v1.0.1 -Jaidie Vargas

Ask "Why Not?" and claim your seat at the table.

EPISODE SHOW NOTES

2/12/20262 min read

Jaidie Vargas is a force of nature. She is a national speaker, Navy veteran, PhD student researching AI ethics, co-founder and executive director of Amigas in Tech, IT Director, and a mom.

What doesn't she do?!

She's a champion whose actions inspire women and particularly the Latina community to feel empowered and claim their seat at the table.

Jaidie's journey from IT in the Navy to cybersecurity leadership shows the power of asking her favorite question, "why not?" at every turn. She built a career by staying curious, communicating authentically, and bringing others along for the climb. Now, through Amigas in Tech, she's building a community with friends she once needed which offers salary negotiation workshops, civic engagement tools, and real resources beyond just panels.

Her PhD research focuses on AI ethical frameworks with a human-centric, community-first approach. She's making sure communities have a voice when data centers pop up and AI decisions get made because innovation without consideration of its effects isn't progress.

In this episode, we'll talk about finding community, Jaidie's path from IT in the Navy to cyber leadership, building Amigas in Tech from the ground up, researching AI ethics, why communication is the most critical soft skill, asking "why not?" to create opportunities, time management across multiple roles, the importance of allyship, and staying authentic when the world wants you to blend in.

Your call to action? → Keep on showing up, keep on making your voice heard, and seek micro or macro glimmers of joy and hope.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jaidie Vargas
00:58 The Mission of Amigas in Tech
03:24 Jaidie's Journey into Tech
05:55 Researching AI Ethics
08:05 Lessons Learned in Tech
11:25 The Importance of Communication
11:49 Creating Opportunities in Tech
17:14 Future Aspirations and Community Impact
18:18 Navigating Life's Transitions
19:19 Time Management Strategies
21:31 The Mission of Amigas In Tech
22:55 Building Community and Allyship
25:43 Unexpected Success and Growth
27:53 Maintaining Passion and Avoiding Burnout
29:43 The Importance of Inclusivity
29:52 Personal Growth and Authenticity
32:20 Recap

The Good Stuff - Links & More

Thanks & Gratitude 🙏

The background music in this episode was created by the amazing Sarah Garlock.
You can also find Sarah @sarg_makes_beats on Instagram and TikTok!

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