Women in Tech Podcast, hosted by Espree Devora

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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“Somer Baburek of Hera Biotech: Advancing Women’s Health”
#womenintech Show is a WeAreTech.fm production.
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Host,
Espree Devora 
https://twitter.com/espreedevora
https://www.linkedin.com/in/espree
Guest, 
Somer Baburek 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/somerbaburek
In LA? Here’s some awesome resources for you to become immersed in the LA Tech scene -
For a calendar of all LA Startup events go to, http://WeAreLATech.com
Get Podcast Listeners, http://getpodcastlisteners.com/
Tour Signup, https://tour.wefranch.com/signup/los-angeles-1
Los Angeles Tech Community Leader Co Working Day, https://lu.ma/losangelestech_coworking
Resources Mentioned:
Hera Biotech, https://www.herabiotech.com
Geekdom, https://geekdom.com
Launch SA, launched sa
Betty’s Co, https://bettysco.com
Curiedx, https://www.curiedx.com
All In Her Head, https://www.amazon.com/All-Her-Head-Medicine-Matters/dp/0063293013
Credits:
Produced and Hosted by Espree Devora, http://espreedevora.com
Story Produced, Edited and Mastered by Cory Jennings, https://www.coryjennings.com
Production and Voiceover by Adam Carroll, http://www.ariacreative.ca
Team support by Janice Geronimo
Music by Jay Huffman, https://soundcloud.com/jayhuffman
Short Title: Somer Baburek

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Women in Tech Podcast - Episode Shownotes
Episode Title: Building Evenigo: Christina Ness on Grit, No-Code, and Connection 
Host: Espree Devora
Guest: Christina Ness  CEO & Founder of Evenigo
Episode Highlights:
In this inspiring episode, Espree Devora chats with Christina Ness, an entrepreneur based in Los Angeles and the founder of Evenigo, a social calendar platform designed to help users connect with their favorite brands, artists, and influencers—without the spam. It makes sure that you don't miss out on your favorite live events by adding key concerts and sporting events directly to your calendar. Christina shares her journey from working at digital agencies and gaming giants like Activision Blizzard to building her own tech startup from scratch.
You’ll hear Christina’s candid take on:
What Evenigo Is & How It Works: A user-friendly platform where you can discover and subscribe to event and brand calendars, integrate with your Google Calendar, and never miss out on retail sales or live events again.
Her Journey Into Tech: From agency life and UI/UX to a stint at Activision Blizzard, Christina explains how the tech world opened up to her and why there’s no one right path.
Building Evenigo: The ups and downs, from collaborating with a friend on the original concept to learning no-code tools like Wix, Adalo, and Bubble to launch the product without a traditional coding background.
Entrepreneurial Realities: Christina gets real about founder loneliness, overcoming self-doubt, and how persistence, even more than expertise, leads to success.
Community & Support: The power of programs like Jason Calacanis’s LAUNCH accelerator in fostering connection and growth for early-stage founders, plus why finding the right cofounder or CTO is often game-changing.
Fundraising & Growth: Christina discusses the challenges around traction, fundraising milestones, and her plans to scale Evenigo.
Key Takeaways:
There’s no single way to build a company—do it your way!
You don’t have to be a coder to launch a tech product; resourcefulness and grit matter more.
Community, support, and continuous learning are essential for women founders.
Christina’s Top Recommendations:
Book: I Forgot to Die by Khalil Rafati – an inspiring, honest look at entrepreneurship and personal transformation.
Podcast: Earn Your Happy by Lori Harder – uplifting conversations with entrepreneurs and thought leaders.
Connect with Evenigo:
Discover ways to spice up your calendar and never miss out on events you care about.
Website: Evenigo
(Integrate with Google Calendar, discover events, and avoid the spam!)
Other Resources Mentioned:
Jason Calacanis LAUNCH Accelerator
Women in Tech’s LA Tech Walks
Join the Conversation:
If you’re inspired by Christina’s story or want to meet fellow founders, check out Women in Tech’s LA Tech Walks to expand your network—and maybe meet your next co-founder!
About Women in Tech Podcast:
Hosted by Espree Devora, the show spotlights women in tech around the world, sharing practical advice and real stories so you can see what’s possible: “If She Can Do It, So Can I.”
Listen, Subscribe & Share!
Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your community. For more inspiring stories, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

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