In this episode, the Interface hosts sit down with Reginald Campbell, Engineering Director at Etsy. They discuss Reginald's diverse career path in engineering and technology, his educational background, and experiences leading engineering teams at companies like CNN, SurveyMonkey, and Etsy. Reginald shares insights on his curiosity-driven approach to learning, the importance of mentorship, and the impact of diversity in technology roles. The episode also includes a heat check segment where the t...
Jul 31, 2024•40 min•Ep. 28
In this episode, the Interface co-hosts explore cybersecurity with Dante Jackson, the Head of Security Resilience at Truist Bank. Dante shares his career journey from the Department of Justice to his current role, highlighting his experience building cybersecurity programs and dealing with insider threats. He provides advice for those considering a career in cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of experience over education, strategic certification, and strong networking skills. Dante also t...
Jul 24, 2024•34 min•Ep. 27
In this podcast episode, hosts Jennifer Plummer and Matthew Negron interview Dana Morrow Branch, Senior Vice President AI Platform Risk Management at Bank of America. Dana shares her journey into the tech world. With over two decades of experience in technology, from software development to AI project management, Dana discusses her career trajectory, including her rapid promotions and the leaps she made from software development to risk management in AI, guided by her curiosity and dedication to...
Mar 13, 2024•59 min•Ep. 26
In this episode, our hosts Jennifer, Matthew and Siara engage in insightful dialogue with Kelsey Ruger, the Chief Product and Technology Officer at Hello Alice. They dive into topics such as the synergy of being leading both product and technology teams, the value of investing in becoming a good leader, and the importance of learning how to operate in the business world while specializing in technology. The Heat Check segment introduces listeners to several conspiracy theories surrounding this y...
Feb 28, 2024•48 min•Ep. 25
In this episode of Interface, the co-hosts converse with Bobby Kyle, IT advisor at the Central Louisiana Electric Company (and PROS alum!) about his expansive career in engineering and information technology leadership roles. They discuss his path into technology, the impact and implications of emerging technologies like AI, the importance of mentors, and strategies for increasing diversity in tech. He also shares his 'day in the life' of an IT Advisor as well as the distinction between Quality ...
Feb 14, 2024•46 min•Ep. 24
In this episode of Interface, the Crew speaks with PROS own UX Design Manager, Ayan Bihi. Ayan discusses her trajectory from studying sociology in France to becoming a UX Design Manager. She shares insights on her work, including the human-centered design strategy, the power of design, and the importance of user-centered solutions. Additionally, the conversation delves into strategies for retaining black talent in tech industries, the value of diversity, and the importance of mentorship. Notable...
Jan 24, 2024•57 min•Ep. 23
Welcome to Season 3 of Interface! Join our incredible co-hosts as they kick off this new chapter with a lively chat filled with reflections on past seasons, invaluable lessons learned, and an exclusive sneak peek into the thrilling content awaiting you in Season 3. Catch up with the hosts and gear up for an exhilarating season of dynamic conversations with the tech world’s finest minds! (00:00) - Introduction and Welcome (01:43) - Catching Up with the Hosts (02:04) - Reflecting on the Podcast's ...
Dec 07, 2023•36 min•Ep. 22
Join the Interface Crew as they sit down with Dr. Cheryl Swanier, Computer Science department chair for University of Massachusetts Amherst and Founder and CEO of Swanier Consulting LLC. to discuss her early tech career experiences facing corporate glass ceilings and how it led her to a career pivot into education where she flourished. Dr. Swanier illustrates how she navigated her own imposter syndrome after being presented with a career changing opportunity and how facing racism in the workplac...
Aug 24, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 21
In this episode of the Interface podcast, the crew celebrates hitting a milestone of 1,000 downloads and chats with Kim Martin, Director of Engineering at Indeed. Kim Martin talks about the emotional aspects of tech and being a software developer, how being a good decision maker is half the battle of a good leader and why she's always hiring. Notable Quotes "…When you're invested, everything is emotional…it's demoralizing…feeling like you're just doing busy work and nobody's ever going to see it...
Aug 02, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 20
In this episode, the Interface Crew sits down with Aaron Walker, a Computer Science student at the University of Houston, to delve into his captivating undergraduate journey. Join us as we explore how Aaron discovered his passion for technology, the fascinating intersection of music theory and computer science, and his innovative approach to music creation using generative AI. Notable Quotes "I just like problem solving. Creative problem solving is fun. It's like puzzles, but you actually do stu...
Jul 07, 2023•54 min•Ep. 19
In this episode of The Interface Crew, Goldie Powell joins the show to discuss her journey of empowering women and underrepresented communities in technology. As a woman of color who faced challenges early in her career, Goldie shares how her experience in Corporate America inspired her to make a difference for others. Listeners will gain valuable insights from Goldie's personal story and her expertise in the tech industry. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to learn more about h...
May 22, 2023•53 min•Ep. 18
The Interface Crew sits down with Kiley Summers, electrical engineer by trade and founder of SpendDebt, to discuss how he landed in engineering and how the desire to create the life he wanted for his family and becoming debt free led him to launch SpinDebt his consumer debt payment company, SpendDebt. Notable Quotes "Exposure expands expectations…" "…being in the boardroom, being in student council as a young kid or over Girl Scouts…maybe they don't get it right, but that's okay to not get it ri...
Apr 26, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 17
Episode Title: CuSTEM Journey feat. Engineer and Podcast Host Andrew Baines The Interface crew sits down with Engineer and founder of CuSTEM Journeys Podcast, Andrew Baines, to chat about how to deal with nay-sayers and how his career as an engineer helped him start podcasting and become a diversity focused recruiter. “…we need to encourage and push our students and the kids from our communities to do more than what’s just typically expected. If I would’ve just said, “Yo, I’m gonna go walk on at...
Mar 27, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 16
Episode Title: “Funding Future Founders feat. Foresight Co-Founder and CTO Charlotte Clark” Charlotte Clark is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Foresight, a company helping small businesses get educated and raise the capital they need to make their dreams a reality. The Interface Crew chats with Charlotte about her journey into technology, her experience at MIT and how she took the leap to quit her corporate job during the global pandemic and dive into entrepreneurship. She shares ...
Mar 08, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 15
The Interface Crew continues their conversation with the King of Kubernetes, Kelsey Hightower. He discusses how Kubernetes was developed, the process of getting published by O'Reilly, and the importance of joining and creating communities around technology. Highlights "Kubernetes is a tool, but to understand a tool you gotta know what it's used for." "Just because technology is hot and in demand doesn't mean you immediately have a problem too or you may not even want to have that problem." "I we...
Feb 16, 2023•55 min•Ep. 14
The Interface Crew interviews the pioneer of Kubernetes, Kelsey Hightower. Kelsey explains what a Distinguished Engineer at Google looks like, shares the spark that lit the fire to explore a career in technology in the 90s, and how important is to take stock of your skills and recognizing your worth. Highlights Executive interview process: They are saying, "We've seen this from afar, and we know what we are getting. We just want to make sure you know what you are getting" "When I make decisions ...
Feb 01, 2023•44 min•Ep. 14
The Interface Podcast crew talks with Tanisha Hall, Director of IT Application Development at United Airlines, about how being open to and saying ‘yes’ to opportunities has led her to a dynamic and exciting career and how she believes it’s her calling to mentor others coming up. Highlights: “I always push for mentors in the field you want to study. It’s important because it can help guide you in your career…get involved with likeminded people.” “Create your own path. There are free classes every...
Jan 18, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 13
The Interface Podcast crew takes a journey through Bukola Akinfaderin’s professional career from being unable to find an engineering job after graduating from college to developing a viral mobile app that brought the African radio community to Blackberry devices all over the world. She discusses her experience of how she navigates her world often being the only or one of few black women in the room. She shares how her fearlessness and curiosity has helped her build a well-rounded career that led...
Jan 04, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 12
Try Everything: The Power of Perspective feat. Maurice Holt Maurice has been a developer for more than 20 years, when he graduated in 1984, computer science was VERY new. He made straight A’s in computer science in high school without trying, and it gave him some direction as far as a career. He got a scholarship to Texas A&M where he was the only athlete with a computer science major. Everyone thought he was crazy for it, but it was his passion, and he had a knack for it. He graduated and g...
Nov 16, 2022•50 min•Ep. 11
Episode 10 Show Notes - Learning about User Experience with Thomas Watkins NOTE: This episode was recorded on December 1st, 2021 Learning about User Experience with Thomas Watkins, Principal and Founder of 3 Leaf Thomas Watkins started out studying psychology, was interested in cognitive psychology, then got accepted to George Mason University’s Human Factors program (the original name for UX). He continued his studies after that but really didn’t have a career goal. Then he started working at P...
Aug 03, 2022•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 10
Episode 9 Show Notes – From the Desk of a CTO with Marcus Manning NOTE: This episode was recorded on November 15, 2021 After visiting his father’s work at NASA, Marcus Manning, CTO at Smart Financial Credit Union, was intrigued by computing. He built his first computer at 16 and went on to get a degree in computer science. Being a people person, once he started working, Marcus realized he would like to marry the technical side with his people skills. He went into network administration which led...
Jul 20, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 9
Technology and Culture – Finding success as a Black woman in IT Shirelle Francis, Manager of Programs at Insight. What do you need to succeed? Shirelle recounts her uncanny journey to becoming Manager of Programs at Insight. Out of high school and focused on getting her Law degree but her path kept bringing her back to computers. Over time she realized that she enjoyed IT and was good at managing people, time, and resources. This realization led her to leave law school and start working in tech....
Jun 23, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 8
The Interface Podcast Crew chats with Ifeanyi Ezeh, Chief AWS Infrastructure Architect at Deloitte. Originally from Nigeria and never having touched a computer, Ifeanyi Ezeh got his start in the tech industry at Morgan State University. Then through an internship with NASA which led him on his journey to AWS (Amazon Web Services). Passionate about Bitcoin, Ifeanyi challenges us to get educated about the topic. He also talks about opportunities for black people in technology and using financial i...
May 11, 2022•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 7
The Interface Podcast Crew talks to Khensani Carter, Director Sales Operations at Tenable. Her journey led her from South Africa to UMBC to hardware and to software. She’s a problem solver – breaking them down into bite-sized chunks. Understand the problem you need to solve and apply the correct tools to solve it. Her Six Sigma Black Belt is one of the tools that she uses. She’s worked on software implementation projects and process improvement projects. She coded in Basic on a PS2 when she was ...
Apr 28, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 6
The Interface Podcast Crew talks to Matthew Womack, Senior Cloud Engineer at IBM. He shares his transition from COBOL to a data analyst role to user experience to cloud engineer. He also shared some of his favorite meals to have around Chicago.
Apr 01, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 5
The Interface Podcast Crew talks to Charles Shelton, Lead Research Scientist at Bosch Research and Technology Center. He shares how he knew he wanted to work in tech since he started playing Atari at seven years old and explains working with embedded systems, the Internet of Things, and Artificial Intelligence as a scientist at Bosch. We discuss AI-powered image recognition and the responsibility that needs to be addressed with that technology. We talk about Transformers – the toys and the movie...
Mar 16, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 4
The Interface Podcast Crew talks to Odean Maye, Director, Partner Success, Data Exchange Platforms at Capital One. “Jump in the Pool!” “You can’t be what you can’t see” “Everybody needs an opportunity to be given an opportunity” Odean Maye LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/odeanmaye Odean Maye talk on Transforming Healthcare: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsgZcPxLQXs Odean Maye moderating talk during the pandemic on Solving Black Community Problems Through Technology: https://www.youtube.com/...
Dec 21, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 3
The Interface Podcast Crew talks to Bobby Allen, Cloud Therapist at Google. “It’s not a pipeline problem” “OK Captain Obvious!” “Diversity and Excellence are not mutually exclusive” “I’m gonna rock that test like I’m Katharine Johnson” “That’s how you level up in tech and in life” Bobby Allen LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ballen-clt/ Bobby Allen Twitter: @ballen_clt bobbyjallen.me Reach out to Interface @ interfacepodcast@pros.com Jenni Plummer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniplummer...
Dec 06, 2021•41 min•Ep. 2
Welcome to interface! Meet the Interface Podcast Crew, Jennifer, Matthew and Siara, as they discuss the format of the episodes, the origins of doing a technology podcast, and their own personal origin stories. The crew share their thoughts on the importance of representation in technology, the relaxed vibe of the podcast and the definition of success.
Nov 29, 2021•46 min•Ep. 1
