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62. Tech Queen: Arezou Zarafshan - Founder and CEO at Call Emmy
52:42Arezou Zarafshan, the visionary Founder and CEO of Call Emmy, is revolutionizing the landscape for working parents through her innovative one-stop-shop platform.A career-driven individual from the outset, Arezou's journey into motherhood brought about a transformative realization of the challenges faced by working parents. While flourishing in her executive role at a $1 billion enterprise, Arezou benefitted from the support of a full-time house manager and nanny named Emmy. This invaluable assistance allowed her to maintain focus on her professional aspirations while remaining present for her family. However, upon facing the loss of her job and the subsequent inability to sustain full-time household help, Arezou experienced firsthand the profound impact of this shift. Domestic responsibilities escalated, tensions arose within her household, and the delicate balance between career and family life began to unravel. Determined to find a solution that would empower working parents like herself, Arezou embarked on a mission to create Call Emmy.Call Emmy emerged as a beacon of hope—a transformative platform that bridges the gap between busy parents and local household service providers. By offering on-demand assistance with household chores and childcare, Call Emmy became the go-to resource for those seeking support in managing the demands of both work and family life.Arezou's entrepreneurial journey is a testament to her resilience and determination to effect positive change. As an immigrant, accomplished business leader, and devoted mother, she understands firsthand the challenges faced by working parents. Her commitment to empowering others extends beyond the realm of entrepreneurship; she serves as a mentor and coach to aspiring founders and small business owners, guiding them through the complexities of the startup landscape with unwavering support and encouragement.Recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business in Colorado in 2021, Arezou's impact extends far beyond the confines of her business endeavors. With Call Emmy's success gaining traction in Colorado, Arezou's vision is set on national expansion, poised to bring the transformative benefits of her platform to working parents across the country.Arezou Zarafshan's journey embodies the ethos of resilience, empathy, and empowerment. Through Call Emmy, she is reshaping the narrative for working parents, proving that with determination and innovation, it is possible to thrive in both career and family lif
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61. Tech Queen: Priyanka Vazirani - Co-founder of Volv App
31:16Priyanka Vazirani has a diverse work experience. Priyanka began their career in 2011 as a Summer Intern at JPMorgan Chase. In 2012, they worked as a Summer Intern at Morgan Stanley. In 2013, they interned at BCBG Max Azria as a Planning and Retail Operations Intern and at PwC India as a Corporate Finance Intern. From 2014 to 2018, they worked as a Strategist, at Global Investment Solutions at UBS. In 2018, they co-founded Benefactory, a collective movement to make donations to help tackle urgent crises. In 2020, they co-founded Volv Media.Priyanka Vazirani attended the University of Southern California from 2010 to 2014, where they earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Economics & Business Administration. In 2012, they attended the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) for a Summer School in Economics. Priyanka also participated in the Yellow Accelerator program.Volv captures the zeitgeist of this generation. A Snapchat-backed super app that gives you a personalized stream of content in 9-second reads using AI. From niche newsletters to breaking news, to YouTube snippets. Users have read over 35 million stories so far.
60. Tech Queen: Shannon Almeida - Co-founder of Volv App
33:40Shannon Almeida has a wealth of work experience, beginning in 2011 when they served as a Financial Coordinator for the Women's Resource Center. Shannon then took on a role as a Junior Analyst for the Finance and Investment Club in the same year. In 2012, they became a Corporate Finance Intern for TATA Power and a Consultant for the BU Urban Business Accelerator Program. In 2013, they were an Associate for the Nu Chapter Consulting Group and an Executive Board Member for the Boston University Consulting Group. In 2019, they became a Co-Founder of Benefactory, and in 2020, they took on the same role for Volv Media.Shannon Almeida began their educational journey in 2000 at Narsee Monjee Educational Trust's - Jamnabai Narsee School, where they attended until 2008. Shannon then attended Questrom School of Business, Boston University from 2010 to 2014, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Economics. In 2013, Shannon participated in a summer program at Berklee College of Music, focusing on Music Business. From 2015 to 2018, Shannon attended the University of Mumbai and earned a Bachelor of Laws - LLB. Shannon also participated in an Accelerator Program at Yellow.Volv captures the zeitgeist of this generation. A Snapchat-backed super app that gives you a personalized stream of content in 9-second reads using AI. From niche newsletters to breaking news, to Youtube snippets. Users have read over 35 million stories so far.
59. Tech Queen: Abbey Lin - Founder & CEO at Fortifa | Podcast Host | ex-Microsoft, KPMG, Yara
50:00Abbey has over 20 years of international experience climbing the corporate ranks in companies like Microsoft, KPMG, and Yara International. In her last role, she was the Chief ESG and Integrity Officer of a publicly listed company located in 45 countries, responsible for global risk, compliance, and sustainability. In 2019 she co-founded Oslo.AI, one of the largest non-profit communities of AI Enthusiasts, as well as Ethical AI Resources which was transferred to NORA.AI in 2023. She is now the Founder of Fortifai, an ESG Regulatory technology company making it easier for companies to implement sustainability and compliance in their organization, no matter the size or budget.Abbey is from California and is a mother of 3. She holds a master's degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and a double bachelor's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
58. Tech Queen: Kate Pljaskovova - Founder & CEO at Fair HQ
48:15Kate is the Founder & CEO of Fair HQ, deeply driven by the convergence of pioneering science and technology with the evolving needs of the private capital sector. Her journey is fueled by a vision to unleash the power of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as catalysts for transformative change and unparalleled financial success.With a background in HR, Kate's commitment lies in empowering private equity firms & VCs to fully leverage DEI's potential. Through Fair HQ's innovative platform, she offers real-time insights, actionable guidance, and streamlined reporting, elevating DEI from a mere buzzword to a strategic business imperative that delivers tangible, measurable outcomes.Her previous company, SheWins.co, focused on reducing the gender pay gap while empowering women to negotiate effectively. With renowned clients such as Sky, Spotify, Dell, PwC, and Deliveroo (all inbound), Kate recognized a fundamental truth: diversity and inclusion cannot improve solely through individual efforts. Rather, they are systemic issues that require comprehensive solutions from the companies themselves.This venture marks Kate's fourth in the business world. She began her career as a Head of HR, leading her team to an acquihire by a Silicon Valley startup. Her previous company, SheWins.co, focused on reducing the gender pay gap while empowering women to negotiate effectively. Recognizing that diversity and inclusion require systemic solutions, Kate launched Fair HQ to provide businesses with the tools and resources necessary to foster a truly inclusive environment where all employees can thrive.
57. Tech Queen: Elizabeth Snower - Co-Founder/COO at ICONIQ - Kuki AI
54:41Embark on the professional journey of Elizabeth Snower, a seasoned individual with a wealth of diverse experiences that have unfolded over several dynamic years. Presently holding the role of Chief Operating Officer at ICONIQ, Elizabeth is a recent co-founder of the company, which is the driving force behind the well-known virtual influencer, Kuki AI.Before her current endeavor, Elizabeth made impactful contributions as the Director of Product Management for Global Fashion Brands at TechStyle Fashion Group, showcasing her expertise at the intersection of fashion and technology. Before this, she served as the VP of Growth for The Americas at Haptik, leaving an indelible mark on strategic expansion efforts.A true entrepreneur, Elizabeth co-founded CONVRG, an AI-powered voice and messaging platform, which garnered attention through its acquisition by Haptik in 2019. Her professional journey also includes roles as a Solutions Lead at Kik Interactive, a Digital Content Strategy Consultant at Guthy|Renker, and as the Editor in Chief for the DermStore Beauty Group at Target.The roots of Elizabeth’s illustrious career trace back to her beginnings as an Assistant Supplements Editor and Event Assistant at the Orange County Business Journal. Her educational pursuits led her to California State University, Fullerton, where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in English Language and Literature/Letters.Liz Snower’s influence extends beyond her roles in various organizations. As the co-founder of ICONIQ, she played a pivotal role in the creation of Kuki AI, a virtual influencer making waves in the industry. The journey continued with the co-founding of CONVRG, a B2B voice and messaging platform, and during her tenure at Kik, where she delved into building conversational products for prominent brands. Since 2015, Liz has been a sought-after speaker at events such as The FQ Equality Lounge at SXSW, YMS NYC, Fashion Digital NYC, and AdWeek X.Her insights and expertise have not gone unnoticed, with quotes featured in publications like The Washington Post and Ad Age. Liz’s work has been covered extensively by media outlets including Forbes, Yahoo, BBC, VICE, Vogue, and Harvard Business Review. Join us as we explore the impactful career and innovative contributions of Liz Snower, a trailblazer in the realms of technology, business, and artificial intelligence.
56. Tech Queen: Richa Bansal - Founder and Career Coach at Pinkcareers
42:15Richa is an emerging leader with over nine years of experience in operations, engineering, supply chain, and management. An engineer by background and a businesswoman at heart, she is a strong advocate for women's leadership in engineering and technology.Richa Bansal, the founder of Pinkcareers, started this initiative with a mission to address the underrepresentation of women in engineering and technology. Despite being the only woman in various professional settings, including an undergraduate class in India, an oil rig in Malaysia, and an engineering management role, she aspires to change the narrative.Throughout her journey, Richa has faced challenges common to many working women – from proving her worth in a male-dominated industry to balancing career and motherhood. She is determined to challenge stereotypes and create a more inclusive environment for women.As a coach and mentor, Richa has been helping individuals perfect their resumes, improve interview skills, and navigate their career paths. However, she believes that her voice needs to be louder, and by sharing her experiences with the Pinkcareers community, she aims to inspire and empower more women to excel in their careers.Richa's personal experiences, including pursuing an MBA while raising two children, have fueled her commitment to breaking societal norms and expectations placed on working women. With a track record of achieving promotions, transitioning to high-paying roles, and building a successful business, she is proof that a purpose-driven, strategic approach can lead to a fulfilling and remarkable career.Her mission is clear – to help high achievers stop underselling themselves, land high-impact leadership roles on their terms, and achieve purpose, freedom, and financial success. As a brown immigrant mother with extensive experience in the Energy and Tech industries, Richa brings a unique perspective to her coaching, aiming to empower others to build their careers on their terms.