Tech in the Right Direction

How-To Overcome Obstacles and Find Your Purpose

This week's guest is Kate Roberts, the founder of Maverick Collective, The Ikigai Company, and Katmondo Lifestyle. Kate is a global social entrepreneur, philanthropist, investor, artist, women's advocate, and public speaker. As a serial entrepreneur, Kate has used her influence and platform to find opportunities and gaps in world health, specifically women's health, to put together teams and address these issues. Kate has most recently worked with PSI, Melinda Gates, and HRH (The Crown princess of Norway) to fund Maverick Collective, a $100M groundbreaking philanthropic initiative led by women for women, which has been innovating and scaling women-focused public health solutions across 60 developing countries.
Kate is truly a difference-maker through the work she is doing in women's healthcare, and she is essential for making real change throughout the world. Thanks for listening, and we hope that Kate's story inspires everyone to be a part of the global programs that are making a significant difference in the world of women's health.
Get involved with Kate’s organizations here:
Maverick Collective
PSI

How-to Establish Yourself as a Woman Leader in Tech

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.

Building a Business from the Ground-Up

This week's guest is Denise Cagan, a graduate of James Madison University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Quality Systems Development. Denise never thought she would be a business owner, but as time went on, she found that her skillset coincided with her ideas and so she started her first business in 2001, followed with another in 2011. Her newest business is DCA Virtual Business Support, a company that supports small businesses with marketing and administrative tasks.
Denise credits her hard work for getting her to where she is today. She views work ethic as monumental for getting any job done and advancing your career. This hard work philosophy has been the foundation for how Denise has built her company into what it is today.
Thank you for listening; we hope Denise's story helps inspire the next generation of women entrepreneurs. If you would like to learn more about Denise and her company, visit her site: https://dcavirtual.com/
Find Denise on LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisecagan/

MENtors that Make a Difference Featuring Michael Ashford

Our next guest on MENtors that Make a Difference is Michael Ashford, the Director of Marketing at The Receptionist. Started in 2013, The Receptionist paved the way as the first-ever visitor management company. They are now in over 4k+ locations and 36 countries worldwide. You can learn more about The Receptionist here: https://thereceptionist.com/
Today we talk about Michael's career journey and how his different experiences working in a wide variety of roles helped shape his business skillset. We also talk about the positive shifts that are taking place for women in tech and how gender stereotypes are being broken to create change.
Thank you for listening; we hope Michael's story helps inspire others to seek or grow their tech career.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldashford/

What It Takes to Become a Successful Entrepreneur

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

How Women Can Find Success and Help One Another Build Their Futures

This week's guest is Paula Tutman, a multi-Emmy-winning journalist, Novelist, Screenplay Writer, Communication Coach, and Inventor. Paula has spent over 30 years in broadcast journalism as a field reporter and is also the proud creator and inventor of Bra-Less Bra, the Instant Cleavage Sculpting Solution. Paula is a woman of the world who spent several of her younger years in Africa but now calls Detroit her adoptive home.
In today's episode, we talk about Paula's career journey and how she took advantage of the opportunity to become a reporter in broadcast journalism. We also talk about the struggles women face regarding beauty standards and how this inspired Paula to develop the Bra-Less Bra. We also discuss how women can work together to advance their careers and business endeavors.
You can learn more about Bra-Less Bra here: https://bralessbra.com/
We hope Paula's story helps inspire others to grow their career.

Opening Doors Through the Power of Tech Education

This week's guest is Sandee Kastrul, the President of i.c.stars - a technology-based workforce development and leadership training program for underserved adults that connects them with career opportunities through their social enterprise and partner organizations. Sandee is also a board member of both Goodcity Chicago and HICC (Hispanic Innovation Center of Chicago). She is currently working on a new book, "Change and Equity" By Sandee Kastrul.
Sandee knows that education opens doors and allows people to reach their potential, and she has dedicated her life to this cause. i.c.stars is the culmination of her ideas around education and training and has grown into a fantastic organization. The program allows individuals to showcase their skills and develop new skills to help grow their careers.
Thank you for listening; we hope Sandee's story helps inspire others to grow their tech career. To learn more about Sandee and her business, visit their website below.
i.c.stars: https://www.icstars.org/

Right Words can Open Doors

Join the conversation as Jennifer Didier and Kristie Grinnell talk about how important the words are you use for yourself and in speaking to those around.  These words can open or close doors of opportunity.
Kristie Grinnell Bio:
Kristie was recently named a top CIO to watch in 2022 by WashingtonExec, is a member of the CIO Executive Council, and she serves as chair of the Capital CIO Advisory Board and is a member of STEMforHER Advisory Board. A strong supporter of academic STEM programs for young women, she is a recipient of the 2018 Women in Technology STEM Leadership award, Washington Business Journal’s 2020 Women Who Mean Business Award, a 2020 Capital CIO of the Year ORBIE Award Winner and a 2021 National CIO of the Year ORBIE Award Winner.• Kristie earned her BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and holds an MBA from Cornell University Johnson Graduate School of Management.
Reach Kristie on LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiegrinnell/