Author Archives: Dirkjan Hupkes, Host of Women Disrupting Tech

In my podcast Women Disrupting Tech, I give a platform to the women who work in tech so they can be a role model for others. The goal is to promote more diversity, equity and inclusion in the tech sector. I believe that this will lead to better solutions to the three problems of our time: the climate crisis, exploding demand for healthcare services and poverty.

The ROI of Relocation: Scaling Global Teams Without Attrition with Judith Roetgering | Show notes episode 137

Summary

In this episode, Judith Roetgering shares her journey to founding Rehive, a relocation service aimed at helping international talent navigate the complexities of moving to the Netherlands. She discusses the challenges faced by newcomers, the importance of cultural awareness, and the lessons learned from her previous ventures. Judith emphasizes the need for companies to create inclusive environments and manage expectations for international hires. She also highlights the role of AI in streamlining relocation processes while maintaining a personal touch. The conversation touches on the importance of supporting female founders and the future of talent mobility in a changing work landscape.More

Click play to hear Philipp’s advice to every female founder.

Why Your AI Implementation Fails and How to Fix It with Sophia Zitman | Show notes episode 136

In this engaging conversation, Sophia Zitman, director of AI projects at Kickstart AI, shares her insights on the importance of understanding both technology and organizational context in AI consultancy. She discusses the human factors that often lead to the failure of AI strategies and emphasizes the need for stakeholder engagement to mitigate resistance. Sophia highlights successful AI implementation stories, the role of politics in navigating organizational challenges, and the potential of AI as an equalizer in business and education. She encourages women in tech to embrace their agency and pursue their goals, advocating for a future where AI enhances inclusivity and accessibility across various sectors.More

Here’s a teaser to let you imagine what it’s like to relocate to a different country for work.

Moving Beyond the Hustle as a Female Founder with Valerie Hirschhauser | Show notes episode 135

In this episode of Women Disrupting Tech, Valerie Hirschhauser shares her journey from the hustle culture to finding true freedom in entrepreneurship. She discusses the challenges female founders face, including burnout, the pressure to prove themselves, and the importance of mentorship. Valerie emphasizes the need for intuition in leadership and the balance between profitability and purpose. She also highlights the role of investors in supporting female founders and the importance of creating a supportive ecosystem for women in business.More

Hit play to hear how Sophia thinks about building AI that benefits patients, nurses, doctors and hospitals at the same time.

Unlocking Worlds by Making Language Learning Fun with Carolina Bongers | Show notes episode 134

In episode 134 of Women Disrupting Tech, Carolina Bongers shares how she’s building Jungle the Bungle, a language learning app for young children that puts fun first. We talk about early language learning, validating ideas without technology, unexpected demand from schools, and why removing right and wrong can create better learning experiences.More

Click the play button to hear Valerie’s vision of future boardrooms.

Building a Tech Career on Agency, Agility, and Bouncebackability with Simone Mink | Show notes episode 133

In episode 134 of the podcast Women Disrupting Tech, Simone Mink shares her unconventional journey from leisure management to becoming Head of Portfolio Management at Mendix. She highlights how resilience and self-advocacy played a key role. And emphasizes the need for boundaries to avoid burnout. She also challenges traditional views of coding, highlights the importance of mindset, and argues for structure in navigating careers, especially for neurodivergent individuals.More

Click play to hear Carolina Bongers share her mission.

Designing The Workplace Women in Tech Actually Want with Tiffany Aude and Yoana Leusin | Show notes episode 132

In episode 132 of Women Disrupting Tech, Tiffany Aude and Yoana Leusin discuss how merit-based promotion significantly increases women’s representation in tech leadership. They emphasize the importance of clear expectations, supportive structures, and intentional allyship, urging companies to redesign systems to enable women’s success rather than perpetuating biases.More

Hit play to hear what makes and breaks AI projects.

Why Your Strategy Should Fit on a Post-It with Dorit Roest | Show notes episode 131

Dorit Roest emphasizes the need for founders to create agile strategies aligned with their personal values and business goals. Misalignment drains motivation, leading to stagnation, while clear, simple objectives maintain focus. She advocates for understanding the entrepreneur’s role in driving impactful change, urging a redefinition of success in business.More

Hit play to hear about the promotion paradox.

The Founder Guide to Turning Stress into a Superpower with Andrea Christancho | Show notes episode 130

Andrea Cristancho, an entrepreneur with experience in diverse locations, emphasizes the importance of wellbeing for founders. She argues that stress should not be a burden but a tool for clarity in leadership. Her insights challenge traditional notions of persistence, advocating for self-care and honest limits as foundations for sustainable business success.More

Hit play to hear why your strategy should fit on a Post-It.

How To Be a Compassionate Ally for Women in Tech with Salmaan Sana | Show notes episode 128

In episode 128 of the podcast Women Disrupting Tech, Salmaan Sana shares his journey from medical student to leadership consultant, emphasizing the importance of compassion and understanding in healthcare. He discusses the challenges faced by women in the workplace and the need for men to be allies. Salmaan highlights the significance of vulnerability among men and the necessity of creating inclusive environments. He provides practical steps for becoming an ally and addresses the funding gap for female founders in tech, advocating for increased awareness and action.More