Tech in the Right Direction

Why Mentors and Women are Lucrative for the Tech Industry

Joining us this week on Tech in the Right Direction is Rona Borre, CEO of Instant Alliance. Rona is one of the leading female entrepreneurs in the Chicagoland area and has received numerous awards such as Inspiring Woman of the Year and is an advocate for women in tech. Listen in to see the incredible work that Rona is doing to help elevate women in technology and advice on how to get into technology, the different roles and aspects within tech, and the importance of mentors.

How to Ensure Health & Safety While Reopening Your Business After COVID-19

This week on Tech in the Right Direction we welcome Michelle Vondrasek. founder and CEO of Von technologies. As one of the few women in the telecommunications industry, Michelle discusses what differentiates her such as consistency, quality and values and dives into the importance of morals, integrity and values within her company and their culture. Jennifer and Michelle discuss the adversity they have faced as women in the tech industry and how they have overcome it. Later, they visit the impact of COVID-19 and the system Michelle has created that ensures the health and safety of visitors and staff by monitoring and proactively alerting according to social distance guidelines.

How Flexibility Will Change the Future of the Workforce

Brea Starmer founder of Lions and Tigers, a marketing and strategy consultancy, shares her story of how she identified a need as a senior consultant, started her own business in 2018, and now serves customers including Microsoft and Google. Discussing the importance of courage, fearlessness and authenticity, Brea also dives into her flexible freelance model, a concept that unlocks a talent pool that previously was inaccessible and fulfills the desire for a healthy work-life balance. Later, Brea and Jennifer talk about what the future of work will be, as well as the challenges women in technology face every day, including Brea’s personal experience with pregnancy discrimination. Listen in and don’t miss this featured episode!

How to Overcome Adversity as a Minority in the Tech Industry

This week we welcome Alison Chung, founder and President of TeamWerks, a Chicago-based technology consulting firm with a growing specialty practice in computer forensics. Finding her passion for technology during college, Alison never looked back no matter the challenges she faced being a woman in technology. Listen in as Alison shares how she overcame the daunting feeling and fear she experienced and the importance of mentorship, validation and positive reinforcement.

A Woman’s Journey from the Casino Industry to one of the World’s Largest Tech Companies

This week Heather Doran, a Las Vegas native shares her story of how at 16, she started her career in the Casino industry gaining business experience throughout high school and college, working for MGM Resorts for 10 years, and enduing up at Microsoft. She discusses the culture change she experienced when going from the casino industry to the tech industry, the imposter syndrome that she struggled with, and the amazing women who inspired her at Microsoft. Join us as we dig into the importance of authenticity, mindfulness and balance, as well as some discussion on the issue of inequality in the tech industry.

COVID-19 and Working from Home: The New Normal

This week we are joined by Kate Lister, a well-recognized thought leader and president of a research-based consulting firm. Recently, Kate has written about her perspective on how COVID-19 will affect the way people work and has been published in the New York Times, Washington Post, Newsweek and more. Listen in to be a part of a discussion on how companies have been responding to the ‘new normal’ of working from home and the pros and cons of working remote. From productivity, disaster readiness, and retention to struggling to recreate water cooler culture and preventing loneliness, Kate and Jennifer touch on all aspects of working remote on a personal, professional, technical and environmental level.

The Advice I Would Give My Younger Self

This week, we are joined by global technology leader, investor, and advocate for advancement of women in the workplace, Harini Gokul. Harini was raised in India and came to America to further her education, receiving her MBA from Vanderbilt University. Join us as Harini shares her thoughts on being a woman in technology and her positive outlook on the progress within the industry surrounding diversity and inclusion. She shares the lessons she’s learned throughout her career and the four areas she believes are essential for success.

Navigating a New Path

After a great first season of Tech in the Right Direction, we’re excited to announce some upcoming changes. Tech in the Direction will now focus solely on host Jennifer Didier’s passion: Women in Tech. As a woman in technology herself, Jennifer has always been passionate about helping guide and mentor other women and young girls to explore the world of technology and what it has to offer. With only 26% of computing jobs being held by women and that number continuing to decline over the years, Jennifer is committed to doing her part in closing the gender, pay, and culture gap in the tech industry. Join us in our initiative to turn ideas into action and create opportunities for women and girls to advance in tech, and tune in every Tuesday for a new episode!