You don’t need to code to lead in AI. You need to translate.
And Afke Schouten is building the bridges where others see barriers.

In this episode of Tech Inspired, Priska Burkard sits down with Afke - Founder and Managing Partner of AI Bridge - to explore how she turned frustration with miscommunication into a business model that’s helping companies unlock real ROI from AI.

From her unconventional journey into mathematics to becoming a voice for human-centered AI transformation, Afke shares how she scaled from analyst to founder, teacher, and ecosystem shaper. Her message is clear - AI isn’t just about data. It’s about dialogue, design, and deep change.

🔍 In this episode, you’ll hear:

· Why most AI projects fail, and what it actually takes to get them into production.

· The missing skill set no one talks about in data science (and why it might be your superpower).

· How Afke helps companies move beyond proof-of-concepts to building AI with real-world impact.

· Her take on the growing AI economy, and why collaboration between industries is the next big unlock.

· Why understanding people, not just models, is the future of responsible AI adoption.

Whether you're a business leader struggling to make AI stick, a data scientist eager to scale your influence, or a curious mind watching the field evolve - this one’s for you.

🎧 Tune in now and get inspired by Afke’s vision for AI that’s not just smart - but strategic, inclusive, and built to last.

PS: Want to connect or learn more about Afke’s work? Find her on LinkedIn.

Tech wasn’t on her radar - until she discovered how it connects with the things she already loved.

Catherine Kosten started out painting, drawing and sculpting, not coding algorithms. Now? She’s Head of AI at a Zurich-based law firm, helping legal teams understand and integrate powerful tools like large language models - safely and smartly. 🎯

In this episode of Tech Inspired, Priska sits down with Catherine as she unpacks her fascinating pivot from the fine arts to AI, from language studies to machine learning, and how she turned self-doubt into a PhD and a leadership role in one of the most conservative industries around.

🔍 What you’ll love in this episode:

• What it’s really like going from zero coding experience to leading AI strategy (while learning in a second language).
• How Catherine found the intersection between language and tech - and built a career around it.
• The bold question that unlocked her first tech job (Hint: you can ask it too).
• Why law is the next frontier for generative AI - and how her role bridges legal expertise and deep tech.
• What it takes to survive (and thrive) in a PhD program, and why crying over broken code is sometimes just part of the process.
• The one piece of career advice she swears by - especially for women breaking into tech. 💡

This one’s for the career-changers, the self-taught coders, the curious creatives - and anyone who’s ever wondered if it’s too late to start over. (Spoiler: it’s not.)

🎧 Tune in now and get inspired by Catherine’s story of reinvention, resilience, and rewriting what a tech career can look like.

👉 Want to connect with Catherine and learn more about her work? Find her on LinkedIn.

Tech Inspired with Alexandra Grozea

On this episode of Tech Inspired, the Managing Director of TechFace, Priska, sits down with Alexandra Grozea, Partner Solution Sales Lead for Data & AI at Microsoft, as she shares her unexpected - and empowering - journey into tech. From teaching in a classroom to driving innovation at global giants like HP, IBM, and Microsoft, Alexandra’s path is anything but linear - and that’s exactly what makes it so powerful.

🔍 What you’ll love about this episode:

• The “aha” moment that made Alexandra leave teaching for tech - and what gave her the courage to follow through.

• How she built a thriving tech career without a traditional background, and why soft skills are her secret weapon.

• What it actually means to work in Data & AI at Microsoft (spoiler: it’s not just about coding).

• How she navigated imposter syndrome - and turned it into fuel for growth.

• Her bold take on the future of AI, why ethical frameworks are non-negotiable, and what’s still missing in the conversation.

• Why adaptability, curiosity, and stepping outside your comfort zone are the ultimate career accelerators.

🎧 Whether you're thinking about a career pivot or already deep in the tech world, this episode is your reminder that there’s no one way to succeed in this space - just your way.

Tune in now - and connect with Alexandra on Linkedin to keep the conversation going.

Engineering the Future: Dona’s Journey in Robotics

How do you go from dreaming of teleportation as a child to leading a robotics team building the eyes and brains of autonomous machines? In this episode of Tech Inspired, Priska sits down with Dona, the Robotic Systems Team Lead at Sevensense Robotics, to talk about her incredible journey from Romania to Berlin and Oxford, from aerospace to AI-driven robotics.

What you’ll love about this episode:

- From Space to Startups: Dona’s path from working at the European Space Agency to taking a leap into the fast-paced world of robotics startups.
- How Education Changes Everything: How an exchange year in the U.S. transformed her view on learning and led her to pursue engineering.
- Big Career Shifts: Why she swapped the slow-moving space industry for the fast-paced startup world and how she managed the transition.
- The Future of Robotics: From AI-powered automation to collaborative robots, hear Dona’s take on where the industry is headed.
- Power Skills for Success: Learn Dona’s secret weapon for juggling leadership, innovation, and teamwork in a competitive industry.

Making your mark in robotics

Thinking about breaking into robotics? Dona shares actionable advice on how to transition into the field - even without direct experience. From online courses to hands-on projects and strategic networking, she reveals practical steps to get started. Whether you're already in tech or looking to make a career shift, her journey will inspire you to pursue your passion, tackle challenges head-on, and find your place in the industry.

🎧 Tune in now to get started!

Want to connect with Dona and learn more about her work? Find her on LinkedIn. 🚀

Shaping Robotics, Building Communities, and Thriving in Tech

In this Tech Inspired episode, Priska sits down with Kateryna Portmann, Senior Product Manager at ⁠ANYbotics⁠ and co-lead of Women in Robotics Switzerland to talk through her groundbreaking work in robotics as well as championing inclusivity in tech.

What you’ll love about this episode:

• Finding Her Path: How Kateryna transitioned from business consulting to becoming a key player in robotics and AI.
• Startup Life Unfiltered: The highs, the lows, and the reality of scaling innovative companies in robotics and automation.
• Breaking Barriers: The inspiration behind Women in Robotics and its mission to empower women in a male-dominated field.
• The Future of Robotics: Get Kateryna’s take on how AI and robotics will evolve, collaborate with humans, and improve lives.
• A Day in the Life: What it’s really like to be a Senior Product Manager at a leading robotics company, from strategy to problem-solving.
• Multitasking Mastery: Balancing a fast-paced career in tech and community leadership - plus, learn what Kateryna’s superpower is that helps her juggle it all.

This episode is packed with actionable insights, personal stories, and a clear vision for how you, too, can use your own unique skills and personal powers to foster change in the tech world. Whether you work for a fast-paced startup or a large corporate organisation, this conversation will inspire you to take meaningful steps toward a better future.

Join Women in Robotics

Interested in robotics and want to connect with like-minded people? Kateryna shares how Women in Robotics Switzerland is creating opportunities for women in robotics through mentorship, networking, and community events. It’s easy to join! Just follow this link: ⁠Women in Robotics⁠, register through their website, and you’ll gain access to their Slack channel and event invites - including free meetups that bring together experts, students, and enthusiasts from around the world.

🎧 Tune in now and get inspired by Kateryna’s story! Want to connect with Kateryna and learn more about her work? Find her on ⁠LinkedIn⁠.

Bridging Business and Tech: Ravina’s Story

In this exciting episode of Tech Inspired, host Priska sits down with Ravina Mutha, co-founder of Enterprise Bot, about her inspiring journey into the tech world. From navigating challenges to scaling a global team, Ravina shares how curiosity, adaptability, and collaboration helped her transform from a non-tech founder to a leader in conversational AI.

Why You’ll Love This Episode:

• A Joke Turned Innovation: Find out how a casual idea about automating WhatsApp replies led to Enterprise Bot.
• Thriving Through Challenges: Hear how Ravina went from marketing and sales to leading a tech team of 65 and scaling a business worldwide.
• Lessons in Failure: Learn how her first venture in health tech taught her resilience, team-building, and the art of pivoting.
• AI at Work: Discover how Enterprise Bot uses cutting-edge, secure generative AI to transform customer service.
• Keeping It Real: From sleepless startup nights to parenting twins, Ravina shares the unfiltered highs and lows of founder life.

This episode is packed with relatable stories and actionable insights for anyone looking to connect the dots between business and tech. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale, Ravina’s journey will inspire you to stay curious, embrace change, and build solutions that matter.

🎧 Hit play now and fuel your tech dreams!

Want to connect with Ravina and explore her work? Find her on LinkedIn.

Let's Talk About Allyship!

In this special episode of Tech Inspired, we bring you the thought-provoking closing panel from the #wetechtogether conference 2024, which focused on the powerful theme of allyship. This year’s edition, held on 27 -28 September in Zurich, gathered industry leaders, researchers, and advocates to discuss one of the most pressing issues in the tech world today: how can we truly foster inclusion and equality through allyship?

What is Allyship, and Why Does It Matter? 🌍

Allyship isn’t just a buzzword - it’s about action, learning, and supporting people across diverse backgrounds, not just in words but in meaningful ways. This panel breaks down the concept, offering insights and real-world examples from leaders who live it every day. Moderated by Priska Burkard, TechFace’s Managing Director, this engaging session features four expert voices from the field:

• Research Meets Reality: Eugenia Bajet Mestre - Research Assistant at the ⁠University of St. Gallen brings insights from her research, shedding light on why true allyship requires ongoing learning and self-reflection.

• Real Allyship Talk: ⁠Marc Maurer⁠ - CEO at ⁠⁠Mitt Liv⁠⁠ emphasises that allyship is about listening and involving people from all backgrounds - especially those not usually included in D&I conversations.
• Breaking Down Privilege: ⁠Markus Macrini⁠ - Head Product Management & Sales at ⁠⁠Siemens Switzerland⁠⁠ shares his candid perspective on understanding privilege and how men can actively foster inclusion.

• From Minority to Advocate: Martina Niggli - Entrepreneur and Organiser at ⁠Hello 50:50 World⁠ speaks on her experience in male-dominated environments and how initiatives like Hello 50:50 World foster impactful allyship through shared experiences.

What Makes This Discussion Unique?

This panel doesn’t shy away from hard truths about diversity and privilege. It explores why we need to challenge traditional mindsets and how allyship is essential in reshaping workplaces to be inclusive for everyone. The conversation offers a mix of practical advice and academic insights, providing listeners with tools to take immediate action in their own environments.

Whether you're in tech, HR, leadership, or simply someone committed to making a difference, this episode will inspire you to take the next step in building a more inclusive future.

🎧 Tune in now to hear from these industry experts and gain valuable insights on how we can all contribute to a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered. Let's build a future where inclusion is the norm, not the exception!

Join us on the latest episode of Tech Inspired as Priska sits down with Martina Niggli, a passionate advocate for diversity in tech and builder of an online toolbox for conflict resolution at the workplace. Martina shares her fascinating journey from a curious child eager to learn to navigate the challenges of studying physics and eventually stepping into the tech world with experience at companies like Sharley and Digitec Galaxus.

Allyship is all the talk these days for the TechFace team, as it's the main theme of the upcoming #wetechtogether conference 2024, happening on 27-28 September in Zurich. Martina will be joining the conference as part of the Panel on Allyship, so consider this a teaser!

In this episode, we explore:

• Allyship in Action: Martina discusses the importance of allyship in tech, especially for underrepresented groups, and how meaningful support can make all the difference.
• Journey to Tech: From her early love of solving riddles to founding a tech startup, Martina’s path is anything but conventional. She talks about the highs, lows, and the critical moments that shaped her career.
• Building Inclusive Spaces: Discover how Martina’s work with Hello 50:50 World and her tech startup are helping create more inclusive, supportive environments for everyone in the workplace.

Don't miss this episode filled with insights and practical advice on how to thrive in the tech industry while supporting others along the way. Whether you're looking to become a better ally or seeking inspiration for your own tech journey, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. 🌟

Connect with Martina Niggli on LinkedIn to learn more about her work and stay updated on her latest projects!