Shows
Exhausted to Empowered EntrepreneurCan curiosity survive the AI revolution?Feeling stuck, burnt out, or uncertain about your next career move?
In this inspiring episode of the Exhausted to Empowered Entrepreneur podcast, Elizabeth Gould speaks with M.Alejandra Parra- Orlandoni - former naval officer, attorney, engineer, and now COO in AI and simulation intelligence - about how systems thinking, mindset shifts, and curiosity can unlock sustainable high performance.
You’ll hear practical strategies on overcoming burnout, building resilient leadership habits, and navigating bold career pivots—especially in tech, innovation, and executive roles. This episode is a must-listen for female founders, tech leaders, and anyone ready to reimagine success on their own...2025-07-1831 min
callmemapoEgo in DisguiseI know it’s been a while since I’ve written for the blog. A few other writing projects have been in the works. If they pan out, I’ll be sure to share with you. For now, hope you enjoy this topic, which has been on my mind for the better part of a year.“I’m just curious…”How many times have you heard someone start a question with these three words, knowing full well that what they’re about to say has nothing to do with curiosity? What follows is less a question and mor...2025-04-1505 min
Label Sessions Presents...S2E16: Responsible Innovation, Functional Futures + AI Customer Experience Labelmate AcceleratorsWelcome to Label Sessions Presents... we have a special episode for you introducing our next batch of Labelmate Accelerators led by Labelmates M. Alejandra Parra-Orlandoni (or MAPO as we affectionately call her), Jonny Wood + Richard Hale.MAPO is the brains behind the ethical policy approach that shaped much of Meta and Takeda’s engagement with AI, the metaverse, and emerging tech.Jonny is a strategist who has guided some of the world's biggest brands through their innovation challenges. From crafting foresight-driven strategies for Dell's future of collaboration to reimagining hotel experiences for IHG's Chinese business tr...2025-03-2637 min
Just AIIt's messy, but it's not hard: An Interview with M. Alejandra Parra-Orlandoni (MAPO), COO of Pasteur LabsIn this episode of the Just AI podcast, Paige interviews Alejandra Parra-Orlandoni, who shares her unique journey through education and career, highlighting her experiences at the Naval Academy, MIT, and Harvard Law. Alejandra (or MAPO, as she is commonly known) discusses her transition into the field of responsible tech and ethical innovation, emphasizing the importance of leadership and collaboration. She explains her role as VP of Ethical Innovation, detailing how it involves balancing innovation with risk mitigation. Currently, as COO of Pasture Labs, she focuses on improving simulation processes in industrial R&D. The conversation also addresses common misconceptions...2025-01-2956 min
callmemapoBeyond 'This vs. That'Boss 1: I really need you to focus on the how, not the what.Employee A: ...but shouldn’t the what influence the how?Boss 2: Here, we prioritize execution.Employee B: ...even if we don’t know what strategy we’re supposed to be executing against?Boss 3: At this company, it’s important to get everyone aligned around a common strategy.Employee C: ...even though we haven’t delivered or executed a single thing in months?I really could go on, but I won’t. This is b...2025-01-0209 min
callmemapoThe 'Empowered' Team: A Puzzling State of MatterWe hear about empowered teams all the time:Pour your heart into making sure every member of your team feels empowered to be their best. Invest in them. Develop them. Then watch them soar. -Howard Schultz, Starbucks former CEOGreat teams are comprised of ordinary people that are empowered and inspired. -Marty Cagan, Silicon Valley Product Group Founder & PartnerLeadership is about shaping a vision, aligning people, and empowering them to go beyond their perceived limitations. -A.G. Lafley, Procter & Gamble former CEOAs we look ahead into the next century...2024-11-1306 min
callmemapoStop Comparing Yourself to OthersHow often do you compare yourself to others? Be honest! Isn’t it tiring? You either end up swimming in self-doubt or cultivating a superiority complex — or some paradoxical combination of the two. In the "woe is me" version, you become subsumed by imposter syndrome and blind to your own talents and strengths. You look at others and think, "If only I had their [insert enviable quality here], I'd be unstoppable!" Then there's the "entitlement" version: You've worked harder than anyone you know, but somehow the corner office or promotion still eludes you. You find yourse...2024-10-1807 min
callmemapoOn 'Founder Mode'By now you’ve likely read or heard about Paul Graham’s ‘founder mode’ essay. I started reading the essay with excitement—you could feel energy and conviction from the get-go—and I left the essay… confused. And frankly, worried that this essay will unintentionally become a manifesto for a whole new generation of awful founders (hence, why I bothered to write this during Labor Day weekend).Now, first things first: I’m not a founder, and I don’t pretend to know the founder’s experience. But I do know teams and organizations, and I’ve worked with many found...2024-09-0513 min
callmemapoTeam :: Fluid DynamicsOne of the most enjoyable aspects of my new role is returning to the world of deep tech and engineering. I’m already hearing terms I’ve not heard in years. You can bet I’ll be drawing all sorts of tech-to-something analogies, in part as a mechanism for (re)learning—and for better or worse, sharing some of these analogies with you!First up: an analogy between team and fluid dynamics. If you’re not already rolling your eyes (hey, I wouldn’t blame you!)—or even if you are—I’m hoping this offers fresh insights about tea...2024-08-2812 min
Label Sessions Presents...E125: Responsible Innovation with M. Alejandra Parra-OrlandoniIn this episode, Keishia Quijano of Label Sessions talks to product strategy leader M. Alejandra Parra-Orlandoni.Label Sessions is the world’s leading innovation expert network. In this series, you’ll meet some of the most interesting leaders anywhere, from across the worlds of business, design, tech. culture and sustainability. All signed to the Label Sessions roster.To find out more about our work helping brands and institutions around the world take on their big opportunities for them in the future, head to labelsessions.com to find out more.2024-07-1639 min
callmemapoLet's normalize expressive leaders alreadyOver the past few years, I’ve been surprised to hear from more and more people relieved to discover that expressive leaders not only exist — but can also be successful. Why did this surprise me, you might ask? I suppose it’s because I thought I was alone on the Expressive Leaders Island. (And no, ChatGPT did not write that sentence. I’m just that dorky.) But it turns out that the rising draw of expressive leaders reflects the rising diversity of our workforce. Yet, the workplace is anything but ready to embrace expressive leaders. Why is thi...2024-06-2714 min
callmemapoA Secret Weapon of High-Performing TeamsOne of my most valuable lessons on leading high performing teams came from a CEO I previously worked with. It took me a while to assess whether I’d see the same great results as the CEO by putting this lesson into practice. I’m happy to report that I did—which is why I’m thrilled to share the lesson with you, in the hopes you’ll enjoy similarly great results.Let me start by telling you about this CEO. This guy was a big deal. He’d been at the tippy top of a global fina...2024-05-1605 min
callmemapo3 Life Lessons from Math, Physics & My DogA couple of years ago, we lost our 14 year old Weimaraner, Adicus. Anyone who knew Adicus (and anyone who’s spent time with Weimaraners in general) knows just how big his presence was. He was our best buddy, most demanding aristocrat, most loving companion.Years later, we still feel his presence. And he left me with three important life lessons I’ve been meaning to share. But I haven’t been quite up to it, until now. (It helps that we have a new addition to our family, an English Setter rescue we call Louis. He’s a free-s...2024-05-0210 min
callmemapoCross-functional collaboration in the age of AICross-functional collaboration couldn’t be more important today. Building, buying, and using AI raises critical questions that cut across disciplines: Is licensing this AI product worth it? Is our new AI product safe to use? How can we make this new AI tool useful for customers? The only way organizations can answer these questions is to draw upon the combined expertise housed across its various functions — including engineering, data, design, product, legal, and more. It’s tempting to imagine cross-functional collaboration as just another corporate buzzword, or a fancy term for a skill we all learned...2024-05-0204 min
callmemapoWhat about responsible tech program design?Over the past decade, baseline requirements for building data-driven tech responsibly have shifted dramatically. What changed? Well, a lot. Among other things, the Cambridge Analytica scandal became a household reference; GDPR and privacy starred in dozens of mainstream news stories; and digital tools and apps infiltrated every corner of our lives. What does this mean for organizations building data-driven tech? For one thing, it means expectations are higher. In addition to quality and utility, people expect some degree of privacy protection, cybersecurity, and transparency as a baseline. These expectations and more are...2024-05-0203 min
callmemapoThe car to carry the engineSo. You want to get from Point A to Point B, and the distance to travel is significant. Your very intelligent colleague says they can help you, and they give you a car engine.You look at the engine. You look at Point A and Point B on a map. And you’re not seeing how that engine is going to transport you over that distance. You turn to your intelligent colleague and ask them to explain. They assure you the engine is what you need. Then they go home for dinner.As you...2024-05-0204 min
callmemapoResponsible AI is as much about the small stuff as it is about the big stuffLast week, I had the pleasure of presenting a keynote at the AI/ML Technology Leadership Forum. I discussed Responsible AI and shared practical tips for how to practice Responsible AI in your organization.You can view a video of the presentation here.Key takeawayResponsible AI is about day-to-day decisions: Should we build it? Can we build it? Are we building it right? It’s a personal responsibility.And it's as much about the small stuff as it is about the big stuff.Below is a summary of so...2024-05-0203 min
callmemapoSeeing responsible innovation through a value lensLately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the relationship between value and responsible innovation.When making the case for responsible innovation within an organization, the conversation almost inevitably turns to a discussion about managing risk. And while responsible innovation absolutely helps manage risk, this defensive framing fails to capture the upside that responsible innovation can generate. This framing also ushers in a compliance mindset, which can often be at odds with an innovation mindset. Enterprises are more likely to ask what steps they must take to stay out of trouble—instead of what steps they...2024-05-0202 min
callmemapoAspiration & the meaning of lifeI decided to take a month off before starting a new job at a new company. (If you have the opportunity and the means, taking time off between jobs is something I highly, highly recommend. It’s about the best thing you can do for your soul: there are no professional responsibilities hanging over your head, and this does wonders for self-reflection, revelation, creativity, and the like.) So what have I been doing with my time? Well, thinking about the meaning of life, of course! Leave it to me to go down an existential rabbit hole...2024-05-0209 min
callmemapoFireside chat for new managers: The importance of feedbackA few weeks ago, I participated in a fireside chat for new managers at an international financial institution. We discussed feedback—and the importance of both giving and receiving it—as a team leader. Below is a summary of the key takeaways. (Check it out in video form on YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.)Key takeaways1/ Investing time and energy in each of your team members’ development is a core part of being a successful leader and manager.* Doing so fosters an environment of learning and growth, which in turn facilitates giving and receiving feedba...2024-05-0202 min
callmemapoCWIL 2022 Women’s Power Summit: Top takeawaysI had the great fortune to attend the Center for Women in Law (CWIL) Women’s Power Summit in Austin, Texas. The theme this year was The Power of Transitions to Transform. The Summit played host to some of the most impressive and powerful women in the law—general counsels, judges, law firm partners, as well as corporate board members, founders, CEOs, journalists, professors, and more. The presenters were absolute rockstars and generous with advice, anecdotes, and insights. Here’s a ‘lucky 13’ list of the advice that most resonated with me. There were of course many more th...2024-05-0203 min
callmemapoWhat I covered in my recent leadership talk for tech leadersI recently had the privilege of presenting on effective leadership to an audience of tech leaders at an international finance & investment organization.Here’s a summary of what we covered.* * *Authentic leadership is a gateway to other valuable team benefits. * Authentic leadership has a network effect: A leader who shows up authentically gives their team the license and confidence to do the same; in turn, the team gives their own subteams and peers confidence; and so on, contributing to a culture of authenticity.* Authentic leadership is a powerful tool for...2024-05-0204 min
callmemapo‘Cancel the Third Shift’: SXSW recapLast week, I led a panel at SXSW called, ‘Cancel the 3rd Shift: Improving Retention of Women’.Joining me on the panel were the very talented Chandra Adusei (business owner & entrepreneur), Aubrey Blanche (DEI consultant & designer of equitable orgs), and Ana Bracic (political science professor).The experience was exhilarating!We delivered a discussion on one of the most important topics about the workplace today; we delivered that discussion as part of a major international conference; and we had the privilege of delivering that discussion to an amazing and engaged audience.* * *Fi...2024-05-0207 min
callmemapoHow do communication expectations impact culture?Recently, I was in a work meeting where I was sharing a proposal for a project. My audience was a more senior person in the company.At the conclusion of my proposal, the listener shared constructive feedback that I said the word, ‘like’, too often. I know this is something I need to work on, especially when nervous or tired, so I thanked the listener for their feedback.I then followed up requesting feedback on the substance of the proposal.The listener’s comments were minimal, and they seemed dismissive of the proposal. Howeve...2024-05-0205 min
callmemapoWhy sport mattersAfter procrastinating for most of the evening, I made my way down to our apartment building’s gym for a workout. It was cardio day, which is never my favorite. I put the Olympics coverage on the gym TVs in the background, figuring that seeing elite athletes on the screen would push me to work a little harder. So, there I was on the treadmill, feeling like a hamster on a hamster wheel. Women’s gymnastics was on. I’d turned off the TV audio in favor of my own tunes, so all I saw was the...2024-05-0203 min
callmemapoWhat performance reviews say about an organization’s values (Part II)In Part I, I told the story of how I walked into a workshop for helping women improve their performance review results, and walked out with a bee in my bonnet (I know, I know, but I’m giving more idioms a try) about how backward it is to expect women to hack flawed performance review processes instead of putting the onus on organizations to improve those processes. Picking up where we left off, here’s just a sample of what I discovered while digging into this performance review issue.* This study (HBR summary here) found...2024-05-0214 min
callmemapoWhat performance reviews say about an organization’s values (Part I)I’d like to make a bold—and possibly controversial—assertion: Training women to more strongly self-promote for performance reviews is a losing strategy.I know, it sounds crazy. There is plenty of research demonstrating that women don’t self-promote as much as men and that this has adverse career implications for women. So shouldn’t we be doing everything we can to help women get on an even playing field? Please bear with me while I explain myself! In the lead-up to a past performance review cycle, a women’s affinity group within my comp...2024-05-0206 min
callmemapo“What are you running toward?”It was the middle of a busy work week, and I was overdue for a workout. But I was tired, not feeling my best, battling spring allergies, and doubtful that I’d get much out of any workout. I nevertheless donned my COVID mask and (begrudgingly) headed down to our apartment building’s gym that evening. We are very lucky to have a Peloton Tread+ in our gym (safety issues notwithstanding), so I decided to do a guided treadmill workout. As a total aside, I appreciate a great treadmill. I have herniated discs in my...2024-05-0205 min
callmemapoThe Four Core Jobs of a ManagerWhy is being a new manager so hard?The answer requires more than a blog post. So I’d like to focus on one key aspect of why being a new manager is hard – which is that it’s really four Core Jobs in one.CORE JOB #1 - Enabling and empowering your team.This is the net new job for new managers. Some new managers may have had experience with enabling and empowering people while leading projects and other initiatives. However, being responsible for your team’s development and accountable for their performance calls fo...2024-04-0203 min
AI Chat: ChatGPT & AI News, Artificial Intelligence, OpenAI, Machine LearningBuilding Responsible AI with M. Alejandra Parra-OrlandoniIn this episode, I talk with M. Alejandra Parra-Orlandoni, a seasoned leader and VP of Responsible Innovation, delving into the intersection of AI and responsible tech. We explore her insights on leadership, product strategy, and the imperative to understand and improve complex systems in the rapidly evolving landscape of emerging technologies.
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2023-12-1637 min
How to Talk to AIEP21: The Power of Responsible Innovation with M. Alejandra Parra-Orlandoni (MAPO) and Instilling Principles and Values into AI SolutionsVideo version of this episode1st ever Prompt Engineering Conference, Sponsored by Synthminds and Hosted by Wes & GodaJoin the Synthminds Discord HereSynthminds & Synaptic Labs Present their new AI for Educators course, in partnership with BSD Education2nd run of AI & ChatGPT for Everyone: sign up here and use code 'AI4ALL' for 10% offFOR 15% OFF PROMPT PERFECT Click here & use code 'httta' at the checkout!Need a custom fine-tuned chatbot that can be spun up and deployed in minutes? Use code "Synthminds15" at GPT Trainer2023-10-1650 min
The Tea on International ArbitrationReading the Tea Leaves: The future of AI in international dispute resolutionGaela and Nicole invite Alejandra Parra-Orlandoni, VP of Ethical Innovation & Privacy for the Global Portfolio Division at Takeda, to share her thoughts on AI – specifically Generative AI – its potential upsides, downsides and epistemological implications in the field of international dispute resolution.
To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE.
Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Go...2023-06-0549 min
Future Female Leaders125| What Is Office Housework And How Can I Manage It?This episode with M. Alejandra Parra-Orlandoni who goes by MAPO, is absolutely amazing and will rock your world with this term of Office Housework in this episode. Check out all of these links as referred by MAPO throughout the conversation. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/11/women-workplace-2021-invisible-labour/ https://hbr.org/2018/07/why-women-volunteer-for-tasks-that-dont-lead-to-promotions https://hbr.org/2018/04/women-of-color-get-asked-to-do-more-office-housework-heres-how-they-can-say-no https://hbr.org/2018/03/for-women-and-minorities-to-get-ahead-managers-must-assign-work-fairly https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/10/14/opinion/gender-bias.html https://hbr.org/2018/07/in-collaborative-work-cultures-women-carry-more-of-the-weight https://hbr.org/2016/01/collaborative-overload https://www.forbes.com/sites/francesbridges/2020/01/28/lessons-we-can-learn-from-late-harvard-business-school-professor-dr-clayton-christensens-book-how-will-you-measure-your-life/?sh=68e9666a5165 https://www.callmemapo.com/blog/what-performance-reviews-say-about-an-organizations-values-part-ii 2021-12-2351 min