Women Disrupting Tech

Psychotherapy hasn't improved its effectiveness in 40 years, and therapists are burning out.

But what if AI could change that?

In Episode 83 of Women Disrupting Tech, Diana Oganesian shares how her family's decade-long search for therapy after an earthquake inspired her to create Sestive, a platform using AI to make therapy better for everyone.

Discover:📊 Why therapy's effectiveness has stagnated.🤖 How AI makes therapy more human.🔒 How Sestive keeps sensitive health data safe.

🎧 Curious about how AI is transforming therapy and mental health outcomes? Tune in to Episode 83: How Sestive Uses AI to Transform Therapy and Mental Health Outcomes with Diana Oganesian.

If you'd like to connect with Diana or discover more about Sestive, check out the links in the show notes. And don't forget to follow Women Disrupting Tech for more inspiring conversations with the women who are changing the face of technology.

In Episode 82 of Women Disrupting Tech, I sit down with systemic change expert Karim El Oteify to rethink how organizations approach Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

Together, we uncover why a systemic perspective is essential for lasting, meaningful change.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
🔎 The Branding Problem of DEI: How to bridge the gap between communication and real-world implementation
💡 Moving beyond the blame game: Why shifting from fault-finding to systemic solutions is key
🤝 Privilege as a tool for progress: The role of allies in driving inclusive change

Curious to learn more? Hit play and dive into Episode 82, then check out the show notes for links to connect with Karim and explore The Wheels of Impact.

In episode 81 of Women Disrupting Tech, journalist, writer and LGBTQ+ advocate Pim Blom is my guest as we discover the power of storytelling to create an inclusive workplace.

In this episode, Pim shares how storytelling can reshape workplace culture, why LGBTQI+ representation matters, and the surprising ways inclusivity benefits everyone. He even pushes me to examine my own biases in a powerful, reflective moment.

Listen to the episode now, or use the links in the show notes to connect with Pim.

How do you create a sustainable travel business in an industry often seen as unsustainable? And how do you navigate entrepreneurship when your environment doesn’t support your dream?

In Episode 80 of Women Disrupting Tech, Virginia Scheele, founder of Life of Gini and MATI, shares her inspiring journey from microbiology to entrepreneurship.

Learn how she turned 65 rejections into motivation, built two travel platforms redefining inclusion and impact, and why maximizing profit for good is at the heart of her mission.

Tune in for actionable insights on overcoming limiting beliefs, creating lasting impact through profitability, and making DEI the new normal in tech.

Or check out the show notes on the Women Disrupting Tech blog.

Timestamps

03:30 Virginia's Journey from Microbiology to Entrepreneurship

09:39 Overcoming Challenges: the Impact of Gender and Race (aka the story of 65 turned down applications)

15:28 The birth of Gini, a sustainable travel agency

21:33 Sustainability in Travel: A Deep Dive

32:31 Launching GINI, small steps toward the big goal

43:42 The impact of the Dutch New Narrative Lab program on her entrepreneurial journey

50:17 Profit for good, Virginia's Vision on Gini and Mati

56:36 The impact of rejection

59:30 Making DEI in tech the new normal

In the Netherlands, 60% of households are financially unhealthy. And the effects of financial stress can spill over into the workplace.

But how do you help your employees reduce financial stress as an employer?

In the Dutch-spoken episode 79 of Women Disrupting Tech, I sit down with Astrid Bruinsma-Eggink. She's the founder of Sofie, a social fintech startup on a mission to help 100 million Europeans reduce financial stress and live more sustainably. Together, we discuss:

• What financial health really means and how employers can support it.
• Why behavioral change around money is so challenging.
• How behavioral science can empower employees to make smarter financial decisions.

Astrid also shares how Sofie secured €750,000 in funding to ensure its own financial vitality.

🎧 Tune in now to learn how you can create a workplace without money stress and with good financial health, or check out the show notes for more links to connect with Astrid and Sofie.

In episode 78 of Women Disrupting Tech, we're talking to Katty Hsu, a global changemaker on a mission to make entrepreneurship more inclusive.

Born in Taiwan, raised in South Africa, and now shaping change in Rotterdam, Katty brings a unique perspective to the Women in Tech conversation.

In this episode, you'll learn:

📊 Why good data is the backbone of driving diversity and inclusion

💬 How universities can reshape entrepreneurial education to reflect real-world diversity

🤝 Why collaboration and honest dialogue are essential for closing the gender gap

Plus, Katty gives us a sneak peek into the SHELEADS+ Insights Report titled "Towards a gender-equal future in entrepreneurship through data, dialogue and support," which will be unveiled at the annual event on 29 November.

Whether you're a female founder, a data-driven innovator, or someone passionate about a more inclusive future, this episode is packed with insights you don't want to miss.

Tune in now or check the show notes for more information about the episode and links to connect with Katty.

In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, Angela Ursem reveals how she turned her pandemic wake-up call into Food for Skin, a profitable beauty B Corp, using financial success as the foundation for lasting impact.

Discover:

🥗 How edible ingredients are transforming the beauty industry

🌿 The secrets to scaling a brand without greenwashing

💡 Why profitability drives meaningful change for people and the planet

Plus, Angela reveals the next big step for Food for Skin, including their upcoming launch in a new country.

Tune in for actionable insights on building a beauty business that balances purpose and profit!

Imagine preserving your knowledge and personality in a digital form that future generations can access. It sounds like science fiction, but in episode 76 of Women Disrupting Tech, we discover how Stacey Engle's company, Twin Protocol, is making it a reality.

Join us as we explore how her AI-powered digital twins redefine the future of knowledge sharing and the challenges of keeping them secure from risks like hacking and deepfakes.

Stacey also shares her experience balancing life as a tech founder and mom with insights on staying focused on what matters most.

Connect with Stacey on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Twin Protocol on the website

Discover magical moments, insights and practical tips for female founders in the show notes.

In episode 75 of Women Disrupting Tech, Lieke Hölscher shares how she built a transaction monitoring tech startup within Rabobank.

Some key topics that we discussed:

• ​Scaling a team from 2 to 200 people while building a new product from scratch.
• ​Building a culture where ownership, excellence, and openness are at the core.
• ​The importance of having diverse perspectives on problem-solving.

Special thanks to European Women Payments Network and Mollie for their hospitality.

To learn more about Lieke and for opportunities to connect, check out the blog.

In Episode 74 of Women Disrupting Tech, I chat with Ingeborg van Harten, Chief People Officer at 7people, to discover how to build a unicorn-worthy team.

We'll cover:

• How to make your organization as irresistible as the product you're building.
• How to attract the right talent for your company
• How to craft a vision-driven team.

Plus, you'll learn why DEI is an essential component of a culture people love.

Get inspired to build your own unicorn team. Click play to listen or check out the show notes for more information on the episode!