Tech in the Right Direction

MENtors that Make a Difference Featuring Allen Middleton

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Our next guest on MENtors that Make a Difference is Allen Middleton, Partner Development Manager of North America for Amazon Web Services (AWS). Allen has spent over 20 years in the IT learning and development space, where he has a proven track record of creating positive organizational change. He is a driven leader focused on creating team success and the growth and advancement of his customers.
Today we discuss Allen's professional career and how his past 20 years in the learning development space have led him to Amazon Web Services (AWS). We also cover women's presence in tech and the challenges women face in today's IT landscape. Then, digging in further - we talk about how organizations can advocate for positive change for women to help overcome these modern-day challenges and how the data is trending in the right direction.
Thank you for listening; we hope Allen's story helps inspire others to seek or grow their tech career.
You can reach Allen Middleton at:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/allenrmiddleton/
Career Update:
Associate Director, Alliance Insights & Management Associate Director, Alliance Insights & Management
GTM Lead at Accenture LearnVantage, responsible for driving ecosystem-led go-to-market strategy and enabling revenue growth through OEM skilling and enablement programs. Empowers cloud and digital transformations, creating comprehensive 360° value for customers. Partners with OEM leadership and One Accenture stakeholders to align offerings to client demand, growth priorities, and commercial outcomes.Leads global, cross-functional teams to bring scalable, repeatable solutions to market, enabling sales teams with differentiated value propositions and GTM assets that accelerate pipeline, deal velocity, and client adoption. Focuses on cloud transformation skilling with an emphasis on GenAI enablement, workforce readiness, and measurable value realization at enterprise scale.
 

What Men Can Do to Make a Difference for Women in Tech

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This week's guest is Eva Helén, the CEO of EQ Inspiration, Board Director at Vasion, and the Author of Women in Tech - a Book for Guys. Eva is a seasoned business executive and an experienced board member. She has over 20 years of experience in high tech, international business, strategy, operations, and finance. In addition, she has refined her expertise in developing shareholder value in high-growth companies, advising on business development and human capital.
Today we talk about Eva's early years in Silicon Valley and how it led her to become a Co-Founder, CEO, Board Member, Speaker, and Author. We also discuss the significant role men can play in growing women's presence in the tech industry and the steps they can take to become more inclusive. This idea is at the center of Eva's book, Women in Tech - a Book for Guys. Listen to today's episode and learn more about Eva and her incredible story.
Learn more about EQ Inspiration and Women in Tech - a Book for Guys here: https://eqinspiration.com/product/women-in-tech-a-book-for-guys/
Learn more about Vasion here: https://www.vasion.com/
Thank you - we hope Eva's story helps inspire others to grow their tech career.
Career Update:
BRAVE Industries is a developer, integrator, and operator of industrial size projects in the United States. We make fresh affordable produce available to more people by growing closer to consumers and by integrating industry and energy into our solutions. Our regenerative eco systems are the result of symbiotic relationships between heat generating industries, micro grids including renewable energy, and greenhouses. Addressing people's health and wellness, our climate, and the acute energy crisis drives our projects.

Startup from the Ground Up

This week's guest is Lori McColl, the CEO and Founder of Whim-Detroit, a technology startup and digital transformation group that focuses on implementing agile solutions. She is passionate about sharing her experience in the tech industry and growing a new business. Lori has been a guest speaker at several events, including the future of retail and social movements at the Women's Convention, Social Media Week, Planet M IoT Connect, and Detroit Start-up Week.
Lori has taken a customer-focused approach to growing her business. This focus on client needs has allowed her to build trust, which gives her the ability to innovate and develop projects quickly. This approach has been central to the culture of Whim-Detroit and has allowed them to grow into the successful business they are today.
To learn more about Lori and Whim-Detroit, visit their site here: https://www.whim-detroit.com/
Thank you for listening; we hope Lori's story helps inspire others to seek or grow their tech career.

How-to Establish Yourself as a Woman Leader in Tech

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This week's guest is Nauren Batjargal, the Co-Founder and COO of erxes Inc, an open-source growth marketing platform that focuses on being a single tool for the Growth Marketing Lifecycle. They currently have over 1 million downloads in over 100 countries and are in the process of raising even more capital for further growth.
Today we talk about Nauren's career journey and how she moved up the ranks within the financial tech industry and how this led her to co-found erxes. We also cover how women can establish themselves as leaders within an organization.
You can learn more about erxes Inc. here: https://erxes.io/
Thank you for listening; we hope Nauren's story helps inspire others to seek or grow their tech career.

Learning Presales techniques from a veteran in technology.

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Jennifer Didier interviews a veteran in the Technology space, Rupal Parikh. Get to know Rupal Parikh as we hear how she got started on her tech journey and how she is helping companies understand how to retain their sales teams and build their presales programs.
Bio:
Rupal Parikh is a veteran in the technology space, from tech startups to Fortune 500 companies. As the head of a global Presales team at SAP, Rupal and her team help customers achieve efficiency gains and process improvements across their critical enterprise incentive management systems through SAP's Sales Performance Management portfolio. Rupal is also an advocate of the Presales function. She advises technology startups on best practices in building Presales teams and creating value-added Presales technology to master the craft. Rupal is also passionate about helping elevate and connect women in their professional journeys. She is New York City chapter director for WNORTH, a membership network that brings together women at a high level to share their networks, knowledge, and experience.
Connect with Rupal Parikh rparikh26@yahoo.com or on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rupal-parikh-b99a5b/overlay/contact-info/

How a Diverse Workforce Can Drive Innovation and Provide Positive Results

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This week's guest is Lauren Anderson, the Owner and Chief Recruiter for All-In Recruiting & Talent Boutique - an experienced Human Resources & Talent Acquisition Organization delivering exceptional hiring results with urgency. Nationally recognized Business Leader in Human Resources and Talent Acquisition and Founder of All-In Recruiting & Talent Boutique. Specializing in direct-hire placements and contingent workforce solutions, All-In Recruiting has helped top talented candidates across industries to secure over $4M in salaries globally, as well as invested significantly in underrepresented entrepreneurs through initiatives like the Shark-ish. Lauren's impact extends to start-up communities, workforce development, and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs. Her achievements have earned her capital backing, features in Rolling Out Magazine, honors from Black Image Magazine, and recognition from Nevada’s Lt. Governor.
Today we talk about Lauren's career journey and how she found her passion in helping others grow their careers. We also discuss the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion and how it can drive positive results for organizations by showcasing the talent that otherwise wouldn't be acknowledged. We also cover how the hiring landscape has changed during the pandemic and what the future holds for the recruitment process.
Learn more about All-In Recruiting here: https://www.all-inrecruiting.com/
Thank you for listening - we hope Lauren's story helps inspire others to grow their tech career.

From Art to Technology

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Jennifer Didier Interviews Alexandra West of Nerd/Noir.  Alexandra shares her journey from the world of Art to technology, back to Art and making her final career in the world of Technology. Listen to her story of how her art background had allowed her to experience and share a unique technology experience and focus.
About Nerd/Noir:
Founded in 2015, Nerd/Noir is a consulting firm specializing in transforming large-scale product engineering organizations. ​​The company is dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and helping businesses rethink digital transformation. Nerd/Noir helps clients build self-sustaining coaching capabilities, ensuring long-term success in today's rapidly evolving tech landscape; focusing on outcome-driven strategies and impacts, versus process-centric approaches. The Nerd/Noir team has more than 25 years of experience in modernizing processes and increasing the success of engineering and product teams, from startups to Fortune 500 firms. For more information, please visit https://nerdnoir.com/.
 
Alexandra West, Cofounder & Creative Director
Alexandra West is an award-winning designer, international speaker, and corporate trainer. She is passionate about culture, creativity, and collaboration. Her focus is on bringing both a visual thinking mindset and a strong sense of psychological safety to the world of collaborative work.
Alex has a long history as a creative. After earning her degree in Art History from Emory University, Alex spent her early career in commercial and nonprofit art galleries. She then spent a decade managing large-scale software implementations for Fortune 500 HR teams before leaving corporate America to return to her creative roots. Alex worked as a production designer and art director on feature films, television shows, and commercials for over ten years.
Alex works with organizations on product discovery and development projects, as well as corporate culture and diversity & inclusion initiatives. When not busy curating and coaching, Alex can be found eating cheese. All kinds of cheese.
You can find Alexandra West on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-west-nerdnoir/

What It Takes to Become a Successful Entrepreneur

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This week's guest is Vickie Helm, the CEO of Smart Group Firm - a consulting firm focused on business strategy, leadership, training, and management consulting. Vickie is also the Co-CEO of Metadigm Digital - an online media network to help visionary action takers shape the future and create thrive-ability through world-class books, shows, and programs. She is also a best-selling author and keynote speaker that focuses on economic, political, and business patterns across the globe to create success for her clients and to prepare, pivot and profit from the changes ahead.
In today's episode, we talk about Vickie's career journey and how she developed a passion for entrepreneurship at a young age. We also talk about how young entrepreneurs can maximize their potential and build a successful business. We also discuss giving back and the importance of helping others while helping yourself.
You can learn more about Smart Group Firm here: https://www.smartgroupfirm.com/
We hope Vickie's story helps inspire others to grow their career.
Instagram: @Vickie_HelmFacebook: SheEO.vickiehelm
Career Update:
Hi, I’m Vickie Helm, CEO and Founder of Empresence AI Automation, Helm Media and Publishing, and Smart Group Firm, and Co-CEO of Metadigm Digital Network.Over the last 30 years, I’ve built 13 successful companies, authored more than 45 books, and helped thousands of entrepreneurs automate smarter, market better, and build lasting wealth.