Latinas In Tech

enOctober 06, 2022

The Big Sip

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What was the main topic of the podcast episode?

Summarise the key points discussed in the episode?

Were there any notable quotes or insights from the speakers?

Which popular books were mentioned in this episode?

Were there any points particularly controversial or thought-provoking discussed in the episode?

Were any current events or trending topics addressed in the episode?

About this Episode

Rocio Van Nierop is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Latinas in Tech, an influential non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and connecting Latinas across the entire tech ecosystem. A force of nature herself, Rocio's drive and tenacity has led the organization in welcoming more than 20,000 women that work at more than 100 of the top technology companies spanning 6 different countries. Rocio's prominent role in the tech industry spans for more than two decades and has helped support international technology expansion for markets like Latin America and the Silicon Valley. She was previously the General Manager of Prezi Latin America, making Prezi one of the leading presentation platforms pushing the boundaries of innovation and effective communications. Though she has had much success, her career has not come without challenges, especially as she looks back and acknowledges being the only Latina woman in an equivalent leadership level position in the industry for the first 20 years of her career. According to the PEW Research Center only 2% of LatinX individuals are currently represented in STEM. One of her prominent roles with Latina in Tech is empowering companies to not only seek out diverse talent, but ensure that Latinas in tech are being placed in senior level management positions where they have the ability to lead projects, implement their ideas, and help maintain their growth. Besides Latinas in Tech, Rocio has participated on multiple boards of charitable organizations that prioritize the active participation and integration of underrepresented women of color. She co-founded Silicon Valley Day--a conference that brings the best minds of Silicon Valley to multiple cities and countries in Latin America. A proud Bay Area native, born to Mexican parents, Rocio has also given back to her local community by assisting the creation of Red Global de Talentos Mexicanos in San Francisco, as well as the EXATEC alumni group in San Francisco, and serves as an advisor to the cultural festival MEXAM in San Francisco. Sip with us til the end--she's got some nuggets of wisdom for the world--and don't forget to support by following along at @latinasintech SHOUTOUT TO ALL MY LATINA BEBESOTAS IN TECH!

Recent Episodes from The Big Sip

Social Justice Juice: The Potency of Reclaiming and Revitalizing

From displacement to revitalization. From destruction to investment. From exclusion to ownership. Chris Renfro, along with his partner Jannea, founded The Two Eighty Project with the initial goal of increasing equity and diversity within wine to benefit all. The project’s journey began when Chris, a trained horticulturalist, got his chance in 2019 to nourish a once-abandoned vineyard back to life. Tucked away in Alemany Farms, a public park on the backside of Bernal Heights along Interstate 280 in San Francisco, lies a garden and several rows of vines. Next to it? A low-income housing community in the projects. What began as an idea to reclaim a colonized wine industry, soon after morphed into a larger opportunity to revitalize an entire underserved and marginalized community. Through access, opportunity, and visibility, the vineyard in the city is serving a larger social purpose to address food apartheid, housing injustices, and the importance of providing a safe space for Black and inner-city youth to learn, to explore, to be seen, and to be inquisitive.

Since its founding, Chris has realized a vision rooted in building a sustainable food and wine community that nourishes every member of the local economy and ecosystem. Through various collaborations, including a special partnership alongside winemaker Steve Mattiason, The 280 Project launched an apprenticeship program, giving underrepresented individuals a chance to learn about wine, viticulture, and farming education. Chris also co-runs Feed the People Collective, where he and several allies gather once a month, collect fresh goods from Alemany Farm, and cook for the surrounding community for free. Most recently, The 280 Project was named Gerard Basset Foundation’s 2023 award recipient, giving Chris and Jannea’s apprenticeship program the chance to reach new heights.

In this episode, Chris and I discuss the intersection of wine, activism, entrepreneurship, the historical disenfranchisement of land that drove Chris on a journey to address the inequalities in his surrounding community, and a need to protect and provide Black and brown youth with meaningful solutions. We also explore the idea of true allyship and the monumental difference it makes when you are surrounded by a community who lends their talents, resources and abilities to help you and others thrive. Pour yourself a hearty glass as we serve up juice with a social justice purpose too.

Don't forget to follow along on IG, get involved, and support: @280project

enDecember 21, 2023

The Breakthrough

Whether you’re spinning his tunes on your favorite music platform or perusing his online clothing website, Dare 2 Be Different (D2BD), Matthew Osivwemu, also known by his stage name as Oke Junior, is making his homecoming debut this Sunday at BottleRock. After Manifesting his dreams and a 2016 tweet to reality, stating he’d one day play at BottleRock, The Recording Academy recently listed him as one of the 10 Must-See Acts at BottleRock.

The Bay area native, who moved from Oakland to Napa, was initially inspired by his brother to make and utilize music as a means of expressing himself to work through the trials and tribulations he faced early on in his youth, including losing his father shortly after high school graduation. The Sacramento State alum’s journey to the top is no coincidence. With an unmatched and diverse flow filled with a lineup of singles and albums full of emotion discussing his struggles, mental battles and drive, Oke Junior has attracted listeners all over the world garnering over 2 million streams across various platforms—getting attention from various artists like Mistah FAB, Too Short, 2 Chainz, Nef the Pharaoh, and others. Most recently he signed with United Masters, a testament of this rising hip hop star’s greatness and his official breakthrough in a cut-throat industry.

Through his ascension and continuous accolades (did I mention his music was picked up by ESPN?!), Oke Junior never forgets about the community that continuously uplifted and supported him. Reminiscing on his formative years, he works diligently to inspire the next generation by working closely with youth throughout various Napa Valley schools and using music & art to discuss mental health issues impacting their daily lives.

Sip with us to learn all about how Oke pays homage to his father every time he takes the stage and be sure to catch him on the Truly Stage at 1pm this Sunday. For my music festival fans who unfortunately can’t attend, we’ve got three killer musical surprises sprinkled in throughout our inspiring conversation. We hope you enjoy!

enMay 25, 2023

Buzzing for Sustainability

After working 15+ years in the beverage industry for household names like Moet Hennessy, Lillet, Bacardi and others, Amanda Victoria is quickly creating her own household name, one canned whiskey cocktail at a time. With “hot girl summer” at its full peak in 2019, canned cocktails were all the rave. Meant to provide convenience and an alternative “low calorie” option in comparison to beer, this Veteran spirits expert quickly realized people were being heavily misinformed about what they were actually drinking. This misconception ultimately drove Amanda to redefine standards for the industry and the need to do better. What happens when frustration meets passion and opportunity? Something buzzworthy!

Having founded several other businesses, this fierce, award-winning Latina entrepreneur and CEO decided to co-find Siponey Spritz Co-- a canned cocktail that is both good for the planet and the people! As Amanda so passionately shared in our Big Sip platica, “The planet is our home, and we should care for it intentionally and mindfully in everything we do.” With an effort to build a legacy not only for herself and her daughter, but also for other LatinX individuals and women seeking representation in leadership level positions, Siponey is the shining star example of what a sustainable and conscientious cocktail can be. Offering a clean lineup of only four ingredients—whiskey, sparkling water, lemon juice, and wildflower honey—Siponey is committed to giving back 2% of their annual revenue to non-profit environmentalists around the world dedicated to saving honeybees, knowing that honeybees are the first step in recovering the environment, one can at a time. At the core of her heartwork lies an honest and authentic desire to leave the world in a better place than how she found it. Because of her focused efforts, Siponey recently became the first B-corp certified cocktail company (woo hoo!) and shares this exceptional badge of honor alongside a small handful of other companies like Patagonia, Toms, Maryam + Company, and more.

Sip with us and learn more about “Lady Lillet’s” entrepreneurial journey from founding her consultation company “Aperitif Hour” and the LA Spirits Awards, to how this powerhouse chingona created a quality whiskey-based cocktail that makes you feel hopeful for the planet, all while navigating the pandemic and new motherhood.

To support big dreams, #drinkbetter and shop #smallbusinesses visit www.shopsiponey.com and be sure to follow along on IG: @siponeyspritzco and @amandavictoriaog

enMay 04, 2023

Sin Miedo Al Exito

As a Latina entrepreneur, Rocio Rivera has authentically stayed true to herself and her proud Mexican roots, often bringing cultural elements and warm tones into her powerful, rich photography. As we like to say in Spanish, “tiene un Don.” While some might see her as a wedding and lifestyle photographer, she’s quick to share her refusal to be placed in a box and label herself—she simply captures moments in time. As you scroll through her Instagram page, you can’t help but feel warm inside.

Introduced to photography in high school, Rocio knew she was hooked the moment she realized it was the one class she didn’t want to ditch. She actually looked forward to visiting the dark room! Unapologetic and sin miedo al exito, she sets the tone early on so people don’t get it twisted: photography is not about the money. This talentosa y poderosa mujer might have built an entire business around her passion, but at the end of the day that’s exactly what it is—a passion that gives her the ability to express herself and do what she loves day in and day out. As a first generation Latina who’s witnessed her parents endure back-breaking vineyard work, she doesn’t shy away from understanding that if life was about making money she could easily hustle and do something completely different. However, life is about being fulfilled—and for this talented, successful, and well-known Chingona the ultimate vision of a life fulfilled is simple. Her dream in focus? Moving to Mexico to manage a small coffee shop where she spends her days taking pictures for pleasure, mentoring students (something she started doing the pandemic), and providing a space for people to network.

In this episode, we unpack what it’s like being first gen, having to navigate our parent’s expectations of our future versus pursuing what we wholeheartedly desire, toxicity within our culture, and Rocio’s many successes (Did you know she was named as Solano County’s Best Photographer twice?!). We acknowledge how our culture has always placed a special importance on echandole ganas and hustling (mostly out of necessity), while realizing we must also choose and remember to not just work hard, but play harder and truly enjoy all of life’s moments.

Dive in, take a big sip, and learn more about the photographer friend you never knew you needed in your life! Follow along on Instagram @rociorivera and reach out for questions or to book your next session at rociorivera.photo@gmail.com

enMarch 30, 2023

Powerhouse Pionera: Laura Catena

We’re kicking off 2023 with legendary face of vino Argentina: Dr. Laura Catena. As I sat with Laura I was continuously in awe of her journey and the "Laura of all Trades" that she is. Vintner, author, and scientist are just a few of the titles that come to mind. Named by Latino Leaders as one of the 100 Most Influential Latinas, Laura is certainly making her mark on the world. As a 4th generation winemaker, Laura is currently the Managing Director of Catena Zapata, a winery founded in 1902 by her great grandfather Nicola. She is also the owner of Luca Wines and established the Catena Institute of Wine in Argentina, which also has a partnership with UC Davis. With a vision to revive and revolutionize the perception of Argentinian wines, Laura joined her father, Nicola, on a journey to pioneer a new focus in the world of wine – high quality, high-altitude grape growing, an incredibly instrumental tool in the success and perception of Argentine wine to this date. She’s continuously pushing the limits and literally reaching new heights, with some of her vineyards elevated at the highest in the world. Through all her great work as a vintner, Laura is also the author of three books—Vino Argentino, Oro En Los Viñedos , and Malbec: Mon Amour—of which have been listed as the best in the world for wine history, featured in Forbes, Decanter, The Washington Post, and included in Oprah Magazine’s list of the World’s Top Women Vintners. As a Harvard and Stanford trained physician and biologist, Laura has spent much of her lifetime flying to and from Argentina and California, to practice medicine as a Doctor. Yes, you read that right—an Emergency Physician at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center, which started far before she chose to help her dad put Argentina on the map. There is nothing this powerhouse, inspiring Latina can’t do. Rest assured, through and through, you can guarantee Laura is breathing new life into everything she touches. #SipWithUs as we hear from the legendary, Argentinian trailblazer herself! Don't forget to follow along on socials and support the wonderful work BIPOC leaders are doing in wine! @lauracatenamd @thebigsipseries

enJanuary 26, 2023

Latinas In Tech

enOctober 06, 2022

Saving The Planet One Snack At A Time

Climate change has been a constant battle throughout the last several decades, especially as it relates to policy and effective change. While it can feel overwhelming wondering when we will see that change, it's important to also think about how we can personally invest in combating climate change, specifically how to mitigate our water footprint. After all, California is an agricultural mecca with an ability of producing a wide variety of crops. Unfortunately, California also has a very largescale water scarcity issue. In fact, 2.7 billion people experience water scarcity at least one month out of the year, globally. As soon as 2025, two thirds of the world's population could experience water shortage due to various exploitations. So how can we conserve more water, beyond taking shorter showers, limiting how often we water our grass, or running water while doing the dishes? The answer: one snack at a time. From the age of 5, Guilherme Maia Silva would venture with his dad out in the fields of Brazil to learn about pests and crop diseases, far before he would understand the importance those moments would have on the trajectory of his education and pursuit towards building a company that tackles sustainability, social issues centered around agriculture, global agriculture practices and water conservation. While studying Plant Sciences at UC Davis, Guilherme proposed the question: why do we use such water intensive crops and ingredients, such as almonds, walnuts, and dairy in our snack? Through his research, Silva came across an alternative seed that was better for our earth and assisted in conserving more water: watermelon seeds. In fact, watermelon seeds have a water footprint 94 times lower than pistachios, 78 times lower than almonds, and 11 times lower than dairy! It was here that he decided to save the planet one snack at a time. Thus Forca Foods was born! Forca foods provides an alternative to snacking to help offset some of that water footprint from our daily lifestyle. The healthy, vegan, gluten free and delicious energy bites only use 4 natural and organic ingredients! So while there's lots of ways you save water, snacking is the latest discovery for those interested in living a more sustainable lifestyle. At the end of the day, what you eat really matters and can make a difference! Interested in supporting the Forca Foods movement to lower our water footprint? Visit their webpage: forcafoods.com and follow along on instagram @forcafoods #happysnacking #happysipping

enJuly 07, 2022

"Becoming"

It's amazing what we can accomplish when we get out of our own way. When we dream and decide to put action into going after those dreams. For Jamele, many of those dreams have been possible to realize because of the community of people who surround him. Early on in his childhood, it was his community that instilled a belief that he would be magnanimous and accomplish anything he wanted to. In his young adulthood, that was reflected by becoming the first person in his family to go to college. As years went on, his world expanded and reflected a growing ecosystem of Black excellence that further inspired his pursuit to become whatever he set his mind to. In 2020 when the world shut down, Jamele and his friend co-created a podcast called "Music in the Bottle" where the two would break down life impacting events, personally and nationally, while enjoying wine and discussing the latest trends in music. Their goal was to make wine more accessible to their friends and show that wine was a beverage for everyone to enjoy. It's here that he met the first Black Sommelier in his life, George Walker III, who was featured on the podcast. Jamele, who at the time was working at the Modales Wines tasting room, was inspired to expand his knowledge in wine by taking his first WSET course after receiving a scholarship from Wine Unify, a non-profit that welcomes, elevates, and amplifies the voices of non-white, underrepresented minorities in the wine industry. Witnessing Black people thriving in wine--George Walker, his favorite basketball players and their wine labels, and movies like "Uncorked" on Netflix--was a game changer for Jamele, especially because he felt the direct support from organizations that aimed to diversify wine. In addition to becoming a Wine Unify scholar, Jamele learned about scholarship opportunities offered through The Roots Fund that would allow him to travel out West, into the heart of Napa Valley. Though he'll admit he was nervous to uproot his life for several months and head to California, he focused his energy on thinking of those who had believed in what he could become and all he could achieve. He figured, "let's just throw this [idea] on the dart board, and if it sticks, it sticks." After being accepted as a Roots Fund scholar, Jamele became an intern for Heitz Cellars, which furthered his growth and knowledge in an industry he became deeply passionate about. His excitement for the knowledge, connections, and community he'd gained for a lifetime further inspired him to get back to Michigan and continue expanding the wine scene in his own community. Currently, Jamele is back in Grand Rapids, Michigan and continues to produce, create, and host "Music in the Bottle" podcast with his friends while balancing a career as the Marketing Manager for Modales Wines, a winery located in the heart of the Fennville AVA. Continuously taking that leap of faith brings him great joy knowing he's inspiring his family, nieces and nephews, to forge their own path, follow their dreams, and experience the treasures life has to offer when you choose to break out of your bubble and become what you desire. Feel the joy as we sip from Jamele's cup, and don't forget to stay connected! Tune in to Music In the Bottle podcast by following along on IG: @musicinthebottlepodcast and his personal IG: @j_fav and don't forget to support incredible organizations like Wine Unify (@wineunify) and The Roots Fund Inc (@rootsfund) #happysipping

enJune 30, 2022

Bringing it to the Table & Beyond: The Black Food & Wine Experience

For more than a decade, Aminah "Chef Mimi" Robinson-Briscoe has focused on the often-overlooked intersection of food, social justice, and entertainment. In her article, "Black Girls Don’t Eat Avocados: A Holistic View of Food Disparities in the Black Community,” Chef Mimi shares her own personal food journey and the philosophy that informs her work. A proud Oakland native, Chef Mimi is the founder of the Black Food & Wine Experience, a mission-driven event that bridges Black culture, food, beverage, education and health together for the most amazing culinary experiences. At the heart of the Black Food & Wine Experience, which will be held in Oakland, CA June 11th - 18th 2022, is a space where Black excellence is cultivated, celebrated, and explored by all. Throughout this week-long event leading up to Juneteenth, attendees will have the opportunity to sample a range of food and beverages that span the African diaspora, meet industry veterans as well as up-and-coming Black chefs, winemakers, and spirit makers, learn about the latest trends, and network. Not only did Chef Mimi create The Black Food & Wine Experience, but through Chef Mimi LLC, she has brought to life two other distinct brands: "Bringing It to The Table," the first culinary competition show highlighting the talent and passion of Black chefs, and Chef Mimi Catering, a boutique catering company that services Bay Area tech companies such as Facebook, Slack, Twilio and Lyft as well as non-profits and cultural events like the Coalition of Black Excellence and ESSENCE Festival. Most recently, she was recognized on the list of 2021 Forbes Next 1000 (placed within the first 250!), which highlights entrepreneurial heroes who are redefining what it means to build and run a business today. Grab a glass of your favorite beverage and get ready to sip from Chef Mimi's cup as she dives into where we need to be going as a community, and highlights what resources and tools are needed for continued growth and success as we navigate coming out of a pandemic. To join and buy tickets for the week-long events held during The Black Food and Wine Experience, visit: https://www.thechefmimi.com/bfwe Thank you to Chef Mimi for extending a $25 DISCOUNT for the Grand Tasting experience on June 18th. To retrieve the $25 discount, visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/314215616367/?discount=bigsip Stay connected on IG: @iamchefmimi

enJune 09, 2022

Digital Terroir: The Meme Queen's Empire

Terroir is the idea that wines made in different places will taste like that place, taking on the characteristics of the geography and culture in which they were produced. The same could be said about music --it takes on the character of the place and time in which it was written. So can digital terroir exist? I like to think so, and there's one powerhouse Latina who's leading the trail as a digital content creator through her Shitty Wine Memes empire. Amanda, the beauty and brains behind social media and the wine world's favorite Instagram page, Shitty Wine Memes, truly brightens the day of an audience connected to wine through her witty, daily comedic content as well as her online shop! Inspired by the comedic artwork of a fresh banana affixed to a wall with duct tape, Amanda drew on the parallels between art and wine. Similar to how Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan poked fun at the art world, Shitty Wine Memes became a brand that took the "seriousness" out of wine and instead drew on the playful aspects of wine concepts with satirical life scenarios that were both hilarious and relatable. That's what makes Shitty Wine Memes so great--people see themselves and the comedy adds levity to wine! Whether you're a Botrytis-loving individual or someone who relishes in flaunting the best pins, Shitty Wine Memes is simultaneously bringing terroir to the internet and breaking away from the intimidation that is often associated with wine. In episode 28, I had the chance to dive deeper into Amanda's story and learn about this Latina CEO and the growth of her Shitty Wine Meme empire, where she draws her inspiration, the ultimate way to have fun with wine (did you know she pairs wine with Pokémon cards?!), and several collaborations she's done with organizations who are building the type of world she wants to see in the future of wine. Pour yourself a big glass of wine and enjoy sipping from the Meme Queen's cup! Shitty Wine Memes merchandise is fashionable, fun and a great gift for that wine nerd in your life! To shop pins, magnets, and stickers, visit shittywinememes.com -- $1 per pin sold in donated to The Roots Fund. Check out daily wine humor content by following her on Instagram @shittywinememes. If you love the merch and are interested in carrying Shitty Wine Memes enamel pins and stickers at your location, send an email to info@shittywinememes.com

enNovember 11, 2021

Ask this episode Anything

What was the main topic of the podcast episode?

Summarise the key points discussed in the episode?

Were there any notable quotes or insights from the speakers?

Which popular books were mentioned in this episode?

Were there any points particularly controversial or thought-provoking discussed in the episode?

Were any current events or trending topics addressed in the episode?