Tech. Strong. Women.

Join Jodi Ashley and Tracy Ragan for another episode of Tech.Strong.Women, where we dive deep into the world of cybersecurity and beyond with Caroline Wong, Chief Strategy Officer at Cobalt and trailblazer in the field. In this episode, we explore the fundamental principles of cybersecurity, highlighting the critical need for proactive security measures in an era of constant cyber threats. Caroline shares invaluable insights on offensive versus defensive security strategies, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing limited resources towards offensive testing to uncover vulnerabilities. We delve into the transformative potential of AI in cybersecurity, discussing its ability to automate tasks while underscoring the indispensable role of human oversight in setting security goals and processes. Additionally, Caroline shares her inspiring journey in tech, shedding light on the importance of encouraging diversity and creativity in STEM fields to cultivate innovative problem-solving skills essential for the future of technology. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that combines cybersecurity fundamentals with empowering narratives from one of the industry's leading voices.

In this episode, hosts Jodi Ashley and Tracy Ragan have the privilege of speaking with Ewelina Wilkosz (Velux), a driving force behind the evolution of Jenkins Configuration as Code and a prominent figure in the open-source community. Ewelina shares her journey from consultant to Jenkins board member, recounting her pivotal role in developing early prototypes and collaborating with Jenkins creator Kosuke Kawaguchi to shape the future of the platform. As one of the few women in the predominantly male-dominated Jenkins community, Ewelina reflects on her experience, highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion in open source and the invaluable confidence gained through her involvement. Moreover, Ewelina underscores the critical need for sustained support and funding for open-source projects, emphasizing the role of community engagement in ensuring their longevity. Offering practical advice for women entering the tech field, Ewelina encourages participation in open source as a pathway to skill development and community building. Tune in for an insightful conversation that celebrates the power of women in tech and the transformative potential of open source.

In this episode, join hosts Jodi Ashley and Tracy Ragan as they sit down with Shannon Mason, CSO of Tempo Software, to discuss the persistent gender pay gap in the United States, shining a light on the disparities that continue to affect women’s earnings across various states. Shannon underscores the urgency of addressing this inequality and emphasizes the importance of fostering an environment in the tech industry that encourages and rewards women.
We also delve into the transformative potential of AI in healthcare, exploring how artificial intelligence and machine learning can revolutionize diagnostic processes, reduce waiting times for patients, and alleviate administrative burdens on medical professionals.
Additionally, Shannon shares insights on the role of psychology in organizational planning, highlighting the significance of understanding human biases and tendencies to facilitate better decision-making. Tune in for an engaging conversation that touches on vital issues and offers valuable perspectives for women in tech and beyond.

Join hosts Jodi Ashley and Tracy Ragan in a captivating conversation with Cristine Gollayan, a trailblazer in cybersecurity and advocate for women in tech, as she shares her inspiring career journey from coding for Y2K to championing diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. Delve into the impactful initiatives of STEM for Her, empowering young girls to envision themselves as future leaders in technology through hands-on programs. Gain valuable insights from a discussion on the importance of representation, finding one’s voice, and tackling future security challenges, including the transformative potential of AI and quantum computing. Watch the interview now for an insightful exploration of the intersection between technology, empowerment, and the future.

In the first Tech.Strong.Women. episode of 2024, Jodi Ashley and Tracy Ragan are joined by Alysia Silberg, a seasoned entrepreneur and venture capitalist with a deep-rooted passion for AI and mathematics, shares her journey in the book "Unemployable." From starting her first company at the age of 5 to becoming a VC focused on AI, Alysia explores the transformative impact of AI on her work and life. The book serves as both a memoir and a playbook, offering insights into building successful companies in the AI era. Alysia advocates for AI as a tool to level the playing field, especially for minorities and women, enabling them to develop skills and confidence without judgment. In evaluating AI investments, she seeks founders with obsessive passion, prioritizes ideas that push humanity forward, and values shared principles, the ability to navigate difficult conversations, and self-promotion. Alysia emphasizes the use of AI systems for practicing pitches and building confidence. Overall, her approach reflects a commitment to fostering diversity and innovation in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI entrepreneurship.

Join hosts Jodi Ashley and Tracy Ragan in a candid conversation with Smitha Murthy, CEO at Beagle Security. The panel delves into the challenges AI startups face when seeking funding, primarily due to a shrinking investment pool. They also highlight the increasing investor interest in AI cybersecurity, specifically within application security. The discussion underscores the importance of AI in fortifying defenses against breaches, notably through API security, while addressing the imperative for secure legacy system architectures. Also discussed is the need for affordable security solutions tailored to small and mid-sized businesses and the pivotal role of automation within the software development pipeline. In addition, they explore the significance of women in the tech industry and share personal experiences of breaking through barriers in male-dominated fields.

Despite all the focus on backend technological advancements, success or failure in tech can often come down to how the user can (or can't) interact with your product. In other words, technology lives or dies by user experience (UX). In the latest episode of Tech.Strong.Women., hosts Jodi Ashley and Tracy Ragan are joined by Nicole Sundin (Axio) to explore the topic of user experience design. Gain invaluable insights into the expansive scope of user experience design, transcending digital interfaces to encompass all products and physical spaces. Learn how mental models significantly shape user interactions and discover the importance of diverse teams in ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive design approach so your user experience is stellar.

In this episode, hosts Jodi Ashley and Tracy Ragan are joined by Chris McHale, co-founder and CEO of SPK and Associates. Instead of diversity, equity and inclusion being an afterthought, McHale and SPK and Associates make it a top priority - actively striving to bring in individuals from various backgrounds to enhance their team's capabilities and perspectives. With over 20 years of experience in the IT operations space, Chris and her team have primarily focused on software development and product development. They specialize in providing DevOps services to various clients, ranging from startups to established enterprises.In addition to her professional endeavors, Chris is deeply invested in philanthropy. She has been actively involved in projects aimed at improving the lives of women and girls in Ethiopia. This initiative includes addressing critical issues such as menstrual hygiene and access to education, making a meaningful impact by providing solutions that empower and uplift communities. Chris's dedication to both her professional work and social causes showcases her well-rounded commitment to making a positive difference in the world.

In this episode, join us as we delve into an important discussion on gender, equity and diversity in the AI industry with Paula R. Bratcher Ratliff. Paula emphasizes the imperative of incorporating diverse thought leadership, particularly from women, to combat gender bias in AI. Highlighting the potential of AI in fostering gender neutrality and balance, she sheds light on industry examples and the essential role of strong female leadership. Joined by hosts Jodi Ashley and Tracy Ragan, they tackle the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on women in the workforce and offer insightful strategies for career transitions and reentry. Gain valuable insights into creating a more inclusive and supportive tech landscape. Tune in now!

The cybersecurity conversation has recently shifted from reactive to proactive, focusing on software supply chains and risk management rather than playing whack-a-mole with ever-evolving threats. Today, it's important to take a holistic and proactive approach to cybersecurity, emphasizing open communication and collaboration to mitigate risks effectively. In this episode of Tech.Strong.Women., hosts Jodi Ashley and Tracy Ragan are joined by Karen Worstell, senior cybersecurity strategist at VMware, to discuss the evolving landscape of cybersecurity.Worstell emphasizes the shift in cybersecurity discussions toward supply chain concerns, which she views as a security issue rather than purely a supply chain matter. Karen underscores the importance of addressing technical debt as a significant security problem and quantifying risk in cybersecurity. She introduces the concept of a "technical debt tax" as a means of allocating resources to tackle technical debt before initiating new projects and why it's important for organizations to translate risk appetite into actionable strategies, engage various business units to comprehensively address risk and prioritize cybersecurity practices such as change control and configuration management.