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. Jun 30

    Ep. 66: Beyond the Strategy Deck: What it takes to drive lasting business transformation

    Many transformation initiatives fall short not because the strategy is wrong, but because change never becomes part of how people work every day.   In this episode of The STEMINISTS Podcast, host Phoebe Goh sits down with Jenny Marshall, VP of Global Cloud Acceleration at NetApp, for a candid and practical conversation about what it really takes to make transformation stick.  With AI accelerating change at an unprecedented pace, organizations everywhere are under pressure to evolve. Yet many transformation strategies fail to translate into real behavioral change. Jenny shares an insider’s perspective on how AI, capacity constraints, and shifting customer demands are reshaping the way companies think about cloud, hybrid environments, and go-to-market strategies.   Together, they unpack why transformation efforts often stall, and what leaders can do differently. From creating a genuine sense of urgency to aligning teams around a shared vision, Jenny outlines how to embed change into everyday workflows instead of treating it as a separate initiative. She also emphasizes the importance of meeting teams where they are, building on existing strengths rather than forcing entirely new ways of working.   The conversation dives into practical tactics for success, including:  How to connect transformation goals to real customer conversations  Why qualitative feedback is just as critical as quantitative metrics  The role of early adopters and internal champions in driving momentum  How to balance structured execution with flexibility to adapt along the way  Jenny also highlights the importance of clarity and accountability, ensuring everyone understands their role, what success looks like, and how progress will be measured over time.  If you’re navigating change in a fast-moving, AI-driven world, this episode is a must-listen. It’s a masterclass in turning big strategy into lasting impact and making transformation not just a buzzword, but a reality.  🎧 Tune in to learn how to move beyond the slide deck and build transformation that truly lasts.    For more info check out these links:  NetApp Hybrid Cloud Solutions | https://www.netapp.com/hybrid-cloud/ GIGAOM: CxO Decision Brief: Modern Data Services for the Hybrid Enterprise | https://portal.gigaom.com/report/cxo-decision-brief-modern-data-services-for-the-hybrid-enterprise#Organizational%20Impact    Connect with us!  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-marshall-a855516/   https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/

    16 min
  2. Jun 16

    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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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

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.