Her Tech Circle

Bec O'Brien

Her Tech Circle, the podcast, is where we explore journeys of women in technology through candid interviews. This podcast highlights the stories of women who are breaking barriers, growing their skills and rising to leadership roles in tech. An extension of the broader mission for Her Tech Circle, we are committed to building an inclusive and supportive community where women in tech can thrive. Each episode features discussion on mentorship, education, personal growth, empowering women to make their mark on Australia's tech landscape. 

  1. 20/03/2025

    Innovating for Impact with Pearl Tang

    In this episode of Her Tech Circle, I sit down with Pearl Tang, a seasoned business executive with over 20 years of experience across multiple industries. Currently a Senior Innovation Advisory Consultant at Amazon Web Services (AWS), Pearl helps organizations unlock their potential through innovative technologies and cloud solutions. She shares her journey from tax technology at PwC to consulting and innovation advisory, offering insights into career growth, strategic thinking, and execution. Key Takeaways: The Power of Asking – Career growth often starts with asking for opportunities and taking calculated risks.Building a Strong Network – Establishing a personal board of advisors can provide invaluable career guidance.The Role of Self-Awareness – Knowing what you value and what drives you is key to making meaningful career decisions.Chapters & Time Markers: [00:00] Introduction & Guest Introduction[02:09] Pearl's Background & Career Journey[06:04] Transitioning from Tax Technology to Consulting[11:16] Pivotal Moments That Shaped Pearl's Career[16:52] First Exposure to Startup Culture[20:36] Overcoming Challenges in Career Transitions[25:51] The Importance of a Personal Board of Advisors[28:41] Self-Awareness & Career Success[32:48] Looking to the Future: What’s Next for Pearl[34:00] Closing Thoughts & Where to ConnectTopics Discussed: Pearl’s transition from tax technology to innovation advisoryThe importance of career risk-taking and networkingHuman-centered design and agile work practices in innovationStrategies for building a personal board of advisorsHow self-awareness influences career successGuest Details: Name: Pearl Tang - connect on Linkedin here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pearl-tang-australia/ Host Contact Details: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bec-o-brien/ Her Tech Circle - https://linktr.ee/hertechcircle Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network!

  2. 19/12/2024

    Joy, Failure, and the Journey: Renece Brewster on Living an Authentic Career

    In this episode, Bec O'Brien chats with Renece Brewster, a serial entrepreneur, mentor, and thought leader in video production, technology, and business leadership. Renece shares her incredible journey from co-founding Visual Domain (acquired by News Corp in 2021) to shaping communities like Her Tech Circle. Together, they dive into topics like transferable skills, the power of professional networks, and the realities of building a career that aligns with your passions. Renece’s candid reflections and practical advice will inspire listeners to embrace challenges and lead with authenticity. 3 Key Takeaways The Power of Networks: Relationships can lead to unexpected opportunities—even years later. Be intentional about nurturing your network.Embrace Failures: Every low point and misstep is part of the journey. Success stems from resilience and learning through setbacks.Redefining Work-Life Balance: Balance doesn’t exist in a perfect form—some seasons require prioritizing work, while others demand more attention to personal life.Topics Discussed Renece’s career beginnings and her motivation to build Visual Domain.Transitioning from a traditional career path to entrepreneurship as a new mother.The concept of a portfolio career and how it fosters variety and flexibility.Why transferable skills matter more than job titles in today’s tech landscape.Stories of leveraging her network to create opportunities and grow her business.The evolution of video content and its role in scaling Visual Domain.Tips for navigating work-life balance in fast-paced careers.Advice for younger professionals on embracing failures and pursuing joy.Resources/Links Renece Brewster LinkedInHer Tech Circle WebsiteMentorWalksArticle: "What is a Portfolio Career?"Follow the podcast for more inspiring interviews: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Your Website.

  3. 12/12/2024

    The Matchmaker of Tech: Charul Budhiraja’s Secrets to Recruitment Success

    In this episode of Her Tech Circle, host Bec O’Brien welcomes Charul Budhiraja, a leader in tech recruitment and Business Manager at Hayes. Charul’s journey from studying software engineering to building a thriving career in recruitment offers an inspiring look at career pivots, resilience, and the power of networking. 3 Key Takeaways Career Pivots Can Be Transformative: Charul’s decision to move away from coding into a people-focused role highlights the importance of aligning your career with your passions and strengths.The Power of Networking: Leveraging her professional network helped Charul restart her career after moving to Australia, showcasing the importance of building and maintaining connections.Embrace Imperfection: Charul shares why aiming for perfection can hold you back and how “just doing it” can lead to unexpected growth and opportunities.Topics Discussed From Engineering to Recruitment: How Charul’s journey began with a Bachelor of Technology degree and led her to recruitment.Starting Over in Australia: Building a career from scratch after relocating and leveraging her professional network for opportunities.Moving into 360 Recruitment: The challenges and rewards of shifting from a leadership role to a full-cycle recruitment role.The Future of Recruitment: Insights into evolving trends in tech recruitment and the importance of multi-skilling.Continuous Learning: How Audible and other resources have helped Charul stay ahead of trends and grow both personally and professionally. Resources and Links Charul’s Learning Tool: Audible – Her go-to for upskilling during commutes.Career Mantra: "Perfection is a myth. Just do it."Connect with Charul:LinkedIn: Charul Budhiraja

About

Her Tech Circle, the podcast, is where we explore journeys of women in technology through candid interviews. This podcast highlights the stories of women who are breaking barriers, growing their skills and rising to leadership roles in tech. An extension of the broader mission for Her Tech Circle, we are committed to building an inclusive and supportive community where women in tech can thrive. Each episode features discussion on mentorship, education, personal growth, empowering women to make their mark on Australia's tech landscape.