Women in Tech Podcast, hosted by Espree Devora

In this inspiring episode, Maha Achour takes us from her beginnings in North Africa to her pivotal role as co-founder and CEO of Kodamai, a company focused on integrating trust and governance into artificial intelligence. She shares her lifelong passion for mathematics, the journey into physics at MIT, and how these foundations shaped her entrepreneurial career.

Early Passion for Math & Science

Empowering Girls and Women in STEM

AI's Role in Education & the Workforce

Founding Kodamai

Navigating Entrepreneurship

Overcoming Challenges

Parenting, Self-Confidence & Lifelong Learning

Book Recommendations & Influences

Connect with Maha Achour: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahaachour/ 

mention you were inspired by the Women in Tech Podcast 

Remarkable digital notebook—combining analog thinking with digital convenience 

“You always have to find your passion to empower yourself.”  

“If you don’t fail, you’re not trying hard enough… failure is part of success.” 

“AI is not something we should fear, it’s something we should learn to interact with.”  

Plug into Women in Tech on all social platforms @womenintechshow and visit WomenInTechVIP.com to connect with more inspiring women globally.

Mission: 'If She Can Do It, So Can I'

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In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Hudson shares her remarkable journey from neuroscience researcher to founder and CEO of Ambitious Bio, a company building the data infrastructure layer for the biology AI era. Based in Cambridge, Elizabeth Hudson, PhD discusses her career pivots, the inspiration behind Ambitious, and her mission to revolutionize how AI is applied in biotech by tackling the crucial—and often overlooked—challenge of biological data access.

Dr. Hudson opens up about the risks, challenges, and critical moments that shaped her path, while offering clear-eyed advice on persistence, strategic risk-taking, and the importance of building supportive communities for women in tech.

Ambitious: The Missing Layer in AI for Biology

From Neuroscience to Entrepreneurship

Catalysts for Change

Building and Scaling as a Woman in Tech

The Power and Challenge of Data in AI

Practical Inspiration: Focus, Failure, and Momentum

“The people who succeed are not the smartest. Sometimes they're not even the hardest working. They're just the people who are able to look at something and say, through the ups, through the downs, through the fear, through the anxiety, I'm just going to keep focusing on this one thing.”

“We have orders of magnitude more data to target an ad to you on Instagram than we do to target a drug and make sure that it goes to the tumor in your lung.”

“All it takes is one person to be a catalyst… and it was a five minute conversation. And it just gets done. Today is the day.”  

Book: Runnin' Down a Dream by Bill Gurley

Book: Grit by Angela Duckworth

Podcast: Acquired

App: Nessie (context bridge for AI tools)

Podcast: “Don’t Be a Jerk”

X (formerly Twitter): @CLARKPOLNER

The underestimated importance and complexity of building data infrastructure for AI in life sciences

How personal and professional leaps—sometimes inspired by the people closest to us—can create ripples of impact

Why seeing “behind the curtain” reveals opportunities for outsiders and newcomers to shake up even the most established fields

Navigating and reframing obstacles as strengths

Website: womenintechvip.com

Social: @WomenInTechShow

"If she can do it, so can I."

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In this inspiring episode, Espree Devora welcomes Anusha Iyer, CEO and founder of Corsha, an identity security company focused on securing and automating machine-to-machine connectivity in operational technology. Anusha Iyer shares her journey from an early fascination with programming in high school to leading a cutting-edge cybersecurity startup protecting industries like manufacturing, robotics, and critical infrastructure.

With over 25 years in technology and a unique background spanning linguistics, cybersecurity, and leadership, Anusha Iyer gets real about pivoting her company, raising funds, building a resilient team, and the importance of self-belief for women in tech.

Corsha’s mission: Securing the intersection of physical and digital systems, from robots to AI controllers (03:32)

How Anusha Iyer got started in tech and gravitated toward cybersecurity (03:58)

The parallels between digital and physical security: Building trust in the digital era (05:25)

Example use case: Protecting Air Force robots and secure data sharing (09:15)

Navigating an arranged marriage, immigration, and finding her career path by showing up and seizing opportunities (13:37)

Lessons in leadership: From servant to assertive leader, setting boundaries, and building company culture (19:53)

The co-founder journey, pivots, and maintaining strong values and healthy work-life balance (24:18)

Fundraising as a woman in tech: Overcoming rejection, finding the right investors, and learning from "no’s" (32:24)

Advice for younger women and early-career tech professionals: Don’t underestimate yourself, show up with curiosity and drive (41:19)

Favorite resources: "Joy at Work", Lessons in Chemistry, Brene Brown, and practical tech tools like Todoist (42:29)

“Believe in yourself. Everything starts with that belief.” 

“Leadership isn’t about knowing all the answers. It’s about showing more vulnerability and surrounding yourself with people better than you.”

Corsha: corsha.com

Must-read book: Joy at Work

Also recommended: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (audiobook favorite with her daughter)

Thought Leader: Brene Brown

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anusha-iyer/

Website: corsha.com

Connect and collaborate with more incredible women in tech around the world at WomenInTechVIP.com

Follow @WomenInTechShow on all social platforms

"If she can do it, so can I."

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How does authenticity unlock career growth in tech? In this inspiring episode, Priya Ramachandran, Vice President of Engineering for Mixed Signal Group at National Instruments, now part of Emerson Test & Measurement, shares her journey from her early days in India to leading innovation in Austin, Texas. She dives deep into her 22-year journey at the same company, explains how to create opportunities within your organization, and breaks down the myth that job hopping is necessary to progress in tech. Priya emphasizes the importance of building a personal advisory board, embracing growth over perfection, and maintaining your authentic self as you climb the ranks.

Discover actionable insights on mentorship, the role of AI in the workforce, and why the human element will always matter in tech — all aligned with the Women in Tech Show’s mission: “If She Can Do It, So Can I.”

Priya Ramachandran's background and her rise to VP of Engineering at Emerson/National Instruments 01:10  

How NI/Emerson empowers innovation across industries — from rockets to smartphones 03:29  

Keys to staying at one company for over two decades and making every role an adventure 03:29  

Jungle gym vs. career ladder — creating your unique path 07:48  

How to build your own “board of advisors,” and the difference between mentors, sponsors, and advisors 11:40  

The critical role of authenticity in leadership and public speaking 38:56  

Purpose and progress over perfection — lessons from embracing a growth mindset 35:08  

Perspectives on the rise of AI — opportunity or threat? 18:41  

The irreplaceable value of human connection, empathy, and gut instinct in the age of AI 31:21  

Recommended resources and productivity tools 43:40  

Staying connected: How to reach out to Priya 45:40  

"I learned to embrace my authentic self — my background, the culture, and what I bring to the table. That has been such good advice, because otherwise I would have tried to chase something that was not me."  

"Career is a jungle gym, not a ladder. Everybody has to have their own journey."

"Sponsors don’t just get made. You don’t find them — the sponsors find you when you put in the work." 

"Perfection is an illusion fueled by the fear of failure or judgment... Choosing progress and purpose over perfection is key." 

"Authenticity builds more likability than anything else. That is the best strategy." 

"AI will fundamentally change how we work, but as human beings, we have this innate ability to see around corners and solve problems with empathy and gut instinct." 

Must-Follow Thought Leaders: Adam Grant, Brené Brown, and their podcast “Curiosity” 

Must-Read Book: Growth Mindset by Carol Dweck   

Go-To Productivity Tool: Office365's Copilot 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priya-ramachandran/ 

Connect with incredible women in tech  globally:

womenintechvip.com

@womenintechshow across all social platforms

If She Can Do It, So Can I! — Amplifying the stories of inspiring women accelerating their careers in technology, worldwide.

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In this episode, we sit down with Sarah Rodrigues, Chief Product Officer at Acre Security, who shares her inspiring journey from growing up in India to leading innovation in the security tech industry in Austin, Texas. Sarah Rodrigues brings a fresh perspective to how diverse experiences, curiosity, grit, and mentorship accelerate women’s careers in technology.

With a dynamic background spanning engineering, lighting design, Amazon, and now security hardware and software, Sarah Rodrigues discusses the art of career pivots, building professional allies, learning through doing, and the real role support systems play in achieving personal and professional growth.

Redefining what it means to be an engineer in tech 00:00  

How Acre Security keeps people and businesses safe globally 01:28  

Transitioning from Amazon to a leadership role in an entirely new industry 04:38  

The power of curiosity and learning by doing 25:00  

Building a board of life “directors” and mentorship networks 19:56  

Navigating major career shifts and overcoming obstacles 30:12  

Embracing boundaries and self-care for sustainable success 27:37  

Advice for women feeling unqualified or intimidated by new challenges 22:24  

“Everything she has achieved in her life, she has done scared. She’s just gone and done it.” – on lessons from her mother  

“If you look back at the journey, you can see you’ve done harder things and you’ll get through it.”  

"My career didn't follow a plan. Life circumstances shaped my journey." 

“You can combine so many different things, leverage technology—whether it’s art or music. It’s endless.” 

Book: Grit by Angela Duckworth 34:00  

Productivity Influencer: Ali Abdaal (practical, happiness-oriented productivity) 35:13  

App: Headspace (meditation and mindfulness) 36:10  

LinkedIn: Sarah J. Rodrigues

“If She Can Do It, So Can I.”

Connect and celebrate more women in tech globally: womenintechvip.com

Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe and share this episode with anyone who needs a little inspiration to make their next leap in tech.

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In this inspiring episode of Women in Tech, Jessica McKellar, CEO of Pilot, joins us from San Francisco to share her journey from MIT computer club to serial entrepreneurship. She dives into her mission of democratizing finance and accounting for small businesses, the emotional side of entrepreneurship, finding purpose in work, family-life philosophy, and what keeps her striving for more. This candid conversation is packed with wisdom for women forging their own path in tech, emphasizing the podcast’s mission: “If She Can Do It, So Can I.”

Jessica McKellar — CEO of Pilot

Entrepreneurship & Personal Growth:

The Human Side of Bookkeeping:

Career Acceleration:

Leadership & Team Building:

Work, Life, and What “Balance” Really Means:

Resilience & Overcoming Obstacles:

Fundraising & Profitability:

Mentorship, Support, and Thick Skin:

Personal Recommendations:

Old-school edutainment games for kids (Math Storm, Reader Rabbit, Number Munchers)  

Podcasts: Search Engine, Freakonomics Radio  

Tools: Whisper Flow for AI dictation  

“The times in my life when I have felt burnt out were not related to how long I was working… It was about being in situations where I didn't like the situation that I was in and I couldn't get out of it, where I lacked the autonomy to resolve a thing that was causing stress or pain.” 

“Your job is sales. So get ready to love it.” 

“My goal in life is to leverage the capabilities that I have in the world to make it a little bit better.” 

Pilot — https://pilot.com

00:01:18 — Customer stories and the personal side of accounting

00:04:16 — Engineering background, business partnership, and why bookkeeping

00:10:33 — Entering tech and overcoming imposter syndrome

00:14:04 — Leadership style and the importance of detail

00:17:17 — Surviving hard transitions and building capacity

00:23:37 — On work, life, and living without “balance”

00:27:28 — Burnout and agency

00:32:03 — Fundraising tips for founders

00:37:25 — Responding to gendered feedback and building self-trust

00:40:42 — Favorite podcasts

00:43:00 — Old-school educational games for kids

Be inspired by more global stories of women accelerating in tech — because "If She Can Do It, So Can I." Subscribe and connect at womenintechvip.com

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Leading with Courage: Laurie Oswald, Chief Commercial Officer at C&D Technologies on Building Strong Networks : Women in Tech Texas

Host: Espree Devora
Guest: Laurie Oswald, Chief Commercial Officer at C&D Technologies

In this inspiring episode of the Women in Tech Podcast, Espree Devora sits down with Laurie Oswald, Chief Commercial Officer at C&D Technologies. Laurie Oswald shares her unconventional journey from studying psychology to leading major commercial strategy in the technology and battery industry. She discusses breaking into tech as a technical writer, the power of building credible expertise, and the importance of leveraging networks. Listeners will gain insights into Laurie Oswald’s leadership philosophy, her approach to customer-centric strategy, and the essential role of taking risks in career growth.

Introduction & Career Journey

• Laurie Oswald’s role at C&D Technologies and Trojan Battery
• Differences between C&D Technologies and Trojan, and the unique markets they serve
• Laurie Oswald’s transition from psychology major to tech industry leader

Breaking into Tech & Building Credibility

• How she landed her first job as a technical writer and built expertise from scratch
• The importance of technical competence and staying updated with industry trends

Networking & Mentorship

• Leveraging professional groups and industry networks for growth
• Stories of personal mentors and the value of supportive advisors

Leadership & Team Building

• Laurie Oswald’s results-driven, “fail forward” leadership style
• Building a diverse and high-performing team and empowering others

Customer-Centric Strategy

• Serving data centers, telecom, utilities, and the motive power market (like golf carts and industrial applications)
• The importance of listening to customer needs and offering the right technical solution, rather than focusing on “convincing”

Personal Stories & Advice

• Overcoming setbacks: a personal story of failing to secure a major deal and the leadership lesson it provided
• Advice Laurie Oswald would give her younger self: build relationships early, don’t keep your head down, and leverage the power of mentorship

Book & Tool Recommendations

• Book: “Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg for women in leadership
• Must-follow: Simon Sinek (“Start with Why”)
• Favorite tech tool: Microsoft Copilot for productivity and safe AI-powered work

Women Supporting Women

• Laurie Oswald discusses her daughter’s journey in biomedical engineering and the importance of putting your goals or needs out into the community
• The power of speaking up—“If you’re invited to the meeting, you belong there”

• “Credibility isn’t given, it’s earned. The fastest way to earn credibility is through technical excellence.” – Laurie Oswald
• “Relationships amplify your impact.” – Laurie Oswald
• “Don’t be afraid to take chances. When you do, it shows leadership and adaptability.” – LaurieOswald
• “If you’re invited to attend the meeting, you belong there. Don’t hesitate to take your seat at the table.” – Laurie Oswald

• LinkedIn: Laurie Oswald

• C&D Technologies: Powering critical infrastructure with industrial batteries
• Trojan Battery Company: Leading deep-cycle batteries for industrial and utility vehicles

Thank you for tuning in to the Women in Tech Podcast with Espree Devora and Laurie Oswald! Make sure to connect with Laurie on LinkedIn and join the Women in Tech community for more empowering stories and career insights.

Remember: If she can do it, so can you!

Subscribe & Follow:

• All Platforms: @WomeninTechShow
• Contact Espree Devora: [email protected]

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“Somer Baburek of Hera Biotech: Advancing Women’s Health”

#womenintech Show is a WeAreTech.fm production.

Become a Most Valuable Listener at http://womenintech.love

To support the Women in Tech podcast go to https://www.patreon.com/womenintech

To be featured on the podcast go to http://womenintechshow.com/feature

Host,

Espree Devora 

https://twitter.com/espreedevora

https://www.linkedin.com/in/espree

Guest, 

Somer Baburek 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/somerbaburek

In LA? Here’s some awesome resources for you to become immersed in the LA Tech scene -

For a calendar of all LA Startup events go to, http://WeAreLATech.com

Get Podcast Listeners, http://getpodcastlisteners.com/

Tour Signup, https://tour.wefranch.com/signup/los-angeles-1

Los Angeles Tech Community Leader Co Working Day, https://lu.ma/losangelestech_coworking

Resources Mentioned:

• Hera Biotech, https://www.herabiotech.com
• Geekdom, https://geekdom.com
• Launch SA, launched sa
• Betty’s Co, https://bettysco.com
• Curiedx, https://www.curiedx.com
• All In Her Head, https://www.amazon.com/All-Her-Head-Medicine-Matters/dp/0063293013

Credits:

• Produced and Hosted by Espree Devora, http://espreedevora.com
• Story Produced, Edited and Mastered by Cory Jennings, https://www.coryjennings.com
• Production and Voiceover by Adam Carroll, http://www.ariacreative.ca
• Team support by Janice Geronimo
• Music by Jay Huffman, https://soundcloud.com/jayhuffman

Short Title: Somer Baburek

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Women in Tech Podcast - Episode Shownotes

Episode Title: Building Evenigo: Christina Ness on Grit, No-Code, and Connection 
Host: Espree Devora
Guest: Christina Ness  CEO & Founder of Evenigo

Episode Highlights:

In this inspiring episode, Espree Devora chats with Christina Ness, an entrepreneur based in Los Angeles and the founder of Evenigo, a social calendar platform designed to help users connect with their favorite brands, artists, and influencers—without the spam. It makes sure that you don't miss out on your favorite live events by adding key concerts and sporting events directly to your calendar. Christina shares her journey from working at digital agencies and gaming giants like Activision Blizzard to building her own tech startup from scratch.

You’ll hear Christina’s candid take on:

• What Evenigo Is & How It Works: A user-friendly platform where you can discover and subscribe to event and brand calendars, integrate with your Google Calendar, and never miss out on retail sales or live events again.
• Her Journey Into Tech: From agency life and UI/UX to a stint at Activision Blizzard, Christina explains how the tech world opened up to her and why there’s no one right path.
• Building Evenigo: The ups and downs, from collaborating with a friend on the original concept to learning no-code tools like Wix, Adalo, and Bubble to launch the product without a traditional coding background.
• Entrepreneurial Realities: Christina gets real about founder loneliness, overcoming self-doubt, and how persistence, even more than expertise, leads to success.
• Community & Support: The power of programs like Jason Calacanis’s LAUNCH accelerator in fostering connection and growth for early-stage founders, plus why finding the right cofounder or CTO is often game-changing.
• Fundraising & Growth: Christina discusses the challenges around traction, fundraising milestones, and her plans to scale Evenigo.

Key Takeaways:

• There’s no single way to build a company—do it your way!
• You don’t have to be a coder to launch a tech product; resourcefulness and grit matter more.
• Community, support, and continuous learning are essential for women founders.

Christina’s Top Recommendations:

• Book: I Forgot to Die by Khalil Rafati – an inspiring, honest look at entrepreneurship and personal transformation.
• Podcast: Earn Your Happy by Lori Harder – uplifting conversations with entrepreneurs and thought leaders.

Connect with Evenigo:
Discover ways to spice up your calendar and never miss out on events you care about.
Website: Evenigo
(Integrate with Google Calendar, discover events, and avoid the spam!)

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Jason Calacanis LAUNCH Accelerator
• Women in Tech’s LA Tech Walks

Join the Conversation:
If you’re inspired by Christina’s story or want to meet fellow founders, check out Women in Tech’s LA Tech Walks to expand your network—and maybe meet your next co-founder!

About Women in Tech Podcast:
Hosted by Espree Devora, the show spotlights women in tech around the world, sharing practical advice and real stories so you can see what’s possible: “If She Can Do It, So Can I.”

Listen, Subscribe & Share!

Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your community. For more inspiring stories, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

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Women in Tech Podcast: Mariyam Shamshidova 
Wefranch US tour: https://tour.wefranch.com/signup/los-angeles-2

Host: Espree Devora
Guest: Mariyam Shamshidova (Growth & Product Lead, Wefranch)
Location: Lighthouse Studio, Venice, CA
Episode Theme: Navigating Entrepreneurship, Franchising, and Building Purposeful Careers in Tech

• Mariyam’s Journey: From Uzbekistan to Vanderbilt to NYC startup life.
• What is Wefranch? Making franchising accessible with data-driven tools, and what being the “Zillow of franchising” means.
• The Power of Franchising: Debunking myths, its accessibility for young founders and creators, and why it’s an untapped lucrative opportunity.
• Early-Stage Startup Life: The reality of multi-tasking, learning on the go, and finding confidence without a big brand name.
• Purpose & Success: Redefining success beyond status, and staying connected to your “why.”
• Women & Belief: The importance of self-belief, especially for women in tech, and breaking mental models that keep women from applying for opportunities.
• Event Building & Community: Mariyam’s hands-on tactics for event marketing and growth – from local connectors to personalized outreach.
• Personal Growth: Lessons from Charlie Munger, advice on prioritization, and finding mentorship in unexpected places.

• Company: Wefranch.com – Marketplace for franchising opportunities
• Recommended Book: Poor Charlie’s Almanack by Charlie Munger
• Must-Follow Thought Leader: Paul Graham (Y Combinator essays)
• Past Relevant Episode: WeAreLATech podcast with Wefranch founder Gregory Ugwi

“In order to do anything, you must believe that the thing is possible.”

“It’s not about the magazine cover — it’s about how you feel in your body every day.”

“If she can do it, so can I.”

• Podcast VIP Community: womenintechvip.com
• Social: @WomenInTechShow on all platforms

Listen and get inspired by Mariyam’s story — redefining what’s possible for women in tech, one bold step at a time.

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