Olga Pogoda: Insights on Leadership, Mentorship, and Startup Culture

Aug 2, 2024

Olga Pogoda, COO of KEF Robotics, shares her remarkable journey from the corporate sector to the vibrant world of startups. She emphasizes the thrilling yet challenging nature of startup culture and the transformative power of mentorship. As a woman in the tech and defense industries, Olga discusses the biases faced and the critical need for support in these fields. She also tackles the complexities of work-life balance, weaving in personal anecdotes that highlight the emotional toll and rewards of working in such a dynamic environment.

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Episode notes

Intro

00:00 • 3min

From Corporate to Startup: A Journey of Empowerment

02:37 • 17min

Navigating Difficult Conversations in a Male-Dominated Industry

19:44 • 3min

The Role of Mentorship in Startup Culture

23:04 • 2min

Balancing Act: Work, Family, and Startups

25:22 • 11min

The Art of Listening in Leadership

36:12 • 3min

In this episode of Startup Anthology, I welcome Olga Pogoda, the Chief Operating Officer of KEF Robotics and a seasoned startup veteran with 15 years of experience.

Olga shares her inspiring journey from the corporate world to startups. We discussed her background working for a large bank, moving to a consultant in the startup ecosystem, becoming a co-founder of her own startup, and her current role as COO at KEF Robotics in Pittsburg, PA.

Olga emphasizes the cultural and operational differences between corporate and startup culture, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges and joys of the fast-paced startup life.

She also touches on her experiences as a woman in the tech and defense industries and the complexities of work-life balance. Throughout the episode, she provides valuable insights into the addictive nature of startup culture and the personal growth that comes from working in such dynamic settings.

Chapters/Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Gratitude
00:23 Introduction to Startup Anthology
00:43 Meet Olga Pogoda: A Startup Veteran
02:37 Olga's Journey from Corporate to Startups
07:12 The Addictive Nature of Startups
09:31 Navigating Startup Culture and Growth
16:24 Mentorship and Learning in Startups
20:19 Challenges as a Woman in Defense and Tech
21:23 Challenges Faced by Women in Tech
21:59 Positive Changes in the Industry
22:51 Recruiting Women in Robotics and Defense
23:03 Join the Startup Anthology Community
23:38 Becoming a Mentor
25:59 Balancing Work and Family Life
30:31 Proudest Career Moments
32:57 Embarrassing Moments in the Workplace
35:14 Advice to My Younger Self
37:22 🙌 Shoutout to the KEF Team 🥳
37:51 Closing Remarks and Thank You
38:09 Episode Outro

How to Connect:

Olga Pogoda & KEF Robotics:

LinkedIn [linkedin.com/in/olgapogoda]
KEF Robotics [https://www.kefrobotics.com/]

Startup Anthology [startupanthology.com]:

LinkedIn [linkedin.com/company/startup-anthology-llc]
Instagram [@startupanthology]
Facebook [StartupAntholo]

Jeremy Willis

LinkedIn [linkedin.com/in/jeremy-startup-anthology]

#BrutalHonesty #MentorshipMatters #StartupCulture #GrowthMindset #NoSugarCoating #TeamDynamics #Leadership #womenintech #womeninbusiness