On The Mic...WIT Shaz - Women in Tech Leadership: The Upsides

On the Mic…WIT Shaz is more than just a podcast; it’s a movement - Dedicated to inspiring and empowering more women in tech to enter into & remain in C-suite, Exec and leadership roles and to encourage this we need to be talking more about the UPSIDES of being in tech leadership roles.The more we talk about positive impact, the more we attract more positive impact!!What to expect?🎙️ Each week I sit down with incredible humans in tech leadership who keep it real — no sugar-coating, just raw, honest stories. From zig-zag career paths to turning rejection into redirection.

On The Mic...WIT Shaz - Women in Tech Leadership: The Upsides is a business podcast hosted by TechtoExec by Sharon (Shaz) Daly, with 25 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

TechtoExec by Sharon (Shaz) Daly hosts On The Mic...WIT Shaz - Women in Tech Leadership: The Upsides, a business show with 25 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #25

  Episode 25: Permission to Pause: No Fluff Conversations on AI, Burnout, Perimenopause, Menopause & What's Next with Pranati Vyas

  Aug 7, 202641 minS1

  What's in this episode Sometimes the biggest career breakthrough doesn't come from getting the promotion, landing the next role or working even harder. Sometimes it comes from being forced to stop. In this episode of On The Mic WIT Shaz – Women in Tech Leadership: The Upsides , I'm joined by Senior Engineering Leader Pranati Vyas for another incredibly honest conversation. What starts with colouring books, slowing down and rediscovering joy quickly unfolds into a much deeper discussion about redundancy, burnout, AI, leadership, perimenopause, menopause and the courage to question the way we've always worked. This Episode's Upsides ✨ Sometimes the bravest career move is giving yourself permission to pause. ✨ Slowing down often creates the clarity we've been too busy to find. ✨ AI is a powerful tool, but fear-driven headlines don't tell the whole story. ✨ Your health isn't something to squeeze in around work, it's the foundation that allows everything else to thrive. ✨ Perimenopause and menopause aren't weaknesses to hide. They're life stages we can understand, support and normalise together. ✨ Great leaders ask for help, communicate openly and create environments where others feel safe to do the same. ✨ The people around you matter. Find your community, lean on them and don't be afraid to let them lift you up. ✨ The next chapter of your career doesn't always begin with doing more. Sometimes it begins with doing less. This podcast exists because I want to share the conversations we don't have often enough. Not just about technology, but about the people building it. Pranati reminds us that slowing down isn't falling behind, asking for support isn't weakness and getting older isn't something to fear, it's another chapter to embrace. Get in touch with Pranati: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pranativyas/ Reference Links The Pause Life https://thepauselife.com/blogs/the-pause-blog What The Menopause https://www.instagram.com/whatthemenopause/ What I Wish Husbands Knew About Perimenopause https://theholdernessfamily.com/what-i-wish-husbands-knew-about-perimenopause/ Dr Louise Newson – Menopause Education https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNOL6GbOA9M The Australian Government launched the first national Menopause and Perimenopause Campaign, expanded specialized care into 33 clinics, and introduced dedicated Medicare rebates https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/delivering-the-first-national-menopause-campaign-for-australian-women If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who might need to hear it. Whether they're navigating a career transition, supporting someone through perimenopause or simply feeling overwhelmed, these are the conversations that remind us we're not doing life or leadership alone. Where to find me: Website: Sharon (Shaz) Daly www.techtoexec.com.au LinkedIn: Sharon (Shaz) Daly https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-daly/ Instagram: @techtoexec https://www.instagram.com/techtoexec/ Facebook: TechtoExec https://www.facebook.com/techtoexec/ Join the COMMUNITY https://techtoexec.com.au/techtoexec-community/

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  Episode #24

  Episode 24: Beyond Analysis Paralysis: AI, Leadership & the Power of Getting Started by Mourina Das

  Jul 23, 20261h 3mS1

  There are some conversations that leave you feeling energised, not because they're loud or controversial, but because they quietly shift the way you think. This was one of them. In this episode of On The Mic WIT Shaz – Women in Tech Leadership: The Upsides, I'm joined by Mourina Das, Head of Data Engineering at Xero, for a conversation that moves beyond the headlines of AI and into what great leadership actually looks like in practice. What begins with a conversation about AI quickly becomes something much bigger. Mourina shares why she sees AI not as something to fear, but as a tool that removes the friction of getting started, helping people move beyond analysis paralysis and into action. From leading distributed engineering teams to encouraging experimentation, healthy debate and continuous learning, she offers a refreshingly practical perspective on building high-performing teams in an industry that's evolving faster than ever. We also explore the human side of leadership. Mourina reflects on what it was like navigating male-dominated environments, the assumptions we often place on ourselves, why calm leadership creates better outcomes and how psychologically safe teams become more innovative. Together we unpack values, success, burnout, curiosity and why separating what belongs to us from what belongs to the organisation can completely change the way we experience our careers. This podcast exists to shine a light on the women helping shape the future of technology, not because they've had perfect careers, but because their experiences challenge the way we think about leadership, growth and what's possible. Mourina reminds us that the future of technology won't simply be built by better tools. It'll be built by leaders who stay curious, create safe spaces for others to thrive and choose possibility over fear. That's an upside worth talking about. This Episode's Upsides ✨ AI doesn't replace great thinking, it helps us get started faster. ✨ Calm leaders create environments where better ideas can emerge. ✨ Psychological safety isn't a nice-to-have, it's a competitive advantage. ✨ Healthy debate leads to healthier teams and stronger decisions. ✨ The stories we tell ourselves often hold us back more than the people around us. ✨ Continuous learning will always outperform standing still. ✨ Success looks different for everyone, but your values should always lead the way. ✨ The future isn't "women in tech" or "men in tech." It's simply people in tech, building great things together. Get in touch with Mourina: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mourina Where to find me: Website: Sharon (Shaz) Daly www.techtoexec.com.au LinkedIn: Sharon (Shaz) Daly https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-daly/ Instagram: @techtoexec https://www.instagram.com/techtoexec/ Facebook: TechtoExec https://www.facebook.com/techtoexec/ Join the Community https://techtoexec.com.au/techtoexec-community/ If this conversation resonated with you, subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone navigating leadership, AI or their own career in technology. Every conversation helps challenge the status quo and reminds us that there is always another way to think about leadership. #OnTheMicWITShaz #WomenInTech #Leadership #AI #DataEngineering #EngineeringLeadership #Technology #TechLeadership #Innovation #PsychologicalSafety #PeopleInTech #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #Xero #TechtoExec

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  Episode #23

  Episode 23: Starting Again Without Losing Yourself by Hajra Parveen Akhtar

  Jul 9, 202638 minS1

  There are moments in our careers where the biggest obstacle isn't our technical capability, our experience or even the opportunities available to us. It's the quiet story we've been telling ourselves all along. In this episode of On The Mic WIT Shaz – Women in Tech Leadership: The Upsides, I'm joined by Hajra Parveen Akhtar, Principal Technical Consultant at DXC Technology , Azure DevOps specialist, mentor and passionate advocate for helping others see what's possible. What begins with a funny story about arriving in Australia and misunderstanding what "afternoon tea" meant quickly unfolds into a heartfelt conversation about starting over, navigating unfamiliar cultures, overcoming rejection and finding the confidence to build a career without losing yourself along the way. Hajra openly shares what it was really like arriving in Australia believing her technical experience would naturally open doors, only to discover that rebuilding confidence, understanding workplace culture and learning to truly belong were just as important as her technical skills. Together we unpack the stories we tell ourselves, how fear quietly shapes our decisions and why confidence is something we build through action rather than something we wait to feel. This podcast exists to shine a light on the women shaping the future of technology, not because their journeys have been perfect, but because their experiences help others realise what's possible. Hajra's honesty, humour and generosity remind us that every challenge carries an upside when we're willing to stay curious, keep learning and continue taking the next small step. In this episode we explore: Moving countries and rebuilding a career from the ground up. The cultural surprises that come with starting a new life in Australia. Why technical skills alone aren't enough to build a successful career. The difference between fitting in and truly belonging. Breaking cultural barriers while staying authentic to yourself. Why our brains naturally collect "data" about people and how we can choose to respond differently. The fear of rejection and how it quietly influences career decisions. Self-sabotage, limiting beliefs and the stories we tell ourselves. Why waiting for confidence is holding more people back than lack of capability. How humour became one of Hajra's greatest leadership strengths. Small actions that create lasting confidence over time. Mentoring migrant women in technology and creating greater opportunities for others. The Upsides from this episode ✨ Sometimes the biggest career breakthrough begins with changing the story you tell yourself. ✨ Belonging doesn't require becoming someone else, it starts with embracing who you already are. ✨ Confidence isn't something you find before you act. It grows because you're willing to take the first step. ✨ Every rejection carries information that can shape your next opportunity. ✨ Humour has the power to build connection, break down barriers and make leadership more human. ✨ Small, consistent actions will always outperform waiting for the "perfect" moment. ✨ Your background isn't something to overcome, it's something that strengthens the perspective you bring. ✨ One person's courage to go first creates possibility for countless others. Get in touch with Hajra: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hajra-parveen-akhtar-b33428138 Tech Sisters Global Community: https://www.tech-sisters.com/ Where to find me: Website: Sharon (Shaz) Daly www.techtoexec.com.au LinkedIn: Sharon (Shaz) Daly https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-daly/ Instagram: @techtoexec https://www.instagram.com/techtoexec/ Facebook: TechtoExec https://www.facebook.com/techtoexec/ Join the TechtoExec Community https://techtoexec.com.au/techtoexec-community/ 🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone navigating their own journey in technology. Every conversation helps another person realise what's possible.

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  Episode #22

  Episode 22: Finding an Environment That Values What You Bring Instead of Spending Years Trying to Prove Yourself to the Wrong Room

  Jun 4, 202641 minS1

  <p>Yi is a strategy consultant who believes ambition shouldn’t be softened to be acceptable. She consistently chooses courage over comfort. </p><p><br></p><p>As a woman in tech from an Asian background, she knows how rare it is to see someone who looks like you openly say, “I want to rise to the top” and mean it.</p><p><br></p><p>She’s still early in her career, figuring it out in real time, but doing it visibly, so maybe someone watching this podcast thinks:
“If she can say it out loud, maybe I can too.”</p><p><...

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  Episode #21

  Episode 21: The Leaders Who Make You Feel Capable | with Emma Greco

  May 21, 202642 minS1

  <p>With over 25 years of IT experience, Emma brings deep expertise across energy, utilities, retail and wagering. A Monash University Bachelor of Information Systems graduate. She has delivered high‑profile initiatives including smart meter rollouts, digital transformations, and banking trading platform integrations alongside platform management. Known for strong people leadership and an ability to translate complex business needs into seamless, customer‑centric solutions. </p><p><br></p><p>At Sportsbet, Emma is currently Head of Technology, focusing on the betting platform, risk technology, and engineering enablement portfolios. Beyond work, she is an active advocate for women in tech, keynote speaker, ment...

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