Women Disrupting Tech

What does it take to build a sustainable career in tech? Simone Mink shares how learning, leadership, and boundaries shaped her journey at Mendix.

In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, I speak with Simone Mink, Head of Portfolio Management at Mendix, about building a career in tech without a predefined path. We talk about agency, agility, and bouncebackability, and about what happens when resilience quietly turns into burnout.

Follow Women Disrupting Tech for more conversations about building careers and companies in tech without losing yourself.

Chapters

02:26 - From Leisure Management to Tech Leader
05:17 - The Journey of Learning to Code
08:08 - Transitioning Roles at Mendix
11:02 - Pitching Yourself. The Art of Self-Advocacy
16:12 - Embracing Uncertainty and ADHD
24:49 - Navigating Challenges in HR Management
30:47 - Lessons from Burnout and Resilience
37:37 - Resilience and Boundaries
39:08 - Graciousness Towards Oneself
43:24 - The Importance of Exercise
45:11 - Navigating Hormonal Changes
46:47 - Current Role and Responsibilities
52:25 - AI's Role in Decision Making
57:00 - Change Management and Accountability
01:00:44 - Driving Change Through Positivity
01:03:27 - The Power of Communication
01:07:19 - Addressing Bias in AI

Connect with Simone Mink.

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonemink-keynotespeaker-unlimitedgrowthmindset/

Website:
https://www.simonemink.com

Learn more about Mendix.

Website: https://www.mendix.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mendix/

What if promoting people on merit is the easiest way to get more women into boardrooms?

In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, I’m joined by Tiffany Aude and Yoana Leusin, founders of Impowr, a coaching platform for ambitious women in male-dominated industries. We unpack why women leave tech before reaching leadership, how promotion decisions are shaped by perception rather than performance, and what founders and leaders can change to build workplaces where women can actually thrive.

We talk about objective hiring, incentives that motivate diverse teams, the role of mindset and self-advocacy, and why allyship is not theory but action taken at the right moment. This conversation is for founders, leaders, women in tech, and allies who want to move beyond good intentions and design better systems.

Chapters

00:03:08 Personal Journeys and Career Paths

00:08:15 The Impact of Gender Dynamics in the Workplace

00:12:43 The Dynamics of Competition in Corporate Environments

00:20:24 The Promotion Paradox

00:26:56 Legislative Changes and Their Impact on Gender Equality

00:29:01 The Business Case for Gender Equality

00:37:17 The Impact of Job Descriptions on Diversity

00:39:24 Creating Inclusive Interview Structures

00:41:33 Building a Supportive Workplace Culture

00:43:35 Strategies for Empowering Women in Tech

00:50:07 Creating Inclusive Work Environments

00:51:54 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Building Confidence

00:55:09 Tools for Enhancing Self-Worth and Negotiation Skills

01:02:00 The Role of Male Leaders in Supporting Women

01:09:19 The Future of Gender Equality in the Workplace

Connect with Tiffany, Yoana, and Impowr

Tiffany Aude on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-aude-05a251158/

Yoana Leushin on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoana-leusin/

Impowr website
https://www.impowr.co

Impowr on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/impowr8

Impowr on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/impowr.co/

Read the Blog on Substack

In-depth reflections, key takeaways, and behind-the-scenes insights from this episode are available on Substack:
https://womendisruptingtech.substack.com/

If your strategy feels heavy, outdated, or too complicated to actually use, this episode will change the way you think about building and growing your company.

In episode 131 of Women Disrupting Tech, I sit down with Dorit Roest, founder of Strategy Sprint Company, to explore why the best strategies are simple, agile, and aligned with your original purpose. Dorit shares how founders lose momentum when their personal and business goals drift apart, and how a strategy that fits on a post-it can help you reset your focus fast.

We cover:
• Why founders feel off-track and how to realign with your original why
• The Zoom Out method for spotting real opportunities and threats
• The Battery Check: time, money, energy
• Why courage expands your ambition
• The visualization exercise that unlocks long-term direction
• How to design goals that stay flexible as your reality changes

This conversation is practical, honest, and full of tools you can apply today to build a strategy that actually works.

Chapters:

02:20 Dorit Roest's Entrepreneurial Journey 05:24 The Role of Entrepreneurship in Solving Global Issues 08:16 Aligning Personal and Business Goals 11:13 The Importance of Agility in Strategy 14:09 Simplifying Strategy for Modern Businesses 17:16 Zooming Out: Understanding the Bigger Picture 20:24 Addressing Global Challenges as Entrepreneurs 23:14 Mapping Opportunities and Threats 26:14 The Battery Check: Assessing Personal and Business Energy 29:09 Prioritizing Time, Money, and Energy 32:02 Lessons from the Past Year 43:33 Navigating Maternity Leave and Business Growth 46:05 The Unique Challenges of Women Entrepreneurs 48:09 Innovative Leadership and Team Management 50:47 Encouraging Ambition and Risk-Taking 52:18 Visualization Techniques for Goal Setting 58:40 Aligning Personal and Professional Goals 1:03:11 The Importance of Alignment in Success 1:07:13 Simplifying Goals and Accountability 1:12:20 Building Supportive Networks for Female Founders

Connect with Dorit:
Website: https://www.strategysprint.company/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doritroest/

Connect with Strategy Sprint Company:

Website: ⁠https://www.strategysprint.company/⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/doritroest/⁠

Read the show notes on the blog.

In this episode, Andrea Cristancho shows how founders can turn stress into a source of clarity instead of chaos. We talk about pattern interrupts, wellbeing as a leadership skill, and a simple 10-second breathing practice you can use any time your mind starts to spin.

Andrea Born-Christancho has built companies across Mainland China, South Africa, and Switzerland, and her work helps founders understand what their bodies are telling them so they can lead with more intention and less overwhelm.

Chapters

02:30 Andrea's Journey to Entrepreneurship and Health Coaching

05:35 The Impact of Burnout on Leadership

08:20 Wellbeing as a Foundation for Success

12:01 Integrating Wellbeing into Leadership

16:32 Managing Guilt and Prioritizing Self-Care

23:42 The Role of Pattern Interrupts in Daily Life

33:22 How Leaders Can Support Teams in Building Routines

37:41 Breathing Techniques for Better Focus

40:13 The Breathing Exercise

44:13 Stress as a Friend, Not the Enemy

49:45 The Role of Men in Supporting Women in Leadership

Connect with Andrea

Website: https://www.andreacristancho.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreaborncristancho-impactstrategyconsultant/

Connect with host Dirkjan Hupkes

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirkjan-hupkes

Subscribe to the Women Disrupting Tech Newsletter

Substack: https://womendisruptingtech.substack.com

Read the full blog for this episode

https://womendisruptingtech.blog

Gina Schinkel's founder career didn’t follow the straight line to being a founder. She built Driftawave and Leaderwave by choosing the world over the ladder and learning how travel, culture, and leadership shape each other.

In this episode, we explore the power of workations, generous leadership, and what happens when you stop choosing one path and start integrating all the roads you’ve walked.

Listen to episode 129 of Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

Chapters:

03:43 Gina Schinkel's Journey to Driftawave and Leaderwave 06:12 The Intersection of Travel and Technology 09:09 Cultural Insights: Returning to the Netherlands 11:55 The Benefits of Team Retreats and Workations 14:20 Creating Connections: The Role of Workations in Team Dynamics 17:22 Navigating Remote Work and Office Mandates 19:55 Exploring Workation Locations and Experiences 22:52 The Evolution of Workations: Beyond Just Work 24:50 Workations and Startup Success: Attracting Talent 27:43 Measuring Success: KPIs for Workations 30:45 The Future of Work: AI's Role in Business 33:24 Leadership Trends and the Role of AI 35:09 Diversity and Inclusion in Work Culture 37:42 Building Trust and Connections in Business 47:32 Empowering Women in Tech 1:02:18 Closing the Funding Gap for Female Founders

Links:

Learn more about the episode on the blog

Connect with Gina on LinkedIn

Learn more about Driftawave

Learn more about Leaderwave

Follow Women Disrupting Tech on Substack

What if feeling good about yourself was a precondition for being a good ally?

In this episode, Salmaan Sana shares how allyship connects leadership, emotional health, and inclusion.

A former medical student turned leadership facilitator, he explains why vulnerability matters, how overcompensation can repair old imbalances, and how small, human moments can drive real change.

Listen to learn how men can become more effective allies for women in tech—starting with awareness, compassion, and action.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Chapters
03:00 - Journey into Healthcare and Leadership
10:30 - The Role of Medical Education in Leadership
20:06 - Understanding Allyship and Its Importance
31:45 - Men's Vulnerability and Emotional Health
51:32 - Practical Steps to Become an Ally
59:04 - Closing the Funding Gap for Female Founders

Links

You can connect with Salmaan on LinkedIn or via his website.

You can learn more about the episode on Substack.

You can connect with host Dirkjan Hupkes on LinkedIn.

In this episode, Settly CEO Marieke van Iperen shares how her upbringing in a hippie community shaped her view on leadership, and how she built a fast-growing startup that combines business growth with human connection.

We explore how relocation can drive inclusion, what founders can learn from impact investors, and why belonging is a business outcome, not a soft value.

Whether you’re a founder, people leader, or HR professional, this episode will help you build inclusive, globally connected teams.

Chapters

• 00:00 - Intro
• 03:00 Journey to Becoming a CEO
• 04:16 Hippie Roots and Startup Culture
• 05:36 Bootstrapping and Values in Business
• 06:51 Cultural Intelligence in Hiring
• 12:15 Navigating COVID-19 Challenges
• 15:16 Geopolitical Challenges in Expansion
• 17:16 Overview of Settly and Its Services
• 19:44 Impact of Government Policies on Business
• 24:59 Changing Perspectives on Immigration
• 28:38 Creating Safe Spaces in Companies
• 44:02 Men’s Role in Inclusivity
• 45:02 - New Features and Closing Thoughts

Links:

Connect with Marieke on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Settly on the website

Get free access to Tenant Hub here (Dutch companies only)

Follow Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube for weekly episodes.

Yasmina Khababi runs Freshtable, a social impact catering company that creates meaningful jobs for highly skilled former refugees by matching their original expertise with new opportunities in the hospitality industry. One meal at a time, she connects sustainability, inclusion, and food accessibility.

In this episode you will learn how she built this without investors, how she protects her mind as a sanctuary, and how inclusion in tech can become powerful when you stop waiting for permission.

We talk about:
00:00 - Introduction to FreshTable and Its Mission
02:48 - Connecting Climate Change and Refugee Issues
05:52 - The FreshTable Business Model and Its Values
08:50 - Empowering Refugees Through Work and Education
12:05 - Geographical Luck and Its Impact on Opportunity
14:56 - Facilitating Change: The Role of FreshTable
17:50 - Accreditation and Career Advancement for Refugees
20:52 - Diversity vs. Inclusion in the Workplace
24:00 - The Vision for a Sustainable Future
26:53 - The Role of the FreshTable Foundation
29:38 - Creating a Safe Space for Feedback
33:24 - Servant leadership and safe spaces
39:14 - Mindset as a Sanctuary
45:26 - The Art of Letting Go
53:05 - Rest as a Right, Not a Reward
55:02 - The Role of Men in Promoting Inclusion

Yasmina’s story is a reminder that inclusion is not mere theory; it is a practice. It is how you lead, rest, and let others grow.

Connect with Yasmina Khababi on LinkedIn.

Read about the magic moment, practical takeaways for founders, and my notes to self on the Women Disrupting Tech blog.

Follow Women Disrupting Tech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

What happens when inclusion stops being a policy and becomes the foundation of a company?

In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, Magali Elhage and Matthijs Welle share how Mews turned diversity, leadership, and technology into a culture where people can be themselves and perform at their best.

Chapters

03:05 Journey to Mews: Personal Stories of Transformation 05:48 Breaking Barriers: The Struggles of Diversity in Hospitality 08:26 From Traditional to Innovative: The Birth of Mews 11:10 Building a Tech-Driven Hospitality Future 13:55 Inclusion by Design: Creating a Culture of Belonging 16:44 Empowering Voices: The Role of Leadership in Diversity 19:37 The Importance of Storytelling in DEI Initiatives 22:12 Navigating Challenges: The Path to Inclusive Leadership 25:07 Creating Safe Spaces: The Mews Experience 27:44 The Role of Employee Resource Groups in Culture Building 30:40 Parental Leave and Support: Building for the Future
33:50 Addressing the Gender Pay Gap: A Long-Term Commitment 36:40 Leveraging AI for Growth and Learning 39:40 The Power of Allyship in Tech 42:17 Reflections on Personal Growth and Performance 45:31 Innovative Tools for Communication and Feedback 48:19 Facing Fears: Embracing Change in Leadership 51:11 Advice for Founders: Building an Inclusive Company 54:19 The Future of Mews: Vision and Strategy

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

💬 Discover more about this episode in the show notes

🌐 Explore Mews: https://www.mews.com

🔗 Connect on LinkedIn with Matthijs Welle
Magali Elhage

❤️ Follow Women Disrupting Tech for more stories on inclusion, innovation, and leadership.

What happens when a former founder becomes an investor and decides to change the system from within?

In this episode, Anieke Lamers, Venture Partner at Borski Fund, shares how she is challenging bias in venture capital and backing bold female founders to build a more inclusive startup ecosystem.

A former founder herself, Anieke knows both sides of the table. She talks about emotional attachment, burnout, and why founders deserve to be put on a pedestal.

You will hear why understanding a fund’s vintage matters, how empathy leads to better investing, and what still needs to change for true equality in venture capital.

If you have ever wondered what it takes to invest differently or to keep building when the odds are against you, this episode is for you.

Chapters

02:40 Journey to Borski Fund
05:29 The Role of an Operating Partner
08:28 Challenges for Women in Leadership
11:26 The Founder-Investor Dynamic
14:36 Building Peekabond: A Personal Journey
17:26 The Emotional Attachment of Founders
20:24 Coaching for Mental Health in Startups
23:29 Changing Expectations in Pitching
26:18 The Importance of Diverse Teams
29:19 Borski Fund’s Mission and Impact
32:21 The Slow Progress of Female Founders
35:26 The Future of Gender Equality in VC
37:57 Bias in Investment Decisions
41:16 Selecting the Right VC
44:04 The Need for Policy Changes
47:01 Celebrating Female Founders
49:53 Success Metrics for Borski Fund
52:52 The Role of Men in VC
55:48 Final Thoughts and Connections

🎧 Listen to “How Anieke Lamers Closes the Inequality Gap by Backing Female Founders with Borski Fund” on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube.

💬 If this episode made you think differently about startup investing, share it with someone who should hear it.