Women in Tech Podcast, hosted by Espree Devora

In this inspiring episode, Espree Devora welcomes Anusha Iyer, CEO and founder of Corsha, an identity security company focused on securing and automating machine-to-machine connectivity in operational technology. Anusha Iyer shares her journey from an early fascination with programming in high school to leading a cutting-edge cybersecurity startup protecting industries like manufacturing, robotics, and critical infrastructure.

With over 25 years in technology and a unique background spanning linguistics, cybersecurity, and leadership, Anusha Iyer gets real about pivoting her company, raising funds, building a resilient team, and the importance of self-belief for women in tech.

Topics

Corsha’s mission: Securing the intersection of physical and digital systems, from robots to AI controllers (03:32)

How Anusha Iyer got started in tech and gravitated toward cybersecurity (03:58)

The parallels between digital and physical security: Building trust in the digital era (05:25)

Example use case: Protecting Air Force robots and secure data sharing (09:15)

Navigating an arranged marriage, immigration, and finding her career path by showing up and seizing opportunities (13:37)

Lessons in leadership: From servant to assertive leader, setting boundaries, and building company culture (19:53)

The co-founder journey, pivots, and maintaining strong values and healthy work-life balance (24:18)

Fundraising as a woman in tech: Overcoming rejection, finding the right investors, and learning from "no’s" (32:24)

Advice for younger women and early-career tech professionals: Don’t underestimate yourself, show up with curiosity and drive (41:19)

Favorite resources: "Joy at Work", Lessons in Chemistry, Brene Brown, and practical tech tools like Todoist (42:29)

Takeaways

“Believe in yourself. Everything starts with that belief.” 

“Leadership isn’t about knowing all the answers. It’s about showing more vulnerability and surrounding yourself with people better than you.”

 

Resources & Mentions

Corsha: corsha.com

Must-read book: Joy at Work

Also recommended: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (audiobook favorite with her daughter)

Thought Leader: Brene Brown

Connect with Anusha Iyer

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anusha-iyer/

Website: corsha.com

Join the Community

Connect and collaborate with more incredible women in tech around the world at WomenInTechVIP.com

Follow @WomenInTechShow on all social platforms

"If she can do it, so can I."

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How does authenticity unlock career growth in tech? In this inspiring episode, Priya Ramachandran, Vice President of Engineering for Mixed Signal Group at National Instruments, now part of Emerson Test & Measurement, shares her journey from her early days in India to leading innovation in Austin, Texas. She dives deep into her 22-year journey at the same company, explains how to create opportunities within your organization, and breaks down the myth that job hopping is necessary to progress in tech. Priya emphasizes the importance of building a personal advisory board, embracing growth over perfection, and maintaining your authentic self as you climb the ranks.

Discover actionable insights on mentorship, the role of AI in the workforce, and why the human element will always matter in tech — all aligned with the Women in Tech Show’s mission: “If She Can Do It, So Can I.”

Topics Covered

Priya Ramachandran's background and her rise to VP of Engineering at Emerson/National Instruments 01:10  

How NI/Emerson empowers innovation across industries — from rockets to smartphones 03:29  

Keys to staying at one company for over two decades and making every role an adventure 03:29  

Jungle gym vs. career ladder — creating your unique path 07:48  

How to build your own “board of advisors,” and the difference between mentors, sponsors, and advisors 11:40  

The critical role of authenticity in leadership and public speaking 38:56  

Purpose and progress over perfection — lessons from embracing a growth mindset 35:08  

Perspectives on the rise of AI — opportunity or threat? 18:41  

The irreplaceable value of human connection, empathy, and gut instinct in the age of AI 31:21  

Recommended resources and productivity tools 43:40  

Staying connected: How to reach out to Priya 45:40  

Key Takeaways

"I learned to embrace my authentic self — my background, the culture, and what I bring to the table. That has been such good advice, because otherwise I would have tried to chase something that was not me."  

"Career is a jungle gym, not a ladder. Everybody has to have their own journey."

"Sponsors don’t just get made. You don’t find them — the sponsors find you when you put in the work." 

"Perfection is an illusion fueled by the fear of failure or judgment... Choosing progress and purpose over perfection is key." 

"Authenticity builds more likability than anything else. That is the best strategy." 

"AI will fundamentally change how we work, but as human beings, we have this innate ability to see around corners and solve problems with empathy and gut instinct." 

Recommended By Priya

Must-Follow Thought Leaders: Adam Grant, Brené Brown, and their podcast “Curiosity” 

Must-Read Book: Growth Mindset by Carol Dweck   

Go-To Productivity Tool: Office365's Copilot 

Connect with Priya Ramachandran

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priya-ramachandran/ 

Join the Conversation

Connect with incredible women in tech  globally:

womenintechvip.com

@womenintechshow across all social platforms

If She Can Do It, So Can I! — Amplifying the stories of inspiring women accelerating their careers in technology, worldwide.

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Guest: Sarah Rodrigues, Chief Product Officer, Acre Security

In this episode, we sit down with Sarah Rodrigues, Chief Product Officer at Acre Security, who shares her inspiring journey from growing up in India to leading innovation in the security tech industry in Austin, Texas. Sarah Rodrigues brings a fresh perspective to how diverse experiences, curiosity, grit, and mentorship accelerate women’s careers in technology.

With a dynamic background spanning engineering, lighting design, Amazon, and now security hardware and software, Sarah Rodrigues discusses the art of career pivots, building professional allies, learning through doing, and the real role support systems play in achieving personal and professional growth.

Key Topics Discussed

Redefining what it means to be an engineer in tech 00:00  

How Acre Security keeps people and businesses safe globally 01:28  

Transitioning from Amazon to a leadership role in an entirely new industry 04:38  

The power of curiosity and learning by doing 25:00  

Building a board of life “directors” and mentorship networks 19:56  

Navigating major career shifts and overcoming obstacles 30:12  

Embracing boundaries and self-care for sustainable success 27:37  

Advice for women feeling unqualified or intimidated by new challenges 22:24  

Notable Takeaways

“Everything she has achieved in her life, she has done scared. She’s just gone and done it.” – on lessons from her mother  

“If you look back at the journey, you can see you’ve done harder things and you’ll get through it.”  

"My career didn't follow a plan. Life circumstances shaped my journey." 

“You can combine so many different things, leverage technology—whether it’s art or music. It’s endless.” 

Resources & Recommendations

Book: Grit by Angela Duckworth 34:00  

Productivity Influencer: Ali Abdaal (practical, happiness-oriented productivity) 35:13  

App: Headspace (meditation and mindfulness) 36:10  

Connect with Sarah Rodrigues

LinkedIn: Sarah J. Rodrigues

Mission of the Show

“If She Can Do It, So Can I.”

Inspiring stories and actionable lessons from women accelerating in tech worldwide.

Join the Community

Connect and celebrate more women in tech globally: womenintechvip.com

Follow @WomeninTechShow on all platforms.

Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe and share this episode with anyone who needs a little inspiration to make their next leap in tech.

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In this inspiring episode of Women in Tech, Jessica McKellar, CEO of Pilot, joins us from San Francisco to share her journey from MIT computer club to serial entrepreneurship. She dives into her mission of democratizing finance and accounting for small businesses, the emotional side of entrepreneurship, finding purpose in work, family-life philosophy, and what keeps her striving for more. This candid conversation is packed with wisdom for women forging their own path in tech, emphasizing the podcast’s mission: “If She Can Do It, So Can I.”

Featured Guest

Jessica McKellar — CEO of Pilot

Key Topics Discussed

Entrepreneurship & Personal Growth:

Jessica McKellar discusses starting three companies, her long-time business partnership, and why she remains passionate about solving real problems for business owners 

The Human Side of Bookkeeping:

The emotional and vulnerable journey that clients experience with their finances, including powerful customer stories about overcoming shame and gaining confidence 

Career Acceleration:

How coming to computer science “late” led Jessica McKellar to push herself, embrace startups, and thrive in leadership despite challenges 

Leadership & Team Building:

Jessica McKellar's values-driven approach to building and managing teams, emphasizing autonomy, high standards, and staying close to the customer experience 

Work, Life, and What “Balance” Really Means:

Honest insight into how Jessica McKellar juggles life as a CEO and mom — rejecting prescriptive advice and carving out a deeply fulfilling routine 

Resilience & Overcoming Obstacles:

Navigating leadership transitions, the emotional labor of managing a growing company, and building the “capacity” to support both teams and family 

Fundraising & Profitability:

Real talk about inequity in fundraising, embracing sales as a superpower, and the importance of confidence for women founders 

Mentorship, Support, and Thick Skin:

Building a network of personal and professional support, sustaining motivation, and learning to rise above gendered criticism online 

Personal Recommendations:

Old-school edutainment games for kids (Math Storm, Reader Rabbit, Number Munchers)  

Podcasts: Search Engine, Freakonomics Radio  

Tools: Whisper Flow for AI dictation  

Notable Takeaways

“The times in my life when I have felt burnt out were not related to how long I was working… It was about being in situations where I didn't like the situation that I was in and I couldn't get out of it, where I lacked the autonomy to resolve a thing that was causing stress or pain.” 

“Your job is sales. So get ready to love it.” 

“My goal in life is to leverage the capabilities that I have in the world to make it a little bit better.” 

Resources & Mentions

Pilot — https://pilot.com

Providing affordable, tech-powered finance and accounting support for small businesses.

Episode Highlights Timeline

00:01:18 — Customer stories and the personal side of accounting

00:04:16 — Engineering background, business partnership, and why bookkeeping

00:10:33 — Entering tech and overcoming imposter syndrome

00:14:04 — Leadership style and the importance of detail

00:17:17 — Surviving hard transitions and building capacity

00:23:37 — On work, life, and living without “balance”

00:27:28 — Burnout and agency

00:32:03 — Fundraising tips for founders

00:37:25 — Responding to gendered feedback and building self-trust

00:40:42 — Favorite podcasts

00:43:00 — Old-school educational games for kids

Join Us

Be inspired by more global stories of women accelerating in tech — because "If She Can Do It, So Can I." Subscribe and connect at womenintechvip.com

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Leading with Courage: Laurie Oswald, Chief Commercial Officer at C&D Technologies on Building Strong Networks : Women in Tech Texas
Host: Espree Devora
Guest: Laurie Oswald, Chief Commercial Officer at C&D Technologies
Episode Overview
In this inspiring episode of the Women in Tech Podcast, Espree Devora sits down with Laurie Oswald, Chief Commercial Officer at C&D Technologies. Laurie Oswald shares her unconventional journey from studying psychology to leading major commercial strategy in the technology and battery industry. She discusses breaking into tech as a technical writer, the power of building credible expertise, and the importance of leveraging networks. Listeners will gain insights into Laurie Oswald’s leadership philosophy, her approach to customer-centric strategy, and the essential role of taking risks in career growth.
Key Topics Discussed
Introduction & Career Journey
Laurie Oswald’s role at C&D Technologies and Trojan Battery
Differences between C&D Technologies and Trojan, and the unique markets they serve
Laurie Oswald’s transition from psychology major to tech industry leader
Breaking into Tech & Building Credibility
How she landed her first job as a technical writer and built expertise from scratch
The importance of technical competence and staying updated with industry trends
Networking & Mentorship
Leveraging professional groups and industry networks for growth
Stories of personal mentors and the value of supportive advisors
Leadership & Team Building
Laurie Oswald’s results-driven, “fail forward” leadership style
Building a diverse and high-performing team and empowering others
Customer-Centric Strategy
Serving data centers, telecom, utilities, and the motive power market (like golf carts and industrial applications)
The importance of listening to customer needs and offering the right technical solution, rather than focusing on “convincing”
Personal Stories & Advice
Overcoming setbacks: a personal story of failing to secure a major deal and the leadership lesson it provided
Advice Laurie Oswald would give her younger self: build relationships early, don’t keep your head down, and leverage the power of mentorship
Book & Tool Recommendations
Book: “Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg for women in leadership
Must-follow: Simon Sinek (“Start with Why”)
Favorite tech tool: Microsoft Copilot for productivity and safe AI-powered work
Women Supporting Women
Laurie Oswald discusses her daughter’s journey in biomedical engineering and the importance of putting your goals or needs out into the community
The power of speaking up—“If you’re invited to the meeting, you belong there”
Memorable Quotes
“Credibility isn’t given, it’s earned. The fastest way to earn credibility is through technical excellence.” – Laurie Oswald
“Relationships amplify your impact.” – Laurie Oswald
“Don’t be afraid to take chances. When you do, it shows leadership and adaptability.” – LaurieOswald
“If you’re invited to attend the meeting, you belong there. Don’t hesitate to take your seat at the table.” – Laurie Oswald
Connect with the Guest
LinkedIn: Laurie Oswald
Additional Resources
C&D Technologies: Powering critical infrastructure with industrial batteries
Trojan Battery Company: Leading deep-cycle batteries for industrial and utility vehicles
Closing
Thank you for tuning in to the Women in Tech Podcast with Espree Devora and Laurie Oswald! Make sure to connect with Laurie on LinkedIn and join the Women in Tech community for more empowering stories and career insights.
Remember: If she can do it, so can you!
Subscribe & Follow:
All Platforms: @WomeninTechShow
Contact Espree Devora: [email protected]

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