As we announced last week, this month on That Tech Pod, we’re changing things up a bit. Instead of our usual deep dives into eDiscovery, data privacy, and cyber security, this December, we're spotlighting people and organizations using technology to close real gaps in opportunity.

In this episode, we sit down with Savita Raj, the CEO of Techbridge Girls, to talk about what it really takes to help girls from underrepresented communities see themselves in STEM. Savita cuts through the buzzwords to explain why the pipeline problem is still very real in 2025, even as AI races ahead, and why access is about far more than programs. It’s transportation, time, family expectations, early exposure, and a sense of belonging.

The conversation gets candid about the gap between industry rhetoric on diversity and who actually makes it through. Savita shares what funders and tech leaders often miss about hidden barriers, and why the rise of AI and automation makes sustained investment in programs like Techbridge Girls more urgent than ever.

If you want to support Techbridge Girls, you can donate directly at https://www.techbridgegirls.org/donate to help bring high-quality STEM experiences to girls from underrepresented communities, or explore ways to get involved like volunteering, mentoring, or partnering at https://www.techbridgegirls.org/get-involved to make a more hands-on impact.

Savita Raj, is the CEO of Techbridge Girls. Techbridge Girls is a nonprofit focused on opening doors to STEM for girls from underrepresented communities through hands-on learning, mentorship, and exposure to real-world careers. The organization works closely with schools and industry partners to help girls build confidence, skills, and a lasting sense that they belong in science and technology. Savita has decades-long experience in leadership, strategy, and fundraising focused on creating equitable STEM programs in underserved communities. An engineer by training, Savita has served as the Chief Program Officer for Girl Scouts of the USA and as the Executive Director for the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering. She lives in Austin and enjoys traveling, reading, sewing, and baking.

This December, That Tech Pod is shifting gears a bit. Instead of our usual deep dives into eDiscovery, privacy, and security, we’re using the next few pods to spotlight leaders and organizations using technology to close real gaps in opportunity. These episodes are about mission, access, and impact, and what it looks like to build pathways into tech from the ground up.

In this episode, Laura and Kevin talk with Danny Rojas, Executive Director of All Star Code, about why the organization’s work supporting young Black and Latino men matters right now. Danny talks about the barriers that often go unseen, from unequal access to early exposure and networks to the challenge of learning long-term skills in an attention-driven world. He also shares his own path through corporate, startup, and nonprofit leadership, and how that journey shapes the way he leads today. The conversation looks at what really drives long-term impact beyond learning to code, including mentorship, confidence, community, and industry exposure. Danny also speaks about why access, timing, and sponsorship still matter more than talent alone.

You can learn more about All Star Code's programs, get involved, or make a donation at https://allstarcode.org. To contribute directly, please visit https://allstarcode.org/donation. Your support helps expand access to tech education, mentorship, and career pathways for the next generation of innovators.

In this episode, Laura and Kevin chat with Walter Haydock, whose path from Marine intelligence to Capitol Hill to AI governance gives him a rare view of what “security” actually means in the age of AI and generative models. Walter talks about why he thinks governance is becoming the next real defense layer, and how to sort actual AI risks from the odd glitches everyone loves to talk about. He breaks down common myths he hears from non-tech folks, what recent cloud outages say about the shortcuts companies take, and whether the latest hospital ransomware attacks signal a true AI-driven threat wave or just better marketing from bad actors.

We also get into the personal side: what feels high-stakes after years in national security, and which unexpected habits from that world turned out to be useful in tech. Walter closes by looking ahead at what might trigger the first serious AI crackdown in the U.S. and whether a federal AI law is finally on the horizon. It’s a grounded, candid look at where the field is headed from someone who’s seen the stakes up close.

Walter Haydock is the Founder and CEO of StackAware, where he helps AI-driven companies handle cybersecurity, privacy, and compliance risk. He’s one of the leading voices on ISO 42001 and has guided organizations through the audit process as AI governance becomes a core part of security. Before building StackAware, Walter worked in national security as a staff member on the House Homeland Security Committee, an analyst at the National Counterterrorism Center, and a Marine Corps intelligence officer. He’s a graduate of the Naval Academy, Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service, and Harvard Business School.