The STEMINISTS Podcast

Ep. 66: Beyond the Strategy Deck: What it takes to drive lasting business transformation

Many transformation initiatives fall short not because the strategy is wrong, but because change never becomes part of how people work every day.   In this episode of The STEMINISTS Podcast, host Phoebe Goh sits down with Jenny Marshall, VP of Global Cloud Acceleration at NetApp, for a candid and practical conversation about what it really takes to make transformation stick.  With AI accelerating change at an unprecedented pace, organizations everywhere are under pressure to evolve. Yet many transformation strategies fail to translate into real behavioral change. Jenny shares an insider’s perspective on how AI, capacity constraints, and shifting customer demands are reshaping the way companies think about cloud, hybrid environments, and go-to-market strategies.   Together, they unpack why transformation efforts often stall, and what leaders can do differently. From creating a genuine sense of urgency to aligning teams around a shared vision, Jenny outlines how to embed change into everyday workflows instead of treating it as a separate initiative. She also emphasizes the importance of meeting teams where they are, building on existing strengths rather than forcing entirely new ways of working.   The conversation dives into practical tactics for success, including:  * How to connect transformation goals to real customer conversations  * Why qualitative feedback is just as critical as quantitative metrics  * The role of early adopters and internal champions in driving momentum  * How to balance structured execution with flexibility to adapt along the way  Jenny also highlights the importance of clarity and accountability, ensuring everyone understands their role, what success looks like, and how progress will be measured over time.  If you’re navigating change in a fast-moving, AI-driven world, this episode is a must-listen. It’s a masterclass in turning big strategy into lasting impact and making transformation not just a buzzword, but a reality.  🎧 Tune in to learn how to move beyond the slide deck and build transformation that truly lasts.    For more info check out these links:  NetApp Hybrid Cloud Solutions | https://www.netapp.com/hybrid-cloud/ [https://www.netapp.com/hybrid-cloud/] GIGAOM: CxO Decision Brief: Modern Data Services for the Hybrid Enterprise | https://portal.gigaom.com/report/cxo-decision-brief-modern-data-services-for-the-hybrid-enterprise#Organizational%20Impact [https://portal.gigaom.com/report/cxo-decision-brief-modern-data-services-for-the-hybrid-enterprise#Organizational%20Impact]    Connect with us!  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-marshall-a855516/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-marshall-a855516/]   https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/]  https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/]

Ep. 65 - Less Panic, More Platform: Virtualization Reimagined

In this episode of The STEMINISTS Podcast, host Phoebe Goh sits down with Temitayo Sam-Andenekan, Senior Solutions Architect at NetApp, to unpack how virtualization has evolved from a focus on virtual machines to a broader, platform-driven approach. Together, they explore the growing intersection of Kubernetes, automation, and application modernization and why this shift is as much about business resilience as it is about technology.   Temi shares how organizations can bridge the gap between traditional workloads and containerized environments using Kubernetes, while avoiding common blind spots around security, scalability, and operational complexity. She also dives into a critical but often overlooked topic: data protection. From application-aware strategies to disaster recovery and portability, this conversation highlights why recovery, not backup, is the true measure of modern resilience.   You’ll also hear practical guidance on:  * Adopting a unified platform for VMs and containers  * Asking the right questions about recovery and resiliency  * Planning cross-functional transformation across teams  * Ensuring your data protection strategy is Kubernetes-native  Plus, Temi shares what’s inspiring her beyond the workplace, mentoring the next generation in coding, AI, and cybersecurity.  If you're navigating modernization, cloud-native platforms, or enterprise resilience, this episode is packed with insights to help you move from migration to true transformation.    Check out additional information here, just for you:  https://www.netapp.com/data-infrastructure-modernization/  [https://www.netapp.com/data-infrastructure-modernization/?utm_campaign=fy27-q1-vcvc-digi-spp-na-di-cr-pod_stem_65-na--1781618505006&utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=ww-podcast&utm_content=di-video&utm_segment=cexp-all]  https://www.netapp.com/blog/virtualization-technology-strategies/  [https://www.netapp.com/blog/virtualization-technology-strategies/?utm_campaign=fy27-q1-vcvc-digi-spp-na-di-cr-pod_stem_65-na--1781619475137&utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=ww-podcast&utm_content=video&utm_segment=cexp-all]    Don't forget to connect with us!  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/]  https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/]

Ep. 64 - AI Builders on the Rise: Is your Infrastructure AI-ready?

As developers, citizen coders, and business brains all collide in today’s turbocharged builder ecosystem, the race is on: can your enterprise deliver infrastructure at the speed of innovation without letting governance slip through the cracks?  STEMINISTS hosts Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams team up with NetApp’s Nitya Gupta to dissect the infrastructure revolution powering the AI age.  Nitya breaks down how AI is reshaping developer workflows, why traditional ticket-based infrastructure provisioning creates costly friction, and where platform engineering helps and falls short. She also shares what modern builders need most: self-service access, built-in security and compliance, seamless integration with developer tools, secure access to data, and space for rapid experimentation.  This episode is for anyone thinking about developer experience, platform engineering, AI-enabled software creation, or how to build infrastructure with real developer empathy. Listen in for a sharp, practical conversation on how enterprises can better support today’s builders.    Here are some resources just for you: * Join the NetApp Community:  * https://community.netapp.com/t5/Community-Related-Discussions/Welcome-to-the-New-Community/m-p/89985#M54 [https://community.netapp.com/t5/Community-Related-Discussions/Welcome-to-the-New-Community/m-p/89985#M54]  * https://community.netapp.com/t5/Tech-ONTAP-Blogs/Revisiting-Developer-Communities-for-the-Next-Generation-of-Builders/ba-p/462784 [https://community.netapp.com/t5/Tech-ONTAP-Blogs/Revisiting-Developer-Communities-for-the-Next-Generation-of-Builders/ba-p/462784]   * Learn how to build your own data universe [https://www.netapp.com/developer/] * Also, check out how you can simplify, secure and scale your data environment [https://www.netapp.com/data-infrastructure-modernization/]   Connect with us!  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitya-gupta-1252904/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitya-gupta-1252904/]   https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/]  https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/]

Ep. 63 - STEMINISTS Goes Biweekly: Chill Schedule, Hot Takes

Summer is here, and STEMINISTS is easing into a bi-weekly groove because even sharp minds know when to trade a sprint for a smart summer stride.  You’ll still get the data centric conversations, fresh perspective, and thoughtful updates, now dropping every other week through the end of August. Same smart energy. Just a slightly more sun-friendly schedule.  Follow along so you’re right on time for the next episode.

Ep. 62 - AI Compliance Strategy: How Product Counsel Drives Responsible Innovation

Think legal slows you down? It’s time to find out how your lawyer can be a secret weapon for harnessing the power of AI and navigating regulation.   In this episode, hosts Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams team up with Shannon Salerno, Senior Product Counsel at NetApp, to reveal how legal minds help tech innovation sprint ahead.  Shannon shares the secrets of treating the EU AI Act and GDPR as a playbook, and explains why legal teams are your MVPs for building AI products that win on transparency and data trust. From risk to opportunity, you’ll get quick hits and smart strategies to help your product stay ahead of the rules (and avoid those costly last-minute pivots).  Whether you’re leading enterprise tech, building AI, or dreaming up your next big thing, tune in for sharp insights, practical laughs, and a smarter way to play the innovation game.   Follow and learn how the right legal partner turns compliance into your competitive edge.    Don't forget to check out these resource: * NetApp Trust Center [https://www.netapp.com/responsibility/trust-center/?utm_campaign=fy27-q1-csai-digi-spp-na-ai-di-pod_stem_62-na--1779187117517&utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=ww-podcast&utm_content=ai-video&utm_segment=cexp-all]  * Ep. 57 - Data Without Borders: Navigating AI Sovereignty featuring Avril Cody [https://steminists.podbean.com/e/ep-57-data-without-borders-navigating-ai-sovereignty/]    * Data Classification: Use advanced AI to automatically discover and classify your data [https://www.netapp.com/data-services/classification/?utm_campaign=fy27-q1-csai-digi-spp-na-ai-di-pod_stem_62-na--1779187214890&utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=ww-podcast&utm_content=ai-video&utm_segment=cexp-all] * IAPP | global professional home for digital responsibility [https://iapp.org/]     Also, connect with us!  https://www.linkedin.com/in/koehlershannon/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/koehlershannon/]   https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/]  https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/]