She Talks Tech

Laid Off to Lift Off: How Julia Arpag Built Aligned Recruitment

From being a shy bookworm to founding a thriving recruitment firm, Julia Arpag shares her journey into tech, navigating layoffs, and building Aligned Recruitment with faith, grit, and integrity. We dive into A-player teams, using AI wisely, and the skills every founder and job seeker needs today.

• Breaking out of shyness and finding her voice
• Pivoting into tech recruiting and rapid upskilling
• Getting laid off on maternity leave and starting her own firm
• What it really means to hire A-players
• Why communication and integrity matter more than ever

“You can do hard things.”

• Julia Arpag on LinkedIn
• Aligned Recruitment https://www.alignedrecruitment.com/

Follow us on Instagram @she_talks_tech_podcast and on LinkedIn for more stories of women in tech.

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In this episode of She Talks Tech, I sit down with Omotola E. Omotayo — a woman who turned her dream of becoming a doctor into a mission to build communities that transform tech.

✨ What you’ll hear in this conversation:

• How Omotola helped She Code Africa grow from 200 to 50,000 members
• Why she believes tech thrives in communities, not silos
• The pivotal moment she discovered her path in tech and community building
• How volunteering became the launchpad for her global career
• The power of open source as an entry point for underrepresented groups
• Her strategies for getting partners to say yes
• The mindset that turns every challenge into a stepping stone
• 
  

If you’ve ever wondered how to create real impact in tech, Omotola’s journey will inspire you to dream bigger, start where you are, and build with people.

🎧 Tune in and be inspired.

👉 Also follow us on Instagram @she_talks_tech_podcast.

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In this episode of She Talks Tech, I sit down with Jessica Brieger, a bold voice in ESG, social impact, and AI. Jessica’s journey is anything but linear. From her early love of biology to a career spanning automotive, mining, sustainability, and advocacy for neurodiversity, she has embraced curiosity as her compass.

We talk about what it means to grow up different, to discover her autism later in life, and to navigate spaces that were not always built with inclusion in mind. Jessica opens up about the role her mother played in shaping her love for tech, her winding path across industries, and why she believes being “too much” is actually a superpower.

What we cover in this episode:

✅ Jessica’s childhood in Germany and her early curiosity for science

✅ Lessons from her mother, a self-made CEO and constant source of inspiration

✅ How she discovered her neurodivergence and what neuro-inclusive workplaces should look like

✅ The beauty of being a “scanner personality” and refusing to live a linear career path

✅ Building impact across sustainability, diversity, and ESG

✅ Why AI excites her and the importance of tackling bias in technology

✅ Her letter to her younger self and the reminder that you are never “too much”

Jessica’s story is a reminder that difference is strength, and that our curiosity and uniqueness can shape not just careers but entire industries.

🎧 Listen now and be inspired by Jessica’s journey.

Also follow us on instagram @she_talks_tech_podcast

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In this inspiring episode of She Talks Tech, I sit down with Marie‑Josée Turgeon, President & CEO of C2MI — Canada’s leading microelectronics and semiconductor innovation hub. From her early curiosity as a young girl who needed to understand how things work, to leading cutting‑edge teams shaping the future of sustainable tech, Marie‑Josée’s journey is a masterclass in purposeful leadership.

We talk about:

✅ Why teamwork and diversity are the real drivers of innovation in semiconductors

✅ Navigating 20+ years at IBM and stepping into the CEO role at C2MI

✅ Making sustainability a core part of tech innovation — from product design to cleanroom operations

✅ Staying grounded while leading high‑impact R&D teams

✅ Advice for women in STEM: “Nothing’s stopping you — you can do it all”

Whether you’re in engineering, leadership, or just curious about how semiconductors shape our everyday lives, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to embrace the challenges ahead.

🎧 Listen now and discover how Marie‑Josée is shaping the future of semiconductors — with purpose, people, and planet in mind.

Also follow us on Instagram @she_talks_tech_podcast.

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🎙 Episode Title: From Consulting to CEO: Tarnia Gonzo’s Journey to Human-Centered AI

Episode Summary:

In this episode of She Talks Tech, we sit down with the brilliant Tarnia Gonzo — founder of TNS Consulting — whose journey from Zimbabwe to the UK, from corporate consulting to building her own tech business, is packed with lessons, honesty, and inspiration.

Tarnia’s career path hasn’t been conventional — and that’s exactly what makes her story powerful. From her early days working at PwC, to navigating culture change in large organisations, to launching her own consultancy focused on AI, digital transformation, and making tech work for people — Tarnia is proof that your unique perspective belongs in tech.

We unpack the realities of leading digital change, the human side of AI, and why breaking into leadership or consulting isn’t reserved for the few. She also shares how motherhood shaped her decision to start her own company, and why good work should always be paired with impact.

Plus, she offers practical advice for companies navigating AI adoption — and a heartfelt letter to her 10-year-old self reminding us all to slow down, have fun, and be unapologetically ourselves.

What We Talk About:

✅ Growing up between Zimbabwe and the UK — and the early influences that shaped Tarnia

✅ How her mother's quiet resilience became her biggest inspiration

✅ From avoiding tech to running a business that helps organisations adopt AI

✅ The real challenges of change management (Hint: it's always about the people)

✅ How AI can both disrupt and elevate the workplace — and why reskilling matters

✅ Practical tips for organisations overwhelmed by AI but ready to start

✅ What it’s really like starting your own consulting firm

✅ Lessons in leadership, self-confidence, and doing the work differently

✅ Tarnia’s honest reflections on motherhood, perfectionism, and letting go

✅ Why diversity in tech — especially in AI — is non-negotiable

Connect with Tarnia:

🌐 https://www.ts-consulting.co.uk/

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In this episode of She Talks Tech, we sit down with Thoko Miya, a powerhouse in community-driven innovation and creative strategy. Thoko shares how she’s building ecosystems that centre people first — blending technology, youth empowerment, and purpose-driven leadership.

We unpack how her work moves beyond code to create platforms that amplify voices, support local innovators, and rethink how we define tech success.

🎧 What we talk about:

• Building inclusive tech ecosystems
• Why community is your greatest metric
• Creating platforms that uplift youth and creatives
• Leadership rooted in listening
• How to design for people, not just users

Also follow us on Instagram @she_talks_tech_podcast

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In this heartwarming episode of She Talks Tech, we sit down with QA professional and lifelong learner Petronela Ramoleta. From growing up in Limpopo to navigating unexpected pivots in tech—from web development to quality assurance and now business analysis—Petronela shares what it means to lead with purpose, kindness, and curiosity.

What we talk about:

• Making career transitions with intention
• The unplanned shift from dev to QA
• Finding joy and balance in life and work
• The human side of working in fintech
• Why being kind to yourself matters just as much as being good at your job

Also follow us on Instagram @she_talks_tech_podcast

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In this episode of She Talks Tech, we sit down with Rebecca Franks — an Android Developer Relations Engineer at Google, community builder, and advocate for women in tech.

From her early days coding in South Africa to becoming a global voice in the Android space, Rebecca opens up about navigating imposter syndrome, finding joy in building, and the importance of showing up authentically in tech.

🎧 In this episode, we cover:

✅ How Rebecca found her way into Android development

✅ The shift from building apps to supporting developers

✅ What it’s like working at Google (and staying grounded)

✅ Why representation and mentorship still matter in tech

Also follow us on instagram @she_talks_tech_podcast

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🎙 Episode Title: Millicent Okumu: Growing the Future with Agri-Tech

Welcome back to She Talks Tech with Hlulani, the podcast spotlighting women building bold, brilliant futures in STEM and technology.

In this episode, I speak with Millicent Okumu, a rising force in agri-tech innovation and public service in Kenya.

Millicent is on a mission to transform agriculture through technology—making food systems more efficient, sustainable, and accessible for communities that need it most.

She doesn’t just talk about impact—she builds it, especially for women and youth in rural areas.

From digitizing traditional farming to driving innovation at government level, Millicent’s story is one of purpose-driven leadership, tech-savviness, and deep care for the land and its people.

✨ In this episode, we explore:

✅ How Millicent got into agri-tech and why it matters

✅ The real-world impact of digitizing food systems

✅ Challenges and breakthroughs in public sector innovation

✅ Empowering women and young people in agriculture through tech

✅ Why tech solutions must be rooted in local realities and purpose

This is a story about more than farming—it’s about food security, economic resilience, and using tech to create lasting change where it’s needed most.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast platform.

Also follow us on instagram @she_talks_tech_podcast

#SheTalksTech #AgriTech #WomenInSTEM #TechForGood #DigitalFarming #PublicInnovation #FoodSecurity #MillicentOkumu #AfricanWomenInTech

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Welcome back to She Talks Tech with Hlulani, where we amplify the voices of women making waves in technology and STEM. In today’s episode, I sit down with Lydia Sebokedi, Acting Executive Director at the Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI), to explore a powerful story of purpose, public service, and quiet transformation.

Lydia's journey spans decades in South Africa’s public sector — from dietetics and healthcare to national innovation and digital transformation. We dive deep into how she leads innovation in government without a traditional tech background, her passion for developing young talent, and why she believes "the work is never about the title—it’s about legacy."

✨ In this episode, you’ll hear about:

How Lydia went from dietician to tech leader in public service

Why innovation in government must be people-first

What leadership looks like when grounded in empathy and trust

The work she’s most proud of—hint: it’s not in a CV

Her mission to make government more connected, human, and future-fit

A letter to her 10-year-old self that will move you to tears

Lydia's impact isn’t just in the policies she shapes or programs she oversees—it’s in the people she uplifts, the legacy she’s building, and the clarity with which she walks her purpose.

📣 If you’ve ever wondered what human-centered leadership looks like in tech and government—this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows.

Also follow us on instagram @she_talks_tech_podcast

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