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

Cathy 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: @cathyhackl
• Website: https://www.cathyhackl.com/
• Podcast: https://www.adweek.com/podcasts/tech-magic/

Follow Assel Altayeva:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asselaltayeva/
• Instagram: @femmesfinance

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

🎙️ #24 - The Path of Least Regret: How Parul Somani Overcame Cancer and Found Her Purpose

Today 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 time
• Her bold career pivot and the lessons learned along the way
• The 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: @pdsomani
• Website: https://www.parulsomani.com/

Follow Assel Altayeva:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asselaltayeva/
• Instagram: @femmesfinance