She Talks Tech

Hlulani

Welcome to our podcast, where we profile women in technology and STEM careers. Our aim is to elevate and amplify their stories, and inspire more women to join these fields. Through in-depth interviews with successful women in technology and STEM, we explore their career paths, challenges, successes, and advice for aspiring professionals. Join us as we celebrate the achievements of women in technology and STEM and discover the diverse and exciting opportunities available in these fields. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 60 - "Systems Create Behaviour" with Palesa Sibeko

    VOR 6 TAGEN

    60 - "Systems Create Behaviour" with Palesa Sibeko

    Systems Create Behaviour She Talks Tech In this episode, we sit down with Palesa Sibeko, co-founder of Better Work and Girls Invent Tomorrow, for a conversation that goes well beyond the buzzwords. Palesa has spent over a decade asking a deceptively simple question: what would it take to make work more human? From the digital agency frontier of early social media in South Africa, to building custom PCB hardware through Signal, to coaching leaders navigating change, her career is a masterclass in following curiosity without apology. We talk about why systems create the behaviour we complain about, what it really means to listen in an organisation, and why fixing culture in a two-hour workshop is a fantasy. We also get into Girls Invent Tomorrow, the girls in STEM organisation she has poured her heart into for over 14 years, and what it will actually take to change the numbers. What we cover Growing up in Soweto, reading everything in sight, and how curiosity became a careerThe early days of social media for brands in South Africa and pioneering digital engagement on MxitWhy systems create behaviour and how Better Work approaches change from the inside outThe gap between an organisation's intent and what employees actually experience every dayReturn to office, trust, and why one-size-fits-all workplace policy rarely worksSignal: building custom hardware, PCB boards, and gesture-controlled experiences, until COVID ended itGirls Invent Tomorrow, what has shifted for girls in STEM and what stubbornly has notThe invisible barriers in the home that shape what young girls believe is possible for themWhat Palesa would tell her 10-year-old self Support the show If She Talks Tech has added value to your life, consider buying us a coffee. It helps fund guest research, production, and keeps the stories coming. buymeacoffee.com/shetalkstech Also follow us on instagram @she_talks_tech_podcast Connect with us #SheTalksTech Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 Std. 3 Min.
  2. 58 - Designing With Empathy… Inez Patel on UX, Inclusive Design, and Women in Leadership

    26. FEB.

    58 - Designing With Empathy… Inez Patel on UX, Inclusive Design, and Women in Leadership

    Guest: Inez Patel Episode theme: UX, inclusive design, leadership, and building communities that help women thrive in design and tech. Episode summaryIn this in-person conversation in South Africa, Hlulani sits down with UX leader Inez Patel to unpack her “accidental” path into UX, what UX really is beyond pretty screens, and how user research shapes better products. Inez also shares her leadership journey, the realities of managing people, and why inclusive design matters… plus the impact work behind She Can Do and Girls Invent Tomorrow, and her involvement with One Young World. What you’ll hear in this episodeHow Inez went from a general BA and media studies into UX through an unexpected internship opportunityThe moment she realised UX is about empathy, research, and designing for real human needsWhat a UX designer actually does day-to-day… research, wireframes, testing assumptions, and translating insights into usable experiencesThe gap between what’s taught and what industry expects, and why UX education evolves so quicklyConsulting vs freelancing vs permanent roles… what she learned from each pathThe shift into leadership… and why managing people can be harder than design workBuilding impact outside a 9-to-5… She Can Do, Girls Invent Tomorrow, and creating pathways for womenRepresentation, intersectionality, and why uncomfortable conversations are necessaryAI and UX… why human understanding is still the core skill About Inez PatelInez Patel is a UX leader and Design Director with experience across agencies, consulting, fintech, banking, and healthcare. She is also the CEO of She Can Do, a nonprofit empowering women in design and tech through training programs, mentorship, research, and community events. She is a co-director at Girls Invent Tomorrow, supporting high school girls through exposure to careers in tech and design. Inez is also part of the One Young World global leadership community. Organisations mentionedShe Can Do… nonprofit empowering women in design and techGirls Invent Tomorrow… nonprofit supporting high school girlsOne Young World… international leadership community and annual global summit Memorable moments“UX is like scientific design”… backed by research, not just aesthetics“Users don’t read”… but context always mattersLeadership is not just a title… community building is leadershipInclusive design is not optional if you truly care about impact Listener takeawayIf you’re entering UX… focus on understanding humans deeply. Tools will evolve. AI will change workflows. But empathy, communication, and inclusive thinking remain your strongest advantages. Also follow us on instagram @she_talks_tech_podcast And connect with She Talks Tech Podcast on LinkedIn for episode updates and guest highlights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 Min.
  3. 57- Becoming the Woman She Needed: Matshidiso Tladi’s Rise From Uncertainty to Principal Architect

    26.11.2025

    57- Becoming the Woman She Needed: Matshidiso Tladi’s Rise From Uncertainty to Principal Architect

    In this episode, I sit down with my former classmate Matshidiso Tladi, now a Principal Technical Solution Architect, to retrace her journey from uncertainty after matric to leading high-stakes technology teams. She opens up about quitting nursing after a month, dropping psychology, and spending years feeling lost before a learnership finally introduced her to tech. From hardware support to software development, consulting, banking and now architecture, her story is one of courage, curiosity and choosing purpose even when the path felt unclear. We talk about imposter syndrome, being a highly technical Black woman in male-dominated rooms, the constant pressure to prove yourself, and how she anchors herself through competence, consistency and giving herself grace. She also shares the toughest chapter in her career, the moment she knew she truly belonged in tech, and what keeps her grounded today. We close the episode with a beautiful letter she reads to her 10-year-old self… a reminder that you don’t need to have everything figured out to build a meaningful and impactful life. What We CoverHow she discovered tech after years of uncertaintyMoving from hardware to software and finding her passionConsulting, banking and navigating high-pressure technology environmentsTransitioning into architecture and leading technical teamsManaging imposter syndrome and documenting her achievementsBeing a woman of color in technical leadership spacesHer advice for young women entering techThe emotional letter to her younger self Also follow us on instagram @she_talks_tech_podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 Std. 4 Min.

Info

Welcome to our podcast, where we profile women in technology and STEM careers. Our aim is to elevate and amplify their stories, and inspire more women to join these fields. Through in-depth interviews with successful women in technology and STEM, we explore their career paths, challenges, successes, and advice for aspiring professionals. Join us as we celebrate the achievements of women in technology and STEM and discover the diverse and exciting opportunities available in these fields. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.