7 LUG 2020 · This week, Tech in the Right direction features a multilingual business delivery executive that made her way from Czech Republic to the United States bringing an invaluable global perspective into the tech world. Her name is Sandra Kafka and during our conversation she not only shares her incredible journey with us, but also reminds us that in the world of technology staying agile, adaptable, and open to constant learning is the true key to success. As she continues to grow professionally, Sandra is still refining her business skills by pursuing an MBA at Northwestern University and offering her mentorship skills to young and emerging tech professionals. Join us this week to hear more about Sandra’s path to finding her own voice in the business world, ways she conquered many challenges that women face in a male-dominated industry and gain insight from a female trailblazer who is not afraid to fall and get back up to try again.

30 GIU 2020 · 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.

23 GIU 2020 · 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.

9 GIU 2020 · 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!

2 GIU 2020 · 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.

26 MAG 2020 · In this week’s episode, we welcome guest Madinah Ali, a 3rd generation entrepreneur and President & Co-Founder of SafePC Cloud, a company focused on data backup and recovery for midsize, enterprise, and government IT environments with an emphasis on cybersecurity. Madinah and host Jennifer Didier discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on the tech industry, the growth of remote work, the increase of cyber attacks during the pandemic and why so many people are having a newfound interest in data backup and recovery. As the Lead for the WIT Network in Atlanta, Madinah is a strong advocate for women in tech and is passionate about the serious retention problem we are seeing with women in the tech field as well as women being supported to feel confident in their abilities and education. Listen in to hear the advice Madinah has for those interested in going into the tech industry, and how she is working with the WIT Network to create a virtual mentor circle to empower young women and create change.

19 MAG 2020 · Arlene Harris is an award-winning innovator and founder of several companies including GreatCall, maker of the Jitterbug cellular phone and service now owned by BestBuy. Having grown up in a wireless family business, she started working with computers in the late 60’s and has spent the next five decades at the intersection of wireless and computing. Arlene share’s her journey through the Tech Industry, the struggles she’s experienced finding financing for her big ideas in addition to being one of few in her industry and where she is today. Her newest innovation, launching soon, is a family home management system called Rosy, a private console that will help families manage and support their multi-generational homes. Tune in to hear an inspiring story of a woman defying the odds while facing discrimination, and why she believes women are the future of tech.

12 MAG 2020 · 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.

5 MAG 2020 · 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.

28 APR 2020 · This week on Tech in the Right Direction, we speak with Evelyn Sheahan, who has many roles at Microsoft, currently holding the role of Business Program Manager. Starting off in Graphic Design, Evelyn then got hooked on technology and the excitement that came with the industry. Listen in to hear how she feels working in a male dominated industry, the benefit of male mentors, and the importance of quality managers and leadership. Evelyn also shares how she has built her confidence and courage to stand up for herself and the benefits she has seen from it over the years.