The STEMINISTS Podcast

Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams

Tech visionaries Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams bring their unique expertise to the microphone and expand the conversation around tech. They’ll bring fresh voices and often unheard perspectives you don’t want to miss. Ever wonder if you and your data are AI-ready? Cloud-ready? Is your business truly prepared for a ransomware attack? And is your data infrastructure intelligent and future-proof? Together, we’ll explore the latest trends and give you key insights that could change the way you do business.

  1. 2d ago

    Ep. 65 - Less Panic, More Platform: Virtualization Reimagined

    In this episode of The STEMINISTS Podcast, host Phoebe Goh sits down with Temitayo Sam-Andenekan, Senior Solutions Architect at NetApp, to unpack how virtualization has evolved from a focus on virtual machines to a broader, platform-driven approach. Together, they explore the growing intersection of Kubernetes, automation, and application modernization and why this shift is as much about business resilience as it is about technology.   Temi shares how organizations can bridge the gap between traditional workloads and containerized environments using Kubernetes, while avoiding common blind spots around security, scalability, and operational complexity. She also dives into a critical but often overlooked topic: data protection. From application-aware strategies to disaster recovery and portability, this conversation highlights why recovery, not backup, is the true measure of modern resilience.   You’ll also hear practical guidance on:  Adopting a unified platform for VMs and containers  Asking the right questions about recovery and resiliency  Planning cross-functional transformation across teams  Ensuring your data protection strategy is Kubernetes-native  Plus, Temi shares what’s inspiring her beyond the workplace, mentoring the next generation in coding, AI, and cybersecurity.  If you're navigating modernization, cloud-native platforms, or enterprise resilience, this episode is packed with insights to help you move from migration to true transformation.    Check out additional information here, just for you:  https://www.netapp.com/data-infrastructure-modernization/   https://www.netapp.com/blog/virtualization-technology-strategies/     Don't forget to connect with us!  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/

    15 min
  2. Jun 2

    Ep. 64 - AI Builders on the Rise: Is your Infrastructure AI-ready?

    As developers, citizen coders, and business brains all collide in today’s turbocharged builder ecosystem, the race is on: can your enterprise deliver infrastructure at the speed of innovation without letting governance slip through the cracks?  STEMINISTS hosts Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams team up with NetApp’s Nitya Gupta to dissect the infrastructure revolution powering the AI age.  Nitya breaks down how AI is reshaping developer workflows, why traditional ticket-based infrastructure provisioning creates costly friction, and where platform engineering helps and falls short. She also shares what modern builders need most: self-service access, built-in security and compliance, seamless integration with developer tools, secure access to data, and space for rapid experimentation.  This episode is for anyone thinking about developer experience, platform engineering, AI-enabled software creation, or how to build infrastructure with real developer empathy. Listen in for a sharp, practical conversation on how enterprises can better support today’s builders.    Here are some resources just for you: Join the NetApp Community:  https://community.netapp.com/t5/Community-Related-Discussions/Welcome-to-the-New-Community/m-p/89985#M54  https://community.netapp.com/t5/Tech-ONTAP-Blogs/Revisiting-Developer-Communities-for-the-Next-Generation-of-Builders/ba-p/462784   Learn how to build your own data universe Also, check out how you can simplify, secure and scale your data environment   Connect with us!  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitya-gupta-1252904/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/

    14 min
  3. May 19

    Ep. 62 - AI Compliance Strategy: How Product Counsel Drives Responsible Innovation

    Think legal slows you down? It’s time to find out how your lawyer can be a secret weapon for harnessing the power of AI and navigating regulation.   In this episode, hosts Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams team up with Shannon Salerno, Senior Product Counsel at NetApp, to reveal how legal minds help tech innovation sprint ahead.  Shannon shares the secrets of treating the EU AI Act and GDPR as a playbook, and explains why legal teams are your MVPs for building AI products that win on transparency and data trust. From risk to opportunity, you’ll get quick hits and smart strategies to help your product stay ahead of the rules (and avoid those costly last-minute pivots).  Whether you’re leading enterprise tech, building AI, or dreaming up your next big thing, tune in for sharp insights, practical laughs, and a smarter way to play the innovation game.   Follow and learn how the right legal partner turns compliance into your competitive edge.    Don't forget to check out these resource: NetApp Trust Center  Ep. 57 - Data Without Borders: Navigating AI Sovereignty featuring Avril Cody    Data Classification: Use advanced AI to automatically discover and classify your data IAPP | global professional home for digital responsibility     Also, connect with us!  https://www.linkedin.com/in/koehlershannon/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/

    13 min
  4. May 5

    Ep. 60 - Extreme AI Makeover: Enterprise UX Edition

    Enterprise software is no longer just built for people; it’s being engineered for digital brains that never sleep.  On this episode of The STEMINISTS Podcast, Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams invite Christina Storm, Chief Design Officer at NetApp, to spill the secrets of UX design in an AI-powered world. Get ready for a peak into designing slick experiences not just for humans, but also for their silicon-smart sidekicks. Christina touches on everything from clunky dashboards to chatty bots. Because in the age of AI, “user” covers a lot more than just you and me.  What you can expect to learn:  The not-so-subtle art of building enterprise UX that actually gets work done (no, you can’t just “make it pretty”).  Why AI agents don’t just want a seat at the table—they want the user manual, the keys, and your WiFi password.  What went down behind the scenes of NetApp’s AI-powered doc bot.  The surprising truth: Bad data means dumb robots.  Why even the smartest users can freeze up when it’s prompt time. AI still hasn’t figured out how to read minds (yet).  Christina’s latest obsession: letting an AI-powered water sensor psychoanalyze her plumbing habits with uncanny accuracy.  Whether you geek out over enterprise tech, obsess about UX, or just want to know if robots will ever get good taste, this episode is stacked with sharp insights and clever digs. If you’ve ever wondered how designers keep their cool and their jobs when their “users” might be carbon-based or code-based, this is the conversation you can’t afford to miss.  Hit play and join the clever crowd. Then share and drop us a review so even more brains (organic or algorithmic) can find The STEMINISTS Podcast.  #TheSteministsPodcast #EnterpriseUX #AI #UserExperience #NetApp #DataDesign #AIAgents #Automation    For  Learn how to accelerate enterprise AI with confidence.   Connect with us!  https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissto/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/

    17 min
  5. Apr 28

    Ep. 59 - Smarter Data, Better Bots: The CX AI Upgrade

    What happens when your customers arrive with their AI sidekicks? It’s not just about pleasing humans, now you must impress their digital plus-ones, too.  On this episode, Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams dive straight into the future of customer success: AI-powered, customer-focused, and set to disrupt. They welcome Amy Welsh, Chief of Staff for Worldwide Customer Support at NetApp, who shares practical strategies for using AI to build trust, boost confidence, and deliver customer experiences both humans and bots will rave about.  Forget what you know about customer support – break-fix is out. Amy reveals how tech leaders deploy sharp, predictive AI solutions that spot problems before they start. From bots that tame ticket chaos to troubleshooting guides with more personality than your group chat, hear how to nail the balance between smart automation and that irreplaceable spark of human genius.  Here’s what matters most:  Defining customer success and trust in an AI-first environment  Using a single intelligence fabric to guarantee accurate data and fast resolutions  Finding the perfect balance between high-value human touch and AI efficiency  Hit play to level up your support game and keep both humans and AIs happy. Follow, share with your tech-savvy friends, and catch The STEMINISTS Podcast wherever you listen.     For more on powerful customer success tools, check out ActiveIQ at netapp.com   Connect with us!  https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyrwelsh/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/

    14 min
  6. Apr 21

    Ep. 58 - The Hardware Hustle: Navigating AI's Pressure on the Supply Chain

    What happens when AI’s insatiable hunger for data slams into a global hardware drought?  This week, Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams go straight to the source with Michelle Blint, the powerhouse behind US State and Local Education sales at NetApp. Michelle takes us into the chaos of the global memory shortage and spells out exactly how AI’s turbo-charged demands are blitzing supply chains from every angle.   Find out why clinging to outdated CapEx models is a fast-track to technical debt and how flipping to Storage-as-a-Service gives you the upper hand. Forget buying a bloated five-gallon glass just to fill a cup; pay for what you use and flex when you need it most. Oh, and if you crave a wild side of personal news, make sure you stick around to hear about Michelle’s newest, four-legged family member.  Don’t get steamrolled by the hype! Tap that play button and jump ahead of the pack. Download, like, and share The STEMINISTS Podcast if you’re ready for tech that doesn’t pull punches.    Learn more about Storage as service with NetApp Keystone   Check out this blog on taking the best step forward to operationalizing your AI   Interested in your own four-legged bestie, check out the National Newfoundland Rescue.    Connect with us! https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-blint-46304b11/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/

    16 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Tech visionaries Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams bring their unique expertise to the microphone and expand the conversation around tech. They’ll bring fresh voices and often unheard perspectives you don’t want to miss. Ever wonder if you and your data are AI-ready? Cloud-ready? Is your business truly prepared for a ransomware attack? And is your data infrastructure intelligent and future-proof? Together, we’ll explore the latest trends and give you key insights that could change the way you do business.

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