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.

Hey everyone! Tiffany Benitez here with another episode of Women in Tech Trailblazers. Today’s conversation is all about purpose, authenticity, and the power of community. Our guest, Tyler White, brings an incredible mix of stories and lessons from his journey as a leader in tech recruiting and beyond.

Tyler opens up about finding his place in the tech world and how serving others helped him discover his own purpose. “Helping others created who I was instead of me seeking who I was,” he shares. His perspective on leadership is refreshing and challenges us to think about success in a whole new way.

We also dig into the people side of tech. Tyler shares what he looks for when connecting candidates with opportunities and why true potential is often hidden between the lines. It is a conversation about more than just jobs. It is about seeing people for who they really are and giving them the chance to shine.

Tyler also speaks about allyship and the importance of standing up for women in tech. His story of using his network to help someone get noticed shows how we can all play a part in breaking barriers and driving progress. “Without someone fighting alongside you, it can be hard to move forward,” he reminds us.

Here are the key takeaways:

(5:17) Discovering purpose through serving others

(11:20) Why curiosity and action set candidates apart

(12:46) Breaking out of the boxes women are forced into

(14:31) Why passions outside work matter in interviews

(18:04) Advocating for women and opening hidden doors

(24:07) The coffee meeting strategy that lands jobs

(27:01) Building a brand by staying true to yourself

(33:53) Creating a life you never want to end

(35:33) Defining your niche and planting your flag

This episode will leave you inspired to take action in your own sphere of influence. Tune in, share this conversation, and think about the ways you can create space for others to succeed. Because when we lock arms, we all move forward together.

About Tyler White

Tyler White is the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Cisco Ascent and a Strategic Account Manager at Akkodis. He also co-hosts the podcast Timeout with Leaders. Originally from Texas and later raised in Arkansas, Tyler’s early experiences shaped his drive to build meaningful connections and help others succeed. Today, he focuses on creating opportunities and making a lasting impact through his work and community efforts.

Connect with Tyler:

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.

Welcome back, Trailblazers! Tiffany Benitez is here with another episode of Women in Tech Trailblazers, and today’s conversation is all about making space for what really matters. Our guest, Haleh Shoa, is the founder and CEO of Picturli, a company that takes the chaos of scattered photos and turns it into a secure, meaningful digital archive.

Haleh’s journey started with her own family memories and a desire to bring order to them. What began as scanning photos during her downtime in advertising grew into a thriving business. Along the way, she discovered how technology can connect generations and keep legacies alive. “I believe memories are treasures worth protecting,” she shares.

Haleh takes us behind the scenes of her career, from breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry to learning how to stand in her power. She gets candid about the biases she faced and how she learned to trust her instincts. “You have to be clear about your needs and not give everything away hoping for approval,” she says.

Decluttering comes up in surprising ways, too. Haleh talks about the clutter we carry in our minds, on our devices, and in our schedules. She shares how building systems and being intentional with time can change everything, especially as a leader with a vision.

Here are the key takeaways:

(2:11) Standing in your power and setting boundaries

(5:34) Redefining what it means to work in tech

(8:19) Navigating bias and finding your people

(11:51) Limiting beliefs that show up in business

(13:26) The clutter that keeps leaders stuck

(17:18) Why community matters and how to find yours

(20:07) The best advice for creating a life of abundance

By the end of this episode, you will see why decluttering is about so much more than a clean space. It is about creating room for clarity, purpose, and legacy. Tune in, get inspired, and start thinking about what you need to clear out to lead with intention.

About Haleh Shoa

Haleh Shoa is the founder and CEO of Picturli, a company that helps families, businesses, and individuals organize and digitize their photo collections. With a background in advertising and over 27 years of experience leading large projects and teams, she brings her expertise to preserving memories and creating secure, searchable photo archives. Haleh’s mission is to help people protect their personal histories and share them with future generations.

Connect with Haleh:

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.