Femmes Finance Podcast

Hosted by Assel Altayeva

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Mar 2026

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About the show

Femmes Finance Podcast aims to support , educate & empower young women to achieve career success and financial freedom. In each episode, Assel Altayeva talks with successful leaders, entrepreneurs, founders, and investors to inspire you in your journey to financial freedom.

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28 recent

March 23, 202632 min

How to Build, Deploy & Monetize Secure AI Agents | Cathy Di, Dedalus Labs (YC S25)

Cathy Di is the co‑founder and CEO of Dedalus Labs, a YC startup building the infrastructure layer for agentic AI that lets developers build and deploy complex agents in just a few lines of code.In this conversation, she talks through the technical problems behind agent security, deployment, and MCP-based tooling, and how her team is approaching them with a developer-native platform. We also get into the story of applying to YC, participating in the S25 batch, and raising an $11M seed round co-led by Kindred Ventures and Saga Ventures. Cathy shares what changed in the market, what investors actually asked about, and how her thinking on agents, protocols, and infra has evolved along the way.Before Dedalus Labs, she studied Computer Science at Princeton University and was Co‑President + Incubator Leader at the student-run Hoagie Club.01:01 - Dedalus Labs03:57 - MCP and AI Agents06:49 - Build, Deploy, Monetize AI Agents08:14 - Security Concerns12:12 - The future of AI Agents15:32 - YC and Fundraising28:09 - Final Advice and Book RecsCathy’s Socials:•⁠ ⁠Dedalus Labs: https://www.dedaluslabs.ai•⁠ ⁠X: https://x.com/itsCathyDi•⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathydi/

October 3, 202537 min

Navigating the Hard Tech Era: Alana Karen on Big Tech, Layoffs, AI, and Moving On

Alana Karen is an award-winning tech leader, author, and speaker with over 25 years in tech, including two decades at Google. She has worked across Google Search, Ads, Fiber, and Grants, helping build products and teams that have touched billions of people globally. Alana is also the author of the best-selling book "Adventures of Women in Tech", now releasing a brand new edition that explores how work, culture, and careers are shifting in the AI era.In this episode of the Femmes Finance Podcast, we talk with Alana Karen about her journey after Google and moving on to new opportunities. We discuss her thoughts on future careers, Big Tech layoffs, and adapting to major cultural and technological shifts. Lastly, Alana Karen shares great advice on how to build a financial and career resilience in today’s fast-moving tech era.Follow Alana Karen:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanakaren/Website: https://www.alanakaren.comFollow Assel Altayeva:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asselaltayeva/Instagram: @femmesfinance

May 27, 202528 min

Cathy Hackl on Spatial Computing, Apple Vision Pro, and Building with AI, XR & Immersive Tech

🔊 #26 – Cathy Hackl on Spatial Computing, Apple Vision Pro, and Building with AI, XR & Immersive TechCathy Hackl is one of the world’s leading tech futurists and a driving force behind the next wave of innovation in spatial computing. She is the CEO of Future Dynamics, Co-founder and Chief Futurist at Journey, and an Apple Vision Pro developer. Cathy also advises Boston Consulting Group, hosts Adweek’s TechMagic podcast, and was recently named one of Newsweek’s Top 25 AI Visionaries.In this episode of The Femmes Finance Podcast, we talk about the next era of human-computer interaction, where computing leaves the screen and becomes more immersive, ambient, and intuitive. Cathy breaks down what spatial computing really is, how it blends AI, hardware, and XR, and what this means for industries across the board. We talk about her work building experiences for the Apple Vision Pro, the business opportunities emerging in this space, and why spatial computing is set to reshape how we live, work, and communicate.This is one of those episodes you’ll be thinking about long after it ends.Follow Cathy Hackl:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathyhackl/Instagram: @cathyhacklWebsite: https://www.cathyhackl.com/Podcast: https://www.adweek.com/podcasts/tech-magic/ Follow Assel Altayeva:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asselaltayeva/Instagram: @femmesfinance

April 5, 202524 min

Investing in Bold Ideas: How a $200M Fund Could Power Female Founders at Helena Capital – With Robin Wood Sailer

We’re honored to be joined by Robin Wood Sailer, a powerhouse in both media and venture investing. Currently a Venture Partner at Helena Capital, Co-Founder of Le Labs Group, and a Consultant at United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Robin holds a rare blend of editorial insight and investment acumen.Robin has an impressive background from CBS News, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, and Dow Jones. As Bloomberg's Editorial Director, Robin played a key role in building Bloomberg’s events division and curated founder-investor showcases at top tech conferences. As Vice President at Dow Jones, she led the development of events and brand partnerships, expanding the company’s event business during the pandemic.Robin is channeling her expertise into venture capital by supporting & advising founders to build the next wave of innovation. At Helena Capital, she’s backing women-led startups at the Series B+ stage through a $200M growth fund. The fund focuses on deep tech, fintech, and impact ventures across the U.S. and Europe, with an eye on companies ready to scale globally.🔍 In this episode, we explore: • How Robin’s media background gives her a unique edge in the venture capital• What makes Helena Capital’s approach to female founders different • How founders can navigate the leap from early traction to Series B+ stages

March 27, 202531 min

The Path of Least Regret: How Parul Somani Overcame Cancer and Found Her Purpose

🎙️ #24 - The Path of Least Regret: How Parul Somani Overcame Cancer and Found Her PurposeToday on the Femmes Finance Podcast, we have a truly inspiring guest Parul Somani. Her life is a powerful testament to resilience, mindset, and the ability to turn any adversity into a growth opportunity.Just a week after giving birth to her second daughter, Parul was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. What followed was 10+ rounds of chemotherapy and multiple surgeries. But instead of allowing these challenges to define her, she turned them into a mission to empower others.Five years later, Parul is not only a cancer survivor but also the founder of Silver Linings, a platform dedicated to resilience, mental well-being, and patient advocacy. Parul is an award-winning patient advocate and lived experience expert who has shared her experiences and insights for premier health organizations, including at the White House for President Biden's Cancer Moonshot, the World Economic Forum's Global Precision Medicine Initiative, Stanford Health Care, American Cancer Society, and HLTH.Parul’s career is as impressive as her personal journey. With an MBA from Harvard and a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT, she has over 20 years of experience in consulting, entrepreneurship, and coaching. She’s been featured in Forbes, MIT Technology Review, Thrive Global, and more.In this episode, we discuss:Parul’s life-changing diagnosis and the unexpected silver lining from that timeHer bold career pivot and the lessons learned along the wayThe mindset and actionable tools she uses to help individuals and organizations navigate change🎧 Listen to this inspiring conversation and learn how to build resilience in the face of life’s toughest challenges:Follow Parul Somani:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pdsomani/Instagram: @pdsomaniWebsite: https://www.parulsomani.com/Follow Assel Altayeva:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asselaltayeva/Instagram: @femmesfinance

November 12, 202431 min

Elite Education for Global Change: Umaimah Mendhro on One League, Raising Funds from Google & YC, and Building Partnerships with Harvard, Stanford, and MIT

Umaimah Mendhro, Founder & President of One League, grew up without formal education in rural Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Despite these early challenges, she went on to graduate from Cornell University and Harvard Business School, where she was a Baker Scholar. Umaimah is also the founder of VIDA & Co., a multi-million-dollar public benefit corporation, and has worked with top companies like Microsoft, McKinsey, and West, leading projects for Twitter, Dropbox, and Square. Her work has earned her recognition from Fast Company, CIO Magazine, and ForbesIn this episode of the Femmes Finance Podcast, we explore Umaimah Mendhro’s journey as founder and president of One League. We discuss her experience raising funds from Google Ventures and Y Combinator, and building partnerships with prestigious universities like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT. Umaimah shares her approach to decision-making, problem-solving, and scaling ventures with a focus on innovation. We also talk about her vision for global education and the impact of empowering change-makers through innovative platforms. And much, much more.Follow Umaimah Mendhro:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/umaimah/Follow Assel Altayeva:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asselaltayeva/One League Accounts:Instagram: instagram.com/oneleagueorg/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/oneleagueorg/Website: one-league.org

September 18, 202450 min

The Art of Investing: Ellen Carr's Advice for Aspiring Portfolio Managers

🔊 #22 - The Art of Investing: Ellen Carr's Advice for Aspiring Portfolio ManagersIn this episode of the Femmes Finance Podcast, we are excited to interview Ellen Carr. She brings over two decades of experience as a high-yield bond portfolio manager, most recently at Barksdale Investment Management (BIM), an institutional fixed-income investment management firm. In addition to her impressive career, Ellen is an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School and the Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, where she teaches courses on credit markets and cash flow modeling. She’s also a frequent contributor to the Financial Times and the co-author of the book "Undiversified: The Big Gender Short in Investment Management."We explore Ellen Carr's unique path into portfolio management and how writing became a secret weapon in her investment strategy. She reveals key theories that lead to success in the credit markets, shares her perspectives from teaching at Columbia University and Northwestern University, and explains the concept of undiversification. We also talk about risk management, mentorship, and sponsorship in making a thriving career in finance.Enjoy!Follow Us:Assel Altayeva:LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/asselaltayeva/Instagram (@femmesfinance)Ellen Carr:Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-carr-3352084/Columbia Business School | https://business.columbia.edu/faculty/people/ellen-carrBook | The Big Gender Short in Investment ManagementBook | The Credit Investor's Handbook

August 3, 20241 hr 10 min

Shivam Khullar on AI Innovations, Leadership in Tech, and Financial Freedom

🔊 #21 - Shivam Khullar on AI Innovations, Leadership in Tech, and Financial FreedomIn this episode of the Femmes Finance Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Shivam Khullar, an influential leader in the Enterprise Platforms domain. Shivam currently serves as the Director of Engineering at NVIDIA and previously held the role of Head of Enterprise Products at Google. Her expertise include business and technology enablement, product vision, strategy, and engineering execution. As an immigrant from India and an accomplished engineer, Shivam's journey highlights her passion for technology and commitment to innovation. Additionally, she is the co-founder and host of The Real Women in Tech podcast, where she engages in candid conversations with senior women executives.In this conversation, we touch on the essential art of asking thoughtful questions in leadership, drawing from Shivam's personal executive experiences and training sessions. We explore latest breakthroughs in #AI, from automated content generation to its applications in education, healthcare, and robotics. We discuss how AI will shape future careers and important soft and hard skills needed in the #AI era. We also discuss actionable strategies for achieving financial freedom, goal-setting, and the importance of staying curious in all aspects of life. And much, much more.Enjoy!Follow Us:Assel Altayeva:LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/asselaltayeva/)Instagram (@femmesfinance)Shivam Khullar:Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivamkhullar/)Writings - Shivi from Literal Musings (https://literalmusings.substack.com/)The Real Women in Tech Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/0gr2z1opqI0c0qfshK5e4X)

July 20, 202438 min

From Kyrgyzstan to Silicon Valley: Kanykei Omurzakova’s Journey to Building a Career in Tech

🔊 #20 - From Kyrgyzstan to Silicon Valley: Kanykei Omurzakova’s Journey in Building a Career in Tech.In the following episode of the Femmes Finance Podcast, we welcome Kanykei Omurzakova, an inspiring immigrant from Kyrgyzstan, who shares her extraordinary journey of building a career in tech in Silicon Valley.Kanykei (Kani) Omurzakova is a Global Automation Team Lead at Cisco Systems and a Stanford GSB MSx/Sloan Fellow, making history as the first student from Kyrgyzstan in the program. She co-founded the Central Asian Women Initiative (CALI) and serves as a Board member of the Femigrants Foundation; both are non-profit organizations dedicated to helping female immigrants build successful careers. Kanykei is also a mother of three, maintaining an incredible balance between all these roles.We discuss Kanykei’s immigration journey from #Kyrgyzstan to the #US, her life in Silicon Valley, studies at Stanford University, and leadership in the Central Asian Ladies Community. We also explore her role in managing a global tech team at Cisco, the essential soft and hard skills needed in the #AI era, and lastly effective strategies for achieving work-life balance.Timestamps:(00:04) - Journey of Resilient Female Engineer(07:22) - Stanford MSx Program and Opportunities(20:32) - Maximize Your University Applicants' Success(22:49) - Balance Career and Family(24:27) - Important Skills to Thrive in the AI era(34:19) - Career AdviceFollow Us:Assel Altayeva:LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/asselaltayeva/)Instagram (@femmesfinance)Kanykei OmurzakovaLinkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanykeiomurzakova/)Telegram channel (https://t.me/kaniomurzakova)CALI - Central Asian Ladies Initiative (Insta: @cali.initiative tg: @CentralAsianLadiesInitiative)

April 17, 202434 min

The Social Table: How to Build a Network that Nurtures Success with Alice Chan

🔊 #19 - The Social Table: How to Build a Network that Nurtures Success with Alice ChanIn this episode of the Femmes Finance Podcast, we are super excited to be joined by Alice Chan, who is a Global Startup Founder and a Serial Networker. From optimizing your LinkedIn profile to building genuine connections, we delve into the strategies that make networking a powerful tool for career growth and business success. Plus, we'll learn how to elevate your conversational skills, and maximize the benefit from participating in conferences and industry-specific forums.Alice Chan is a Global Business Founder from the #UK, with over a decade of experience. She's made waves with her innovative ventures, including a #Korean subscription box that brought cultural experiences to over 80 countries and a thriving e-commerce business with a community of over 100K members. She is an Alumni of Techstars Accelerator Program and currently manages Seoul SocialTable 🇰🇷 - an exclusive invite-only app that brings people together for meaningful connections through themed dinner events.Follow us:Assel Altayeva:LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/asselaltayeva/)Alice Chan:LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-inspire-me/)SocialTable Seoul: https://socialtable.app/