Tech in the Right Direction

Getting to know Shelley Copsey

Join Jennifer Didier as she has a lively conversation with Shelley Copsey.  They discuss Shelley career path and her goals to have a diversified workforce. Jennifer also adds a new place to travel on her bucket list.
More about Shelley Copsey: 
As the co-founder and CEO of FYLD, I lead a venture that empowers utilities field teams and managers to make data-driven decisions in real-time, leading to greater safety, productivity and quality assurance. I have over 20 years of experience in the intersection of physical infrastructure and digital technologies, as well as the human transformation required to deliver on the promise of emerging technologies. I have created and led multiple enterprise SaaS start-ups in this domain, including GeoSLAM, a world-leading geospatial company that transformed the way the real world was mapped (exited to Faro). I was a founding board member at Coviu, an award-winning telehealth platform that scaled from 400 to 25,000 consultations a day during the Covid-19 pandemic (on board through to completion of Series A). I also contributed to spinning out multiple companies from research powerhouse CSIRO, including drone technology company Emesent and regtech platform PaidRight.I have a strong background in finance, innovation, and commercialisation, having held senior roles at CSIRO's Data61, PwC, and KPMG. I am a Chartered Accountant and have undertaken executive education at MIT and Stanford on AI and corporate entrepreneurship. My roles have seen me hold numerous board positions and partner with scaling companies to achieve strong funding outcomes and exits, aligned to business strategy.
Connect with Shelley Copsey on LinedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleycopsey/

Conversation with Ally: Seth Earley

Seth Earley is an expert with 20+ years of experience in Knowledge Strategy, Data and Information Architecture, Search-based Applications, and Information Findability solutions. Seth has worked with a diverse roster of Fortune 1000 companies helping them to achieve higher levels of operating performance by making information more findable, usable, and valuable through integrated enterprise architectures supporting analytics, e-commerce, and customer experience applications. 
Seth Earley is a sought-after speaker, writer, and influencer. He is the author of "The AI-Powered Enterprise" from LifeTree Media which was released in April 2020. In 2021, the book received the Axiom Business Book Silver Medal in the Artificial Intelligence / Robotics / Algorithms category. 
His writing has appeared in IT Professional Magazine from the IEEE where, as a former editor, he wrote a regular column on data analytics and information access issues and trends. He has also contributed to the Harvard Business Review, CMS Wire, CEO World, TechTarget, eCommerce Times, and Analytics Magazine. Journal of Applied Marketing Analytics, and he co-authored “Practical Knowledge Management” from IBM Press. 
Reach Seth Earley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethearley/

How to Grow Your Career With a Global Perspective

This week's guest is Lisa Heite, a Partner Development Manager at Microsoft with a passion for helping others. Lisa's story revolves around living, studying, and working around the world. She gained a wide range of experience throughout her international travel and has used that to bring a unique perspective to the tech industry. Her ideas and approach give her an edge when it comes to solving problems and bringing people together.
While volunteering at an NGO, Lisa developed a digital strategy and saw how digital transformation could further women's rights and give them a voice throughout the world. This passion for women's rights led Lisa to the WIT Network, and she is now lending her skills to their cause.
Thank you for listening; we hope Lisa's story helps inspire others to grow their tech career. To learn more about the WIT Network, visit their site here: https://thewitnetwork.com/
To Reach Lisa Heite on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-heite/
 

Influencing Young Women

Suruchi is the Founder & CEO of GIANT, a blockchain protocol that turns a phone number into a bank account and bandwidth into currency via; seamless and secure access to the internet globally; rewards on usage and yield on airtime balances. 
Suruchi has extensive telecom, consumer software and blockchain experience and serves as a speaker/panelist at industry events in the US and abroad. She advises and mentors blockchain start-ups at Founders Space (ranked #1 incubator for overseas startups by Forbes) as well as mentoring young girls to cultivate her passion for technology.
Suruchi Likes to identify herself as a passionate, result-oriented, and fun-loving individual. Has an unbeatable self-confidence, undying willingness, and unbreakable perseverance. Strongly believes in “Winners never quit & quitters never win” - Vince Lombardi. Feel free to reach out by adding a quick note about why you would like to connect.
Today we talk about Suruchi’s dream for technology and her passion for influencing young girls to start looking into technology, as early as 8 years old. 
Click HERE to learn more about Suruchi on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/guptasuruchi/
Thank you for listening to Suruchi’s story as she encourages young girls to get into tech. 

Conversation with Amber Ivey

Join Jennifer Didier as she speaks with Amber Ivey.  Amber has a unique career path that eventually lead her from the private sector to the government sector.  Listen as she shares her journey and educates us on the positive work that is going on. 
More about Amber Ivey:
Amber Ivey “AI” is currently a Vice President at a non-profit where she leads a team that helps governments drive impact. In her prior role, as the Senior Director for the Bloomberg Philanthropies Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University, she led a team that assisted governments in utilizing data and performance management for decision-making. Furthermore, she played a key role in the design and launch of the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance. The program aims to train 100 mayors and their senior leaders throughout the Americas on utilizing data to achieve better outcomes. Formerly, she worked at The Pew Charitable Trust—a nonprofit focused on solving today's challenges by using data-driven, nonpartisan analysis. Here, Amber led the data collection and organization efforts of a first-of-its-kind research study on how all 50 states and the District of Columbia use data to solve complex problems, improve the delivery of government services, manage resources, and evaluate effectiveness. Most recently, Amber led a team that provided technical as well as strategic assistance to states and counties, who were working towards streamlining their business processes and launching technology, like legal assistance websites and online courts, to modernize and improve access to the legal system.
Before joining Pew, Amber served at Maryland StateStat, a performance-measurement and management office established by former Governor Martin O'Malley (D). Following the change in administration, she helped facilitate the transition by demonstrating the effectiveness of data-driven decision-making through StateStat. Additionally, she played a key role in the establishment of the Governor's Office of Performance Improvement under Governor Larry Hogan (R).
Before joining the State of Maryland, Amber was a logistics manager for a Fortune 50 company where she used data to drive efficiency, productivity, and profits. She switched from private to the public sector to use her skills in service of government efficiency. She has her MPA and J.D. and is excited to serve at the intersection of data, technology, public policy, and law.
She is also the creator and host of the AI for Kids podcast–a series of podcast interviews with industry experts and everyday people who help explain topics related to AI for kids and their parents and the creator of AiDigiTales—an edutainment platform that focuses on AI for kids.
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberivey/

MENtors that Make a Difference Featuring Allen Middleton

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/
 

How a Diverse Workforce Can Drive Innovation and Provide Positive Results

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.

What Venture Capital look like for Women in Technology

Melisa Widner joins Jennifer Didier to talk about Venture Capital for Women in Technology.
Melissa Widner from Lighter Capital talks to us about the evolution of the Venture capital space for Women Entrepreneurs. 
Melissa Widner is the CEO of Lighter Capital, the pioneer and leading provider of revenue based financing to SAAS companies. She has a deep understanding of the entrepreneur's journey and the importance of growth capital. Previously, she was the Managing Director of NAB Ventures, the venture capital arm of National Australia Bank, where she invested in and served as a director for several global fintech companies, including Lighter Capital.As CEO, she led two companies to successful acquisitions that provided over a 10X return to investors. She co-founded and was the CEO of Silicon Valley enterprise software company, 7Software (acquired by Concur Technologies NASDAQ: CNQR, acquired by SAP).Melissa served as a general partner at SeaPoint ventures, a US based venture capital firm focused on mobile technologies and SaaS enterprise software solutions. She is an active angel investor who served on the board of US based Alliance of Angels, one of the longest running and most active angel groups in the world. She was a lecturer in the subjects of Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship at University of Washington’s MBA program.In 2009, Melissa relocated to Sydney with her Australian husband. She is the co-founder and chair of Heads Over Heels, an organization that works with women entrepreneurs leading high growth companies. She served on the boards of AIC (The Australian Investment Council--formerly AVCAL), and currently serves on the board of the Shore Foundation and Heads Over Heels. She is the proud mother of four boys.
Find Melissa at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissawidner/