turned executive coach and founder of Not Too Crazy, a coaching business dedicated to supporting startup founders. Natalie is passionate about empowering women in STEM, self-acceptance, and taking action. She shares insights on leadership, navigating the tech industry, and the challenges of fundraising for early-stage startups through her accelerator, The Funding Breakthrough Lab. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, STEM professional, or woman looking to break barriers, this episode is packed with actionable advice on growth, confidence, and success. Tune in now!

#WomenInSTEM #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Fundraising #Startups #Podcast #CareerGrowth

In this episode of Aarna’s News, host Aarna Sahu sits down with Mrinal Karvir, Senior Cloud Software Engineering Manager at Intel Corporation, to discuss her groundbreaking work in AI innovation, ethical AI practices, and women’s leadership in STEM. With awards from CES and The Edge AI and Vision Alliance, Mrinal leads cutting-edge AI solutions and champions responsible AI development. As an IEEE Distinguished Speaker and Vice Chair of IEEE Santa Clara Valley Women in Engineering, she actively mentors aspiring engineers and advocates for diversity in tech. Tune in to hear about her journey, insights into AI’s future, the importance of ethical AI, and how women can thrive in STEM careers. Don’t miss this empowering conversation!

#AI #EthicalAI #WomenInSTEM #TechLeadership #Intel #IEEE #Podcast

In this episode of Aarna's News, I’m excited to welcome Reshmi Krishna, a trailblazer in the tech industry and leader of Enterprise Solutions Architecture at GitLab, where she drives innovation on their AI-powered DevSecOps platform. With over 20 years of experience in engineering, AI, cloud-native technologies, digital transformation, and DevSecOps, Reshmi shares her journey of tackling complex challenges with empathy and using technology to solve real-world problems. As a passionate advocate for women in technology, Reshmi inspires others through public speaking, coaching, and writing, empowering more women to pursue careers in STEM fields like solutions architecture. Whether you're interested in AI, software development, DevSecOps, or how to build a more inclusive tech industry, this episode offers valuable insights for anyone passionate about STEM careers and the future of innovation. Tune in now for an inspiring conversation filled with expert advice and actionable takeaways!

In Episode 101 of Aarna's News, host Aarna Sahu welcomes the remarkable Dr. Keli Christopher, Founder and CEO of STEM Greenhouse, to discuss her groundbreaking work in STEM education for students of color. As the third Black woman globally to earn a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering, Dr. Christopher shares her inspiring journey, from overcoming barriers to advocating for systemic change in education and philanthropy. Learn how her efforts are creating equitable opportunities, nurturing young minds, and transforming communities.