Humanizing Tech

Rose Kaz joins the podcast to share how we can bring together creativity and tech.

A visionary leader, expert connector and advocate for Women’s Rights, Rose is passionate about creating a more equitable future for ALL by emulating that world within the brands she builds.

We discuss how we can all adopt more creativity into our lives, create the environments we need for creative flow, and her love for podcasting (and Portland!).

Check out her podcast “Money, Sex, and Politics”, as well as her digital ecosystem LBI Digital.

On this episode of Humanizing Tech, we demystify career transitions to the Tech Industry.

In addition to being an Alchemy Code Lab grad and Software Engineer, Noah Puckett (they/them) leads the Accessibility Employee Resource Group (ERG) at New Relic.

We explore how neurodivergent perspectives can question and challenge the insularity of traditional workplaces. From making sense of nonsensical job descriptions and navigating corporate vagueness as a new hire, to applying the lens of mental health with intersectional solidarity - there’s no question that accessibility in the tech industry elevates a collective employee experience.

Tune in for some accessible tips if you’re anticipating new work environments, if you’re coping with the ongoing uncertainties that come with working in tech, and for avoiding burnout if you’re currently involved in organizational DEI work. 

This episode of Humanizing Tech welcomes our new Executive Director Hazel Valdez! Listen to meet Hazel and learn about her fascinating (and delicious) background, how she’s working to unify the PDXWIT team (staff and volunteers), and the exciting plans to scale the mission of PDXWIT with full transparency.

PDXWIT is always looking for volunteers! If you’re passionate about building an inclusive and equitable Portland Tech Industry, we’d love to meet you.

Learn more about how to get involved here from sponsorship opportunities, how to donate, and volunteer opportunities here: Get Involved — PDXWIT.

Anyone can download the PDXWIT 2022 Impact Report to learn about all of our accomplishments here: PDXWIT

On this episode, we were joined by Zhou Fang, Founder and EDI practitioner at Intersectional Group LLC.

Zhou Fang’s work focuses on intersectionality and interconnection, on curiosity and empathy, helping organizations and teams grow in a meaningful way. A Director of Communications with 10+ years of experience in partnership, account management, business development, people operations, and event planning with a track record of independent execution and building lasting partnerships.

Zhou is passionate about women's rights, pay equality, immigration reform, as well as applying her experience and expertise to cultural and social change. Tune in to hear Zhou and Anusha discuss important topics like pay transparency, navigating capitalism, building a diverse community, and having confidence to advocate for yourself! You matter!

On this episode of Humanizing Tech, we’re joined by Bess Campbell, Solutions Engineer at Actable. 

After many years in the service industry, Bess decided she was ready to pivot careers and went back to school to become a computer programmer. To her advantage, the service industry taught her all about working with people under pressure - how to be a team player, a keen attention to detail, and the ability to create elegant, efficient systems. 

In her Solutions Engineer role, she helps her clients route and transform data, engage with different marketing technologies, and contribute to projects utilizing Airflow, GCP, and Python.

PDXWIT events and programming and most importantly, the #InvestingInYou Scholarship were the springboard to her success. Listen for practical ways to pivot your career with PDXWIT.

Learn more about PDXWIT here, Professional Networking - Women In Technology | PDXWIT — PDXWIT. 

We're kicking off a new series for the podcast where we spotlight stories from the PDXWIT Community.

On this episode, we're joined by Cristabel Nichols and Estephany Mitchell – our first sister pair of podcast guests and powerhouse PDXWIT Community Members. 

Cristabel currently heads up Web Operations Program Management at Provider Solutions & Development and Estephany supports our Operations here at PDXWIT. Together, they share the powerful impact PDXWIT had on their lives and careers: from free coding education, life changing mentorship, and access to leadership. 

Learn about the power of PDXWIT’s events, resources, programming that bridge community and collective success.

PDXWIT volunteer, mentor, and member of the speakers bureau, Deana Solis, is the inaugural FinOps Leader at Smarsh. 

As the youngest of five, Deana became known as the most fearful of her family and had to learn how to conquer her fears at a very young age. 

Throughout her career, she became fueled by her fears and found them to be a source of inspiration for her professional development, learning new skills, and heightened emotional intelligence. She believes we must acknowledge our fears and to know we have agency in our own outcome.

Tune in to hear how her fears helped Deana choose meaningful goals in life and how they’ve impacted her journey as both a mother and mentor.

Amanda Lopez, “Keener” and Senior Talent Acquisition Partner in the Outdoor Apparel Industry, joins us on the podcast. 

A true Oregon Native, Amanda tells the story of her family opening the first Mexican Restaurant in Hood River as first generation immigrants and the community they built in Hood River. 

A community builder herself, Amanda has been involved with PDXWIT since 2015. She launched Women of Color in Tech, serves on the board, and helps with PDXWIT’s Scholarship Program. Additionally, she plans to get involved with Latinos Outdoors and Partners in Diversity’s Community Resource Groups. 

Tune in to hear about Amanda’s inspiring journey, how she’s approached her own community building work, and her involvement in the movement for creating a more inclusive and accessible Outdoor Industry.

Isabel Rodriguez (they/them) identifies as Black, Queer, Puerto Rican, and Non-Binary. As a feminist, scientist, researcher, and analyst, Isabel is passionate about data and storytelling with a critical lens; these lived experiences inform their work as the Data and Communications Manager for PDXWIT. 

They join us on the podcast to introduce PDXWIT’s 2022 State of the Community survey and encourage listeners to take it and share it with your organizations. 

Tune in to learn about this year’s goals for the survey, how taking the survey can impact real change, and PDXWIT’s set of principles to inform which questions are used. The survey asks relevant, non-intrusive questions that protect the security and anonymity of the community, always applies a lens of anti-oppression, and prioritizes efficiency to ensure both the community and stakeholders are ready to take action. 

Visit https://PDXWIT.com and get your responses in by mid July.

On this episode of Humanizing Tech, Padmashree Koneti (she/her) joins us to discuss her experience with identity assimilation as a first-generation immigrant. As the VP of Product Management of Tableau and vocal advocate of DEI, Padmashree brings a wealth of skills and knowledge to the tech industry. 

She defines the model minority myth in her own words, how it shapes the obstacles she overcame, and her hopefulness for future generations entering their careers today. Tune in for some career path inspiration like tips for tackling imposter syndrome, how to turn it into a strength, and why asking “why?” got her where she is today.