Connect with A'Yana Leonard

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayanaleonardtexas/

In this episode of The Vector Podcast, host Christian Perez sits down with A'Yana Leonard—U.S. Army veteran, former Director of Marketing and Digital Strategy, and self-taught technologist exploring AI, cloud systems, and even FPGA hardware.

A'Yana's path into tech didn't follow the traditional blueprint. No CS degree straight out of high school. No linear career ladder. Instead, she moved from tech support to sales to marketing leadership, teaching herself cloud services and AI along the way. Her driving question throughout: What if this could be better?

That mindset—rooted in her military experience where you often have to make something out of nothing—shaped how she approaches technology, business problems, and even personal challenges. A'Yana shares the story behind Mom Hive, an AI tool she built to support her daughter who has autism, and discusses what companies consistently get wrong about artificial intelligence.

This conversation is for veterans early in their tech journey, anyone curious about AI's role in marketing, or those who need a reminder that ambition and resourcefulness can outpace credentials.

• A'Yana's military-to-tech transition and unconventional career path
• The "what if this could be better" mindset and where it comes from
• AI as a tool, not a magic solution—and what businesses get wrong
• The history of AI (hint: it didn't start with ChatGPT)
• Building custom AI solutions for small businesses
• Mom Hive: A'Yana's personal AI project for her daughter with autism
• The future of AI, developers vs. researchers, and quantum computing's potential
• Why veterans already have the skills tech companies need
• "You already did the hard part"—advice for transitioning service members

• AI isn't new—it's been studied since the 1950s. What's new is accessibility.
• AI should be customized to your business, not copied from someone else's playbook.
• The tech industry may shift toward more researchers and fewer traditional developers.
• Quantum computing could unlock breakthroughs in medicine and beyond.
• Veterans don't start from zero—military service builds problem-solving, adaptability, and grit.
• Continuous learning isn't optional in tech. Stay curious, stay competitive.

Daniel Gaina Social Media Accounts: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielgaina/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCUWhBmG99Iy9nH3hGRu--og

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of the Vector Podcast, host Christian Perez engages in an in-depth conversation with Daniel Gaina, Senior Cloud Engineer and AWS Community Builder, to explore the intersection of technical expertise, leadership, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in modern cloud engineering. Daniel shares his compelling journey from a non-technical background to earning AWS's prestigious Golden Jacket certification; a distinction requiring mastery across 12+ AWS specializations. The discussion examines the critical importance of certifications as foundational knowledge tools, the irreplaceable value of community engagement, and the human-centered leadership skills that distinguish exceptional technologists from merely competent ones. As AI and agentic systems reshape the technology landscape, Perez and Gaina emphasize that sustained success in tech demands not just technical proficiency, but emotional intelligence, accountability, and the capacity for meaningful human connection.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

- Non-Traditional Pathways Work: Technical excellence doesn't require a traditional CS degree; certifications, self-study, and community involvement provide viable alternative routes to expertise.

- Certifications Bridge Knowledge Gaps: AWS certifications offer both theoretical grounding and hands-on practice, serving as accelerators for career advancement.

- Tech Requires Lifelong Learning: The field evolves continuously; success demands a growth mindset and commitment to perpetual skill development.

- Community is Competitive Advantage: Active community participation accelerates learning, builds networks, and establishes credibility in the tech ecosystem.

- Soft Skills Differentiate Leaders: In an increasingly automated world, interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and leadership capabilities become the true competitive differentiators.

- AI Augments Rather Than Replaces: While AI optimizes processes and reduces operational friction, it cannot replicate human accountability, judgment, or meaningful connection.

- Production Reality Differs from Demos: Deployable, reliable systems require fallback mechanisms, human-in-the-loop oversight, and rigorous reliability engineering—not just compelling prototypes.

- Human Responsibility Remains Central: As systems grow more autonomous, the human stakeholder's willingness to assume accountability for outcomes becomes increasingly valuable.

- 2026 Will Bring Agentic Maturation: Expect proliferation of specialized AI agents and speech-to-speech systems, but significant ROI optimization still needed across the industry. - People-Centric Tech Leadership: The industry's greatest need isn't more technical capability—it's leaders who understand that technology ultimately serves human needs and growth.

In this episode of The Vector Podcast, Dr. Sarah Mendoza of Austin Peay State University joins Christian Perez to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming human-centered work. Drawing from her background in counseling and higher education, Dr. Mendoza reflects on the realities of clinical practice, the ethics of data and privacy, and the role of empathy in a world increasingly shaped by technology.

The discussion traces her path from front-line mental health care to the classroom, where she now integrates AI tools to enhance learning while maintaining ethical standards and human connection. Together they examine questions at the core of the modern era: How should educators and counselors use AI responsibly? What are the limits of automation when human well-being is involved? And how do we preserve critical thinking, compassion, and professional integrity as machines grow more capable?

A grounded and candid conversation on ethics, education, and empathy in the age of AI.

Connect with Dr. Mendoza
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-mendoza-615bb6121/
E is for Empathy - https://a.co/d/ariPxah
E is for Empathy is a children's picture book written and created to enhance children's social emotional learning. E is for Empathy uses real life situations to exemplify empathy for young readers. Empathy is a vital part of children's social development. The authors created E is for Empathy to fill a gap in children's literature, so parents and children have a go-to book for how to behave in supportive, empathic ways with those around us. Enjoy E is for Empathy!

Key Takeaways:
- Dr. Mendoza emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in using AI in counseling.
- The human element in therapy cannot be replaced by AI.
- AI can be a supportive tool in education, enhancing student engagement.
- Counselors must verify AI-generated information to ensure accuracy.
- The future of healthcare will involve a blend of AI and human interaction.
- Dr. Mendoza encourages future professionals to embrace technology while maintaining ethical standards.
- Building trust with clients is essential, especially in initial sessions.
- The landscape of mental health care is rapidly evolving with technology.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the speakers and do not reflect the official policy or position of any institution, employer, or organization.

Altivum Inc
https://altivum.ai