The STEMINISTS Podcast

April kicks off our month-long celebration of Earth Day (4/22), and we’re starting with a powerful question: What happens when AI meets sustainability? In this episode of The STEMINISTS, Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams catch up with Nicola Acutt, NetApp’s Chief Sustainability Officer and get straight to the point! If your data strategy isn’t sustainable, it’s not smart or future-proof. In this conversation, learn how fusing AI with eco-savvy thinking is the secret weapon to building a tougher, more resilient business. 

Nicola doesn’t sugarcoat it: If you’re still hoarding useless data, you’re burning cash and energy. Her no-nonsense tips show how cutting digital clutter and thinking bigger than “just recycling” can strengthen your business and shrink your footprint, fast. 

Here’s why you’ll love this episode:  

Nicola connects the dots between data and sustainability. Turns out, efficient data management is a total gamechanger.  

She shares simple, actionable tips, like why you should stop storing data you don’t need (it’s like finding money under your couch cushions).  

She shares why sustainability is more than just recycling your yogurt cups (though, keep doing that!). 

Nicola drops the truth about “systems thinking”, seeing your whole business as one bold, interconnected machine. Forget quick fixes: it’s about overhauling how you run things, crushing inefficiencies, and making every move count for serious impact. 

Hit play to get ahead of the curve, then share it and challenge your crew to rethink what real business power looks like. 

 

Check out what Sustainability looks like at NetApp.

 

Connect with us! 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaacutt/  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/

Break out the confetti! The STEMINISTS Podcast has just hit one year, and we’re nowhere near slowing down. For twelve months, we’ve been unapologetically shaking up tech with bold, data-centric takes that refuse to play it safe. And what’s a better way to celebrate than with our hosts Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams, as they catch us up on the transformation of "builders" in the wild new era of agentic AI. Artificial intelligence isn’t just following instructions anymore, it’s flipping the power dynamic in tech. 

Click play and listen in on how Phoebe and Mekka highlight the real impact of these new AI capabilities on enterprise systems and daily life. You will learn how to navigate the shift from governing people to governing intelligent agents safely. 

Key topics covered in this episode: 

The rise of agentic AI and what it means to be a "builder" right now. 

Why managing AI agents requires fresh security frameworks and strict access controls. 

The critical role of high-quality data governance to prevent security risks and AI hallucinations. 

Practical ways AI agents boost business innovation and personal productivity, including tips on using tools like Claude and GitHub Copilot. 

Organizations that prioritize data security will win in this new landscape.  

Please download, like, and share The STEMINISTS Podcast wherever you listen to your favorite shows! Thanks for joining us on this ride. Here’s to you, our listeners, for making this year unforgettable.

Dive deep into the engine room of innovation: AI. The incredible Kathy Barboza, Head of Storage Sales at Google Cloud, joins Phoebe and Mekka again for a “must-listen” convo part two.  

Kathy breaks down why data is the undisputed backbone of any AI workload and how a unified, enterprise-grade storage approach is critical for success. Discover how top companies are navigating their AI journey by moving strategic data subsets to the cloud and why Google's engineering-first culture gives them a unique edge. The discussion also covers how strategic partnerships and hybrid cloud solutions help solve complex storage challenges, ensuring even cloud-native companies build the resilience they need to scale. 

If you missed the first half of our chat, be sure to check out part one for the full story. Tune in for expert insights on AI strategy, data management, hybrid cloud solutions, and building a resilient digital ecosystem. 

 

Embrace the Cloud: https://www.netapp.com/cloud-services/

 

Confidently tackle your challenges by using storage that integrates with innovative solutions from Google Cloud: https://www.netapp.com/google-cloud/ 

 

Connect with us:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-barboza/  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/

In 2026, the hybrid cloud is the high-voltage backbone of every bold business move, demanding strong strategic partnerships to deliver the speed and reliability modern enterprises need. If you think you can run a company without this resilient tech ecosystem, you might as well try juggling flaming servers blindfolded. Enter hosts Phoebe Goh and Mekka Williams, who are ready to crack open the hybrid cloud code alongside Google Cloud's Head of Storage Sales, Kathy Barboza. Strap in for an action-packed crash course that will shake up your tech strategy and show you exactly how to dominate with ruthless efficiency. 

Kathy also shares insights from her impressive career journey, from her early days in IT support at Intel to leading major programs at Google. She argues that for large enterprises, a hybrid model isn't just a choice; it's a necessity driven by compliance, legacy systems, and governance. The discussion covers the real challenges of untangling applications, managing diverse data protocols, and why getting your data house in order is the critical first step for any AI initiative. Learn why Kathy believes "it takes an ecosystem to run your environment" and how strategic partnerships are key to navigating the future of tech. 

And here's the best part: this is just the beginning. It's a two-part conversation, so don't miss a moment—stick around for part two and catch even more insights and strategies you won't find anywhere else. 

 

Confidently tackle your toughest storage challenges: https://www.netapp.com/google-cloud/ 

 

Connect with us!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-barboza/  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/

Being a CISO these days feels straight out of Mission Impossible – stopping the Bad Actors - except there’s no self-destructing instructions, no fancy gadgets, and the dangers don’t wait for the dramatic music. While the stakes are sky-high, the task of keeping your organization secure can sometimes seem unimaginable. As AI rewrites the rules of business, security leaders are caught between shrinking budgets and exploding risks... and today, we’re getting advice from a PRO.  

In this episode, we cut through the noise with Shira Rubinoff, CEO of the Cybersphere Group, for a brutally honest look at what CISOs are truly up against. We talk about the real-world threats of deepfakes fooling even the experts, and the shadow AI tools your team is using without your knowledge. 

In this episode, Shira breaks down the essential truths of modern security: 

Bolting on security after the fact is a guaranteed failure. 

Forge your people into your sharpest line of defense through trust and smart training. 

AI is not here to take your job, but to supercharge your capabilities. 

If you want to know what actually keeps CISOs up at night and how the best are fighting back, you can't afford to miss this. 

 

Connect with us!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekkacodes/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoebegoh/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirarubinoff/