In this episode, host Candace Gillhoolley sits down with Jennifer Pretki—a quantum physicist, AI influencer, speaker, and policymaker with one foot in academia and the other in entrepreneurial tech leadership.

Jennifer Pretki opens up about her early fascination with astronomy, her journey from France to collaborative research at Stanford, and the shift from particle physics to becoming a pioneering data scientist. Together, they explore the cultural contrasts between France and the U.S. for women in quantum, the subtle barriers to inclusion, and how confidence and resilience evolve with career challenges.

From the practical steps students can take to break into the quantum field, to the intersection of AI and quantum computing, Jennifer Pretki shares hard-earned advice for outsiders and aspiring leaders. She also gets candid about motherhood, breaking stereotypes, and why mentorship and visibility at mainstream events are essential for lasting change.

If you’re passionate about quantum, inspired by stories of tenacity, or curious how the next wave of technology will unfold, this conversation is your front-row seat to the real stories shaping the future of science and tech.

Links

1. Jennifer's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-prendki/

Time Stamps

00:00 Dreaming of the Cosmos

05:59 "Women in Science: Cultural Perspectives"

09:48 Unexpected Challenges in Academia & Industry

14:08 Breaking Gender Bias Through Action

17:28 "Quantum Careers Beyond Physics"

19:36 From Academia to Industry Transition

25:09 "Challenges and Potential in Quantum Data"

27:19 Quantum Computing's Origins and Future

32:36 "Balancing Short-Term and Long-Term Work"

36:56 "Overcoming Barriers and Learning Tech"

39:46 "Empowering Women Through Inclusion"

42:05 "Challenging Gender and Salary Bias"

45:27 "Empowering Women Through Conversation"