The Cyber Savvy Woman

The Blue-Ocean Moment for AI in Business| Aaron Welch| Cyber Savvy Woman| EP 120

In this episode of the Cyber Savvy Woman podcast, Aaron Welch joins Rachele Schainker to talk about AI, automation, remote work, and how business owners can use modern tools without feeling overwhelmed. Aaron Welch shares his journey from the early days of dial-up internet to building successful digital marketing businesses Aaron and Rachele Schainker discuss how business owners can use AI and automation in practical ways without feeling overwhelmed. They talk about remote work, digital marketing, productivity tools, prompt writing, and the importance of using technology to save time and work smarter. Aaron also shares real examples of how AI has helped him improve workflows, manage clients, and stay focused on business goals. If you’re curious about AI but don’t know where to start, this episode is full, this conversation is full of honest insights, simple advice, and real-world examples for business owners who want to understand AI without all the hype. Connect with Aaron Welch on Website: https://lift-digital.net [https://lift-digital.net]   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftdigitalnet [https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftdigitalnet]   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiftDigitalnet [https://www.facebook.com/LiftDigitalnet]   Book a Call: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/AcZssZ2Vp3Jh9wRiMzqmA2EpySO87ak6nJzWO9P6leg= [https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/AcZssZ2Vp3Jh9wRiMzqmA2EpySO87ak6nJzWO9P6leg=]

Building Trust, Culture, and Compliance in an AI Workplace |Alexandra Martinez Villarroel| Cyber Savvy Woman| EP 119

In this episode of the Cyber Savvy Woman, Rachele Schainker talks with Alexandra Martinez-Villarroel about leadership, AI, hiring, and building strong workplace cultures. Alexandra shares her journey from Chile to the Bay Area and how her experience in HR, consulting, and business helped shape her passion for helping small and mid-sized businesses grow. She also talks about what it was like starting her own company and why community and support are so important for women entrepreneurs. Together, Rachele and Alexandra discuss how AI can support businesses without replacing the human side of work. They talk about hiring the right people, reducing bias in the workplace, building trust with employees, and why managers play such an important role in company culture. This episode also explores the challenges of entrepreneurship, creating healthy work environments, and how business owners can use technology in a smarter and more human way. Alexandra shares practical advice for leaders who want to grow their teams while keeping communication, trust, and emotional intelligence at the center. You’ll also hear their thoughts on cybersecurity habits, workplace communication, and how companies can make employees feel safe and supported during times of change. Connect with Alexandra Martinez-Villarroel and learn more about her work: 🌐 AMV Business Solutions [https://www.amvbusinesssolutions.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 💼 Alexandra Martinez Villarroel on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-martinez-vllarroel/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow, rate, and share the Cyber Savvy Woman for more conversations about leadership, technology, AI, cybersecurity, and women in business.

The Human Side of Smart Hiring: Using Behavioral Data to Build Stronger Teams | Brian Gelt |Cyber Savvy Woman| EP 118

In this episode of the Cyber Savvy Woman, Rachele Schainker welcomes Brian Gelt, founder of Peoplelytics and certified partner with Predictive Index, for a practical conversation about hiring, leadership, behavioral data, and building stronger teams in today’s workplace. Rachele and Brian explore how understanding human behavior can help organizations make smarter hiring decisions, improve communication, reduce bias, and create healthier workplace cultures. Drawing from decades of leadership experience in the automotive retail industry, Brian shares how people-centered leadership principles apply across every industry, regardless of company size. The conversation dives into the realities of leadership, hiring mistakes, employee burnout, retention challenges, and why companies often promote high performers into management roles without giving them the right tools to succeed. Brian also explains how Predictive Index helps organizations better understand behavioral alignment, leadership styles, team dynamics, and long-term employee development. Rachele and Brian also discuss the role of AI in hiring and workforce development, the importance of clean data and cybersecurity habits, and how leaders can balance empathy with accountability while building resilient teams. The episode wraps up with a fun rapid-fire conversation covering password managers, multi-factor authentication, phishing emails, cyber hygiene, and simple habits business leaders should take more seriously in an increasingly digital world. Brian also offers listeners access to his Hiring Blueprint for anyone interested in learning more about building stronger hiring and leadership strategies. Connect with Brian Gelt and learn more about  Peoplelytics: https://www.peoplytix.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brian-gelt-791a26116/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-gelt-791a26116/] If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow, rate, and share the Cyber Savvy Woman podcast.

Leading with Curiosity in the Age of AI |Jen Seregos| Cyber Savvy Woman| EP 117

In this episode of the Cyber Savvy Woman, Rachele Schainker welcomes Jen Seregos, founder of Athena Digital, for a thoughtful conversation about AI, leadership, marketing, and the future of work. Rachele and Jen explore how curiosity can become one of the most valuable leadership skills in a rapidly changing digital world, and why business owners need to approach AI with both excitement and responsibility. Jen shares how experimenting with AI transformed the way Athena Digital operates, helping streamline workflows, creating more flexibility, and opening new opportunities for growth. The conversation dives into the ethical side of AI, including bias in large language models, responsible AI use in organizations, data privacy concerns, and why businesses can no longer afford to ignore the role AI is playing in everyday operations. Rachele and Jen also discuss how AI can reflect the strengths and weaknesses inside organizations, the growing importance of AI literacy, the human skills that will matter most in an automated future, and the security risks business owners should take more seriously. They explore protecting business data, using AI safely, and how leaders can guide their teams through change with more confidence and clarity. The episode wraps up with a fun rapid-fire conversation covering password managers, phishing emails, VPNs, cybersecurity habits, and practical ways businesses can better protect themselves in today’s digital landscape. Stay connected with Jen Seregos and learn more about her work with AI, marketing, and business growth at jenseregos.ai athena-digital.com You can also connect with Jen on Instagram @jenseregos [https://www.instagram.com/jenseregos/] and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/jenseregos [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenseregos/].

From Tech Overwhelm to Tech Clarity with Edith Sumaquial |Cyber Savvy Woman| EP 116

In this episode of Cyber Savvy Woman, Rachele Schainker welcomes Edith Sumaquial, founder of The Kulay Collective, to talk about how organizations can simplify their technology and use AI in a practical, intentional way. We explore her journey from journalism to corporate roles, and how that experience shaped her passion for connecting teams, breaking down silos, and turning complex systems into clear, workable processes. Edith shares how The Kulay Collective supports startups and nonprofits by improving workflows, clarifying strategy, and helping teams get real value from the tools they already use. We talk about leadership, innovation, experimentation, and why technology should support people,  not overwhelm them. She also explains how she uses AI for research and strategy, and why testing, learning, and staying open to change is so important in today’s fast-moving world. This conversation is about efficiency, collaboration, empathy in tech, and building smarter systems that help organizations focus on their mission. To connect with Edith and learn more about her work, visit https://kulaycollective.com [https://kulaycollective.com] and find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edith-sumaquial-11318911/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/edith-sumaquial-11318911/]