Tech Boss Diaries: Untold Stories of Asia’s Tech Leaders

#10: Engineering Leadership & AI: Culture, Hiring, and the Future of Tech | Damiano Tietto (Tech Advisor & CTO @ MyMika)

🎙️ In this episode, we chat with Damiano Tietto, a seasoned tech leader and AI startup advisor, about his journey from Italy to Taiwan, scaling Carousell’s R&D center, and navigating the evolving world of engineering. He shares insights on hiring philosophy, managing diverse teams, and how engineers can adapt to AI-driven changes.
Key Highlights:
✅ Working culture differences across regions and how they shape tech teams✅ Hiring philosophy & people management – spotting and nurturing top engineering talent✅ How engineers can thrive in the age of AI - leveraging AI for software development✅ Career advice and life lessons from a tech leader’s perspective
Tune in for an inspiring conversation with Damiano Tietto on leadership, growth, and the future of tech! 🎧Visit MyMika: https://www.mymika.com.tw/#Leadership #AI #TechInnovation #EngineeringCulture #CareerGrowth #Hiring #TechLeadership

#09: From Consulting to AI Entrepreneurship: Building, Pivoting, and Unlearning | Isabella Yamin (Co-Founder at CarbonCopies AI)

🎙️In this episode, we’re thrilled to have Isabella Yamin, Co-Founder of an innovative AI startup focused on revolutionizing product testing and automation. With a rich background in tech consulting, product management, and entrepreneurship, Isabella has a proven track record of leading teams, driving growth, and building impactful solutions across startups and established organizations.
Join us as Isabella shares her fascinating journey:
Transitioning from a career in big consulting firms and tech giants to Silicon Valley startups, and eventually making her mark in Asia’s tech scene.
The motivation behind founding her own startup, driven by a fear of missed opportunities and a desire to fully utilize her potential.
The challenges of unlearning skills from her corporate days and adapting to the fast-paced, resource-constrained world of startups.
Insights into founder-market fit, idea iteration, and the key principles that guided her through pivots and tough decisions.
Her maximizer philosophy—how it shapes her decision-making and drives her to seek the best possible outcomes.
Useful Links from Isabella- Mark Manson’s Engineering your own luck:https://markmanson.net/how-to-make-your-own-luck- Earned Insight for New Product Idea:https://www.reforge.com/guides/pressure-test-a-new-product-idea- ⁠Neither Civil nor Servant- Philip Yeo Story:https://www.stbooks.sg/products/neither-civil-nor-servant-the-philip-yeo-story- ⁠Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke- ⁠Algorithms to Live By - The Computer Science of Human Decisions Brian by Christian and Tom Griffiths- CarbonCopies AI - test your website with AI copies of your usershttps://www.carboncopies.ai

#08: Redefining Research: From Market Insights to UX Innovations | Maitreyee Patki (UX Research Manager at Rakuten Viki)

🎙 In this interview with Maitreyee, we explore her inspiring journey from challenging societal norms in India to building a thriving career in market and UX research. Maitreyee dives into the realities of transitioning between fields, managing biases in research, and practical tips for aspiring researchers entering the tech world.
Maitreyee’s Career Journey – From pursuing humanities against societal expectations to establishing a global career in market research and UX.
From Market Research to UX Research – Insights into the differences between these fields and how she navigated the transition.
Challenges in Research – Managing stakeholder biases, adapting reports for diverse audiences, and advocating for users in under-resourced environments.
Advice for Aspiring Researchers – Building empathy, active listening skills, and strategies for navigating remote work challenges while continuously learning from industry leaders.
Don't miss this insightful conversation with Maitreyee, packed with real-world experiences and actionable advice for anyone navigating the dynamic world of research and user insights.

#07: From Code to Community, and Embracing AI in Singapore | Thu Ya Kyaw (Sr. Developer Advocate at Google)

🎙 In this episode of TechBossDiaries, Thuya Kyaw shares his journey from rural Myanmar to becoming a tech evangelist, and explores the evolution of the Singapore tech community, the rise of AI, and practical advice for junior developers navigating the future of tech.
Thuya’s Career Journey – Key moments and transitions in his path to success.
Developer Relations Engineer Role – What it’s like to connect developers with companies.
Tech Community in Singapore – How it’s evolved and what’s next.
AI Trends & Tips for Junior Engineers – The latest AI developments and practical advice for newcomers.
Don't miss this insightful conversation with Thuya, packed with valuable advice and real-world tech insights.

#06: Managing Stakeholders & Keeping Up with Industry Trends | Valerie Chang (GenAI Safety PM at ByteDance)

🎙 In this episode with Valerie Chang, we uncover:
Navigating tough stakeholders with different goals and backgrounds—an inside look at the realities of corporate life.
Smart ways to stay on top of fast-changing tech trends.
The advice Valerie would give her younger self, looking back a decade.
Get real-world insights on managing relationships, staying current in tech, and lessons for a successful career in tech.

#05: Surviving the Tech World as a Non-Technical PM | Valerie Chang (GenAI Safety PM at ByteDance)

🎙 In this episode with Valerie Chang, we uncover:
Her leap from running a startup to a product role at Rakuten Viki. What’s different about life in a big company?
The truth about junior PM interviews and what to expect.
Tips on building allies at work to help you overcome weaknesses.
Valerie’s biggest product failed and the lessons that came with it.
Tune in for honest talk on career changes, learning the hard way, and practical tips for surviving as a non-technical product manager.

#04: Managing Expectations and Unprofessional Relationships | Tina Huang (Former Lead Designer at Grab Bank, and Rakuten Viki)

🎙 In this episode with Tina Huang, we uncover:
The soft skills junior designers really need and how to handle feedback from different stakeholders.
Navigating tricky situations at work—how to escalate issues and the softer ways to manage things afterward.
Performance reviews: Does taking on more responsibility lead to a promotion? 
Tina’s advice to her younger self and what keeps her motivated to continue pursuing the designer pathway.

#03: From Math to Lead Designer: Designing your Career Path | Tina Huang (Former Lead Designer at Grab Bank, and Rakuten Viki)

🎙 In this episode with Tina Huang, we uncover:
Her journey from navigating different education systems to thriving in her career
How to assess job opportunities and know if your manager is the right fit.
What to do when you’ve lost interest in your field—and when it’s time to move on.
Key hard skills for junior designers, including her "2 Diamond Process."

#02: Startup vs. Big Company: Differences, Skills needed, and Where to Start | Cathy Chang (General Manager of ASUS AICS)

We're back with Cathy Chang, the amazing General Manager at ASUS AICS Singapore. She's leading a diverse team in AI research, machine learning, software engineering, product management, design, and business development—all working on cutting-edge medical software and AI products. With over 20 years of experience across the US, China, and Singapore.
Today, we're talking about a hot topic for fresh grads: Should you join a startup or a big multinational company (MNC)? And how important are those FAANG (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google) companies really?
In this conversation, we'll cover:
How to decide if a startup or an MNC is the right fit for you
Whether FAANG companies are crucial for your career
What specific skills you need to thrive in both environments// Join our Facebook discussion group to ask Cathy your questions directly. // FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/821267593465298

#01: Startup vs. Big Company: Surviving Early Career Challenges | Cathy Chang (General Manager of ASUS AICS)

In this episode, we have an amazing guest, Cathy Chang, who's currently the General Manager at ASUS AICS Singapore. Cathy leads a diverse team in AI research, machine learning, software engineering, product management, design, and business development, all focused on creating medical software and AI products. With over 20 years of product experience in both B2B and B2C sectors across the US, China, and Singapore,
With over 20 years of experience across the US, China, and Singapore, Cathy's got some amazing insights to share.
In this conversation, we'll cover:
The cultural and workflow differences between startups and big multinational companies (MNCs)
The challenges Cathy faced adapting to different work environments—like the fast-paced hustle of startups versus the structured world of MNCs
If you're just starting your tech career and wondering whether to join a startup or a big company, this episode is packed with tips to help you decide what's right for you.// Join our Facebook discussion group to ask Cathy your questions directly. // FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/821267593465298