Techtonic

We sat down with Muhammad Atif, CTO and President of PureLogics , a global software engineering firm he co-founded in 2006 that has grown to 400+ engineers and 1,300+ applications delivered worldwide. Muhammad brings nearly two decades of experience building engineering teams and helping companies move from idea to execution. In this episode we get into what AI readiness actually looks like, what&...

In this episode of Tectonic , host Jared Tang, CEO & Co-Founder of Gaggle Social , sits down with D.J. Burel , a veteran talent acquisition leader specializing in defense, government, and cleared technical recruitment . With more than 30 years of recruiting experience , DJ has worked at the intersection of national security, cybersecurity, aerospace, and federal programs , helping place profes...

Most companies say they care about equitable hiring. Very few are willing to admit what’s actually broken. In this episode of Techtonic , we’re joined by Rochelle Rawls , a leader in equitable hiring and DEIB-driven talent strategy, to unpack the uncomfortable truths behind modern recruitment, from silent bias in resumes and interviews to why qualified candidates disappear from the funnel. We talk...

In this episode of Techtonic , we explore one of the biggest challenges tech professionals face today: networking when you're an introvert . I'm joined by Senior Salesforce Developer and community builder, Chris Mielczarski . Chris brings a refreshingly human perspective to the art of connecting with others in the tech ecosystem. Together, we break down: Bravery in networking: showing up...

In this episode of Techtonic , host Jared Tang sits down with Army veteran, trusted advisor to CIOs and CSOs, co-author of The CISO Playbook , and champion for women in cybersecurity through the Women’s Society of Cyber Jutsu, Nia Luckey. Nia shares her remarkable journey from military service to the boardroom and TEDx stage, revealing how trust, authenticity, and resilience have shaped her leader...

On this transformative episode of TechTonic , we welcome the Honorable Leela Aheer, former Minister for the Status of Women and now Chief Growth Officer at The BioSport , for a raw, insightful conversation on women’s health, empowerment, and the systems that must evolve . Alongside guest co-host Stacy Whitaker , we discuss The BioSport and how it's a cutting-edge tool that uses genomics, AI,...

In this episode of Techtonic , we sit down with Dean Clark , a 22-year veteran of Deloitte and now a leader at Kanini and founder of Tech2Exec , to explore what it really takes to move from hands-on technical roles to executive leadership. Dean shares his journey from coding COBOL in high school to advising CIOs at the enterprise level and breaks down why so many skilled professionals get stuck mi...

In this episode of Tectonic, Jared Tang sits down with Anna Schafer—Chief Product Officer at b Atomic!, 10x Salesforce-certified leader, and co-leader of the Salesforce Akron Women in Tech group—to explore how her community is empowering Salesforce professionals through connection, hands-on learning, and inclusive support. Anna shares the origin story behind her involvement in the Akron Women in T...

In this episode of Tectonic Podcast , we talk with Mike Martin — former admin turned Chief Customer Officer at 10K — about the evolution from doing the work to leading the work. With 17+ years of experience, Mike breaks down what separates good consultants from great ones, how to grow teams from scratch, and why the future of tech hiring is all about flexibility and fit. Key Takeaways: ✅ Leadersh...

In this episode of Techtonic Podcast, we chat with Margaret Atkins, a 5x Salesforce-certified expert who turned failures into career breakthroughs. From failing her Admin cert eight times to landing roles through networking and soft skills, Margaret shares how resilience, community, and confidence helped her succeed in the Salesforce ecosystem.  Key Takeaways: ✅ Failure fuels success —every setba...

In this episode of Techtonic Podcast, we sit down with Henrietta Kolb, a former music educator turned Salesforce professional, who is navigating an inspiring career transition. From not knowing what a terminal was to building her own Salesforce app from scratch, Henrietta shares her journey of self-learning, imposter syndrome, and balancing career aspirations with family life. Key Takeaways: You d...

In this episode of Techtonic Podcast, we dive deep with Sharif Shaalan, Salesforce MVP Hall of Famer, author of Salesforce For Beginners , and CEO of Agile Cloud Consulting. With over 14 years in the Salesforce ecosystem, Sharif shares his journey from freelancing to leading a thriving consultancy serving nonprofits and higher education. Key Takeaways: What makes a great team: Problem-solving, exe...

In this episode of Techtonic Podcast , we’re joined by John Gates , a corporate recruiting expert, salary negotiation coach, and best-selling author of Act Your Wage . With over 30 years of experience in recruiting and negotiation, John has helped hundreds of professionals secure fair pay and coached hiring managers on creating transparent, equitable hiring practices. John dives into actionable st...

In this episode of Techtonic Podcast , we sit down with Devin Miller, a seasoned patent and trademark attorney who specializes in helping startups and small businesses protect their ideas and and intellectual property. With a wealth of experience, including founding an eight-figure business and leading a seven-figure exit, Devin shares invaluable insights into navigating the complexities of intell...

In this episode of Techtonic Podcast, we’re excited to welcome Christina McLoughlin, a transformative career coach and strategist, who’s spent years in the Salesforce ecosystem and is now helping tech professionals navigate their career journeys with confidence. Christina brings a wealth of experience as a certified Salesforce consultant and coach, focusing on educating others on fostering long-te...

In the latest episode of the Techtonic Podcast , we have the privilege of chatting with Emma Watts, a leader in strategy and operations renowned for her human-centered approach to leadership. With a rich background in tech consulting and mental health coaching, Emma shares her insights on fostering healthier workplace cultures through her company, Growth Force. Key Highlights: The journey from edu...

In this insightful episode of Techtonic, we delve into the challenges and opportunities for neurodivergent professionals in today’s workplace with Allie Lawler, a dedicated advocate and leader of the Neurodivergent Trailblazers community group. Allie shares her personal journey and practical advice on navigating the hiring process as a neurodivergent individual and the importance of inclusive prac...

In this engaging episode of Techtonic, we dive deep into the Salesforce ecosystem with a seasoned professional who has spent over seven years honing her skills. From solo admin roles to leading Salesforce adjacent product sales, she shares her journey of transitioning from HR into the tech space, offering a unique perspective on leveraging diverse experiences for career growth. Key Points: Finding...

In this insightful episode of Techtonic, we welcome Marisa Hambleton, a Salesforce Hall Of Famer, consultancy owner, community group leader, and community conference organizer. With over a decade of experience, Marisa offers invaluable advice on transitioning careers, the importance of continuous learning, leveraging diverse skills, and the role of community involvement in professional growth. Key...

In this engaging interview, Janeen Marquardt shares her journey from a traditional tech background to becoming a seasoned Salesforce leader. She emphasizes the significance of community involvement and continuous learning in the Salesforce ecosystem. Janeen offers valuable insights on career development, the importance of domain knowledge, and effective networking strategies. She also provides pra...

In this engaging interview, Shannon Gregg shares her journey from traditional CRM systems to becoming a prominent Salesforce expert. She emphasizes the importance of blending people, processes, and technology to enhance customer satisfaction. Shannon offers valuable advice on career pivots, handling imposter syndrome, and effective networking strategies. She also provides tips for job seekers on s...

In this enlightening episode of Techtonic, Community Leader, former recruiter, Department Leader, diversity & inclusion activist, and Salesforce MVP Hall of Famer Stacey Whitaker joins hosts Jared Tang and Bob Gerst to delve into her transformative journey within the Salesforce ecosystem. Highlights of this episode include: What recruiters and hiring managers look for when evaluating candidate...

In this awesome and installment of Techtonic, Founder of Midwest Dreamin' Eric Dreshfield  joins Jared Tang & Bob Gerst to share his wisdom compiled over the past 15 years in the ecosystem. In this episode,  Eric shared his wisdom to explore:  Navigating the Salesforce job market The importance of networking & attending community conferences How the Salesforce ecosystem has changed ov...

In this exciting and insightful episode, Brad Mislow joins Jared Tang & Bob Gerst to explore how he overcame being laid off on his birthday from a company he had a long history with.  In this installment he shares his playbook that got him hired at leading enterprise software Okta. He speaks to:  Maintaining your network & leveraging our connections Organizing your outreach to hiring teams...

In this episode Jared & Bob are joined by the VP, Engineering at National Debt Relief, Michael Berris.  Michael has hired over 60 Salesforce professionals throughout his career and also has battled being laid off from a company he spent 18 years at.  Michael honors us with his 20+ years of wisdom around: What a veteran Salesforce Hiring Manager looks for in new team members The importance of c...