In this uplifting episode of On The Mic WIT Shaz, I sit down with Loredana Perri, Program Delivery Manager at Medibank, who has carved an incredible path from being the only female tech graduate in her year to leading delivery and transformation across major tech projects.

We talk about:

• Owning your story: How being the only woman in her university year became Loredana’s motivation to prove that women belong in tech.
• Men & Other allies: Why we need to stop assuming men (& other allies) aren’t supportive — many are genuine allies who want to see women succeed.
• Changing the language: How the way we talk about gender equality in tech can shift the energy — from combative to collaborative.
• Healthy conversations: Educating respectfully about unconscious bias and helping others grow awareness without blame.
• Listening to your body: The physical and emotional signs that an environment may no longer serve you — and having the courage to make the change.
• Modern Mindfulness: Choosing to want better for yourself. Recognising that small wins matter as much as the big ones.
• The Upside of leadership: The real-life joy, growth, and freedom that come from backing yourself and saying yes before you feel “ready.”

🎧 This conversation is a fresh reminder that the world of tech is changing in real time — and women like Loredana are proof that when we lead with authenticity, we create a ripple effect that shifts culture for good.

👉 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube — and share it with another woman in tech who needs to hear it.

Get in touch with Loredana:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/loredana-perri

Where to find me: 

Website: Sharon (Shaz) Daly   www.techtoexec.com.au

LinkedIn: Sharon (Shaz) Daly https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-daly/

Instagram: @techtoexec  https://www.instagram.com/techtoexec/

Facebook: TechtoExec  https://www.facebook.com/techtoexec/

Book a FREE Career Clarity Call to join the movement

https://coach.techtoexec.com.au/sharon-daly/free-career-clarity-call

You know those conversations that hit your heart and your head at the same time? This is one of those.

In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant, straight-talking, and deeply human Jennifer Rebeiro — Executive GM of Enterprise Transformation at TAC and one of Australia’s Top 50 CIOs (for three years in a row, might I add).

Jen’s journey is wild. From a music store assistant to leading massive tech transformations — she’s proof that your path doesn’t have to look perfect to make an impact.

We got real. Like, the kind of real where you laugh, reflect, and maybe get a lump in your throat.

Here’s what we unpacked:
💬 Imposter syndrome — and why it’s often your growth alarm, not your flaw
💬 How to stay calm when chaos hits (hello, train delays and cloudy days ☁️)
💬 The “horrible person” story that changed how Jen leads forever
💬 Why chasing titles will never fill your cup — but purpose will
💬 The power of reflection, self-awareness, and a good gut check
💬 How women can lead differently —not less

This episode isn’t about buzzwords.
It’s about being human, being brave, and backing yourself — even when you’re shaking in your boots.

🎧 Tune in, have a laugh, maybe a lightbulb moment (or five), and let’s rewrite what leadership in tech feels like.

Listen on: Spotify | Apple | YouTube | techtoexec.com.au

Quotes that hit Different

★“You could spend time looking at what’s not right — or spend time looking at what could be.” — Jen Rebeiro

★“Calm is the answer. The outcome will still happen… but how do you want to get there?” — Shaz Daly

★ “You don’t have to be a manager to be a leader. You can lead from within.” — Jen Rebeiro

★“When you move with your values, nothing can touch you.” — Shaz Daly

Get in touch with Jen:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jennifer-rebeiro-308ba79

Where to find me:

Website: Sharon (Shaz) Daly   www.techtoexec.com.au

LinkedIn: Sharon (Shaz) Daly https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-daly/

Instagram: @techtoexec  https://www.instagram.com/techtoexec/

Facebook: TechtoExec  https://www.facebook.com/techtoexec/

Book a FREE Career Clarity Call to join the movement

https://coach.techtoexec.com.au/sharon-daly/free-career-clarity-call

Guest: 🧠 Su Jella — Executive Director, Advisor at Nano Insights, Founder of Dewdrop Digital, and Global AI & Data Leader.

Host: ✨ Sharon Daly (Shaz) — Founder of TechtoExec, Career Coach, Advocate for Women in Tech Leadership.

Su Jella has an incredible story from starting out her career as Marketing & Communications Officer at Bond University on the Gold Coast all the way through to The Executive Director & Advisor at Nano Insights and Founder and Director of Dewdrop Digital.

Su is a visionary data and AI leader who transforms complexity into clarity and challenges into competitive advantages. A sought-after strategist and leader at the forefront of the AI revolution, she empowers organizations to harness data as their most powerful asset—turning insights into action and uncertainty into opportunity.

Recognized among the Global Top 50 & 100 Data Innovators and honoured as a Women in AI (Asia Pacific) award winner, Su’s expertise bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world business impact. Her thought leadership has shaped data and AI standards, earning her a place among the Top 25 Leaders in Australia—as well as a permanent spot in the U.S. Federal Congress Library as co-author of The AI Revolution, a seminal work crafted with a global team of AI pioneers.

Su’s mission is clear: democratize and govern AI-driven decision-making and future-proof businesses in an era of exponential change.

Description

This is not your polished, corporate talk. It’s the real conversation we all need to hear in tech right now - highlighting the upsides that come with women leading in tech.

In this episode of On the Mic WIT Shaz, Sharon goes all-in with global Data and AI leader Su Jella — and when the tech glitches stripped away their virtual backgrounds mid-recording, the universe clearly wanted them to go unfiltered.

What followed was one of the most raw and real conversations yet — about courage, failure, leadership, and the power of staying authentic in an industry that often expects perfection.

Su shares her journey from arriving in Australia with two suitcases and no network, to becoming an Executive Director, founder of Dewdrop Digital, and one of the Top 25 Leaders in Australia — all while championing diversity, ethical AI, and female empowerment in tech.

Together, Shaz and Su unpack:

💡 Why women must take back their power and lead on their own terms

💡 How to get comfortable with being uncomfortable

💡 Facing yourself: the real growth no one posts about

💡 Navigating the frenzy of tech changes

💡 Why Australia’s tech ecosystem still needs to evolve — and how we can shift the narrative

This one is for every woman in tech who’s ready to stop hiding behind filters — and start owning her power, her story, and her seat at the table.

🎧 Listen now — you’ll laugh, tear up, and walk away ready to lead with courage.

Key takeaways:

• Leadership isn’t about perfection — it’s about courage and authenticity.

• Getting comfortable with discomfort is where growth happens.

• You don’t need to wait for someone to give you permission — back yourself.

• Mentorship and male allyship matter — it’s how we all rise.

• The next era of tech leadership needs realness, not filters.

  
  

🎙️ Tune in to On the Mic WIT Shaz — available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube.

Get in touch with Su Jella:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sujella

Website: Sharon (Shaz) Daly   www.techtoexec.com.au

LinkedIn: Sharon (Shaz) Daly https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-daly/

Instagram: @techtoexec  https://www.instagram.com/techtoexec/

Facebook: TechtoExec  https://www.facebook.com/techtoexec/

Book a FREE Career Clarity Call to join the movement

https://coach.techtoexec.com.au/sharon-daly/free-career-clarity-call

Vaishali is a seasoned digital and transformation leader with deep expertise in tech-enabled customer experience, omni-channel strategy, and agile delivery. With a background in digital sales, service, innovation, and platform integration, she has led large-scale programs across industries to drive growth, efficiency, and customer-centric outcomes.

Vaishali holds a Master’s in Digital/eCommerce and Management Information Systems, and is a certified Agile practitioner. Her work focuses on leveraging AI, automation, and data-driven design to elevate digital touchpoints and deliver measurable business value.

This week on On The Mic WIT Shaz – Women in Tech Leadership: The Upsides, I’m joined by the incredible Vaishali Nagaratnam, Head of Digital at Belong.

From starting her career at ANZ Bank to now driving digital transformation, Vaishali shares her raw and real leadership journey — and the surprising upside that changed everything: the courage to ask for support.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How Vaishali went from customer service to digital leadership without following a “linear path”
• Why shrinking to fit in is the biggest myth women in tech need to bust
• How morning rituals and self-grace fuel confidence and balance
• The power of community, mentors, and simply asking for help — and why more people are willing to support you than you think
• The truth about leadership: it’s not about titles, it’s about building capability, trust, and energy for everyone on the bus

This one’s a must-listen for any woman in tech who’s ever thought she had to “do it all alone.”

👉 Subscribe, share, and send this episode to a woman in tech who needs to hear Vaishali’s story.

Get in touch with Vaishali:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vaishalinagaratnam

Where to find me:

Website: Sharon (Shaz) Daly www.techtoexec.com.au

LinkedIn: Sharon (Shaz) Daly https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-daly/

Instagram: @techtoexec https://www.instagram.com/techtoexec/

Facebook: TechtoExec https://www.facebook.com/techtoexec/

Book a FREE Discovery Call to join the movement

https://coach.techtoexec.com.au/sharon-daly/free-discovery-call

Dominique Barker is an energetic Information Technology Executive with extensive experience in IT strategy, leadership, and transformation. With a background in Journalism and honed skills in a digital agency, Dominique possesses the tenacity, drive, and influence to empower technology transformations to come to life. Her ability to "bring people along on the journey" has led to significant successes in her current CIO role, including organisation-wide adoption of new ways of working through technology roll-outs, opportunistic deployment of AI, and low-code CRM solutions.

Dominique’s ability to work with the business to achieve strategic success through alignment of key IT initiatives has been instrumental in ensuring that expected outcomes are met, targets are hit, and that the organisation is on-board with the changes. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and iterative improvements, Dominique has ensured that technology is seamlessly integrated into daily operations, enabling staff to leverage available tools and processes to their fullest potential.

In this episode...

What if leadership didn’t feel like pressure… but like privilege?

In this episode of On the Mic WIT Shaz, I sit down with Dominique Barker, CIO and trailblazer, who made a bold mid-career transition into tech leadership—and never looked back.

Dominique opens up about her journey, showing us how courage, self-reflection, and transferable skills can completely reshape a career path. Her story is proof that you don’t have to “have it all figured out” from the start to land in a leadership role that lights you up.

Here’s what you’ll take away:

💎 How to pivot mid-career and thrive in leadership

💎 Why courage + backing yourself = Mondays that feel magical

💎 The secret to building high-performing teams without burning out

💎 How women bring game-changing perspectives into tech leadership

💎 Why “not sweating the small stuff” might just be your biggest leadership power move

If you’ve been doubting whether it’s too late, too hard, or too risky to aim for leadership—this conversation will flip that on its head.

Get in touch with Dominique:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-b-4175b33a/

Where to find me: 

Website: Sharon (Shaz) Daly   www.techtoexec.com.au

LinkedIn: Sharon (Shaz) Daly https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-daly/

Instagram: @techtoexec  https://www.instagram.com/techtoexec/

Facebook: TechtoExec  https://www.facebook.com/techtoexec/

Book a FREE Discovery Call to join the movement

https://coach.techtoexec.com.au/sharon-daly/free-discovery-call

When we think about leadership in tech, the conversation often circles around burnout, sacrifice, and challenges. But what if we flipped that script?

In this episode of On The Mic..WIT Shaz, I sit down with the incredible Lise Corcoran — Strategic Client Director with 20+ years in global tech leadership — to uncover the surprising, joyful, and empowering upsides of leading in tech.

From bringing her toddler to a global leadership summit in London, to discovering that integrity is the non-negotiable glue for successful teams, Lise shares a candid look at how leadership can actually create more freedom, growth, and fulfillment than you might expect.

We also talk about the mindset shifts women need to embrace when stepping into leadership — so instead of seeing leadership as intimidating or “not for me,” you can start to see it as one of the most rewarding adventures of your career.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why leadership isn’t a scary mountain — it’s an evolution.
• The freedoms leadership unlocks (yes, you can have the croissant and the career!).
• The role of integrity when building global dream teams.
• How challenges often sneakily become your best growth stories.
• The surprising fun (yes, FUN) that comes with leading in tech.

Get in touch with Lise:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lise-corcoran-0359315

Where to find me:

Website: Sharon (Shaz) Daly www.techtoexec.com.au

LinkedIn: Sharon (Shaz) Daly https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-daly/

Instagram: @techtoexec https://www.instagram.com/techtoexec/

Facebook: TechtoExec https://www.facebook.com/techtoexec/

Book a FREE Discovery Call to join the movement

https://coach.techtoexec.com.au/sharon-daly/free-discovery-call

Description

In this episode of On the Mic..WIT Shaz – Women in Tech Leadership: The Upsides, I sit down with the incredible Kavi Dhanraj. From her early days as a Test Analyst to becoming a Chief Data Officer, Kavi’s journey is anything but linear—and that’s exactly what makes it powerful.

We dive into:

✨ Why her very first “failure” became her biggest growth driver

✨ The surprising tech gadget that perfectly describes her leadership style

✨ Why self-belief is the most important leadership skill (and no one can give it to you)

✨ Fitting in vs. belonging—what women in tech need to know

✨ How culture, resilience, and role models shaped her leadership lens

✨ And the number one upside of stepping into tech leadership

Key Takeaways:

1. Failing Forward: Kavi’s first big project was a “failure”—but it became the foundation for her growth.
2. Leadership as a Video Doorbell: Simple, purposeful, and with multiple lenses—Kavi’s brilliant analogy for leadership.
3. Confidence & Self-Belief: The number one ingredient for stepping into leadership (no one can hand it to you).
4. Networking Matters: Women often hesitate, but building connections is critical—and most leaders are more approachable than you think.
5. Fitting In vs Belonging: Adapt enough to understand others, but never lose your identity.
6. Cultural Strengths: How Kavi’s upbringing, resilience, and strong female role models shaped her leadership lens.
7. The Upsides: Solving complex, people-centered problems, creating impact, and finding joy in transformation.

Kavi’s story is proof that leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about purpose, confidence, and embracing the complexities along the way.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is leadership really worth it?” — this episode is your answer.

🎧 Tune in, be inspired, and see what’s truly possible for YOU in tech leadership.

________________________________________

Get in touch with Kavitha:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kavidhanra

Where to find me:

Website: Sharon (Shaz) Daly www.techtoexec.com.au

LinkedIn: Sharon (Shaz) Daly https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-daly/

Instagram: @techtoexec https://www.instagram.com/techtoexec/

Facebook: TechtoExec https://www.facebook.com/techtoexec/

Book a FREE Discovery Call to join the movement

https://coach.techtoexec.com.au/sharon-daly/free-discovery-call

Welcome to the very first episode of On the Mic...WIT Shaz!

This isn’t just a podcast — it’s a movement. After years of hearing the same stories from women in tech — overlooked for leadership, battling bias, and losing confidence — I knew it was time to flip the script.

In this special series, Women in Tech Leadership: The Upsides, we’re shifting the narrative. Yes, challenges exist. But there’s also growth, joy, and incredible impact when women step into leadership roles.

In this episode, I share:

✨ Why highlighting the upsides matters more than ever

✨ The real frustrations that lit a fire in me to launch Tech to Exec: The Movement

✨ How we’re rewriting outdated data with women’s real stories

✨ Why recognition and celebration are critical for women in tech leadership

✨ And how we can all bring back the joy, fun, and collaboration into tech leadership

Key Takeaways:

“Forget the 180-year timeline — women in tech leadership are changing the story now.”

“Leadership isn’t just challenges… it can actually be fun, joyful, and collaborative.”

“Recognition isn’t a ‘nice to have’ — it’s the fuel that keeps women in leadership.”

“Tick-box culture is broken. Women don’t want token roles, they want real impact.”

“This podcast isn’t just a podcast… it’s a movement to reshape women in tech leadership.”

This is about breaking away from tick-box culture and rewriting what’s possible — together.

🎧 Tune in and join the movement. Because women in tech leadership isn’t just the future — it’s now.

Where to find me: 

Website: Sharon (Shaz) Daly   www.techtoexec.com.au

LinkedIn: Sharon (Shaz) Daly https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-daly/

Instagram: @techtoexec  https://www.instagram.com/techtoexec/

Facebook: TechtoExec  https://www.facebook.com/techtoexec/

TikTok: Shaz https://www.tiktok.com/@shaztechtoexec

Book a FREE Discovery Call to join the movement

https://coach.techtoexec.com.au/sharon-daly/free-discovery-call