In this episode of Nelly Talks, Nelya sits down with Yulia Kim, a Senior Manager in Business Intelligence at GoCardless.
They dive into Yulia’s journey from data analyst to a leadership role in business intelligence, exploring the intricacies of diversity at work and the impact of AI.

This episode includes:
• Insights on transitioning from individual contributor to management in analytics
• The role of data in driving impactful business decisions
• Yulia’s take on AI, diversity, and balancing innovation with ethical considerations

Timeline:
00:00 Nelly Talks Intro
01:03 Meet Yulia Kim
01:54 How did you get into Data Analytics?
03:25 What do you enjoy most about working in Data Analytics?
04:47 What are the biggest challenges to your role?
07:26 How did you find the transition from Individual Contributor to Manager?
09:40 Do you feel like your role allows you to have a good work/life balance?
12:55 How has AI impacted your role?
18:13 Do you notice more diversity in the Tech Industry?
20:20 Have you seen any programs companies have done well to foster diversity and inclusion?
23:49 What advice would you give to someone considering a career in data analytics?
26:05 Nelly Talks Outro

Let us know what guests you'd like us to interview in future episodes!

#08 | Is a Career in Analytics Right for You? - Yulia Kim

In this episode of Nelly Talks, Nelya is joined by Chai Clarkson, Head of Sales at Cygnetise, to talk about tokenism in hiring, levelling up and the power of human relationships over AI.

This episode includes:
• The truth about what makes a great leader (and common pitfalls to avoid)
• Why mentorship matters more than ever for sales success
• Real talk on diversity as a business advantage, not just a trend

Timeline:
00:00 Nelly Talks Intro
01:00 Meet Chai Clarkson
01:15 How did your career transition from recruitment to sales?
01:53 Do you feel like strong leadership is important to entry level sales roles?
02:09 Did you always know that this is what you wanted to do?
03:37 What do you enjoy most about your current role?
04:40 What do are the biggest challenges in your current role?
06:08 Does this role allow you to have a good work life balance?
07:32 How has the rise of AI impacted your industry?
09:43 Do you see more diversity in your field vs when you started?
11:08 Is there anything else that businesses can do to increase interest from diverse candidates?
13:31 What advice would you give to your younger self?
15:32 Nelly Talks Outro


#07 | Career Shifts, AI Myths, and the Hard Truth on Diversity at Work - Chai Clarkson

In this episode of NellyTalks, Heeru Sajnani shares her journey as a research director and consumer psychologist, balancing leadership and life as a working mum.

From unexpected career pivots to mastering the art of storytelling through data, Heeru offers insights into what it takes to thrive in the world of qualitative research. Tune in to hear her advice on navigating career challenges, finding balance, and embracing the power of peer support.

Timeline:

00:00 Nelly Talks Intro

00:54 Meet Heeru Sajnani

01:39 How did you get into the world of research?

05:22 Do you think good researchers need qualitative and quantitative skills?

07:02 What do you enjoy most about your role?

09:06 Do you feel this career allows you to have a good work life balance?

12:48 Do you feel like there is more representation in your field now?

16:51 What are your thoughts on AI?

19:34 Are there any other technologies in your field that you're excited about?

20:59 Have you ever considered a career pivot?

22:40 What advice would you give to your younger self?

Key Takeaways:

Embrace career pivots. Heeru’s journey from psychology to qualitative research shows that career changes can lead to unexpected success when you follow your interests.

Master the art of storytelling. As a researcher, Heeru emphasises how weaving data into compelling stories can create impactful insights and better decision-making.

Find your work-life juggle. Instead of chasing perfect balance, Heeru highlights the importance of finding a way to juggle the demands of both career and family.

Leverage peer support. Heeru’s career growth was shaped by the encouragement of her peers and the empowering environment she found in her current leadership role. Surrounding yourself with a supportive community is key.

Let us know what guests you'd like us to interview in future episodes!

#06 | How to Find Balance, Lead, and Love Your Career - Heeru Sajnani

In this episode of Nelly Talks, Nelya sits down with the inspiring Jordan Legg, a Chief AI Officer and Founder at Takara.AI whose path from self-taught coder to tech innovator is anything but ordinary. Whether you’re looking for tips to break into the tech industry or tackle the challenges of entrepreneurship, Jordan shares plenty of inspiring insights and practical advice that you won’t want to miss.  



Timestamps: 

00:00 Nelly Talks Intro 

01:08 Meet Jordan Legg 

02:20  Did you always know you wanted to go into the tech industry? 

04:34 Was your untraditional career path a hurdle for you? 

06:37 If not through formal education, how did you learn what you needed to? 

09:33 What do you enjoy most about your job? 10:45 Are there any down sides to your job? 

12:02 How do you try to achieve a healthy work/life balance in your role? 

14:23 Has generative AI's rise in popularity impacted your role? 

19:23 Do you feel like there is more representation in the tech industry?  

21:48 What do you think about the tech scene in Milton Keynes?  

24:26 What advice would you give your younger self?  

26:37 Nelly Talks Outro  



Key Points: 

• Teach yourself to code by using online resources like tutorials and coding platforms 

• Focus on gaining practical skills and hands-on experience even if you don’t have a formal education 

• Master the fundamentals of coding and AI before relying on advanced tools 

• Embrace problem-solving and learn as you go when facing unfamiliar challenges 

• Set boundaries for work and prioritise balance to avoid burnout  



Let us know what guests you'd like us to interview in future episodes!

#05 | From Self-Taught Coder To Chief AI Officer - Jordan Legg

In this episode of Nelly Talks, Nelya sits down with the brilliant Natalie Godec, a cloud architect whose path from network engineering to cloud innovation is anything but ordinary. Whether you’re looking to break into DevOps, tackle the challenges of a male-dominated industry, or balance a tech career with your personal passions (cats included!), Natalie shares plenty of inspiring insights and practical advice that you won’t want to miss.  

Timestamps: 

00:00 Nelly Talks Intro 

01:08 Meet Natalie Godec 

02:23 CAT!!! 

03:07 How did you get into Cloud Architecture? 

12:52 What joys and challenges do you face in your role? 

17:39 Do you feel that your role allows you to have a good work-life balance? 

21:13 Have you ever considered a changing or pivoting your career? 

25:19 How has AI impacted your role?  

28:12 Do you feel like there has been improvement to diversity in tech? 

32:22 What advice would you give someone starting out in tech? 

34:03 Nelly Talks Outro  

Key Points: 

Choose a career path that you truly enjoy, as this will help you excel and stay motivated long-term. Natalie emphasises that working on something you love makes you more successful.  

Tech evolves rapidly, and remaining open to learning is essential for career growth. Natalie emphasises curiosity as a key driver for staying relevant in the industry.  

Seek out mentors, participate in discussions with colleagues, and offer your expertise when possible to grow professionally and contribute to your team’s success.  

Be willing to change course if a particular area in tech doesn’t resonate with you. Focus on discovering the roles that match your skills and interests.  

Set boundaries at work, use your vacation days, and prioritise personal time to avoid burnout.  

Let us know what guests you'd like us to interview in future episodes!

#04 | Finding Growth and Balance in Tech Careers - Natalie Godec

In this episode of Nelly Talks, join Nelya as she sits down with Kiana Kamalian, a creative director who shares her inspiring journey from engineering to the creative industry. Whether you’re looking to reinvent your career, build your personal brand, or navigate the complexities of freelancing and entrepreneurship, Kiana’s insights provide actionable lessons that you won’t want to miss.

Timestamps:

00:00 Nelly Talks Intro

00:54 Meet Kiana Kamalian

01:33 Where are you working from today?

02:42 Did you always know you wanted to get into this role?

06:34 What joys and challenges come with your current role?

09:51 Do you achieve a good work-life balance working for yourself?

13:09 How has AI impacted your role so far?

18:27 Did you find representation and diversity in your industries?

21:57 What can companies do better to support diversity in these industries?

26:54 How do you build and use your network for success in the creative sector?

29:49 What advice would you give your younger self?

33:14 Nelly Talks Outro

Key Points:

Kiana transitioned from engineering to a creative career after realising she wasn’t fulfilled despite being successful. A personal turning point (breaking her wrist) led her to explore freelancing and creative roles.

One of Kiana’s challenges in her new career was understanding and articulating her value as a creative professional, especially when entering an industry without a traditional background.

Kiana uses AI tools like ChatGPT to handle administrative tasks, research, and even creative enhancements. These tools help her work more efficiently and focus on higher-value creative work.

Networking was critical for Kiana’s successful transition to a creative career. She regularly attended co-working spaces, networked with other entrepreneurs, and asked for mentorship. In her engineering career,

Kiana noted the lack of diversity and how that impacted her experience. She suggested companies partner with organisations like the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) to bring diverse perspectives and training.

Let us know what guests you'd like us to interview in future episodes!

#03 | Networking for Success in Male-Dominated Fields - Kiana Kamalian 

This episode takes an in-depth look at the key aspects of strategic marketing and business development, making it a valuable resource for professionals in the tech industry and anyone interested in the connection between diversity, inclusion, and market growth.  

Key Points:  
Transitioning into Marketing and Business Development: Valerie shares her journey from aspiring to be an international lawyer to becoming a leader in marketing and business development. The conversation focuses on the mindset changes needed to succeed in these roles, including the importance of strategic thinking, effective communication, and a deep understanding of market trends.

The Importance of Market Research and Localisation: Valerie emphasises the critical role of market research and localisation when entering new markets. She explains how understanding local cultures and consumer behaviour can significantly impact the success of a product or service, particularly in diverse regions such as Europe and Africa.

Building High-Performance Teams: The discussion highlights the importance of creating and leading high-performance teams. Valerie shares her experiences in building teams that are not only skilled but also diverse and inclusive, which she believes is essential for driving innovation and achieving long-term business success.

Navigating the Job Market as an International Professional: Valerie offers her insights on the challenges and opportunities faced by international professionals working in the UK. She provides advice on overcoming barriers in the hiring process, the value of professional certifications, and the importance of continuous learning and adaptability.

#02 | How to Navigate Diversity in the Tech Industry - Valerie Kuzmenko

Nelya Pearson talks to the inspiring people behind the DE&I statistics and exposes the elephant in the room!