Kristina is a Tech Lead and front-end engineer who’s passionate about building meaningful, inclusive digital experiences.
Over the past few years, she has worked on large-scale projects like HESTA’s digital transformation, helping shape tools that support real people in managing their financial futures. She cares deeply about user experience, clean code, and team culture — and she aims to bring heart into everything she does.
Quote from Kristina: “I’m still learning, still growing, and always trying to build things that matter — with people who care.”
Episode Summary:
In this uplifting episode of On The Mic WIT Shaz, Shaz chats with Kristina Brencheva, a Technical Lead at AKQA, whose career journey has taken her from a small Siberian town to leading digital innovation in Melbourne.
Kristina opens up about courage, mindset, leadership, and what it really means to build with heart — from learning English as a second language to becoming a finalist in the Women Leading Tech Awards.
Together, Shaz and Kristina unpack the magic that happens when you back yourself, trust your gut, and choose workplaces that align with your values. They dive deep into authentic leadership, handling imposter syndrome, protecting your peace, and the power of never settling for less.
In This Episode:
● How Kristina went from a junior developer in Russia to a tech lead in Australia
● The mindset shift that turned “I can’t” into “I can do everything”
● Why leaders must create cultures of empathy, learning, and experimentation
● What it means to “build digital experiences with heart”
● How to stop comparing yourself to others and focus on your own growth
● The role of boundaries, mindset, and kindness in leadership
● Why being “comfortable with being uncomfortable” is the true superpower
Quote of the Episode:
💬 “Once you set it in your mind, it’s already half done.”
Takeaway for Listeners:
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to step up, lead, or make your next big move — this is it.
Get in touch with Kristina:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kristina-brencheva-52018a195
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/
Book a FREE Career Clarity Call to join the movement
https://coach.techtoexec.com.au/sharon-daly/free-career-clarity-call
Shivangi is the Head of Engineering at REA Group, bringing over 15 years of experience leading large-scale technology and digital transformation initiatives. She is a recognized advocate for women in technology and a finalist at the Women in Tech Awards, known for her ability to build high-performing, inclusive teams while driving business impact.
Shivangi combines strategic vision with a practical, people-first approach to leadership, inspiring teams to deliver excellence with authenticity and purpose. Her focus on innovation, quality, and collaboration continues to shape the future of technology leadership.
Episode Summary:
In this powerful conversation, Shaz sits down with Shivangi Singal, a trailblazing engineering leader reshaping what inclusive, purpose-driven tech leadership looks like. From coding in India to leading large-scale transformation at REAGroup in Melbourne, Shivangi’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and radical empathy.
Together, they unpack:
● The Bias Backpack — what we unknowingly carry from one role to the next, and how to finally put it down.
● Transformation journey that went from straight line to Formula One speed — and the lessons learned along the track.
● Navigating the messy bits - delivery pressure, restructures,transformation fatigue.
● Real Talk on periods, perimenopause, menopause, endometriosis, and parenthood — and why these must be part of every leadership conversation.
Shivangi and Shaz go deep on redefining success, leading through change, and protecting your energy — while building cultures where people actually want to show up.
Quote:“I have had moments where we were going in a straight line for a delivery and all of a sudden we were in an F1 race. Up and down, up and down, roundabout, and I could feel it as a leader.” ~ Shivangi Singal
Quote:“When we let go of that bias backpack — our own and others’ — we create room for growth, connection, and freedom.” ~ Shaz
Connect with Shivangi:
🔗 linkedin.com/in/shivangis
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/
Book a FREE Career Clarity Call to join the movement
https://coach.techtoexec.com.au/sharon-daly/free-career-clarity-call
In this uplifting episode of On The Mic WIT Shaz, I sit down with Loredana Perri, Program Delivery Manager at Medibank, who has carved an incredible path from being the only female tech graduate in her year to leading delivery and transformation across major tech projects.
We talk about:
🎧 This conversation is a fresh reminder that the world of tech is changing in real time — and women like Loredana are proof that when we lead with authenticity, we create a ripple effect that shifts culture for good.
👉 Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube — and share it with another woman in tech who needs to hear it.
Get in touch with Loredana:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/loredana-perri
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/
Book a FREE Career Clarity Call to join the movement
https://coach.techtoexec.com.au/sharon-daly/free-career-clarity-call
You know those conversations that hit your heart and your head at the same time? This is one of those.
In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant, straight-talking, and deeply human Jennifer Rebeiro — Executive GM of Enterprise Transformation at TAC and one of Australia’s Top 50 CIOs (for three years in a row, might I add).
Jen’s journey is wild. From a music store assistant to leading massive tech transformations — she’s proof that your path doesn’t have to look perfect to make an impact.
We got real. Like, the kind of real where you laugh, reflect, and maybe get a lump in your throat.
Here’s what we unpacked:
💬 Imposter syndrome — and why it’s often your growth alarm, not your flaw
💬 How to stay calm when chaos hits (hello, train delays and cloudy days ☁️)
💬 The “horrible person” story that changed how Jen leads forever
💬 Why chasing titles will never fill your cup — but purpose will
💬 The power of reflection, self-awareness, and a good gut check
💬 How women can lead differently —not less
This episode isn’t about buzzwords.
It’s about being human, being brave, and backing yourself — even when you’re shaking in your boots.
🎧 Tune in, have a laugh, maybe a lightbulb moment (or five), and let’s rewrite what leadership in tech feels like.
Listen on: Spotify | Apple | YouTube | techtoexec.com.au
Quotes that hit Different
★“You could spend time looking at what’s not right — or spend time looking at what could be.” — Jen Rebeiro
★“Calm is the answer. The outcome will still happen… but how do you want to get there?” — Shaz Daly
★ “You don’t have to be a manager to be a leader. You can lead from within.” — Jen Rebeiro
★“When you move with your values, nothing can touch you.” — Shaz Daly
Get in touch with Jen:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jennifer-rebeiro-308ba79
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/
Book a FREE Career Clarity Call to join the movement
https://coach.techtoexec.com.au/sharon-daly/free-career-clarity-call
Guest: 🧠 Su Jella — Executive Director, Advisor at Nano Insights, Founder of Dewdrop Digital, and Global AI & Data Leader.
Host: ✨ Sharon Daly (Shaz) — Founder of TechtoExec, Career Coach, Advocate for Women in Tech Leadership.
Su Jella has an incredible story from starting out her career as Marketing & Communications Officer at Bond University on the Gold Coast all the way through to The Executive Director & Advisor at Nano Insights and Founder and Director of Dewdrop Digital.
Su is a visionary data and AI leader who transforms complexity into clarity and challenges into competitive advantages. A sought-after strategist and leader at the forefront of the AI revolution, she empowers organizations to harness data as their most powerful asset—turning insights into action and uncertainty into opportunity.
Recognized among the Global Top 50 & 100 Data Innovators and honoured as a Women in AI (Asia Pacific) award winner, Su’s expertise bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world business impact. Her thought leadership has shaped data and AI standards, earning her a place among the Top 25 Leaders in Australia—as well as a permanent spot in the U.S. Federal Congress Library as co-author of The AI Revolution, a seminal work crafted with a global team of AI pioneers.
Su’s mission is clear: democratize and govern AI-driven decision-making and future-proof businesses in an era of exponential change.
Description
This is not your polished, corporate talk. It’s the real conversation we all need to hear in tech right now - highlighting the upsides that come with women leading in tech.
In this episode of On the Mic WIT Shaz, Sharon goes all-in with global Data and AI leader Su Jella — and when the tech glitches stripped away their virtual backgrounds mid-recording, the universe clearly wanted them to go unfiltered.
What followed was one of the most raw and real conversations yet — about courage, failure, leadership, and the power of staying authentic in an industry that often expects perfection.
Su shares her journey from arriving in Australia with two suitcases and no network, to becoming an Executive Director, founder of Dewdrop Digital, and one of the Top 25 Leaders in Australia — all while championing diversity, ethical AI, and female empowerment in tech.
Together, Shaz and Su unpack:
💡 Why women must take back their power and lead on their own terms
💡 How to get comfortable with being uncomfortable
💡 Facing yourself: the real growth no one posts about
💡 Navigating the frenzy of tech changes
💡 Why Australia’s tech ecosystem still needs to evolve — and how we can shift the narrative
This one is for every woman in tech who’s ready to stop hiding behind filters — and start owning her power, her story, and her seat at the table.
🎧 Listen now — you’ll laugh, tear up, and walk away ready to lead with courage.
Key takeaways:
Leadership isn’t about perfection — it’s about courage and authenticity.
Getting comfortable with discomfort is where growth happens.
You don’t need to wait for someone to give you permission — back yourself.
Mentorship and male allyship matter — it’s how we all rise.
The next era of tech leadership needs realness, not filters.
🎙️ Tune in to On the Mic WIT Shaz — available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube.
Get in touch with Su Jella:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sujella
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/
Book a FREE Career Clarity Call to join the movement
https://coach.techtoexec.com.au/sharon-daly/free-career-clarity-call
Vaishali is a seasoned digital and transformation leader with deep expertise in tech-enabled customer experience, omni-channel strategy, and agile delivery. With a background in digital sales, service, innovation, and platform integration, she has led large-scale programs across industries to drive growth, efficiency, and customer-centric outcomes.
Vaishali holds a Master’s in Digital/eCommerce and Management Information Systems, and is a certified Agile practitioner. Her work focuses on leveraging AI, automation, and data-driven design to elevate digital touchpoints and deliver measurable business value.
This week on On The Mic WIT Shaz – Women in Tech Leadership: The Upsides, I’m joined by the incredible Vaishali Nagaratnam, Head of Digital at Belong.
From starting her career at ANZ Bank to now driving digital transformation, Vaishali shares her raw and real leadership journey — and the surprising upside that changed everything: the courage to ask for support.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
This one’s a must-listen for any woman in tech who’s ever thought she had to “do it all alone.”
👉 Subscribe, share, and send this episode to a woman in tech who needs to hear Vaishali’s story.
Get in touch with Vaishali:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vaishalinagaratnam
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/
Book a FREE Discovery Call to join the movement
https://coach.techtoexec.com.au/sharon-daly/free-discovery-call
Dominique Barker is an energetic Information Technology Executive with extensive experience in IT strategy, leadership, and transformation. With a background in Journalism and honed skills in a digital agency, Dominique possesses the tenacity, drive, and influence to empower technology transformations to come to life. Her ability to "bring people along on the journey" has led to significant successes in her current CIO role, including organisation-wide adoption of new ways of working through technology roll-outs, opportunistic deployment of AI, and low-code CRM solutions.
Dominique’s ability to work with the business to achieve strategic success through alignment of key IT initiatives has been instrumental in ensuring that expected outcomes are met, targets are hit, and that the organisation is on-board with the changes. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and iterative improvements, Dominique has ensured that technology is seamlessly integrated into daily operations, enabling staff to leverage available tools and processes to their fullest potential.
In this episode...
What if leadership didn’t feel like pressure… but like privilege?
In this episode of On the Mic WIT Shaz, I sit down with Dominique Barker, CIO and trailblazer, who made a bold mid-career transition into tech leadership—and never looked back.
Dominique opens up about her journey, showing us how courage, self-reflection, and transferable skills can completely reshape a career path. Her story is proof that you don’t have to “have it all figured out” from the start to land in a leadership role that lights you up.
Here’s what you’ll take away:
💎 How to pivot mid-career and thrive in leadership
💎 Why courage + backing yourself = Mondays that feel magical
💎 The secret to building high-performing teams without burning out
💎 How women bring game-changing perspectives into tech leadership
💎 Why “not sweating the small stuff” might just be your biggest leadership power move
If you’ve been doubting whether it’s too late, too hard, or too risky to aim for leadership—this conversation will flip that on its head.
Get in touch with Dominique:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-b-4175b33a/
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/
Book a FREE Discovery Call to join the movement
https://coach.techtoexec.com.au/sharon-daly/free-discovery-call
When we think about leadership in tech, the conversation often circles around burnout, sacrifice, and challenges. But what if we flipped that script?
In this episode of On The Mic..WIT Shaz, I sit down with the incredible Lise Corcoran — Strategic Client Director with 20+ years in global tech leadership — to uncover the surprising, joyful, and empowering upsides of leading in tech.
From bringing her toddler to a global leadership summit in London, to discovering that integrity is the non-negotiable glue for successful teams, Lise shares a candid look at how leadership can actually create more freedom, growth, and fulfillment than you might expect.
We also talk about the mindset shifts women need to embrace when stepping into leadership — so instead of seeing leadership as intimidating or “not for me,” you can start to see it as one of the most rewarding adventures of your career.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
Get in touch with Lise:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lise-corcoran-0359315
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/
Book a FREE Discovery Call to join the movement
https://coach.techtoexec.com.au/sharon-daly/free-discovery-call
Description
In this episode of On the Mic..WIT Shaz – Women in Tech Leadership: The Upsides, I sit down with the incredible Kavi Dhanraj. From her early days as a Test Analyst to becoming a Chief Data Officer, Kavi’s journey is anything but linear—and that’s exactly what makes it powerful.
We dive into:
✨ Why her very first “failure” became her biggest growth driver
✨ The surprising tech gadget that perfectly describes her leadership style
✨ Why self-belief is the most important leadership skill (and no one can give it to you)
✨ Fitting in vs. belonging—what women in tech need to know
✨ How culture, resilience, and role models shaped her leadership lens
✨ And the number one upside of stepping into tech leadership
Key Takeaways:
Kavi’s story is proof that leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about purpose, confidence, and embracing the complexities along the way.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Is leadership really worth it?” — this episode is your answer.
🎧 Tune in, be inspired, and see what’s truly possible for YOU in tech leadership.
________________________________________
Get in touch with Kavitha:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kavidhanra
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/
Book a FREE Discovery Call to join the movement
https://coach.techtoexec.com.au/sharon-daly/free-discovery-call
Welcome to the very first episode of On the Mic...WIT Shaz!
This isn’t just a podcast — it’s a movement. After years of hearing the same stories from women in tech — overlooked for leadership, battling bias, and losing confidence — I knew it was time to flip the script.
In this special series, Women in Tech Leadership: The Upsides, we’re shifting the narrative. Yes, challenges exist. But there’s also growth, joy, and incredible impact when women step into leadership roles.
In this episode, I share:
✨ Why highlighting the upsides matters more than ever
✨ The real frustrations that lit a fire in me to launch Tech to Exec: The Movement
✨ How we’re rewriting outdated data with women’s real stories
✨ Why recognition and celebration are critical for women in tech leadership
✨ And how we can all bring back the joy, fun, and collaboration into tech leadership
Key Takeaways:
“Forget the 180-year timeline — women in tech leadership are changing the story now.”
“Leadership isn’t just challenges… it can actually be fun, joyful, and collaborative.”
“Recognition isn’t a ‘nice to have’ — it’s the fuel that keeps women in leadership.”
“Tick-box culture is broken. Women don’t want token roles, they want real impact.”
“This podcast isn’t just a podcast… it’s a movement to reshape women in tech leadership.”
This is about breaking away from tick-box culture and rewriting what’s possible — together.
🎧 Tune in and join the movement. Because women in tech leadership isn’t just the future — it’s now.
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/
TikTok: Shaz https://www.tiktok.com/@shaztechtoexec
Book a FREE Discovery Call to join the movement
https://coach.techtoexec.com.au/sharon-daly/free-discovery-call