Hey Trailblazers. We are back with a fresh episode of Women in Tech Trailblazers and this one is all about loyalty, leadership, and what it really means to show up as yourself. Tiffany Benitez sits down with Yasmin Marinaro, a senior marketing leader who has spent her career building growth by focusing on people first. From startups to global brands, Yasmin has seen it all and she brings the real talk.

Yasmin opens up about authenticity and why it is not about fitting a mold. She shares how early in her career she felt pressure to sound and lead like everyone else in the room and how that slowly changed. “What makes you unique becomes your superpower,” she says, and that mindset shift shaped the kind of leader she became.

The conversation also digs into her career journey and how curiosity led her into digital, innovation, and ultimately loyalty and retention. Yasmin explains why retention is not just a metric but a relationship. Behind every screen is a human being and technology should make that experience more meaningful, not more distant.

Of course, they do not skip the hard stuff. Yasmin talks honestly about being the only woman in the room, subtle bias, and how it can show up in ways that are easy to miss. Her advice is grounded and practical. Focus on outcomes. Build allies. And remember that “data and impact speak louder than anything else.”

Here are the key takeaways:

(3:31) What authenticity really means in leadership

(6:46) Not having it figured out and why that is okay

(8:22) A nonlinear career shaped by curiosity and tech

(12:24) Experiencing gender bias and learning to navigate it

(17:24) Why assuming positive intent changes the room

(20:04) Time and attention as the real currency

(27:14) Redefining success on your own terms

This episode is for anyone who cares about building teams and products people actually want to stay with. It will leave you thinking differently about leadership, loyalty, and your own path forward. Tune in, listen closely, and ask yourself what kind of experience you are creating for the people around you.

About Yasmin Marinaro

Yasmin Marinaro is Vice President of Marketing at Besitos and KashKick. She leads loyalty, engagement, and retention programs for digital consumer platforms. Her career includes roles across startups and established companies in fintech, media, and travel. She has supported product launches, market expansion, and organizational growth at multiple stages. Yasmin also serves on nonprofit boards focused on community initiatives.

Connect with Yasmin:

LinkedIn

About Tiffany Benitez

Tiffany Benitez leads Data Governance at Compass Group USA, ensuring data quality, integrity, and compliance across all business units. She is passionate about driving data excellence and advancing women in tech and STEM.

Connect with Host:

Tiffany’s LinkedIn

Disclaimer

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The content should be taken as something other than professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding specific situations or concerns.

Hey Trailblazers. Welcome back to another episode of Women in Tech Trailblazers with Tiffany Benitez. Today’s conversation is one of those that quietly stays with you long after it ends. Tiffany sits down with communication coach and facilitator Sami Kinnison to unpack something we all think about but rarely slow down to examine. The power of your voice.

Sami opens up about what authenticity really means in real life. Not the polished version. Not the always-on version. But the honest one. Some days that means energy and confidence. Other days, it means admitting you are not okay and still showing up with intention. As Sami puts it, “Authenticity means showing up how I am in that present moment.”

The conversation moves into career decisions and the risks we avoid because fear feels louder than logic. Sami breaks down how naming risk changes everything. What feels overwhelming in your head often looks very different on paper. “Sometimes we are avoiding something because we haven’t actually named what the risk is.” That shift alone can open doors you thought were closed.

One of the most powerful moments comes when Sami shares how early communication choices shape how people see us. Every email. Every meeting. Every question. They all add weight to your voice. And when women hesitate to speak up, it is often not a lack of skill but a lack of trust in their own perspective.

Here are the key takeaways:

(2:28) What authenticity looks like day to day

(4:19) Having a bad day without damaging relationships

(6:50) Doubting yourself even when the skill is there

(10:20) Risk tolerance in careers and life

(15:09) How small communication choices change perception

(19:25) Speaking with intention when you are the only woman

(21:23) Asking questions instead of staying silent

(23:33) Paying attention to how you talk to yourself

(25:19) Confidence is built not performed

(28:27) Using your voice for the people after you

This episode is not about being louder. It is about being clearer. About asking better questions. About learning how to talk to yourself before you try to change how the world hears you. Tune in and listen closely. You might hear your own voice differently by the end.

About Sami Kinnison

Sami Kinnison is a communication coach, speaker, and facilitator at The Belford Group. She works with professionals and leaders to improve communication, emotional awareness, and resilience at work. Her work focuses on helping teams navigate change, pressure, and everyday challenges with clarity. Sami’s approach centers on practical communication and intentional leadership in real workplace settings.

Connect with Sami:

LinkedIn

About Tiffany Benitez

Tiffany Benitez leads Data Governance at Compass Group USA, ensuring data quality, integrity, and compliance across all business units. She is passionate about driving data excellence and advancing women in tech and STEM.

Connect with Host:

Tiffany’s LinkedIn

Disclaimer

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The content should be taken as something other than professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding specific situations or concerns.

Trailblazers, buckle up because this episode is about to call you out in the gentlest, most necessary way. Tiffany sits down with Aria Kagan, and from the first minute, you can tell she understands the weight women carry when we are trying to be everything for everyone. If you have been smiling through exhaustion, pretending you are fine, or running on autopilot, this one is your wake-up moment.

Aria opens up about the life she was living before she ever stepped into coaching. A successful culinary career, private chef work, nonstop days and nights, and one moment in the car with a bag of drive-through food that made her realize she was losing herself. She says something that stops you right in your tracks. “Burnout does not fix itself with more sleep.” And she is right. The way she explains what burnout really is will surprise you.

The conversation moves into the deeper layers we rarely admit. The comparison that creeps in. The constant feeling of not being enough. The voice that whispers everything will be better when we get there. Aria breaks down how these thoughts shape our lives without us even noticing. It is the kind of insight that makes you pause and check in with your own mind.

We also talk about that moment in adulthood when you suddenly realize the goals you created at twenty may not belong to the person you are now. Aria shares how she had to reintroduce herself to herself, and that honesty feels like something every woman needs to hear. And then she drops a line you will want to screenshot. “You are born one hundred percent worthy, and you stay that way.”

Here are the key takeaways:

(2:01) Defining authenticity without comparison

(3:48) The burnout wake-up moment

(6:33) Boundaries before burnout hits

(8:30) The three roots of burnout

(12:05) Using competition and fear the right way

(15:48) The freedom in changing your mind

(17:13) The origin of Aligned Ambition

(18:27) Community as the foundation for growth

(21:31) Worthiness without conditions

(22:26) Surrounding yourself with the right people

If you are tired of carrying the weight of expectations or feeling like you are one step away from burning out, you are going to want to press play on this one. It is real, refreshing, and exactly the conversation we do not have often enough.

About Aria Kagan

Aria Kagan is the founder of Life Unlimited, where she supports women who want to move out of burnout and back into direction and clarity. After spending more than two decades in the culinary world, she shifted her focus to helping high achievers understand their patterns, reset their mindset, and reconnect with what matters to them. Through her in person program, Aligned Ambition, she brings women together to explore their next chapter with intention. Her work centers on helping women choose a path that feels real, sustainable, and true to who they are.

Connect with Aria:

LinkedIn

About Tiffany Benitez

Tiffany Benitez leads Data Governance at Compass Group USA, ensuring data quality, integrity, and compliance across all business units. She is passionate about driving data excellence and advancing women in tech and STEM.

Connect with Host:

Tiffany’s LinkedIn

Disclaimer

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The content should be taken as something other than professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding specific situations or concerns.

Hey Trailblazers, today’s episode brings the kind of energy that reminds you why the next generation is already shaping tech in unexpected ways. Tiffany sits down with fifteen year old innovator and STEM leader Deerthi Karthik, and the moment she starts speaking, you can feel why her voice matters.

Deerthi shares her take on authenticity, and it hits instantly. “You can only be the best version of yourself,” she says, and you hear how that belief guides everything from her ideas to the way she leads. She talks about how her projects begin with real conversations in her community and the problems she sees around her.

Whether it is her AI-powered recycling system or a wearable tool that helps neurodivergent individuals express stress in real time, her mindset is simple and powerful. She starts with people, not code. Her line, “Life would be easier if we had this,” becomes the spark that launches an entire initiative. She also tells us a story about a young girl at her workshop that will make you stop and think about how early inspiration can shape a life.

The conversation also highlights what it feels like to be a girl in tech and how she handles being underestimated. Instead of stepping back, she treats every challenge as a chance to grow. You can tell she sees possibilities where others see barriers.

Here are the key takeaways:

(3:17) Being the best version of yourself

(4:29) Creating tech by starting with real problems

(5:20) Why relationships matter more than the build

(7:44) The impact of strong women in tech

(12:24) Why mentorship changes the path for girls in STEM

(15:59) The power of competitions and putting yourself out there

(17:38) Building legacy through community-driven tech

(18:59) Going to your fullest extent

Before the episode wraps, she leaves us with a line that sticks. “You will never know how far you can go unless you go too far.” If you want a spark of motivation and a glimpse into the future of tech leadership, this is the episode to press play on.

About Deerthi Karthik

Deerthi Karthik is a Bentonville based high school student and the co-founder of NextUp, a student-led nonprofit introducing middle schoolers to STEM and leadership. She develops community focused tech projects, including an AI recycling system and a wearable tool that supports neurodivergent users. She serves on the Bentonville Mayor’s Youth Council and is active in DECA, robotics and tech clubs. Deerthi is currently exploring Python, healthcare and AI, and aims to build solutions that create long term impact.

Connect with Deerthi:

LinkedIn

About Tiffany Benitez

Tiffany Benitez leads Data Governance at Compass Group USA, ensuring data quality, integrity, and compliance across all business units. She is passionate about driving data excellence and advancing women in tech and STEM.

Connect with Host:

Tiffany’s LinkedIn

Disclaimer

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The content should be taken as something other than professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding specific situations or concerns.

Hey Trailblazers! You know that feeling when what makes you different starts to feel like a disadvantage? In this exciting episode, Tiffany Benitez sits down with Ana Xavier, the founder of The Podcast Space, and trust us, this conversation will change the way you see yourself.

Ana’s story stretches from Portugal to London to the U.S., and every chapter has one thing in common: courage. Not the loud kind. The kind that shows up quietly when no one’s watching. She opens up about taking risks, finding mentors who saw potential before she did, and realizing that confidence often comes after the leap, not before it.

From saying yes to a spontaneous move to London with her best friend, to landing a radio gig she never expected, Ana’s story reminds us how small yeses can shape an entire path.

Together, Tiffany and Ana dig into what it really means to live authentically in spaces that weren’t built for you. There’s real talk about bias, belonging, and those small moments that can make you question if you’re enough.

And somewhere in between, Ana shares how she turned those doubts into something powerful. Like the time people questioned her English and instead of shrinking, she turned that accent into her brand’s signature voice.

Here are the key takeaways:

(3:32) What authenticity really means

(4:15) Using your voice to create change

(6:09) The mentor who saw potential first

(9:18) Saying yes and finding purpose in new places

(14:04) Taking risks when it’s uncomfortable

(15:48) Turning bias into opportunity

(19:15) The mindset shift that changes everything

(21:58) Finding your people wherever you are

(24:45) Why you need to seek out other trailblazers

(26:11) Knowing your worth and showing up accordingly

(26:45) Building your tribe and letting go of being liked

(29:18) Living the legacy you want to leave

There’s a reason her story resonates with so many women in tech, business, and beyond. “Some people can see us before we see ourselves,” she says, and by the end of this episode, you’ll see exactly what she means.

If you’ve ever felt like you were too much, too different, or not ready, this one’s for you. Tune in and see how what sets you apart might just be your superpower.

About Ana Xavier

Ana Xavier is the founder of The Podcast Space, a consulting agency that supports impact-driven women, minorities, and multilingual creators. With a background in journalism and nearly a decade of experience in radio and digital marketing across Portugal, London, and the U.S., she helps clients grow their podcasts strategically. Her work advancing diverse voices earned her the 2023 AMA DFW Maverick Award. Ana also serves as a judge for international podcast awards and collaborates with platforms like Riverside, Captivate, and Podcast Movement.

Connect with Ana:

Website

About Tiffany Benitez

Tiffany Benitez leads Data Governance at Compass Group USA, ensuring data quality, integrity, and compliance across all business units. She is passionate about driving data excellence and advancing women in tech and STEM.

Connect with Host:

Tiffany’s LinkedIn

Disclaimer

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The content should be taken as something other than professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding specific situations or concerns.

Happy Thanksgiving, Trailblazers. Today’s episode flips everything. Kasturi and Sapna take over the mic and put Tiffany exactly where she never expected to be, right in the center of the questions. And trust me, she answers in ways you have never heard from her before.

The conversation opens with the heart behind her mission. Tiffany talks about the people who shaped her journey and the people she wishes she had along the way. When she admits, “I wished I had women who walked that journey with me,” you understand instantly why she shows up so fiercely for others.

From there, the room shifts. They talk about confidence, first impressions, and what it feels like to walk into spaces where women are still the minority. Tiffany shares the moment she stopped shrinking herself and says, “I can no longer show up as the watered-down version of what you need.” And that one stays with you long after.

Of course, these three cannot sit together without laughing. We hear about books, travel, the unicorn tattoo, the lioness energy, and the tiny rituals Tiffany uses to protect her peace. It feels like you are sitting at the table with them.

Here are the key takeaways:

(3:37) Why mentorship shaped Tiffany’s entire path

(7:13) Strong woman energy and first impressions

(9:20) Showing up without shrinking

(11:29) The ripple effect of doing good

(21:02) Finding small pockets to recharge

(25:05) Breaking old rules for the next generation

(32:48) Creating a table when one doesn’t exist

(35:30) Structure, growth, and intentional community

(36:24) The rise of new chapters

(38:52) Making one person feel seen

If you want a Thanksgiving episode that warms you up and still shakes something awake inside you, this is the one to listen to. It is honest, it is fun, and it is the closest you will ever get to seeing the real story behind the woman who built this community.

About Kasturi Joglekar

Kasturi Joglekar is a Product Manager in Walmart’s finance technology space and serves on the Board of NWA GirlGang. She is also known as KJ, a confidence coach who supports people in strengthening their self-belief and personal presence. Kasturi works closely with the Women in Tech Trailblazers community and often partners with Tiffany on conversations that uplift women in tech. She lives in Bentonville with her family and enjoys quiet moments with chai and a book.

Connect with Kasturi:

Linkedin

Website

About Sapna Ramachandran

Sapna Ramachandran is the Vice President of People at Engine, a data science company. She serves on the Advisory Board for Women in Tech Trailblazers and has supported the community since its early days. Sapna’s work centers on building teams and guiding talent across technical roles. She often collaborates with Tiffany and other leaders to create spaces for meaningful conversations in tech. She lives in Northwest Arkansas and enjoys connecting with people over food, ideas, and shared experiences.

Connect with Sapna:

Linkedin

About Tiffany Benitez

Tiffany Benitez leads Data Governance at Compass Group USA, ensuring data quality, integrity, and compliance across all business units. She is passionate about driving data excellence and advancing women in tech and STEM.

Connect with Host:

Tiffany’s LinkedIn

Disclaimer

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The content should be taken as something other than professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding specific situations or concerns.

Hey Trailblazers! Today’s episode is for anyone who’s ever felt stuck, burned out, or stressed about not being “up enough” in their career. Kim Lanphear, CEO of Apparo, joins Tiffany Benitez, and this conversation hits differently. It’s honest, real, and filled with the kind of insight you wish someone had shared years ago. From Citibank to theater management to serving over 1200 nonprofits, Kim’s path is anything but linear, and that’s exactly where the magic lives.

Right out of the gate, Kim breaks down what authentic leadership actually looks like in real life. And it’s not polishing your wins. “Authenticity is about integrity and transparency… being willing to be vulnerable builds trust,” she says. We don’t hear that enough, but it’s exactly what we need more of in leadership.

Then comes the part that will make every career-driven listener stop and think. We talk about the career jungle gym, why growth isn’t always “up,” and why some of the best moves are sideways. Kim reminds us that “A lot of opportunities happen when you explore new roles, not just move up the career ladder but grow sideways, climb around, and focus on personal and intellectual growth.” Not knowing what’s next doesn’t mean you’re lost. It might mean you’re finally paying attention.

And if you’ve ever questioned whether your title, skills, or seat at the table “measure up,” Kim drops the kind of advice you’ll want to repeat. She talks about advocating for her title change from Executive Director to CEO, not for ego, but because sometimes people only open doors when they recognize a title, not the person behind it. This episode makes you rethink how you show up, how you advocate, and how you lead.

Here are the key takeaways:

(4:59) Integrity, transparency, and authenticity

(7:03) The value of sideways career moves

(8:22) Why shame keeps us stuck

(11:28) Skills over ladders for real growth

(12:35) The truth about reaching the C suite

(13:39) Your career changes with your life

(16:08) When a title change opens doors

(17:49) Showing up as a peer, not a guest

(19:52) Focus on brand, not perception

(20:47) Follow what interests you next

(22:36) Let go of the ladder myth

(26:15) How to tell if company values are real

(30:47) It’s okay to move sideways

If you're ready to stop obsessing over the ladder and start owning the jungle gym, this one’s for you. Tune in, get inspired, and share this episode with someone who needs a permission slip to explore what’s next.

About Kim Lanphear

Kim Lanphear is the CEO of Apparo, a nonprofit that connects Charlotte-area nonprofits with technology and business expertise. She has spent over 25 years in leadership roles across finance, arts, and nonprofit sectors, including time at Citibank. Under her leadership, Apparo has supported more than 1200 nonprofits through partnerships with 250 companies and shifted to a pro bono model to make tech support accessible. Kim holds degrees from Duke University and Southern Methodist University and has been recognized as one of Charlotte’s Most Admired CEOs and Most Influential Women.

Connect with Kim:

LinkedIn

About Tiffany Benitez

Tiffany Benitez leads Data Governance at Compass Group USA, ensuring data quality, integrity, and compliance across all business units. She is passionate about driving data excellence and advancing women in tech and STEM.

Connect with Host:

Tiffany’s LinkedIn

Disclaimer

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The content should be taken as something other than professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding specific situations or concerns.

How many times have your palms gone sweaty as you sat in a room full of men, wondering if your voice even belonged there? This is where today’s episode begins.

Hey Trailblazers, welcome back. Today, Tiffany takes us into a story that starts in a Walmart conference room, twelve engineers, all men, one young woman fresh out of college, trying to figure out where she fits. That woman was Andrea Shoppach.

Andrea shares how those early days shaped everything. She talks about the pressure to mirror the culture around her, the golf outings, the happy hours, and the moment she realized authenticity was not an accessory in her career but the foundation. As she puts it, “Authenticity is knowing what you are grounded in and what your foundation is”. She did not force herself to fit. She built her own way forward.

In this episode, Tiffany and Andrea talk openly about comparison and why it creeps in even when we think we are past it. Andrea admits how easy it was to look sideways and wonder why someone else got the opportunity she hoped for. But instead of chasing someone else’s pace, she made a choice to define her own. Her journey is about alignment.

They also dig into the quiet practices that have shaped Andrea’s leadership. Morning reflection. Gratitude. Writing things down not to perform for others but to stay clear for herself. She shares how internal work became the reason she could lead confidently on the outside.

Here are the key takeaways:

(2:43) What authenticity actually means

(7:24) Being the only woman on a 12-man tech team

(8:19) When asking for flexibility is denied

(10:32) Why discomfort is the entry point to growth

(12:24) Focusing on your true north

(13:27) Letting go of comparison

(15:01) Pivoting without losing confidence

(16:37) The power of gratitude routines

(18:28) Turning setbacks into setups

(22:11) Your impact is bigger than you think

If you have ever been the only one in the room or wondered if your difference is a disadvantage, this conversation will shift your perspective. It is more than about competing. It is about building a life and career that reflects who you truly are. And Andrea shows us what that looks like in action. Tune in now!

About Andrea Shoppach

Andrea Shoppach is the Vice President of Information Security Services at Walmart Global Technology. She started her career as a software engineer and has held multiple leadership roles across the organization. She is an advocate for women in technology and serves on advisory and research boards in Arkansas. Andrea is also a small business owner with her husband and is active in the local community and faith initiatives.

Connect with Andrea:

LinkedIn

About Tiffany Benitez

Tiffany Benitez leads Data Governance at Compass Group USA, ensuring data quality, integrity, and compliance across all business units. She is passionate about driving data excellence and advancing women in tech and STEM.

Connect with Host:

Tiffany’s LinkedIn

Disclaimer

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The content should be taken as something other than professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding specific situations or concerns.