Tech Beyond Gender Talks

Barbara Gruber’s path from journalist in Germany to engineering manager in New Zealand is a powerful story of grit, reinvention, and courage. In this episode, she shares how she overcame language barriers, broke into tech with no prior experience, and handled rejection with resilience. We dive into her early struggles, cultural adaptation, and the leadership lessons she now brings to the table—alw...

In this heartwarming episode of Tech Beyond Gender , Meena Satishkumar speaks with Michal Moore, Engineering Lead at BNZ, whose journey goes far beyond the world of tech. From growing up with a Commodore 64 in Israel to leading critical systems in New Zealand, Michal shares how her passion for people, purpose, and problem-solving shaped her life. Listen as she opens up about working in SecOps, fin...

Geri Ellis unpacks what it truly takes to lead through transformation in today’s tech landscape. From the accelerating impact of AI to aligning enterprise strategy, tech, and workforce planning, Geri shares practical insights for creating agile, future-ready organisations. A must-listen for anyone serious about meaningful, sustainable change in tech. #LeadingTransformation #AILeadership #FutureOfW...

In this deeply reflective episode, Meena Satishkumar speaks with Macushla Howell, Head of Data at New Zealand Post, about the life-changing impact of taking a bold career break. Macushla shares what inspired her year-long sabbatical across Europe, including walking the 780km Camino de Santiago with her young family, and how the experience rewired her approach to leadership, self-awareness, and suc...

In this powerful episode of Tech Beyond Gender , Meena Satishkumar is joined by Kaushiki Roy — a program manager with over 30 years of experience across tech, policy, and public service in New Zealand. From an unexpected start in technology to navigating health challenges, Kaushiki shares how purpose, learning, and a strong personal value system helped her thrive as a migrant woman of colour. She...

n Episode 39, we sit down with Pooja Kokatnur , Engineering Lead at BNZ, who shares a deeply personal and inspiring journey through the tech industry. From growing up in a multicultural household in Dubai to carving out a meaningful career in New Zealand, Pooja reflects on the challenges of self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and the subtle biases women of colour continue to face in tech. She talks abo...

In this powerful episode of Tech Beyond Gender , Viji—Head of Sales for TCS Asia-Pacific—shares her transformative journey from a shy, academically driven girl in conservative South India to a confident, empathetic leader in global tech. She opens up about the inner battles of self-doubt, breaking out of her comfort zone, and how parenting a neurodivergent child reshaped her outlook on leadership...

In this inspiring conversation, Dr. Anish Dua, a distinguished academic and social advocate, shares his remarkable journey from academia to leading a movement against gender discrimination in India. We explore how collective action transformed societal attitudes toward daughters over the last 20 years, the real meaning of spirituality in modern leadership, and how love and compassion—not confronta...

Susan Needham, Senior Manager of Data Governance at Auckland City Council, joins us for a heartfelt and insightful conversation about her three-decade journey in data and analytics — a path shaped not only by professional experience but also by her recent discovery of being neurodiverse. From growing up on a Waikato dairy farm to working across sectors like telco, banking, and government, Susan sh...

In this inspiring episode of Tech Beyond Gender , Suzanne Holland, GM of Strategy, Architecture and Planning at Genesis Energy, shares candid reflections from her 27+ year journey in tech. From solving problems with code to leading enterprise-wide transformations, Suzanne opens up about what it means to lead authentically, build trust, and empower others. She speaks powerfully about the hidden pre...

In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender , Rachel Collingridge—an engineering leader with nearly three decades of experience—shares her transformative journey from classical musician to VP of Engineering. She opens up about redefining leadership without conforming to outdated molds, the subtle barriers that continue to hinder women in tech, and why we need to make space for average women in leadershi...

Why are women and minorities still underpaid in tech — even in 2024? In this powerful episode of Tech Beyond Gender , we sit down with Kat Weber, CEO and co-founder of LiveRim and ResolvePay, who is on a mission to close pay gaps and make salary conversations simple, transparent, and fair. Kat shares real-life data revealing shocking pay gaps within the same roles (including tech-specific roles li...

In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender , Irene Naidu shares her powerful insights on navigating bias, advocating for diversity, and creating inclusive tech teams. With over 20 years in the industry, Irene has witnessed firsthand the challenges women and underrepresented groups face—and she’s on a mission to change that. 🎙️ What You’ll Learn: - How to identify and challenge unconscious bias in the w...

AI is changing everything —but are we ready for it? In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender , Dr. Sarah Mitchell shares her journey from mechanical engineering to becoming a leader in AI ethics, innovation, and responsible tech . ✅ How AI is revolutionizing industries 📊 ✅ The hidden biases in AI & how to fix them 🤖 ✅ The ethics dilemma —who’s accountable? ⚖️ ✅ How YOU can start a career in...

Half of the women who enter the tech industry drop out by the time they’re 35. Why is this happening, and what can we do to change it? In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender , Tracy Morris, Head of Engineering at Trade Me, breaks down the systemic barriers that make women feel like they don’t belong in tech. She challenges the confidence gap myth, shares why the onus is on organisations—not women—t...

In this inspiring episode of Tech Beyond Gender , host Meena Satishkumar sits down with Agnes Magombedze, Divisional Risk Partner at Bank of New Zealand. Agnes shares her remarkable journey from Zimbabwe to New Zealand, navigating the tech and risk industries with resilience, authenticity, and determination. With over 15 years of experience in IT risk management and prestigious certifications (CIS...

In this inspiring episode of Tech Beyond Gender , Meena Satishkumar sits down with Vishakha Agarwal—entrepreneur, wellness advocate, and Art of Living faculty member. Vishaka shares her journey of balancing the fast-paced world of AI-driven businesses with the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda and meditation. Discover how she manages multiple ventures, empowers women, and maintains inner peace amidst li...

In this season 2 premiere episode, we welcome Moth Loths, Senior Technical Artist at Niantic Aotearoa, as the first gender-diverse professional on our podcast. Moth shares their incredible journey in the gaming industry—from early struggles and career milestones to navigating biases and advocating for inclusivity. We dive into: ✅ Challenges faced by gender-diverse professionals in tech & gami...

In this special edition of the Tech Beyond Gender Podcast, recorded at the serene Art of Living International Centre in Bengaluru, India, I sit down with the extraordinary Bhanumathi Narasimhan, a visionary leader who has dedicated her life to community service. As the sister of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a globally renowned spiritual and humanitarian leader, and the Chairperson of women’s welf...

Join us in this episode as we talk to Irina Mosina, CEO and founder of TechTime Initiative Group Limited, about her inspiring journey in the tech industry. Irina discusses her experiences as a founder, her passion for fostering inclusive innovation, and the challenges she overcame to establish her company as a trusted name in IT services. Learn from her unique perspectives on leadership, resilienc...

In this heartfelt episode, host Meena Satishkumar has an engaging conversation with Indu Chitteth, a Senior Payroll System Analyst and inspiring migrant mom. Indu shares her remarkable story of navigating cultural challenges, regaining confidence, and successfully re-entering the workforce after a significant career break. This episode is filled with powerful lessons on resilience, self-belief, an...

Join us on the Tech Beyond Gender podcast as we sit down with Dr. Michelle Dickinson, nanotechnologist, materials engineer, and co-founder of Nanogirl Labs ( www.nanogirllabs.com ). From her humble beginnings to becoming a global advocate for diversity in STEM, Dr. Michelle shares her journey of resilience, innovation, and purpose. Discover how her groundbreaking work in nanotechnology shapes the...

Join us as we sit down with Natalia Nam, an AWS DevOps Engineer at Snapper, who shares her inspiring journey from migrating to New Zealand to establishing herself in the tech industry. Natalia discusses overcoming language barriers, building a support system in a new country, and breaking into tech in her 40s. Discover how she forged valuable connections and found mentorship, offering a fresh pers...

In this episode of Tech Beyond Gender , we’re joined by Lisa Cooley, Managing Director of BrightSpark Recruitment, a specialist in IT, Data, and Digital recruitment. Lisa shares her insights on fostering diversity and inclusion within tech, from building authentic support networks for new migrants and young graduates to helping companies implement meaningful diversity strategies. She also opens up...

In this powerful episode, Meena Satishkumar, Founder of Tech Beyond Gender , sits down with Dr. Amanda Sterling, award-winning Leadership Consultant and author of The Humane Workplace . Together, they dive deep into the challenges mothers face in leadership, the impact of life cycles on women's careers, and the need for truly inclusive workplaces. Dr. Sterling shares insights from her research on...