Disaggregated Infrastructure: What you Need to have for Enterprise AI
Disaggregated infrastructure for enterprise AI. It’s a mouthful, but it could completely change your business and boost your bottom line. In this episode of The STEMINISTS Podcast, tech gurus Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams are joined by NetApp’s Kris Cornwall to discuss what you must know to make your data “AI ready with no compromises.”
As AI moves from experiment to essential business processes, the old rules for data don't always apply. Kris explains how disaggregated infrastructure and disaggregated storage solve the biggest bottleneck: decoupling massive performance needs from capacity. This helps you scale, optimize expensive GPU utilization, and finally get AI projects into production. Learn how NetApp ONTAP delivers this modern architecture with enterprise-grade essentials like integrated ransomware protection, adaptive QoS, and multi-cloud data mobility. Plus, get a preview of how new metadata engines and semantic search will help you curate perfect AI datasets.
Listen now to get your data AI ready and follow for more!
Join us at NetApp INSIGHT 2025!
https://www.netapp.com/insight/
Learn more about the only enterprise-grade data platform for AI:
http://netapp.com/afx
Learn about your data storage options:
http://netapp.com/data-storage
Connect with us!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/
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Guardians of the Data Vault: CISOs + Storage = Security
When CISOs and data storage teams join forces, the organization’s defense moves from patchwork to powerhouse. In this episode of The STEMINISTS, hosts Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams tap into the sharp mind of CSO Hall of Famer Mignona Cote to dissect what really happens when security meets storage. This partnership is a MUST! Mignona pulls no punches—revealing how empathy and trust smash silos, why AI chaos and compliance headaches demand smarter teamwork, and how breaking old habits is the fastest route to bulletproof data. Forget bland checklists; this is your front-row seat to the bold new playbook for uniting CISOs and storage leaders, built on clarity, collaboration, and a little attitude.
Don’t miss this insightful episode where Mignona shares her strategies for navigating the intersection of security and storage in today’s fast-paced tech landscape. Tune in now to gain actionable insights and prepare your organization for the challenges ahead. Make sure to follow the series to stay updated on future episodes packed with expert advice and innovative solutions!
Fortify your security posture with comprehensive storage protection:
https://www.netapp.com/cyber-resilience/
Learn how to eliminate your storage blind spot:
https://www.netapp.com/blog/data-security-storage-layer-cyber-resilience/
Connect with us!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mignonacote/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/
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Cloud Boundaries: Sovereignty Made Simple
What IS sovereign cloud, and why is everyone suddenly talking about it? In this episode, we bring back the brilliant Cecile Kellam, senior solutions architect at NetApp, to break it all down, alongside our very own Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams. Cecile doesn’t just demystify sovereign cloud—she shares why it’s become one of the hottest topics in tech.
From geopolitical drama to protecting your organization’s “secret sauce” (whether that’s state secrets or cutting-edge IP), Cecile explains how sovereign cloud is more than just a private cloud with a fancy name. It’s a whole “trust” architecture designed to keep your data safe, compliant, and exactly where it needs to be.
But it’s not all sunshine and sovereignty. Cecile dives into the trade-offs—like the risk of creating a “self-imposed digital blackout”—and the challenges of balancing data protection with mobility. Plus, she dishes on how sovereign cloud is making waves in industries like healthcare, finance, and AI, where data sovereignty is becoming non-negotiable.
Thinking about jumping on the sovereign cloud bandwagon? Cecile’s got some advice: don’t let compliance fears push you into a knee-jerk decision. Educate yourself, avoid vendor lock-in, and make sure it’s the right solution for your needs. Sometimes, a smarter move is just extending your business continuity plan across multiple public clouds.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Sovereign cloud: what it is and why it’s trending.
The differences between sovereign and private cloud.
The balancing act of data sovereignty vs. mobility.
Why industries like healthcare, finance, and AI are all in on sovereign cloud.
How to avoid costly mistakes when considering a sovereign cloud solution.
If you’re ready to get smart about sovereign cloud, this episode is your go-to guide. Hit play and let Cecile drop some serious knowledge!
Check out the NIST Framework:
https://www.netapp.com/pdf.html?item=/media/88824-na-1113-protect-your-data-from-ransomware.pdf
Connect with us!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/%E2%98%81-cecile-kellam-%E2%98%81/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/
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Agentic AI: What to know and how to make it work for you
Worried AI might be coming for your job? You’re not alone—but it’s not all doom and gloom. In this episode of The STEMINISTS Podcast, co-hosts Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams dive into the rise of Agentic AI, a next-gen evolution of generative AI that doesn’t just suggest ideas—it takes action. From fixing code vulnerabilities to hunting down sales leads, this tech is stepping into roles that once required human hands.
An IBM report predicts 75% of executives expect AI agents to take over transactional workflows within two years, so it’s easy to feel like the robots are stealing your spot. But Phoebe and Mekka flip the script, exploring how there’s still room to collaborate with AI rather than fear it. They discuss how this tech can amplify human potential, taking on repetitive tasks so we can focus on creativity, strategy, and innovation.
Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. The duo also tackles the risks—like the erosion of human skills and the loss of personal connection—and why safeguards like transparency and data integrity are non-negotiable.
If you’re ready to face the future of work head-on, this episode is your guide to navigating the promise, pitfalls, and possibilities of Agentic AI. Tune in and take control—before the robots do.
Check out Sarah Bartel's episode:
https://steminists.podbean.com/e/building-no-regret-skills-for-your-ai-powered-workplace/
Don't miss out on this years INSIGHT 2025:
https://www.netapp.com/insight/
Connect with us!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/
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Turning unstructured data into business gold
Did you know that unstructured data makes up a staggering 80-90% of all the data in the world? And yet, most businesses have no idea how to manage it. In this episode of The Steminists, hosts Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams team up with the always-insightful Darnell Fatigati, Principal Product Marketing Manager at NetApp, to break down why unstructured data is the key to unlocking AI’s true potential—and how to stop letting it run wild.
You’ll learn:
Why manual data labeling is officially dead and what’s taking its place.
How to get your scattered, siloed data under control without moving it all over the place.
The secret to making AI smarter, faster, and more accurate: continuous data classification.
Real-world examples of AI tools turning unstructured chaos into business gold.
Darnell also dishes on NetApp’s cutting-edge solutions like NetApp Neo and teases what’s coming at the NetApp Insight event this October.
🎧 Listen now and learn how to turn your unstructured data into your biggest competitive edge.
Join Us at INSIGHT 2025, REGISTER NOW!
https://www.netapp.com/insight/
Learn more about unstructured data:
https://www.netapp.com/data-storage/unstructured-data/what-is-unstructured-data/
Connect with us!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/darnellfatigati/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/
Tech visionaries Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams bring their unique expertise to the microphone and expand the conversation around tech. They’ll bring fresh voices and often unheard perspectives you don’t want to miss. Ever wonder if you and your data are AI-ready? Cloud-ready? Is your business truly prepared for a ransomware attack? And is your data infrastructure intelligent and future-proof? Together, we’ll explore the latest trends and give you key insights that could change the way you do business.
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