Career Queens Podcast
Career conversations with millennial and gen z women in tech that are making moves and figuring out their career journeys, one step at a time. From salary negotiations, to career pivots and brand building. This podcast is hosted by Teti Lekalake, a Product Marketing Manager at Meta.
Episodes
Staying Relevant in the Age of AI - Laura DeBenedetto (Meta)
In this episode, I sit down with Laura de Benedetto — product policy manager at Meta, Cambridge AI Ethics graduate, and the very first Career Queen to return for a second conversation — for an honest discussion about what it actually takes to build a career that holds when the ground shifts beneath you.Laura was laid off from Airbnb. She didn't see it coming. And like so many high achievers,
A Recruiter on The New Rules of Getting Hired in Big Tech - Sonya Lee (Netflix)
The job market has changed. Has your strategy?In this episode, Career Queens, I sit down with Sonya, a senior recruiter at Netflix, for an unfiltered conversation about what is actually happening in tech hiring right now — and what candidates need to do differently.With over 400,000 tech layoffs since 2022, companies getting leaner by design, and AI reshaping entire teams, the playbook that worked
Building Financial Security in a Layoff Era - LaKiesha Tomlin (Founder, Thriving Ambition)
In this episode of Career Queens Podcast, I sit down with LaKiesha Tomlin — engineer, MBA graduate, and investor — to talk about financial preparedness, emergency funds, and building income streams in an uncertain job market.This episode is for women in tech, corporate professionals, and ambitious career women who want to reduce financial anxiety and build optionality.Because your employer is not
Choosing Yourself: Health, Confidence & Self-Trust - Elle Caffrey (Ellevents, Ex-Meta)
This episode is about habit formation, self-trust, and choosing yourself when change feels hard. I’m joined by Elle Caffrey—an event consultant and founder of Ellevents—who reflects on her journey from obesity to losing over 100 pounds, and eventually running half marathons. We unpack how sustainable change is built through small, consistent actions, identity shifts, and systems that support you l
Vision Boarding for Career Clarity - Gracious Nyamupachitu (Pinterest & Visionary Me)
In this episode, we dive into how vision boarding can unlock real career clarity—not just big dreams, but practical direction you can actually act on. I’m joined by Gracious Nyamupachitu, Pinterest’s first Marketing Strategy & Operations Manager and the founder of VisionaryMe, who breaks down how to turn goals into a life strategy using vision boards. Drawing on her journey from corporate bank
Coming to America - Dr. Rosemary Kobue-Lekalake
On this episode, I speak to my mother, Dr. Rosemary Kobue-Lekalake, about her experiences moving to America back in the early '80s and again in the early '90s. We also delve into how she managed the guilt that often riddles mothers that work full-time.
Starting and Growing a Creative Side Hustle - Sonali Karmarkar (Youtube)
On this episode, I speak to Sonali Karmarkar about how she’s managed to start and grow a creative business while working full time as a Community Partner Manager at Youtube. Sonali is based in New York where she supports Youtube’s creator community by day, and grows her handpainted hair accessory brand, Soieli, by night.
How to Ace Your Job Interviews - Angela Guido (Career Protocol)
I chat with Angela Guido, founder of Career Protocol, author of two books: “Interview Hero” and “How to Network Without Feeling Like an A‑Hole”. The topic on the table on this episode is how to find your voice and ace your job Interviews.
Building an Authentic Personal Brand - Adanna Steinacker (Digital Entrepreneur)
We're back! And, on this first episode of the second season of Career Queens, I’m so excited to be chatting with digital entrepreneur, Adanna Steinacker, about personal branding and leading your career authentically.
Business Networking & Mentorship with McKenna Sweazey (Truthset)
My guest on this episode, McKenna Sweazey, is the VP of Marketing at a Silicon Valley based startup called Truthset. Prior to this role, she was based in London where she led a team regional Marketing managers at the Financial Times. Over the course of her career, she has formed important relationships with people willing to connect her with great opportunities and help her navigate challenging si
Pursuing an MBA with Sope Ogunrombi (London Business School)
On this episode, Sopé Ogunrombi, an MBA Candidate at London Business School, shares how she went about her business school applications — from school selection, to writing the GMAT and her essays. This is for anyone who is considering pursuing an MBA, and would like more information about the degree.
Navigating a Career Change with Ziyanda Khumalo (Investment Bank)
On this episode, I'm leaving the tech world for a bit! In it, I speak to Ziyanda Khumalo, an investment banker, about her career change, from marketing in fast moving consumer goods (fmcg) to finance and investment banking.Career Queens Podcast is a show that spotlights millennial women in tech, and women in business that are using technology to grow their businesses. Conversations range fro
From Passion Project to Purposeful Business with Julie Vandingnen (Google)
On this episode I speak to Julie Vandingenen, a Senior Sales Consultant at Google. Julie is also the founder of Lovingly Box, a passion project and business that sells care packages with an aim to support loved ones going through difficult situations. These include break ups, illness, depression and bereavement.Julie was inspired to start this business, in 2017, after she lost her fiancé to cancer
Leading an International Career with Lauren Jutai (Facebook)
On this episode, I speak to my good friend, Lauren Jutai (a Partner Manager at Facebook) talks about her experience leading an international career. Lauren was born in Toronto, and raised in various other cities across Canada, namely Ottawa, Woodstock and Hamilton. Since her first move abroad, Lauren has lived and worked in 5 other countries across 4 continents!Career Queens Podcast is a business
Moving Abroad for Work with Halimatu Umar (Facebook)
In this episode, Halimatu (Hali) Umar, a Market Specialist at Facebook, talks about her experience moving abroad for work. When Hali moved to Dublin to work for Facebook, it was her first time living outside of Nigeria. The transition was challenging, particularly as Hali wasn’t moving alone — Hali moved to Ireland with her husband and three kids.Despite the obstacles she had to overcome (from hom
Salary Negotiations Advice from a Woman in Tech with Laura DeBenedetto (Tiktok)
In need of salary negotiation tips? Laura DeBenedetto, a Policy Manager at Tiktok, started her career accepting the first salary offer she was made. However, with every new company she has joined (including Facebook, Google and Tiktok), she has gained the experience and confidence to counter and ask for more.Tune in to hear Laura’s advice on negotiating a salary offer, based from her multiple expe
Boomerang Employee with Sade Omojowo (Instagram)
Sade Omojowo, a Strategic Partner Manager at Instagram, talks about her experience as boomerang employee, following her moving from Facebook to Tiktok, and then back again to Facebook. This is what some people call a “career boomerang”, and many consider it a strategic way to pivot their career.Being rehired by a former employer is becoming increasingly popular amongst millennials, and it’s partic
Transitioning into People Management with Tracy Jasper (Hubspot)
In this episode, Tracy Jasper, a manager at Hubspot, talks about her experience transitioning from an individual contributor to a people manager in the tech industry. Tune in to hear about the challenges Tracy faced, as well as the people management skills she’s had to develop.In many tech companies, becoming a people manger is neither a promotion, nor the only way to advance one’s career. In fact
Pivoting from Sales to Product Management with Marcelle Mbuyu (Google)
I speak to Marcelle Mbuyu, a Product Manager at Google, about her career change, from sales to her current role by studying part time, networking and finding stretch assignments at work.Career Queens Podcast is a show that spotlights millennial women in tech, and women in business that are using technology to grow their businesses. Conversations range from navigating a career change or salary nego
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