Femmebot: The Podcast Powering Women in Tech

In this Femmebot mini episode, we ask the question we end every show with: how are you using AI?This week, Laetitia Andrac — Founder of Understanding Zoe, an AI-powered platform supporting neurodivergent children — shares exactly how AI fits into her daily life.From running a business to managing a household, Laetitia breaks down the real, practical ways she’s using AI to save time, reduce overwhelm and simplify the things that used to take hours.In this episode, we cover:Using AI to manage email and communicationAutomating scheduling, calendar and life adminMeal planning and household organisation with AIBuilding custom workflows to remove repetitive tasksAutomating bookkeeping and financial processesWhy AI should create space for human connection — not replace itA clear, practical look at what AI actually looks like when it’s embedded into everyday life.

We don’t talk about communication enough in tech.It’s often seen as a “soft skill” — but in reality, it’s the thing that shapes leadership, culture, performance… and whether people actually follow you.In this episode, we sit down with Terri Martin, Head of Corporate at NIDA, to unpack why communication is actually one of the most critical (and overlooked) skills in business. We cover:Why most leaders think they’re good communicators (and why they’re often not)The hidden cost of poor communication on culture and performanceThe difference between technical expertise and leadership presenceWhy body language and delivery matter more than the words themselvesHow communication directly impacts revenue, pitching and influenceWhat AI is doing to the way we communicate — and where it’s making us worsePractical ways to build confidence, presence and connectionAnd one of the biggest takeaways:If you don’t tell the story clearly, people will make up their own.If you lead a team, pitch ideas, or work in complex environments — this one will hit.

At the end of our conversation with Terri Martin, we asked a simple question:How are you actually using AI in your day-to-day?Her answer is honest — and a bit of a reality check.In this mini episode, we unpack:Where AI is genuinely useful (and where it’s not)Why she’s cautious about relying on it too muchWhat happens when you stop flexing your communication muscleThe balance between efficiency and staying humanIt’s a short moment, but it cuts through the noise.Because maybe the question isn’t can we use AI — it’s how much we should.

Most AI startups begin with a technical problem. This one started with a deeply personal one.In this episode of Femmebot, we sit down with Laetitia Andrac — founder of Understanding Zoe — an AI-powered platform helping families, teachers and therapists better support neurodivergent children.After leading data and AI initiatives at Telstra, Laetitia shifted her focus to something much closer to home: her daughter Zoe. What began as a way to better support her own child has evolved into a platform transforming how care, communication and advocacy happen across entire support networks. We explore:Why most AI tools fail when they ignore the human behind the dataThe hidden admin and emotional load of raising neurodivergent childrenHow AI can move from generic to truly personalised careThe bias founders face when raising capital — and how to reframe the narrativeWhy the future of AI isn’t just powerful — it’s deeply humanThis is a conversation about technology, yes — but more importantly, it’s about understanding people.

In this episode of Femmebot, we sit down with Wendy Walker — former VP of Marketing Asia at Salesforce, Cannes Lions Jury President, and a leader who’s spent over 25 years shaping growth and creativity across global brands.Wendy also recently published her first book, Between Flights, a collection of reflections written in the margins of a very full leadership life.This conversation explores how AI, leadership and creativity are no longer separate disciplines — and why the best leaders are learning to bring them together.We cover:The evolution of B2B creativity and why emotion is now essentialWhat leadership really looks like at scale (and why perfection isn’t the goal)How to think about AI in a practical, everyday wayAnd why human judgment, taste and empathy are becoming more valuable, not lessA thoughtful, honest conversation on what it takes to lead and create in a rapidly changing world.

Wendy Walker has spent more than 25 years leading growth and creativity across some of the world’s biggest brands including Salesforce and Intuit. In this short Femmebot AI segment, Wendy Walker shares how she’s integrating AI into her everyday workflow and what she believes many marketing leaders are still missing.With more than 25 years leading growth and creativity across global brands, Wendy brings a unique perspective on how CMOs should be approaching AI right now. From simple productivity habits to broader leadership shifts, she explains why the key to understanding AI might actually start in your personal life.Listen in for a quick insight ahead of Wendy’s full Femmebot episode coming next week.

What if the reason more women retire with less isn’t confidence — but systems?In this episode of Femmebot, we sit down with Lucy Kough, Founder & CEO of Tap the Gap — a fintech startup helping women build wealth while they shop.After more than a decade in senior creative leadership roles in advertising, Lucy made a bold pivot into tech. With no traditional engineering background, she learned no-code, built her own MVP, and stepped into the world of product, open banking and fintech to tackle a statistic she couldn’t ignore: women retire with 25–28% less super than men.We explore:The personal story that sparked Tap the GapWhy financial independence is about choice, not fearLearning to lead a tech company without being “technical”How AI helped Lucy build product confidenceWhat founders underestimate about the stretch of startup lifeAnd why superannuation might be the most overlooked wealth tool in AustraliaLucy’s story is about literacy over expertise, resilience over perfection, and building technology that quietly changes behaviour.If you’ve ever thought “I’m not technical enough” — this episode will challenge that.Tap the Gap is currently live as a web app at tapthegap.com.au.

How do you use AI when you’re building a tech company without a traditional technical background?In this special Femmebot mini-episode, Lucy Kough — Founder & CEO of Tap the Gap talks to how she’s personally using AI day-to-day as a non-technical founder.From stress-testing product logic and understanding code, to building confidence in technical conversations, Lucy shares how AI has become a thinking partner and not just a tool.Femmebot is powered by Crybaby, a creative agency helping enterprise brands turn complex technology into stories that connect and drive growth.

In this episode of Femmebot, we sit down with Louise Cummins to talk about what leadership really looks like in a time of rapid technological change.As AI reshapes how organisations operate, leaders are being asked to balance innovation with clarity, speed with judgment, and technology with people.Louise shares how AI is being applied inside enterprise environments, the mindset required to drive transformation, and why communication becomes even more critical when the stakes are high.We explore:• How AI is being embedded into real business workflows• The difference between technical capability and leadership presence• Why communication determines whether change succeeds or fails• The human skills that matter most in an AI-enabled workplace• The realities of leading in male-dominated industriesIf technology is accelerating, leadership has to evolve with it. This conversation is about how.

Want to learn how to invest? In this episode of Femmebot, we sit down with Sinéad Fitzgerald — Microsoft partnership lead by day, founder of Vested Impact by night, and one of the most quietly powerful forces reshaping how women access capital in Australia and New Zealand.Sinéad joins us in her personal capacity for a raw, generous conversation about money, power and agency, and why women have been locked out of investing conversations for far too long. We unpack everything from employee share schemes and angel investing, to why so many women hand financial decisions to their partners without realising it, and how that lack of education becomes a structural risk.She shares:Why less than 0.5% of VC funding in Australia goes to women founders — and what actually needs to changeHow employee share schemes can quietly become financial landmines if you don’t understand themWhat angel investing really is (and why it’s not just for the ultra-wealthy)Why financial independence is a safety issue, not a “nice to have”How she’s using AI as a personal board of advisors to build, think and lead faster — without losing her valuesThis episode is for anyone who’s ever thought “I should probably understand investing… but it feels intimidating” — and for women who are ready to stop sitting on the sidelines of wealth creation.If you’re investor-curious, founder-adjacent, or just done outsourcing your financial power — this one’s for you.

In this standalone Femmebot series, we ask every guest the same question: how are you actually using AI right now?Each episode is a short, focused teaser released the week before our full-length conversation — a chance to hear how leading women in tech, marketing and leadership are using AI in real life, not in theory.In this episode, Sinaed Fitzgerald shares how AI underpins her day-to-day work across leadership, investing, and building. From using enterprise-grade Copilot at Microsoft to working across multiple AI models, she explains how she’s built her own AI “board of advisors” — a system designed to challenge her thinking, not just agree with it.This episode offers practical insight into how to use AI as a thinking partner, not just a productivity tool — and sets the stage for Sinaed’s full Femmebot interview, dropping next week.AI won’t take your job — but someone using AI might.

Why would a CMO at the top of her career walk away to study the brain? In Part 2 of our conversation, Rachelle Tognetti dives into her unexpected leap into neuroscience—and what it taught her about leadership, learning, and the future of AI.Rachelle opens up about taming her “monkey mind,” using meditation as a superpower, sitting in neurobiology lectures next to future neurosurgeons, and how AI became her personal tutor. We explore cognitive atrophy, hybrid intelligence, why transformation fails without humans at the centre, and the founding of the Australian Centre for AI in Marketing.This episode is a masterclass in modern leadership: grounded, scientific, generous, and refreshingly honest.In this episode:• Why she left the CMO role to study neuroscience• How meditation reshaped her leadership• What neurobiology taught her about uncertainty• Using ChatGPT to learn complex science• Cognitive atrophy vs. hybrid intelligence• Why real transformation starts with people, not tech• The psychology of change, fear, and adoption• The origin of the Australian Centre for AI in Marketing• Luminosity, purpose, and carving your own adventureIf Episode 1 was the career rollercoaster, Episode 2 is the deep, fascinating brain-and-AI dive. A must-listen for anyone leading teams, learning new skills, or navigating the future of work.

What do you get when you mix the dot-com boom, a cancelled London job, a ski mountain in France, and one of Australia’s biggest marketing transformations? Rachelle Tognetti.In this first half of our conversation, Rachelle takes us from her accidental start in digital marketing to becoming Deloitte Australia’s first female CMO. It’s a story of saying yes, following curiosity, backing yourself, and embracing the chaos that comes with transformation.We talk psychological safety, mentorship, career reinvention, and why a “mosaic career” might just be the new roadmap for ambitious humans. In this episode, Rochelle takes us through:Starting her career in the chaos and excitement of the dot-com boomLosing a job in London and making the most of it How a season on the snow unexpectedly led to DeloitteBuilding a career that spans digital, design, sales, and leadershipBecoming CMO and leading major organisational transformationTaking risks, finding purpose, and backing herselfThe mentors and sponsors who shaped her pathWhy today’s young talent needs a new kind of career adviceA funny, fast, deeply human conversation with someone who has lived multiple careers before lunchtime. Part 2 and her leap into neuroscience & AI coming soon!

Helicopter pilot Erin Mealor spends her days landing on moving ships off the coast of Western Australia which is one of the most challenging flying environments in the country. But what’s just as fascinating is how fast technology is reshaping the cockpit.In this episode, Erin takes us inside the world of marine pilot transfers, the shift from hands-on flying to advanced autopilot systems, and what happens when the computer can fly with more precision than you can.We talk about the tension every modern worker is feeling:How do you embrace tech that keeps you safer and sharper… without letting your core skills get rusty?Erin also shares:• How she broke into helicopter aviation (and why the first 500 hours matter)• The surprising pathways for women entering the industry• What it’s really like training Gen Z cadets• Why representation still lags and what needs to shift• The role AI could play in future aircraft safety and emergency response• The moment she knew she was meant to flyWhether you’re curious about aviation, obsessed with emerging tech, or just love hearing from women rewriting industries — this conversation will have you looking at the sky differently.Femmebot is hosted by Catherine Stone and Clare Alstin, powered by Crybaby — conversations with the women building our tech future.

When AI starts applying for jobs… who’s really doing the hiring?In this episode, Dr. Arwen Griffioen, Head of AI at Hatch, joins Catherine Stone and Clare Alstin to unpack the messy new world of AI-powered recruitment — where job seekers are using ChatGPT to mass-apply, recruiters are using AI to screen, and somewhere in between, the human connection got lost.Arwen shares how Hatch is reimagining hiring for a new generation — making it fairer, smarter, and more human — while challenging the bias built into our systems and the ethics behind the models we trust.From Gen Z’s approach to work to the ethics of machine learning, this conversation dives into what happens when two AIs start assessing each other... and how we can bring people back into the process.Listen if you’re into: AI, ethics, hiring, Gen Z, or the future of work.Hosted by: Catherine Stone & Clare AlstinPresented by: Crybaby Agency#FemmebotPodcast #WomenInTech #AI #FutureOfWork #Hiring #CrybabyAgency

From Goldman Sachs to Google to Uber — and now :Different — Mina Radhakrishnan has lived through some of the wildest chapters in tech.In this episode, Mina joins Femmebot hosts Clare Alstin and Catherine Stone to unpack what she’s learned about building products, leading teams, and staying human through rapid change.She shares stories from scaling Uber from 20 people to thousands, launching features that changed how millions use technology, and building her own startup from the ground up.And she doesn’t hold back on Australia’s tech complacency — why we could be world-class, but aren’t there yet.From resilience to reinvention, Mina’s journey proves that passion isn’t enough — it’s grit, curiosity, and courage that build lasting impact.Femmebot is a Crybaby Productions podcast, powering women in technology.#Femmebot #WomenInTech #Leadership #Startups #CrybabyProductions

From the Australian Army to Microsoft’s tech frontier — Sarah Carney’s career is anything but ordinary.As the National Technology Officer for Microsoft Australia & New Zealand, Sarah sits at the centre of some of the country’s biggest conversations around AI, data, and digital transformation. She’s also Microsoft’s Responsible AI lead and a proud member of the regional AI product Red Team, helping enterprise and government customers navigate what’s next in technology — safely, responsibly, and with heart.Named the 4th most powerful woman in tech in Australia (B&T, 2025) and ARN’s Rising Star (2024), Sarah brings an adventurous, human lens to innovation — a perspective shaped by a career that’s taken her across continents and industries.In this episode, we talk to Sarah about:The unconventional path from Army officer to Microsoft CTO.Why AI transformation is 20% technology, 80% people.How leaders can build psychological safety around AI adoption.The evolution from app mode → agent mode → life mode.And why using AI “feels like cheating” — and what can culture do to catch up.Sarah speaks with clarity and passion and we loved this conversation with her.Femmebot — powered by Crybaby. Hosted by Clare Alstin & Catherine Stone

AI is changing the face of beauty and fashion, but is it really as simple as writing the perfect prompt? In this episode we sit down with a personal favourite Instagram creator and digital artist Laura Dunkelmann, whose striking AI beauty imagery has set a new bar for realism, texture, and imagination.Together they explore:How AI is democratizing creativity, giving small brands and creators the same stage as luxury housesWhy AI-generated images can sometimes feel more human than traditional photographyThe responsibility creators have to push AI beyond stereotypesHow brands and agencies should use AI not to replace stills, but to imagine what was once impossibleLaura reminds us that it’s the eye, not the prompt, that makes the difference—and that the human touch will always be the true differentiator.Follow @lauradunkelmann in Instagram

Creativity, AI & The Power of the MiddleWhat happens when creative integrity collides with artificial intelligence — and how do we stop empathy from becoming a “nice-to-have”?In this episode of Femmebot, we sit down with Jen Dobbie, a creative strategist turned technologist who has navigated agencies, startups, and big tech. Jen brings a candid perspective on what’s lost when nuance disappears, why AI can both flatten originality and unlock new excellence, and why sometimes the most radical stance is to sit in the middle.Together, we explore:Jen’s journey from copywriting to creative leadership in tech.How AI is reshaping agencies, brands, and indie creativity.The risks of homogenization — and where humanity still shines.Raising the next generation in an AI-powered world.Why “touch grass” and intentionality might be the most exciting cultural shift yet.This is a conversation about balance, optimism, and rethinking creativity in the age of AI.Listen now to hear why Jen believes the future belongs to those willing to be thoughtful, diverse, and just a little radical. She is amazing! Hope you love it!

Felicity Furey: Building Brave Leaders in STEMFrom walking into a university lecture hall filled almost entirely with men, to becoming an award-winning engineer, entrepreneur, and CEO of We Aspire, Felicity Furey has made a career out of breaking barriers.In this episode of Femmebot, Felicity shares her journey from creative beginnings to civil engineering, and why bravery—not just confidence—is the key to leadership. She opens up about founding initiatives like Power of Engineering to inspire the next generation of women in STEM, the role of mentorship, and why leadership skills matter not just at work but in life.We also dive into how Felicity is using AI to scale her business, the importance of communication skills for women in tech, and why sometimes the bravest thing you can do is back yourself when no one else will.Tune in to hear:How to step into leadership without waiting for permissionThe difference between being brave vs. being confidentPractical advice for women starting out in STEMHow AI is transforming the way leaders build and grow businesses

Aerospace engineer, pilot, and Director of New Market Development at LanzaJet, Renee Wootton Tomlin has spent her life chasing the skies. Her mantra? Back yourself, assume good intent, and keep mentors close.In this episode of Femmebot, Renee reveals:How she went from Air Force Cadets at 15 to shaping the future of sustainable aviationWhy cultural nuance is her superpower in global businessHow she’s tackling the aviation industry’s race to decarboniseHer dream of taking sustainable fuels into spaceIt’s a conversation that blends adventure, innovation, and purpose—showing what happens when technical brilliance meets cultural empathy and big-picture vision.

If you've ever told yourself you're "too fun" or "too old" for tech, this one's for you.In this week’s episode of Femmebot, we meet Kate Kirwin, the founder of She Codes. What started as a one-off workshop has grown into a national movement helping thousands of women learn to code, build confidence and shift careers.Kate’s mission isn’t just about teaching tech skills. It’s about dismantling fear, making space for curiosity and giving women — including those from regional areas and neurodiverse backgrounds — the tools and community they need to thrive.We talk about coding, confidence, cupcakes and the myths still holding women back from exploring tech and AI.

“There’s no secret bullet. It’s about being good to people, doing good work, and building trust.”Belinda Pervan is VP of Marketing at Veeam Software for Asia Pacific and Japan. She’s spent 20+ years in B2B tech and still leads with heart, humility, and an unshakable focus on results.In this episode, Belinda talks about transforming Veeam’s marketing into a data-fluent, stakeholder-savvy engine. She shares her approach to team culture, managing imposter syndrome, and what it really takes to succeed as a creative in a world driven by dashboards.She also gets candid about balancing leadership with life including why her calendar has “mum time” and “gym” blocked out in plain sight; a strategy we intend to copy!#Femmebot #WomenInTech #MarketingLeadership #DataDrivenMarketing #APAC #Veeam #CrybabyProductions

Meet Cath Brands, CMO at Flintfox. She’s not just using AI. She’s scaling global content, reshaping SEO strategy, and showing what lean marketing teams can really do.In the full episode, Cath talks about her journey from global consumer brands to joining the top-secret Amazon Go team as one of its first marketers. At Flintfox, she’s brought that same energy to rebuilding the brand from the ground up, simplifying complex messaging, and leading with creativity in a traditionally dry space.She also shares what it’s like being the only woman in the room, and how to lead with clarity—even when your closest collaborator is a chatbot named Dollface. #Femmebot #WomenInTech #MarketingLeadership #AIinMarketing #ChatGPT #B2BMarketing #Flintfox #CrybabyProductions

In this episode of Femmebot, we sit down with Emily Leiding, Creative Technologist at Microsoft, to map out the disruption era we’re all navigating. From fashion to tech to customer experience, Em has spent her career bridging product and brand and helping creative teams adapt to new frontiers.We talk about:What AI is doing to creativityHow to protect the human in customer experienceEthical responsibility (and who should really be leading it)Why the next generation might go more offline than ever beforeThis is a big, open, honest conversation about change — and why creatives should lean in, not step back.#Femmebot #WomenInTech #Microsoft #CreativeTech #CustomerExperience #AI #PodcastLaunch #Crybaby