Tech Inspired

You don’t need to code to lead in AI. You need to translate.
And Afke Schouten is building the bridges where others see barriers. 

In this episode of Tech Inspired, Priska Burkard sits down with Afke - Founder and Managing Partner of AI Bridge - to explore how she turned frustration with miscommunication into a business model that’s helping companies unlock real ROI from AI.

From her unconventional journey into mathematics to becoming a voice for human-centered AI transformation, Afke shares how she scaled from analyst to founder, teacher, and ecosystem shaper. Her message is clear - AI isn’t just about data. It’s about dialogue, design, and deep change.

🔍 In this episode, you’ll hear:

·       Why most AI projects fail, and what it actually takes to get them into production.

·       The missing skill set no one talks about in data science (and why it might be your superpower).

·       How Afke helps companies move beyond proof-of-concepts to building AI with real-world impact.

·       Her take on the growing AI economy, and why collaboration between industries is the next big unlock.

·       Why understanding people, not just models, is the future of responsible AI adoption.

Whether you're a business leader struggling to make AI stick, a data scientist eager to scale your influence, or a curious mind watching the field evolve - this one’s for you. 

🎧 Tune in now and get inspired by Afke’s vision for AI that’s not just smart - but strategic, inclusive, and built to last.

PS: Want to connect or learn more about Afke’s work? Find her on LinkedIn.

Tech wasn’t on her radar - until she discovered how it connects with the things she already loved.

Catherine Kosten started out painting, drawing and sculpting, not coding algorithms. Now? She’s Head of AI at a Zurich-based law firm, helping legal teams understand and integrate powerful tools like large language models - safely and smartly. 🎯

In this episode of Tech Inspired, Priska sits down with Catherine as she unpacks her fascinating pivot from the fine arts to AI, from language studies to machine learning, and how she turned self-doubt into a PhD and a leadership role in one of the most conservative industries around.

🔍 What you’ll love in this episode:

• What it’s really like going from zero coding experience to leading AI strategy (while learning in a second language).
• How Catherine found the intersection between language and tech - and built a career around it.
• The bold question that unlocked her first tech job (Hint: you can ask it too).
• Why law is the next frontier for generative AI - and how her role bridges legal expertise and deep tech.
• What it takes to survive (and thrive) in a PhD program, and why crying over broken code is sometimes just part of the process.
• The one piece of career advice she swears by - especially for women breaking into tech. 💡

This one’s for the career-changers, the self-taught coders, the curious creatives - and anyone who’s ever wondered if it’s too late to start over. (Spoiler: it’s not.)

🎧 Tune in now and get inspired by Catherine’s story of reinvention, resilience, and rewriting what a tech career can look like.

👉 Want to connect with Catherine and learn more about her work? Find her on LinkedIn.

Tech Inspired with Alexandra Grozea 
 

On this episode of Tech Inspired, the Managing Director of TechFace, Priska, sits down with Alexandra Grozea, Partner Solution Sales Lead for Data & AI at Microsoft, as she shares her unexpected - and empowering - journey into tech. From teaching in a classroom to driving innovation at global giants like HP, IBM, and Microsoft, Alexandra’s path is anything but linear - and that’s exactly what makes it so powerful. 

🔍 What you’ll love about this episode: 

• The “aha” moment that made Alexandra leave teaching for tech - and what gave her the courage to follow through. 

• How she built a thriving tech career without a traditional background, and why soft skills are her secret weapon. 

• What it actually means to work in Data & AI at Microsoft (spoiler: it’s not just about coding). 

• How she navigated imposter syndrome - and turned it into fuel for growth. 

• Her bold take on the future of AI, why ethical frameworks are non-negotiable, and what’s still missing in the conversation. 

• Why adaptability, curiosity, and stepping outside your comfort zone are the ultimate career accelerators. 

🎧 Whether you're thinking about a career pivot or already deep in the tech world, this episode is your reminder that there’s no one way to succeed in this space - just your way. 

Tune in now - and connect with Alexandra on Linkedin to keep the conversation going. 

Engineering the Future: Dona’s Journey in Robotics 

How do you go from dreaming of teleportation as a child to leading a robotics team building the eyes and brains of autonomous machines? In this episode of Tech Inspired, Priska sits down with Dona, the Robotic Systems Team Lead at Sevensense Robotics, to talk about her incredible journey from Romania to Berlin and Oxford, from aerospace to AI-driven robotics.

What you’ll love about this episode:

- From Space to Startups: Dona’s path from working at the European Space Agency to taking a leap into the fast-paced world of robotics startups.
- How Education Changes Everything: How an exchange year in the U.S. transformed her view on learning and led her to pursue engineering.
- Big Career Shifts: Why she swapped the slow-moving space industry for the fast-paced startup world and how she managed the transition.
- The Future of Robotics: From AI-powered automation to collaborative robots, hear Dona’s take on where the industry is headed.
- Power Skills for Success: Learn Dona’s secret weapon for juggling leadership, innovation, and teamwork in a competitive industry.

Making your mark in robotics

Thinking about breaking into robotics? Dona shares actionable advice on how to transition into the field - even without direct experience. From online courses to hands-on projects and strategic networking, she reveals practical steps to get started. Whether you're already in tech or looking to make a career shift, her journey will inspire you to pursue your passion, tackle challenges head-on, and find your place in the industry.

🎧 Tune in now to get started!

Want to connect with Dona and learn more about her work? Find her on LinkedIn. 🚀

Shaping Robotics, Building Communities, and Thriving in Tech

In this Tech Inspired episode, Priska sits down with Kateryna Portmann, Senior Product Manager at ⁠ANYbotics⁠ and co-lead of Women in Robotics Switzerland to talk through her groundbreaking work in robotics as well as championing inclusivity in tech.

What you’ll love about this episode:

This episode is packed with actionable insights, personal stories, and a clear vision for how you, too, can use your own unique skills and personal powers to foster change in the tech world. Whether you work for a fast-paced startup or a large corporate organisation, this conversation will inspire you to take meaningful steps toward a better future.

Join Women in Robotics

Interested in robotics and want to connect with like-minded people? Kateryna shares how Women in Robotics Switzerland is creating opportunities for women in robotics through mentorship, networking, and community events. It’s easy to join! Just follow this link: ⁠Women in Robotics⁠, register through their website, and you’ll gain access to their Slack channel and event invites - including free meetups that bring together experts, students, and enthusiasts from around the world.

🎧 Tune in now and get inspired by Kateryna’s story! Want to connect with Kateryna and learn more about her work? Find her on ⁠LinkedIn⁠.

Bridging Business and Tech: Ravina’s Story

In this exciting episode of Tech Inspired, host Priska sits down with Ravina Mutha, co-founder of Enterprise Bot, about her inspiring journey into the tech world. From navigating challenges to scaling a global team, Ravina shares how curiosity, adaptability, and collaboration helped her transform from a non-tech founder to a leader in conversational AI.

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

This episode is packed with relatable stories and actionable insights for anyone looking to connect the dots between business and tech. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale, Ravina’s journey will inspire you to stay curious, embrace change, and build solutions that matter.

🎧 Hit play now and fuel your tech dreams!

Want to connect with Ravina and explore her work? Find her on LinkedIn.

Let's Talk About Allyship! 

In this special episode of Tech Inspired, we bring you the thought-provoking closing panel from the #wetechtogether conference 2024, which focused on the powerful theme of allyship. This year’s edition, held on 27 -28 September in Zurich, gathered industry leaders, researchers, and advocates to discuss one of the most pressing issues in the tech world today: how can we truly foster inclusion and equality through allyship?

What is Allyship, and Why Does It Matter? 🌍

Allyship isn’t just a buzzword - it’s about action, learning, and supporting people across diverse backgrounds, not just in words but in meaningful ways. This panel breaks down the concept, offering insights and real-world examples from leaders who live it every day. Moderated by Priska Burkard, TechFace’s Managing Director, this engaging session features four expert voices from the field: 

What Makes This Discussion Unique?

This panel doesn’t shy away from hard truths about diversity and privilege. It explores why we need to challenge traditional mindsets and how allyship is essential in reshaping workplaces to be inclusive for everyone. The conversation offers a mix of practical advice and academic insights, providing listeners with tools to take immediate action in their own environments.

Whether you're in tech, HR, leadership, or simply someone committed to making a difference, this episode will inspire you to take the next step in building a more inclusive future.

🎧 Tune in now to hear from these industry experts and gain valuable insights on how we can all contribute to a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered. Let's build a future where inclusion is the norm, not the exception! 

Join us on the latest episode of Tech Inspired as Priska sits down with Martina Niggli, a passionate advocate for diversity in tech and builder of an online toolbox for conflict resolution at the workplace. Martina shares her fascinating journey from a curious child eager to learn to navigate the challenges of studying physics and eventually stepping into the tech world with experience at companies like Sharley and Digitec Galaxus.

Allyship is all the talk these days for the TechFace team, as it's the main theme of the upcoming #wetechtogether conference 2024, happening on 27-28 September in Zurich. Martina will be joining the conference as part of the Panel on Allyship, so consider this a teaser!

In this episode, we explore:

Don't miss this episode filled with insights and practical advice on how to thrive in the tech industry while supporting others along the way. Whether you're looking to become a better ally or seeking inspiration for your own tech journey, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. 🌟

Connect with Martina Niggli on LinkedIn to learn more about her work and stay updated on her latest projects!

On this episode of "Tech Inspired," we sit down with Marion Schleifer, the Head of Developer Education at HASURA and founder of Code Blossom. Marion’s story is one of determination and passion, from her beginnings in multilingual communication to becoming a leading figure in tech education. 🚀

Key moments from the episode:

Marion’s journey is filled with valuable insights into tech, continuous education, and making a real difference. Tune in to get inspired and start your own tech adventure! 🌍💻

Connect with Marion on LinkedIn to learn more about her work and follow Code Blossom for updates.

Ready to get inspired? Join us for an electrifying episode of Tech Inspired where Priska sits down with the familiar to us Sinja Christiani, winner of our Hidden Figures Awards 2022! 🌟 Sinja, now the head of Data Platforms and Products at Zurich Insurance, shares her incredible journey in tech, from her early teenage fascination to becoming a leader in data analytics and leadership.

Sinja is about to embark on a new professional journey as Managing Director of the Hasler Foundation, where she will focus on promoting education and research in technology. Tune in and learn why she’s taking this exciting step and how she plans to balance impact and innovation.

Other highlights include:

-              Early Aspirations: from her father’s influence and early access to technology to creating her first website at 14, discover the moments that sparked her passion for tech.

-              Navigating Challenges: Hear Sinja's candid experiences about being the only woman in the room, and her advice for young women entering tech.

-              Career Milestoes: Sinja’s journey through roles at IBM, Deloitte, and Zurich Insurance, where she built expertise in data mining, analytics, and tech leadership.

-              Balancing Roles: Learn how Sinja manages her career with motherhood, including her strategic decisions to step back when necessary and re-enter the tech space stronger.

-              Future of Technology: Get insights on the critical importance of data in business, the rise of AI, and why diverse perspectives are key to driving innovation in tech.

Don’t miss out on this motivational and fast-paced conversation that underscores the importance of embracing technology and the unique perspectives women bring to the table. Hit play and get ready to be inspired! 🚀

For those looking to connect with Sinja and learn more about her work, you can find her on Linkedin.