The Wonder Women Tech Show

Nurturing Inclusion: Leading with Empathy & Allyship with Melinda Epler founder of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst)

Melinda Briana Epler has more than 25 years of experience elevating brands and developing business innovation strategies for startups, Fortune 500 companies, and global NGOs. As CEO of Empovia (formerly Change Catalyst), Melinda is a strategic diversity, equity, and inclusion advisor for executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and activists around the world. As part of her change making work, she is an inclusive leadership coach, trains executive and management teams, and builds learning and development solutions for clients.  Melinda is the author of How to Be an Ally (McGraw-Hill) and the host of the popular "Leading With Empathy & Allyship" podcast. She is also a TED speaker, award-winning documentary filmmaker, and former marketing and culture executive. She speaks and writes about diversity and inclusion in tech, allyship, and empathy. You can learn more about HOW TO BE AN ALLY at MelindaBrianaEpler.com Today’s Pioneering Woman is Martha Coston. Martha Jane Coston was an American inventor and businesswoman who invented the Coston flare, a device for signaling at sea, and the owner of the Coston Manufacturing Company. Thank you, Martha Coston! ~~~~~ Learn more about our story and mission at: www.wonderwomentech.com [http://www.wonderwomentech.com/] Podcast Hosted by Lisa Mae Brunson, Founder of Wonder Women Tech Sound Engineering by Cari Favole Original Music score by Carleigh Strange

Empower and Thrive: Unleashing the Power of Knowing and Believing in Yourself - Dr. Yolanda Kerney, Diplomat in Residence in DC Metro (DC, DE, MD, W. VA), in the U.S. Department of State

Today's guest is Dr. Yolanda Kerney. Dr. Yolonda joined the United States diplomatic corps as a Foreign Service Officer in 2004. She served as Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Mission to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica; Cultural Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Cameroon, and Economic Officer and Chief Consul at the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Guinea.  Dr. Yolanda is the recipient of several Department of State Meritorious Honor and Superior Honor awards, and the Lois Roth Award for Excellence in Cultural Diplomacy. She is a proud alumna of Howard University from which she earned undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in music history and literature, and religious studies.  Before joining the Foreign Service she served as a music historian at the United States Library of Congress. Learn more about the power of believing in yourself and thriving in your self-knowledge in today's episode! Today's Pioneering Woman is Bessie Blount Griffin. Bessie Blount Griffin was an American writer, nurse, physical therapist, inventor and forensic scientist. As a part of Blount's physical therapy exercises, she taught World War II veterans who had lost the ability to use their hands, new ways to perform everyday tasks by substituting the use of their teeth and feet. She would tell them, “You’re not crippled, only crippled in your mind." As a nurse and physical therapist, she also cared for and worked closely with Theodore Edison, son of famed inventor Thomas Edison. Thank you for your Pioneering Contributions, Bessie Blount Griffin! Learn more about our story and mission at: www.wonderwomentech.com [http://www.wonderwomentech.com/] Podcast Hosted by Lisa Mae Brunson, Founder of Wonder Women Tech Sound Engineering by Alicia Pichette Encore Editing by Cari Favole Original Music score by Carleigh Strange Illustrated Artwork by Jessenia Hernandez -@sen.i.a on Instagram

Harmonizing Hustle: Redefining Work-Life Balance for Lasting Fulfillment - Angie Brown, Vice President of Technology at The Home Depot

Our guest today is Angie Brown. Angie is Vice President of Technology at The Home Depot. She and her team lead the Merchandising Development Organization, Technology Enablement functions and Enterprise User Experience. Prior to her current position, Angie served as Vice President of Technology – Stores, where she led the company’s in-store technology systems. During this time Angie and her team reimagined several experiences such as self-checkout and implemented the order management system which powers The Home Depot’s interconnected retail offerings. Angie began her career at The Home Depot in 1998 as an entry-level software developer and has held roles of increasing responsibility since that time. She earned a degree in management Information Systems from the University of Georgia. Angie has completed Harvard University’s Authentic Leader Development program and Carnegie Mellon Heinz College’s CIO Certificate program. Angie serves as the VP Advisor for Women’s Link, Home Depot’s internal resource group dedicated to supporting female associates grow their careers. Angie also serves on the board of Junior Achievement of Georgia and Technology Association of Georgia. Outside of work, Angie enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. Learn more about living a true work-life balance in this week's episode. Today's Pioneering Woman is Sara Blakely. Sara is an American businesswoman and philanthropist. She is the founder of Spanx, an American intimate apparel company with pants and leggings, founded in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2012, Blakely was named in Time magazine's "Time 100" annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Thank you for your Pioneering Contributions, Sara Blakely! Learn more about our story and mission at: www.wonderwomentech.com [http://www.wonderwomentech.com/] Podcast Hosted by Lisa Mae Brunson, Founder of Wonder Women Tech Sound Engineering by Alicia Pichette Original Music score by Carleigh Strange Illustrated Artwork by Jessenia Hernandez - @sen.i.a on Instagram

Empowering Futures: Inspiring STEM Exploration and Breaking Gender Barriers - Natasha Potashnik, SVP and Partner at Known

Today's guest is Natasha Potashnik. Natasha is a recovering academic - she studied theoretical mathematics at Yale and then Columbia, getting her PhD from the latter in 2016.  During her time there, she both performed research in algebraic geometry and taught math (to both undergrads and promising high schoolers).  Towards the tail end of her graduate program, Natasha realized that academia wasn't the right fit and started to investigate a career in data science, eventually participating in a bootcamp program for transitioning academics, where she got to design a recommendation system for the Dota 2 video game.  She subsequently got a job as a Data Scientist at Schireson Associates, a data science consulting firm.  Natasha has worked on an array of projects and products, mostly with media publishers and focused on revolutionizing TV advertising, a team she came to lead development for.  As Schireson became Known, Natasha transitioned to building and leading a brand new team and capability, Media Science, focused on scientifically planning, buying, and optimizing advertising for brands.  Her Media Science team is now at almost 100 people (a team inclusive of data scientists, engineers, data analyst, media strategists, and media specialists) and continues to aggressively grow within the Known rocket ship. Learn how we can do more to break gender barriers. Today's Pioneering Woman is Edith Clarke. Edith was the first woman to be professionally employed as an electrical engineer in the United States, and the first female professor of electrical engineering in the country. Thank you for your Pioneering Contribution, Edith Clarke! Learn more about our story and mission at: www.wonderwomentech.com [http://www.wonderwomentech.com/] Podcast Hosted by Lisa Mae Brunson, Founder of Wonder Women Tech Sound Engineering by Alicia Pichette Original Music score by Carleigh Strange Illustrated Artwork by Jessenia Hernandez - @sen.i.a on Instagram

Breaking Stratospheres: Journeying Beyond Earth's Limits and Breaking Barriers with Dr. Ellen Ochoa, Ph.D., first Latina Astronaut *ENCORE*

Today's encore episode's honored guest is Dr. Ellen Ochoa, Ph.D., who became the first Latina in space aboard the shuttle Discovery in 1993. Dr. Ochoa eventually became the Director of NASA's Johnson Space Center until her retirement in 2018, and is now Chair of the National Science Board. Lisa Mae Brunson, Founder of Wonder Women Tech, explores Dr. Ochoa's incredible career path, the importance of building pathways for others, and celebrating those that came before her. Ever wondered what outer space smells like? We have the answer! Dr. Ochoa's fascinating life in space and her down-to-earth spirit will be an inspiration to all listeners. This out-of-this-world episode shouldn't be missed! Today's Pioneering woman is Nikki Giovanni. Yolande Cornelia "Nikki" Giovanni Jr. is an American poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. Giovanni's work explores race, gender, sexuality, and the African American family. Her poetry was political and worked to uplift the black experience in the arts and as part of the Black Arts Movement. Thank you, Nikki Giovanni! ~~~~~ Learn more about our story and mission at: www.wonderwomentech.com [http://www.wonderwomentech.com/] Podcast Hosted by Lisa Mae Brunson, Founder of Wonder Women Tech Original Sound Engineering by Alicia Pichette Re-Edited for Encore by Cari Favole Original Music score by Carleigh Strange Illustrated Artwork by Jessenia Hernandez -@sen.i.a on Instagram