Empowered in Tech: Women in Tech Netherlands

Women in Tech Netherlands
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Welcome to Empowered in Tech: Women in Tech Netherlands Podcast Born from the mission of the Women in Tech Netherlands community, this podcast aims to educate, inspire and expand the network of women in technology. Hosted by Ilaria Severi, expert in branding, social media, PR and marketing, guest lecturer and podcast producer, they show features powerful stories from trailblazing women who are breaking barriers, driving innovation and shaping the future of the tech industry. As the official chapter of Women in Tech Netherlands, launched in June 2019 at Elsevier’s HQ in Amsterdam, we are part of a global initiative working to close the gender gap by empowering 5 million women and girls to embrace a career or course of study in technology by 2030. Our efforts align with five United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Gender Equality, Education, Entrepreneurialism, Social Inclusion, and Science, Technology, and Innovation. We are dedicated to equipping women with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to succeed in STEM fields. Whether you're just beginning your tech journey, seeking leadership insights, or passionate about creating a more inclusive world, Empowered in Tech offers stories, advice, and inspiration to guide you. Join us as we celebrate and amplify the voices of women transforming the tech industry and work toward a more inclusive future together.Check our website: https://women-in-tech.org/nl/And follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/women-in-tech-netherlands/posts/?feedView=all

  1. Re-Aligned for 2026: Vision, Identity & Intentional Change with Eleonora Valenti

    12/22/2025

    Re-Aligned for 2026: Vision, Identity & Intentional Change with Eleonora Valenti

    🎙️ In this episode of Empowered in Tech: Women in Tech Netherlands, host and producer Ilaria Severi sits down with Eleonora Valenti, international Career and Leadership Coach, founder of Human Careers, and one of the most grounded voices in identity led career realignment. As the podcast celebrates Episode 13 and exactly one year since launch, this conversation feels like the perfect end of year gift. Because December has a way of turning the volume up on the big questions. Is this the career I want Am I happy where I am What do I want more of next year Eleonora shares her own reinvention journey from building a corporate career in HR and talent development at Nike to moving to Asia, breaking internal glass ceilings, and eventually stepping into entrepreneurship, even though she once swore she would never do it. Together, they explore the difference between chasing resolutions and building a true vision, why panic moves rarely lead to alignment, and how to create clarity that is rooted in identity, not pressure. The episode also includes a special guided visualization exercise that listeners can do along with Eleonora, and it is genuinely amazing. 💡 Key Takeaways: • Why end of year confusion is not a crisis but a powerful opportunity for realignment  • What not to do when you feel stuck, including rushing into CV updates and applying without clarity  • The difference between resolutions and vision and why vision should be feeling led, not fear led  • How to stop living in “I will be happy when” and start building alignment in the present  • A simple guided visualization to connect with your next level identity and direction  • Eleonora’s top advice for December: take time, do not confuse fear with a no, and follow what energises you ✨ About Our Guest:  Eleonora Valenti is an international Career and Leadership Coach and the founder of Human Careers. With 15 plus years in recruitment, talent, and people strategy across organisations like Nike, Mindvalley, and startups in Asia, she now supports high achieving women through reinvention, crossroads, and the creation of their next level identity. 🙌 Special Thanks to Our Sponsor:  This episode is brought to you by DMN Westinghouse, a global engineering company committed to diversity and inclusion in tech and engineering. They are actively hiring for a range of exciting roles. Connect with them on LinkedIn to learn more. 💡 Connect with Women in Tech Netherlands:  Visit the website and follow Women in Tech Netherlands on LinkedIn to stay inspired and engaged with the community. 🎧 Listen now for a powerful end of year conversation about slowing down, getting clear, and stepping into 2026 with intention, plus a guided visualization you can do along the way.

    33 min
  2. The Power of Upskilling & Reskilling: Thriving in the AI-Driven World with Esther van Egerschot

    11/28/2025

    The Power of Upskilling & Reskilling: Thriving in the AI-Driven World with Esther van Egerschot

    🎙️ In this episode of Empowered in Tech: Women in Tech Netherlands, host and producer Ilaria Severi sits down with Esther van Egerschot, former Member of Parliament at 26, CEO at 29, director at a multinational at 40, and today a leading global expert in AI governance, digital transformation, and public policy. Esther’s journey is one of reinvention, determination, and unstoppable curiosity. From shaping national legislation to auditing AI systems across continents, she has built a career on continuous learning and the courage to evolve faster than the world around her. Together, they explore what it means to stay relevant in the age of AI, how upskilling and reskilling can transform your opportunities, and why emotional intelligence and critical thinking are becoming the most powerful skills of the future. 💡 Key Takeaways: • Why upskilling and reskilling are essential for every professional  • Understanding AI literacy and why it is becoming the new career currency  • How to turn fear of AI into strategy instead of paralysis  • The growing digital divide and what organisations can do to close it  • Human strengths that AI cannot replace including creativity, empathy, and critical reasoning  • Practical ways to begin upskilling or reskilling today ✨ About Our Guest: Esther van Egerschot is a globally recognised expert in AI governance and public policy. A former Dutch Member of Parliament turned CEO, director, AI auditor, professor and UNESCO AI expert, she combines legal expertise, societal impact knowledge, and deep technical understanding to help organisations navigate responsible AI. 🙌 Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by DMN WESTINGHOUSE, a global engineering company committed to diversity and inclusion in tech and engineering. They are actively hiring for a range of exciting roles. Connect with them on LinkedIn to learn more. 💡 Connect with Women in Tech Netherlands: Visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn to stay inspired and engaged with our growing community. 🎧 Listen now to dive into a powerful conversation about staying curious, staying prepared, and staying human in the age of AI.

    33 min
  3. Building for My Former Self: A Journey from Corporate to Founder with Anastasia Kuskova

    10/30/2025

    Building for My Former Self: A Journey from Corporate to Founder with Anastasia Kuskova

    🎙️ In this episode of Empowered in Tech: Women in Tech Netherlands, host and producer Ilaria Severi sits down with Anastasia Kuskova,  Co-founder and CEO of beSirius, a sustainability superintelligence platform helping metals, mining, and industrial companies turn complex data into meaningful decisions. Anastasia’s journey is one of courage, vision, and reinvention. After more than a decade working in corporate sustainability and digital transformation, she decided to build the solution she wished she’d had — one that makes sustainability data actionable, fast, and human. Together, they explore what it means to build for your former self, to lead with purpose in a complex industry, and to stay resilient through every new “monster” along the entrepreneurial path. 💡 Key Takeaways: • Building for your former self: transforming frustration into innovation  • Why staying niche can be your strongest competitive advantage in an AI-driven world  • Bringing AI into traditional, asset-heavy industries and learning which rules to break  • The founder mindset: resilience, self-awareness, and embracing uncertainty  • Finding joy and balance in leadership while leading change ✨ About Our Guest: Anastasia Kuskova is the Co-founder and CEO of beSirius, an AI-powered sustainability platform for metals, mining, and industrial companies. Recognized among the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining and winner of the COP29 Sustainable Innovation Challenge, Anastasia brings more than a decade of experience in tech-enabled sustainability, digital transformation, and leadership at the intersection of AI and industry. 🙌 Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by DMN-WESTINGHOUSE, a company committed to diversity and inclusion in tech. They are actively hiring for a range of exciting roles, connect with them on LinkedIn to learn more! 💡 Connect with Women in Tech Netherlands: Visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn to stay inspired and engaged with our community. 🎧 Listen now to discover how purpose, courage, and technology come together to build a more sustainable future.

    35 min
  4. Diversity in the Digital Age: AI and Inclusive Workplaces with Mariska Kleiss

    09/26/2025

    Diversity in the Digital Age: AI and Inclusive Workplaces with Mariska Kleiss

    🎙️ In this episode of Empowered in Tech: Women in Tech Netherlands, host and producer Ilaria Severi sits down with Mariska Kleiss—Global Marketing Leader, strategist, and digital transformation expert with a strong focus on AI in marketing. Mariska is also a long-time member of Women in Tech NL and part of our sponsor, DMN-WESTINGHOUSE. Together, they unpack how digitalisation and AI can open doors to more inclusive workplaces—when inclusion is built into teams, decisions, and ethics from the start. 💡 Key Takeaways: Why D&I is the engine of innovation: more hypotheses, fewer blind spots—and why teams must “look like real life.”The “AI house rules” every organisation needs: human-in-the-loop, bias checks, privacy, provenance, and accountability.Moving beyond AI hype: why companies must invest in literacy, not just prompts, to address bias and ethics.Marketing’s role as a strategic seat in manufacturing and industrial tech—using AI to spot patterns, bring evidence, and link brand activity to revenue.Why small, inclusive decisions matter: how ensuring women are in rooms with budget, voice, and sponsorship leads to lasting change.✨ About Our Guest: Mariska Kleiss is a results-driven global marketing leader with extensive international experience in B2B and B2C. She combines strategic vision with creativity, leading digital transformation initiatives with a strong focus on AI in marketing. As an active voice in Women in Tech, she champions equity, diversity, and inclusion to inspire the next generation to embrace technology with confidence. 🙌 Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by DMN-WESTINGHOUSE, a company committed to diversity and inclusion in tech. They are actively hiring for a range of exciting roles—connect with them on LinkedIn to learn more! 💡 Connect with Women in Tech Netherlands: Visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn to stay inspired and engaged with our community. 🎧 Listen now to discover how AI, digitalisation, and diversity can work together to build inclusive workplaces and innovative products.

    33 min
  5. From First-Time Manager to Inclusive Leader: Building Teams That Thrive with Silvia Román

    08/26/2025

    From First-Time Manager to Inclusive Leader: Building Teams That Thrive with Silvia Román

    In this episode of Empowered in Tech: Women in Tech Netherlands, host and producer Ilaria Severi sits down with Silvia Román—Senior Product Marketing Manager at Booking.com, inclusive leadership mentor, keynote speaker, and founder of Seeds to Lead—to explore what it truly takes to grow from first-time manager into an inclusive leader. Silvia shares her journey of stepping into leadership early in her career, the challenges of navigating loneliness as a new manager, and the critical role of emotional intelligence in building trust, belonging, and performance. This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership is not about titles—it’s about creating environments where people can thrive. 💡 Key Takeaways: Why leadership often feels isolating for first-time managersThe overlooked role of emotional intelligence in leadership successHow to build psychologically safe, inclusive, and high-performing teamsThe difference between managing tasks and truly leading peopleWhy authentic leadership is built on trust, influence, and community✨ About Our Guest: Silvia Román is a Senior Product Marketing Manager at Booking.com, an inclusive leadership mentor, and an international keynote speaker. She is also the founder of Seeds to Lead, a leadership mentoring program supporting emerging leaders. Formerly the Chair of Lean In Netherlands, Silvia has dedicated her career to advancing DEIB, gender equity, and authentic leadership. 🙌 Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by DMN-WESTINGHOUSE, a company committed to diversity and inclusion in tech. They are actively hiring for a range of exciting roles—connect with them on LinkedIn to learn more! 💡 Connect with Women in Tech Netherlands: Visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn to stay inspired and engaged with our community. 🎧 Listen now to discover how inclusive leadership starts with authenticity, emotional intelligence, and the courage to build teams where people truly belong.

    43 min
  6. Mama Returns: The Journey to Reclaim Yourself with Sonal Vaid

    07/28/2025

    Mama Returns: The Journey to Reclaim Yourself with Sonal Vaid

    In this episode of Empowered in Tech: Women in Tech Netherlands, host Ilaria Severi sits down with Sonal Vaid—transformation expert, speaker, and member of our Women in Tech NL community—for a deeply honest conversation about motherhood, identity, and the emotional journey of returning to work after maternity leave. Sonal shares what happens when the world expects you to “bounce back,” but you’re still navigating hormonal shifts, identity loss, and the quiet process of becoming someone new. This episode is a powerful reminder that reclaiming your voice is part of the transformation—and that motherhood doesn’t shrink us, it reshapes us. 💡 What You’ll Learn: The emotional reality of postpartum life and return-to-work transitionsHow identity, ambition, and motherhood intersect—and sometimes collideThe pressure to “be the old you” and why that doesn’t workHow to begin reclaiming your confidence, boundaries, and sense of self✨ About Our Guest:  Sonal Vaid is a transformation consultant, speaker, and mother. With a background in leadership and change, Sonal brings not only professional insight—but also a personal lens on what it means to grow, rebuild, and lead with honesty after motherhood. 🙌 Thanks to Our Sponsor:  This episode is brought to you by DMN-WESTINGHOUSE, a company actively committed to inclusion and hiring for diverse roles in tech. Connect with them on LinkedIn! 💡 Connect with Women in Tech Netherlands:  Visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn to stay inspired and engaged with our community. 🎧 Listen now to hear a powerful story of motherhood, identity, and what it means to return—not just to work, but to yourself.

    28 min
  7. Women Building Wealth: Two Journeys Toward Financial Freedom with Catalina Dobre and Lieke Muller

    06/26/2025

    Women Building Wealth: Two Journeys Toward Financial Freedom with Catalina Dobre and Lieke Muller

    In this episode of Empowered in Tech: Women in Tech Netherlands, producer and host Ilaria Severi sits down with Catalina Dobre and Lieke Muller—two self-taught investors from the WIT community—for a real and relatable conversation about building financial freedom from the ground up. Catalina moved to the Netherlands with €250 and two part-time jobs just to survive. Lieke started investing over 15 years ago with zero formal knowledge, guided only by curiosity and library books. Today, they invest confidently across ETFs, stocks, real estate, and even crypto—proving that you don’t need to be wealthy or an expert to start. 💡 What You’ll Learn: • How to start investing—even with a limited budget • The emotional side of money, fear, and mindset shifts • Smart ways to diversify based on your goals and risk tolerance • Real lessons from investment wins—and mistakes • Why financial health is just as important as physical health ✨ About Our Guests: Catalina and Lieke have very different backgrounds—but one thing in common: they took ownership of their financial future and now help other women feel confident doing the same. Their stories are honest, practical, and incredibly empowering. 🙌 Thanks to Our Sponsor: This episode is made possible by DMN-WESTINGHOUSE, a company committed to diversity, inclusion, and creating real opportunities for women in tech. Explore their open roles and connect on LinkedIn! 💡 Connect with Women in Tech Netherlands: Visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn to stay inspired, informed, and connected to the WIT NL community. 🎧 Tune in now and get inspired to take that first step—your financial future starts with you.

    43 min
  8. The Power of Resilience: A Story of Grit and Growth with Stefana Sopco

    05/30/2025

    The Power of Resilience: A Story of Grit and Growth with Stefana Sopco

    In this episode of Empowered in Tech: Women in Tech Netherlands, host Ilaria Severi sits down with Stefana Sopco—Marketing Manager at PortXchange and Spokesperson for Women in Tech NL—for a raw and powerful conversation about starting from zero, breaking through bias, and rising as a leader in sustainability and tech. Stefana came to the Netherlands with just €80 in her pocket, no job, and no network. What followed was months of rejections, self-doubt, and hustle—until one spontaneous networking event changed everything. Today, Stefana is a two-time FortyUnder40 honoree and a recognized force in maritime innovation. 💡 What You’ll Learn: How Stefana turned rock bottom into a launchpadThe career-changing power of networking and visibilityReclaiming your voice after toxic environmentsHow to build a career in marketing with authenticity and resilience✨ About Our Guest: Stefana Sopco is not just a marketer—she’s a movement builder, a mentor, and an advocate for women in tech. Her story will inspire anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider to keep going. 🙌 Thanks to Our Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by DMN-WESTINGHOUSE, a company actively committed to inclusion and hiring for diverse roles in tech. Connect with them on LinkedIn! 💡 Connect with Women in Tech Netherlands: Visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn to stay inspired and engaged with our community. 🎧 Listen now and rediscover what’s possible when you stop waiting for permission and start showing up as yourself.

    37 min
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About

Welcome to Empowered in Tech: Women in Tech Netherlands Podcast Born from the mission of the Women in Tech Netherlands community, this podcast aims to educate, inspire and expand the network of women in technology. Hosted by Ilaria Severi, expert in branding, social media, PR and marketing, guest lecturer and podcast producer, they show features powerful stories from trailblazing women who are breaking barriers, driving innovation and shaping the future of the tech industry. As the official chapter of Women in Tech Netherlands, launched in June 2019 at Elsevier’s HQ in Amsterdam, we are part of a global initiative working to close the gender gap by empowering 5 million women and girls to embrace a career or course of study in technology by 2030. Our efforts align with five United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Gender Equality, Education, Entrepreneurialism, Social Inclusion, and Science, Technology, and Innovation. We are dedicated to equipping women with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to succeed in STEM fields. Whether you're just beginning your tech journey, seeking leadership insights, or passionate about creating a more inclusive world, Empowered in Tech offers stories, advice, and inspiration to guide you. Join us as we celebrate and amplify the voices of women transforming the tech industry and work toward a more inclusive future together.Check our website: https://women-in-tech.org/nl/And follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/women-in-tech-netherlands/posts/?feedView=all

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