Episodes
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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:
Transition to Tech: Discover how Marion transitioned from a background in languages and business administration to tech, thanks to a three-week coding bootcamp and a supportive partner. Building Community: Hear about her impactful work at HASURA, where she leads the developer education team and supports the open-source community. Overcoming Challenges: Marion shares her journey of breaking into the tech industry, the importance of perseverance, of challenging stereotypes, and how mentorship played a crucial role in her success. Global Impact: Learn about Marion’s nonprofit - Code Blossom and its mission to bridge the tech gender gap in developing countries, providing opportunities for women to achieve financial independence and thrive in the tech sector.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.
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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.
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Join us on this episode of the "Tech Inspired" as we catch up with Emmanuelle David, one of the first Hidden Figures Award winners from 2020. Emmanuelle, now the Executive Director at eSpace within EPFL, has had an incredible journey over the past four years, and we're excited to dive into her story.
She discusses her current role at EPFL, where she combines her passion for sustainability and space technology, overseeing projects and fostering a vibrant student community. Emmanuelle also introduces eSpace's initiative of creating online courses on various space-related topics. These courses are free to audit, open to everyone, and can be started at any time and completed at the student's own pace. You can check them out here.
We explore Emmanuelle’s early inspirations, including how a childhood fascination with the Apollo 13 mission led her to pursue a career in space engineering. From studying aerospace engineering in France and Germany to working with major space organisations like the German Aerospace Center and the European Space Agency, Emmanuelle shares her path and the key moments that shaped her career. She also offers insights into the challenges and rewards of working in a male-dominated field and the importance of resilience and adaptability in the aerospace industry.
For those curious about the aerospace field, Emmanuelle provides valuable advice on entering the industry, emphasising that there are opportunities for everyone, not just those with technical backgrounds. She touches on the future of space sustainability and the ethical considerations that come with it, reflecting on the need for careful management of space activities to ensure the long-term usability of outer space.
Don't miss this fascinating conversation with a true pioneer in the aerospace industry. Follow Emmanuelle on LinkedIn to connect and learn more about her work, and stay updated with eSpace by following their page as well. Listen now to learn more about Emmanuelle's work and her vision for the future of space exploration and sustainability.
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Join us on a new episode of the Tech Inspired podcast where we catch up with Anais Salson, the vibrant Head of Partnerships at 42 Lausanne and last year’s audience favourite at the Hidden Figures Award. Anais shares her unconventional journey into the tech world, from her studies in political sciences and the pivotal moments that steered her towards technology as a powerful tool for solving real-world problems.
She discusses her role at 42 Lausanne, a revolutionary coding school that promotes a tuition-free, peer-learning environment aimed at anyone eager to delve into programming. She emphasises her mission of making education accessible and reflects on her role in nurturing partnerships that support diverse student success.
Anais also reflects on her entrepreneurial ventures and her insights from a global exploration of education's future, which eventually led her to her current role in Switzerland. Her story is a testament to the power of adaptability, networking, and never losing sight of one’s purpose, even when transitioning from an entrepreneur to an employee.
For anyone curious about the non-linear paths that can lead to impactful careers in tech, or looking to understand how diverse experiences can enrich the tech industry, this episode offers a wealth of inspiration and advice. Anais' journey underscores the importance of embracing change, pursuing purpose with passion, and the role of education in transforming lives.
Tune in to discover more about Anais' work and her views on the future of technology and education. It’s an episode filled with valuable insights for anyone aspiring to make a difference in the tech world or anyone simply interested in the transformative power of technology and education.
Follow Anais on LinkedIn to connect and learn more about her work, and stay updated with the latest from 42 Lausanne by following their page as well.
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Meet Viola Sini on the latest episode of the Tech Inspired podcast - Information Security Officer at the Swiss Post and a passionate volunteer for ISACA SheLeadsTech. Viola shares her unique journey from a marketing intern at IBM to a leader in cybersecurity. Discover how a background in languages and translation paved the way for her career in technology, and the events that led her to the forefront of information security.
In this episode, Viola discusses the crucial role of curiosity and communication in tech, highlighting her mission to make the digital world safer and more understandable for everyone. She offers insights into the challenges and rewards of working in IT audit and information security, including the importance of staying updated on emerging technologies like AI and supply chain management. Viola's story is a testament to the non-linear paths that can lead to fulfilling careers in tech, emphasising the value of lifelong learning and adaptability.
Viola also sheds light on the evolving landscape of IT security, stressing the need for "security by design" and the ethical considerations in technology development. She envisions a future where social engineering and digital deception become even more sophisticated, underscoring the importance of critical thinking and scepticism online. Her perspective is a call to action for diverse talents to contribute to creating safer digital environments for all.
Don't miss this inspiring conversation that bridges the gap between technology and humanity, demonstrating that tech careers are as much about safeguarding our societal fabric as they are about innovation. Listen to the podcast now to gain valuable career advice, insights into the dynamic field of information security, and Viola's vision for a more secure and inclusive digital world.
For those looking to connect with Viola or learn more about her work, her LinkedIn profile is: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viola-sini/
N.B. from Viola: For those keen on staying ahead in the cybersecurity field, Viola recommends the following resources.
English speakers:
SANS Ouch
SANS NewsBites
ISACA SmartBrief on Cybersecurity
German speakers:
Inside IT
Swiss IT Magazine
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Today’s episode of "Tech Inspired," welcomes back Akira Brand for an insightful discussion on her continued evolution in the tech industry since our initial conversation in 2022. Having transitioned from opera singing to the tech space before our first interview, Akira has since made significant strides in software engineering and cybersecurity.
Akira shares her experience moving from developer relations to a more hands-on engineering role, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of building an application security program from scratch. Her story illustrates the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and the unique perspective she brings to tech from her background in the arts.
Listeners will gain insights into the realities of working in a startup, the value of mentorship, and how to approach problem-solving and project management when you're the only expert in the room. Akira also discusses her involvement in public speaking and open-source projects, emphasizing the benefits of sharing knowledge and learning in public.
This episode is for anyone interested in the dynamics of career change, the role of women in tech, and the intersection of technical skill and creative problem-solving. Akira's journey is a compelling example of how diverse experiences enrich the tech industry.
For those looking to connect with Akira or learn more about her work, her LinkedIn profile is provided: Akira's LinkedIn
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In our latest podcast episode, we had a fascinating conversation with Solveig, a dynamic software engineer and AI enthusiast based in Switzerland. We delved into her unexpected journey into tech, the challenges she faced, and her experiences working in both big corporations and startups.
Ever wondered how to break into tech without a traditional background? Solveig's advice is simple: don't be discouraged by job requirements. Apply anyway, even if you feel underqualified. You might be underestimating yourself!
We also discussed the future of AI and its impact on the job market. Worried about AI taking over your job? Solveig's perspective might change your mind. Embrace curiosity, she says. Start experimenting with AI tools, like GPT, and see the possibilities for yourself. And remember, failure is just a stepping stone to learning and growth.
Do you want to know more about Solveig's inspiring journey and her insights into the tech world? Tune in to our latest episode and get ready to be motivated! Are you ready to embark on your tech adventure?
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Lerne Simona kennen, Chief Operation Officer bei Textshuttle in Zürich, ein schweizerischer Unternehmen für maschinelle Sprachübersetzung.
Obwohl Simona bereits in der Schule und zu Hause bei den Eltern die ersten Erfahrungen mit Computern sammeln konnte, fehlte ihr doch der direkte Bezug zur Technologie. Dies führte dazu, dass sie sich bei der ersten Berufswahl für eine wirtschaftliche Richtung entschieden. So begann sie ihre Karriere mit einer kaufmännischen Ausbildung.
Nach ein paar Jahren im Beruf, fand Simona neue Interessen und entwickelte sich Richtung Marketing. Sie besuchte die Höhere Fachschule wo sie einen Abschluss in Marketing und Kommunikation. Doch Marketing wurde ihr doch zu einseitig so entschied sie sich, einen Bachelor Abschluss in Digital Business & AI Management machen.
Zu diesem Zeitpunkt hatte sie bereits einige Jahre bei Textshuttle gearbeitet, eine Stelle die ihr dank Zufall und einem guten Netzwerk angeboten wurde. Zu dem Zeitpunkt war Textshuttle ein kleines Unternehmen mit 3 Angestellten. Und obwohl sie noch etwas blauäugig die Stelle angetreten ist, war ihr bewusst, das dies eine einmalige Chance ist etwas neues zu sehen und in einen neuen Bereich einzutauchen.
Wie sich Simona dieser Herausforderung gestellt hat und wie sie die Rolle des COO meistert kannst du dir jetzt in dieser Folge von Tech Inspired anhören.Vernetzt dich mit Simona auf LinkedIn.
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Meet Kristin Umbrach, Head of Development at Swiss IC Security Group, a cybersecurity company. Kristin started her career in a very non-technical way. Although she wanted to become a marine biologist, she soon figured out that this is not the place for her. So she started studying Business Administration. She was always eager to work in an environment and with people who are ambitious so that she can bring her drive and passion to the table. After her studies, she found the perfect place at an investment bank, where she worked in the area of mergers & acquisitions.
During her first job, she realized that technology plays a vital role in her work to improve processes and become more efficient. This led her to her next job, away from an advisory role into the corporate world of construction. The lack of talent in this industry was driving her and her team to find ways to optimize. And of course, technology plays a great role in this. Her next step, into the role she has now, was then initiated by a head hunter. He saw the potential,skills and expertise she had to bring the necessary added value to this job.
Today she enjoys working with different companies, helping them in their transformation processes and translating the company's strategy from management to the employees and embedding it in the everyday lives of the employee.
Kristin is a perfect example of being able to change a career into tech. Listen to this episode and learn more about her career and how she moved into tech.
Connect with Kristin on LinkedIn.
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Meet Megha, CEO and co-founder of Metabloqs, as she shares her insights on the transformative power of generative tech, AI, and the web. Discover how anyone, regardless of their industry or role, can thrive in this space with curiosity, passion, and a willingness to learn. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on whether Metaverse interactions can replace real-life connections.
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Meet Susann Pätschke, an aerospace engineer who found her passion for all things space at a young age. As a Ground Station Modem Engineer with CGI for ESA/ESOC, Susann shares her experience working in the technical aspects of the aerospace and satellite market, and the role it plays in our daily lives.
Listen to the episode to explore her journey, future developments in the space industry, and more. Tune in now!
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Sandra Zimmerli, Cloud Engineer at novaCapta, shares her inspiring journey into the world of tech.
From a young age, Sandra was fascinated by computers and coding quickly became her hobby. Despite not having any role models in the industry, Sandra pursued her passion for IT and is now a successful Cloud Engineer.
In this episode, she discusses the impact of AI, the future of cloud technology, and encourages listeners to pursue their passions in the tech industry.
Tune in to this podcast to be inspired by Sandra's story.
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Meet Stephanie Lambert, Head of Global Sales Operations at Wingtra. Despite having no background in tech, Stephanie has found her way into the industry through her passion for disaster relief and her willingness to explore the unknown.
Stephanie shares her journey from being a typical ballet-dancing girl to becoming a Head of Global Sales Operations and a member of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Corps.
She gives valuable advice on how to enter the drone industry and stresses the importance of being open, talking to a lot of people, and trying things you don't know. She also talks about the future of drones and how they can benefit people.
If you're curious about how Stephanie's journey unfolded and want to learn more about the future of drones and the industry, listen to this episode now. Stephanie's inspiring story and valuable insights are sure to leave you motivated to explore the unknown and step outside of your comfort zone.
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Meet Khanh, Security Advisor at Splunk.
Her interest in numbers led her to study economics and finance. After completing her studies, she landed a job at Microsoft as a business manager, but she soon realized that she wanted more – to explore the sales aspect of the tech industry and talk to customers about the technology and how to use it effectively.
However, switching from a numbers-focused role to sales was not easy. She had to educate herself and find someone who believed in her to get her first job in sales. Khanh's passion for Microsoft technologies, users, and challenges helped her overcome the difficulties and achieve her goal. She worked in different departments at Microsoft and gained a deep understanding of the products, which made it easier for her to connect with them and sell them effectively.
Khanh's journey in the tech industry taught her the importance of having a mentor, creating a network, and listening to the people around you. She also shares her insights on what security advisors do, the future of cybersecurity, and why creativity is crucial in IT.
Want to learn more about the most important skills that helped her to build her career? Listen to the new episode now.
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Lerne Marina Petrovic, Data Reporting Specialist bei ewz, kennen. Marina lernte früh in ihrem Leben zwei Bereiche kennen, die auch sie später prägten: die Physik und das Banking. Obwohl sie bereits im Gymnasium mit Computern in Kontakt kam und die ersten IT Erfahrungen sammelte, entschied sie sich trotzdem für ein Physik Studium. Den Schritt in die Finanzwelt wagte sie dann nach dem Studium. Sie hatte sich schon fast für ein PhD in Physik entschieden, als sie merkte, dass ihr dies einach nicht genug Freude bereitet. Sie entschied sich für ein Post Graduate Program im Bereich Financial Modeling zu machen. Dabei wurde ihr die Banken Welt näher gebrachte. Aber auch da fand sie nicht die Erfüllung.
Während sie sich überlegte, wohin sie möchte, fand sie erste kleiner Aufträge für Daten Analyse über eine online Projekt Platform. Alsbald entschied sie sich in die Schweiz zu ziehen und suchte dann wieder eine Festanstellung. Sie begann ihr Netzwerk aufzubauen und kam bald in Kontakt mit einer Personalvermittlungsfirma, die ihr ein Angebot machten. Eine ideale Gelegenheit für Marina ihr Netzwerk in der Schweiz zu erweitern und mehr über die verschiedenen Branchen kennenzulernen. Dank dem kam sie auch zu ihrem heutigen Job bei der ewz.
Marina hatte einige verschiedenen Jobs bevor sie das gefunden hat, was sie heute inspiriert und motiviert. Und dazu hat ihr auch ihre wichtigste Fähigkeit verholfen. Wenn du mehr über Marina erfahren möchtest, und welche Fähigkeit ihr auf dem Weg in die Tech Branche geholfen hat, hör dir jetzt diese Episode an (in Deutsch).
Vernetze dich jetzt mit Marina auf LinkedIn.
Mehr zu Inspiring Girls findest du hier -
Meet Cornelia, an executive at Eidgenössische Elektrizitätskommission ElCom and the founder of energy-on!
Her journey into technology began in her early childhood. She was a curious child, so she decided to experiment - to put a nail in the socket and see what happened. It was so interesting to know why and how we've electricity in the socket. She never stopped thinking about it, and that was the reason she started studying electrical engineering
But studying at the university didn't go so smoothly for her. At her first lecture, she was the only girl among the 800 boys in the lecture hall. And one of the professors even told her that it was better not to waste her time there because she wouldn't make it t anyway. It’s better to go home and learn how to cook at home.
Engineering was just a men's world, but Cornelia was a really strong girl and wanted to prove to everyone that it shouldn't be that way. That women are no less capable than men and that they can do anything they want to. That profession doesn’t have a gender.
Want to learn more about Cornelia and her journey into engineering? How did she decide not to listen to other people who didn't believe in her just because she's a woman? And how did she make it despite all these obstacles? Listen to the new episode now.
Connect with Cornelia on LinkedIn.
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Meet Alessia, Tech Artist in Meta. She works in a team focused on Mixed Reality, combining the real world with the virtual one. She is very close to the tech team, but at the same time, creativity is a very important part of her work.
She was lucky enough to be exposed to computers from a young age. When she was a child, her father worked for IBM and her mother studied art. So she was always connected to technology and art. Thanks to her father, she had her first computer at a very young age when it was not common. She loved to take her comic book and copy the pictures pixel by pixel onto her computer. When Toy Story came out in theaters, she realized she wanted to work in 3D.
After high school, she studied media design. While studying, she realized that video games were also a good job option, and she shifted her interests from the film industry to the video game industry. She applied to Ubisoft and was hired as a 3D modeler.
What does "artist" mean nowadays? Is it possible to make art in the technical field? How many opportunities are there for artists today? What does the day of the technical artist look like? Listen to the podcast to know all the answers to these questions.
Connect with Alessia on LinkedIn.
Read more about future jobs in the Metaverse.
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Meet Reshma, Group Senior Vice President & Chief Transformation Officer at The Adecco Group.
She is originally from India, but has spent 22 years living in 13 countries on 3 different continents. And all these years she has worked in the tech industry. She is a mother who successfully combines her professional life with childcare.
Reshma is an engineer by training, but tech was never her childhood dream. She grew up in a very patriarchal society where education was highly valued. Therefore, her parents encouraged her to get a good education. In her childhood, she had no role models in the tech field, but she was always very good at math. So she decided to continue her education and career in STEM. And if you wanted to be financially independent, you had no option to have a degree in literature. And one career that could give her financial independence was in tech.
Her first job was in a large engineering company in India, and she was one of the first women to work in the male-dominated field of STEM.
Want to learn more about Reshma? Listen to the episode to find out why the tech industry is not just about doing technical things, but rather about using technology for the greater good, and why an engineering degree is not the most important thing if you want to get into tech.
Connect with Reshma on Linkedin.
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Meet Elcin, the Defense Attack Capability Lead at UBS, Chair for Finance and Banking working group, and lecturer at Swiss Cyber Institute. She is one of the few women working and leading in cyber security. However, it was not always obvious that this would become her passion. After her studies in industrial engineering, she got the opportunity to work in cyber security and has not left since. Elcin had various jobs over the past 16 years, e.g. as an ethical hacker. She gained technical as well as strategic experience in her field.
As a teenager, she discovered already creativity is relevant in the STEM fields. For example, as an ethical hacker, you must be creative and think outside the box to stay one step ahead of hackers. Elcin shares some tips to get started in cyber security. One of her tips is to find the intersection between the role expectations and your skill set. And then you should talk to experts in the roles you are interested in. And she is also a big fan of hackathons for learning and networking opportunities.
Listen to this episode to learn about Elcin’s take on the future of cyber security and how the threat landscape is changing due to the pandemic and artificial intelligence to name just two keywords. Lastly, Elcin shares her top three role models that motivate her with their visions, personalities and actions.
Connect with Elcin on LinkedIn
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Meet Akira Brand, Developer Relations Professional in Bright Security. She had several drastic changes in her career path – started as an opera singer, switched to e-commerce, and is now in software engineer. Before tech, she used to work professionally full-time in the classical music scene. It seems that these are totally different and not connected professions, but the way of approaching work turned out to be very similar.
Akira had inspiring role models from childhood – her parents. Her dad was a geophysicist and her mother was a mathematician. Engineering and mathematical-minded people surrounded her all her life and it was very influential. Her mom also played with her logic games and puzzles. Surprisingly, it really helped her with entrance exams to Coding Bootcamp later – problems were almost the same.
At the same time, Akira always was into singing. She was a shy child and singing was the only comfortable way to express herself and escape from reality. In the world of music, she felt at home. STEM was interesting for her, but music always was more important. That’s why she decided to take her Bachelor’s degree in music, and simultaneously she took a few engineering and maths courses.
After being in the music industry for so long, she was depressed – you always need to be at rehearsals, and you always need to learn something new. You don’t see your family and friends, you just need to work. Her former partner wanted to help and pushed her to look into the software engineering area. At this time she couldn't even think about it seriously – she didn't believe in tech and didn't trust computers. But she decided to give it a chance.
Turns out, she wasn't very enthusiastic about it, it was just okay. But one day she was looking at the code and for the first time she could visualize it, everything made absolute sense to her. From this moment she realized that it was something that she need to proceed with.
If you want to know about her full transition from opera singer to software engineer and the similarities between these areas – listen to the podcast now!
Connect with Akira on LinkedIn.
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