The Tech Girl

What if the biggest problem in AI product design isn’t the model but the data? On this episode of The Tech Girl Podcast, host Gertrude Chilufya sits down with diversity strategist and Ngoma founder Torin Ellis to explore why building trustworthy AI starts with centering the lived experiences of people with disabilities.Torin shares how his background in DEI and HR analytics led him to a powerful realization: AI trust is a data problem before it’s a model problem. Together, they unpack how exclusion from training data creates blind spots in AI systems and why the disability community is often overlooked despite being one of the most marginalized groups in the workforce.From LLM hallucinations and abstention failures to the risks AI poses in hiring, healthcare, finance, and autonomous vehicles, this conversation challenges organizations to rethink how they design and deploy technology. Torin breaks down why synthesized data isn’t a silver bullet, how prompt specificity and chain-of-thought guidance impacts outcomes, and why companies must ask a simple but critical question: “Who’s missing?”This episode reframes inclusion not just as a moral imperative, but also as fiduciary, legal, and reputational risk management in the age of AI.Connect with Torin Ellis:Website: www.ngoma.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/torinellis/Podcast Produced by:LeTroy Gardner & Mario Washington | Fourcast Media | pushplaypods.com#TechGirlPodcast #ArtificialIntelligence #AIethics #DisabilityInTech #AccessibilityMatters #ResponsibleAI #FutureOfWork #DiversityInTech #AITrust #TechPodcast

Welcome to another episode of the Tech Girl Podcast! Host Gertrude Chilufya sits down with culture strategist and Anchor & Flow founder Whitney K. Simon to explore the true power of the diversity dividend in today’s workplaces.Whitney shares how her career in PR across the U.S. and U.K. shaped her perspective on race, identity, privilege, and context. Why she launched her consultancy Anchor & Flow to help organizations balance stability (“anchors”) with adaptability (“flow”) in their workplace culture.The conversation dives into the growing backlash around DEI and the gap between corporate trainings and real change. Whitney explains why meaningful progress requires uncomfortable conversations, accountability, and practical action beyond performative gestures. From reverse mentoring and generational tensions to the limitations of one-size-fits-all diversity strategies, this episode offers candid insights and actionable ideas for leaders and employees alike.Whitney also shares how individuals especially those without formal authority can still create impact through community, dialogue, and consistent action. If you’re passionate about building inclusive workplaces that actually work, this episode is a must-listen. Connect with Whitney:Website: https://anchorandflow.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneyksimon/Podcast Produced by: LeTroy Gardner & Mario Washington | Fourcast Mediahttps://pushplaypods.com#TechGirlPodcast #DiversityDividend #DEI #WorkplaceCulture #Leadership #Inclusion #TechPodcast #WomenInTech #DiversityInTech #FutureOfWork #AnchorAndFlow #Podcast

The Tech Girl Podcast host, Gertrude Chilufya sits down with, Phoena Pang VP Global Partnerships at Mintegral and product lead for Gaming Performance Ads, to unpack what it truly takes to transition from individual contributor to impactful leader while staying rooted in your technical identity. From a childhood fueled by curiosity and Lego builds to leading cross-functional teams across the Americas, Phoena shares how asking the right questions, embracing adaptability, and delivering real results helped her earn trust and build influence in high-stakes environments.The conversation explores:✨ The natural evolution from coding to client-facing leadership✨ Overcoming skepticism when leading experienced peers✨ How to maintain technical credibility in business-driven roles✨ Why curiosity is the ultimate career acceleratorPhoena’s journey is a masterclass in bridging technical expertise with strategic leadership and proof that stepping into leadership doesn’t mean stepping away from your technical foundation.Connect with Phoena Pang:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phpang/Podcast Produced by LeTroy Gardner & Mario Washington | Fourcast Media pushplaypods.com#TechGirlPodcast #DiversityDividend #WomenInTech #TechLeadership #EngineeringCareer #CareerGrowth #Google #ProductLeadership #STEMCareers #ProfessionalDevelopment

What if accessibility isn’t just compliance but a competitive advantage? Welcome to another episode of the Tech Girl Podcast! Host Gertrude Chilufya sits down with Angela Fowler, blind accessibility consultant and founder of Real Life Access, to unpack why inclusion is more than compliance, it’s smart business.After navigating wildly inconsistent online experiences, Angela built her company to help organizations move beyond surface-level fixes and embrace holistic accessibility. From screen reader-friendly code and labeled buttons to closed captions and uncluttered retail spaces, she explains how inclusive design benefits everyone and why accessible websites often rank higher in search because search engines crawl code just like screen readers do.The conversation also dives into why industries like banking lead while government lags, how adversarial messaging hurts progress, and why developer and MBA programs must prioritize accessibility education. Angela shares insights on service-dog training, fake service animals, merit-based hiring, and why “check-the-box” diversity hires ultimately fail businesses and people alike.This conversation challenges leaders to see accessibility as both a human responsibility and a strategic advantage.🔗 Connect with Angela:Website: www.reallifeaccess.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-fowler-a11y/Podcast Produced by LeTroy Gardner & Mario Washington | Fourcast Media. Listen & subscribe: pushplaypods.com#TechGirlPodcast #TheDiversityDividend #AccessibilityMatters #InclusiveDesign #WomenInTech #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #FourcastMedia

What does true inclusion look like when you’ve led in the military, lived across cultures, and challenged tech’s status quo? In this episode of The Tech Girl Podcast, host Gertrude Chilufya sits down with Antonia Rice, diversity and inclusion advocate, localization leader, former U.S. Air Force linguist, and global culture bridge-builder.From flying in F-15 fighter jets to leading localization and DEI initiatives in tech, Antonia shares a powerful, nuanced perspective on leadership, merit, inclusion, and what it really takes to create equitable workplaces.In this candid conversation, they unpack: ✨ Transitioning from the military to tech ✨ Navigating leadership as a woman in male-dominated spaces ✨ The reality behind corporate DEI vs. genuine inclusion ✨ Why feedback (even uncomfortable feedback) is a gift ✨ Neurodiversity, cultural context, and communication in global teamsAntonia challenges organizations to move beyond performative diversity and toward cultures where discomfort sparks growth, feedback is welcomed, and inclusion is practiced not just posted.This episode is bold, honest, and deeply necessary.Podcast Produced by LeTroy Gardner & Mario Washington | Fourcast Media 🌐 pushplaypods.com#TechGirlPodcast #DiversityDividend #WomenInTech #DEI #Leadership #InclusionMatters #TechCulture #Neurodiversity #GlobalLeadership #CareerGrowth