Queens of Tech Podcast | 100 Voices of Impact | Representation Matters!

Claire Lebraz, a seasoned professional with a background in economics and a penchant for data, innovation, and computational thinking, graduated from the prestigious Paris School of Economics. Over the past decade, she has made significant contributions in San Francisco, focusing on optimizing asset utilization for marketplaces. Notably, she played pivotal roles at Turo, enhancing the use of cars as assets, and at Airbnb, where she spent five years leading data science for the core product, encompassing the entire guest experience from search to real-life interactions.

With over 10 years of expertise in data engineering, advanced inference, and machine learning, Claire recently returned to Europe in September 2022. She joined Malt , a French company operating as a two-sided marketplace connecting companies with freelancers and independent workers across various categories. Assuming the role of VP of Data at Malt, Claire undertakes significant responsibilities:

1. Elevating search and matching algorithms to the forefront of excellence.
2. Constructing a transparent and ethical approach to machine learning.
3. Democratizing data and insights about freelancing within Malt and its growing community.

Claire's passion lies in fostering change, enabling informed decision-making, and leveraging her curiosity as an engineer to collaborate within diverse, cross-functional teams. In recent years, her focal points have spanned experimentation, search optimization, pricing strategies, marketplace data analysis, data quality enhancement, democratization of data, and governance. Additionally, she has contributed to developing robust tooling and processes for end-to-end data pipelines, ensuring seamless communication from data producers to consumers within organizations. Claire's commitment to excellence and innovation continues to drive impactful change in the dynamic intersection of data, technology, and marketplace dynamics.

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Ran is a dynamic professional with a Master's in Statistics earned from Boston University in 2019. Her journey in the field of data science began with her pivotal role in the Data Science team at Wayfair, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership by spearheading a machine learning work stream. In this capacity, she developed a real-time bidding model tailored for online social and display ads. Collaborating seamlessly with the engineering and marketing teams, Ran successfully implemented her model in a real-time environment, resulting in the generation of millions of incremental revenue annually.

Ran's expertise lies in statistical analysis and machine learning, with a specific focus on customer value prediction, customer behavior pattern encoding, and customer segmentation. Recognizing her proficiency and accomplishments, she recently transitioned to Google, where she continues to contribute as a data scientist with a dedicated focus on product analysis and advanced modeling research.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Ran is an avid explorer of the stock market, an enthusiastic reader, and a passionate dancer, showcasing her diverse interests and a well-rounded approach to life.

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Carole boasts an impressive 17-year career dedicated to the development of high-performance integrated circuit solutions. Her comprehensive expertise spans advanced CMOS technologies, cultivated through roles at renowned industry giants such as Intel, Samsung, CSR, and Texas Instruments. Carole’s proficiency extends to analog/RF design methodology and an expert understanding of the backend flow, covering advanced CMOS technology nodes ranging from 7nm FinFet to 120nm. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on diverse applications, including WIFI, GPS Radio, Audio, PMU, and USB, particularly within the tablet and cell phone industries.

Beyond her technical prowess, Carole is a fervent advocate for the inclusion and advancement of women in technology. Her commitment to this cause is exemplified through her active participation in initiatives aimed at raising the profile of women in the tech sector.

Carole’s engagement extends beyond the workplace to various speaking engagements and leadership roles:

• Attendee at the Women Principal Engineer and Fellow Forum (WPEFF) at Intel in Portland, September 2015.
• Speaker at the 1st European Celebration of Women in Computing, held on April 25–26, 2016, in Brussels.
• Speaker at the 2nd Conference of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) on May 11–13, 2016, in Madrid.
• Speaker at the 3rd Conference of SWE on May 17–19, 2017, in Amsterdam.
• Co-chair of WIN (Women at Intel Network) in France.
• Treasurer of Toastmasters Cote d’Azur for the term 2016/2017.
• Vice President in Public Relations (VPRP) of Toastmasters Cote d’Azur for the term 2017/2018.
• President of the Toastmasters Cote d’Azur club.
• Co-organizer of three hackathons with WHAT06 to enhance the visibility of technical women.
• Co-creator with WHAT06 of the Tropheas Women_in_Tech_Sud to amplify the visibility of women in technologies, spanning startups, research, and employment.

Carole’s multifaceted contributions underscore her commitment to technical excellence, leadership, and fostering diversity within the technology landscape.

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Ramune Bartuskaite is the visionary CEO and Founder of Spec Matters, a groundbreaking tech advocacy platform dedicated to empowering the building industry in making healthier specifications and more informed material selections. Recognizing the profound impact of these decisions on human health and the environment, Ramune established Spec Matters as a free website and newsletter, providing a centralized and accessible hub of information for architects, interior designers, and developers.

In her concurrent role as an architect at FIFTEEN Architecture + Design in Philadelphia, Ramune actively contributes to a practice driven by a commitment to positive change. FIFTEEN is at the forefront of delivering a novel model for architectural practice, emphasizing enhanced client experiences and project delivery through strategic partnerships and innovative processes. Ramune’s role as a healthy building advocate aligns seamlessly with her expertise in navigating the array of resources and tools available for designing spaces that prioritize the well-being of occupants served by FIFTEEN.

As a Lithuanian immigrant and a first-generation graduate, Ramune’s academic journey is impressive. She holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture with a Marketing Minor from Miami University, and a Certificate in Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building from Parsons School of Design. 

Her commitment and leadership have been acknowledged through the receipt of the Alpha Rho Chi Medal, an accolade bestowed for exceptional leadership, dedicated service, and the promise of professional excellence. Ramune Bartuskaite is not only a trailblazer in the architecture and design realm but also a catalyst for positive change within the building industry.

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Liliya is a distinguished professional with a robust academic background, having graduated from Moscow State University in 2011 with a degree in Applied Math and Computer Science. She furthered her academic pursuits and earned a Ph.D. in Statistics from Boston University in 2017.

Embarking on her professional journey, Liliya commenced her career with Amazon's Alexa team, contributing her skills as a Data Scientist within the Alexa Machine Learning department. During her two-year tenure, she played a pivotal role in the internalization of Alexa devices and the enhancement of Natural Language Understanding (NLU) models.

Building on her experiences, Liliya transitioned to Tripadvisor, assuming the role of Senior Data Scientist within the Hotels' recommender system team. In 2020, she joined Twitter, where she currently manages a Content Health Data Science team. With over 10 years of professional experience, Liliya combines her strong academic foundation with a profound passion for leveraging data to solve complex business problems.

Liliya is not only an accomplished professional but also an active participant in the academic and professional community. She has presented at NeurIPS, showcasing her expertise as a public speaker, and is dedicated to mentoring others in the field.

Beyond her professional achievements, Liliya finds fulfillment in her role as a wife and mother. Married with two daughters, Sophia and Nellie, aged 6 and 4 respectively, she balances a thriving career with a rich family life.

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Melanie is the UX Director within the Google Search Team, leveraging her extensive experience in building and leading UX teams on a global scale, with notable roles at Startups, Schibsted, and eBay. Beyond her corporate endeavors, Melanie is the founder of Rise Network, formerly known as LondonTechLadies, a women's network dedicated to organizing events focused on soft skill development. Her mission is to inspire and empower women to ascend the career ladder, fostering increased gender diversity within upper management.

As a speaker, Melanie covers a range of compelling topics:

1. Why I created LondonTechLadies: Sharing insights gained from growing the community to over 4000 women and how empowering and developing women is integral to organizational success.
2. Soft skills to succeed: Guiding women in developing crucial soft skills such as negotiation, confidence, networking, and presence to thrive in the workplace.
3. Leading International UX teams: Lessons learned from building and leading UX teams across diverse locations including London, the US, Mexico, Morocco, Hungary, Belarus, China, Finland, Spain, and Switzerland.
4. Building inclusive (UX) team culture: Insights into creating a team culture that prioritizes diversity and inclusion, contributing to talent retention and growth. (YouTube Recording available)
5. My career journey: Chronicles Melanie's progression into tech leadership, highlighting pivotal moments like building mentorship, negotiating her path into management, and navigating through agencies, startups, and major tech players like eBay and Google.
6. How to run a Google Design Sprint: Melanie imparts her lessons learned from running sprints, offering a toolkit for those looking to embark on the journey. (Medium Article available)
7. Inviqa – CXcon Experience Transformation Conference: Melanie's insightful presentation was captured in a YouTube recording.
8. Venturi Podcast: Engaging in a discussion about founding London Tech Ladies and her impassioned commitment to gender diversity.

Melanie's multifaceted expertise and commitment to empowering women in technology shine through in her speaking engagements, making her a respected figure in the industry.

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Anna Loparev stands as a seasoned Senior UX Researcher at New Relic, bringing over a decade of expertise cultivated in both academic and industry settings. Throughout her distinguished career, Anna has demonstrated her ability to build collaborative coalitions across departments, establish effective ResearchOps processes, and contribute to the design and strategic direction of more than 10 products at various developmental stages.

Anna’s decision-making prowess is fueled by her analytical acumen, academic curiosity, and steadfast commitment to impact. Her proficiency in research methodologies and content is complemented by her unique blend of knowledge in programming and experience in game design, allowing her to seamlessly connect with cross-functional teams.

Educationally, Anna holds a Bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College and has achieved the pinnacle of academic success with a Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction from the University of Rochester. Actively engaged in the UX research community, Anna pays it forward by running daily mentorship coffee chats, offering guidance to junior researchers, and co-hosting the XInsighters bi-weekly UX research discussion group. In these roles, she continues to contribute her wealth of knowledge, further solidifying her standing as a respected leader in the field.

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Claudia Rademaker holds the esteemed positions of Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, and Co-founder at Dugga, a cutting-edge digital assessment platform grounded in research.

Her professional journey spans international collaborations with start-ups, scale-ups, and contributions to international business development across diverse industries. Claudia’s expertise extends to academia, where she served as an Assistant Professor, researcher, and lecturer at both Stockholm University and the Stockholm School of Economics. Her doctoral thesis, conducted at the Center for Media and Economic Psychology, Stockholm School of Economics, received recognition through the prestigious Wallander stipend from the Jan Wallander and Tom Hedelius Foundation, Handelsbanken.

In a remarkable achievement, Dugga, under Claudia’s leadership, was honored with the Microsoft Global Partner of the Year Award in Education in 2020. Demonstrating unparalleled growth, the company expanded its user base from two countries to a global presence, reaching users in over 120 countries within 12 months.

Claudia’s outstanding contributions to the field have earned her a place in the first cohort of the most promising female founders in Edtech, as recognized by the Female Edtech Fellowship (FEF). Actively engaged in FEF, Claudia willingly lends her expertise to assist others in scaling and navigating business challenges, reflecting her commitment to fostering collaboration and growth within the Edtech community.

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Clementine is a distinguished Machine Learning Researcher currently contributing her expertise to Twitter. As a vital member of the RecSys Lab, she is instrumental in crafting the next generation of recommender systems. Additionally, Clementine serves as a consultant to various product teams within the company, aiding them in unlocking the full potential of their data through the application of cutting-edge Machine Learning techniques.

Before her role at Twitter, Clementine dedicated three years at Tripadvisor, where she played a pivotal role in enhancing the models utilized for automating the company’s online marketing strategies.

Clementine is highly educated, holding a Ph.D. in Statistics from Boston University and a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics from the INSA of Toulouse, France. Her academic background is complemented by her active involvement in non-profit organizations, where she has assumed leadership positions. Notable among these are her roles in the Massachusetts Association for Women in Science (MASS AWIS), Boston University’s Graduate Association for Women in Science (GWISE@BU), and the Boston University Student Chapter of the ASA (BUSCASA).

In her commitment to fostering growth and mentorship, Clementine co-founded Boston University’s Data Science Mentoring Circles, demonstrating her dedication to nurturing talent in the field. Her ongoing leadership in this program reflects her passion for cultivating the next generation of data scientists.

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Elisa Caballero is a highly accomplished professional with a robust educational background, holding a degree in Computer Engineering from Madrid and specializing in technology project management at Harvard University. In July 2021, she assumed the role of Global Head of Engineering Strategy and Operations at Glovo, a testament to her exceptional skills and leadership capabilities.

With over 13 years of extensive experience in the tech sector, Elisa has contributed her talents to esteemed companies such as Banco Santander, Vrbo, and Expedia. Throughout her career, she has consistently advocated for Women in Tech, emerging as a strong voice for diversity and inclusivity. This commitment is reflected in her active role as a board member of affiliate groups and her collaborative efforts within the community to address gender disparities.

In her own words, Elisa emphasizes the significance of diversity at Glovo, noting the proactive measures taken to create a supportive environment. She underscores the various communities within the organization that champion diversity, encompassing gender, race, and sexual orientation. Elisa acknowledges the multitude of events and initiatives orchestrated by these groups, showcasing the collective commitment to fostering inclusivity.

Elisa’s keen awareness of unconscious bias is evident in her approach to onboarding at Glovo. She highlights the efforts made to raise awareness of unconscious biases from the very first day, fostering a culture of inclusiveness. She recognizes the value of allies within the organization, ensuring that every voice is heard and actively working to prevent discrimination. Elisa affirms that the commitment to diversity quickly becomes ingrained in the day-to-day operations, becoming an integral part of the organization’s DNA.

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