Episode 6

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Published on:

6th Mar 2025

Myra Roldan on AI Readiness, Leadership and Navigating the AI Space as a Woman Entrepreneur

In this episode of Empowered by AI: The SLAI Effect, Michelle sits down with Myra Roldan, an AI strategy and implementation expert, founder of UnDesto AI, and a leader in AI readiness. Myra shares her unconventional path from nursing to tech, how she carved out a space in AI strategy, and why AI readiness is one of the biggest challenges businesses face today. She also dives into the power of women taking their own seat at the table, the importance of mentorship vs. sponsorship, and what’s next for her growing AI consultancy.

If you’re a business owner looking to integrate AI smartly, an entrepreneur wondering how to start with AI, or a woman navigating the male-dominated tech space, this conversation is packed with real insights, strategies, and mic-drop moments.

Time-Stamped Highlights:

[00:00] Opening & Myra’s Background

  • How Myra’s early career in nursing and clinical research introduced her to data analysis.
  • Transitioning into tech and machine learning at the intersection of healthcare and AI.

[03:00] From Consulting to Amazon & Back

  • Myra’s seven years of consulting with major companies like Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, and Cisco.
  • Her pivotal role at Amazon Web Services (AWS) in AI and machine learning education.
  • The realization that led her back into consulting and founding UnDesto AI.

[07:00] The AI Readiness Gap & What Businesses Get Wrong

  • Why AI is not a silver bullet and how companies misunderstand its role.
  • The five critical components of AI readiness: leadership buy-in, budget, infrastructure, data, and company culture.
  • How companies think they need AI but don’t even know where their data lives.

[11:00] Building AI Services & Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

  • UnDesto AI’s mission to help companies assess AI readiness, implement solutions, and offer change management support.
  • Launching a channel partner program to train consultants and empower women-owned businesses.
  • The lack of women—especially Latinas—in AI consulting and how Myra is working to change that.

[14:30] Facing Gender Bias & Microaggressions in AI

  • Myra’s recent experiences with unsolicited advice and dismissive attitudes toward her expertise.
  • The importance of calling out bias in real-time and maintaining confidence.
  • Why women should stop waiting for permission and take their seat at the table.

[20:00] AI Readiness for Entrepreneurs & Small Businesses

  • Why AI adoption should start with understanding business needs, not just using ChatGPT.
  • The importance of reading AI tool terms of service and investing in team accounts for security.
  • Why culture—not AI—is often the real problem companies need to address.

[24:00] Myra’s Book: The Curious Case of ChatterBoxGPT

  • How Myra turned AI education into a fictional parable to make AI accessible.
  • The story of Thaddeus Blandly, who blindly adopts AI and causes a data breach.
  • Built-in reflection and discussion questions to help readers think critically about AI implementation.

[28:00] Bringing More Women Into AI Leadership

  • The 20% problem: Why women only make up a small percentage of AI professionals.
  • How to push past imposter syndrome and confidently take up space in AI.
  • The power of mentors vs. sponsors—and why you need both.

[33:00] Actionable Advice for Entrepreneurs Exploring AI

  • Don’t just make a vision board—make an action plan.
  • Break goals into 30, 60, and 90-day steps.
  • Find both a mentor (to guide you) and a sponsor (to advocate for you).

[35:00] What’s Next for Myra & UnDesto AI

  • Upcoming speaking engagements at ATD, 100 Women in Finance, and The Business Show Miami.
  • Expanding AI readiness programs and launching a subscription-based Blueprint Lab.
  • Follow Myra on LinkedIn & TikTok (@learnwithmyra) for AI insights and business advice.

Closing Thoughts & Takeaways:

This episode is a must-listen for women who are stepping into AI, business owners struggling with AI adoption, and anyone looking to make their mark in tech. Myra’s story is proof that you don’t need permission to lead—just the courage to take action.

And Myra has a webinar just for listeners of this podcast available here in on March 28th 2025, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bringing-your-business-back-down-to-earth-with-ai-tickets-1116603534229?aff=oddtdtcreator

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About the Podcast

Empowered by AI
Women Entrepreneurs Leading the Way
Welcome to Empowered by AI, where women entrepreneurs harness the power of AI to transform their businesses, break new ground, and lead confidently. Hosted by Michelle Muncy-Silva, founder of Innovation AI Studios, this podcast is your go-to resource for stories, strategies, and tools that help women combine creativity with cutting-edge technology to build the brands of tomorrow.
In each episode, we sit down with trailblazing women who are not just embracing AI—they’re unapologetically ensuring a place at the table in leveraging AI to redefine their industries, spark innovation, and elevate their businesses. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting your journey, Empowered by AI delivers real talk and actionable insights from women who have been where you are, tackled the challenges, and demanded that AI be a tool for women’s progress.
This isn’t just a tech podcast—it’s a platform for women looking for like-minded collaboration and support to build standout brands, gain clarity on how AI serves their strategy, and discover the tools to take their businesses to the next level. We dive deep into topics like AI-enhanced storytelling, using AI to streamline and scale, and the future of creativity in a world where technology is rewriting the rules.
Join us for:
Conversations with women leaders at the forefront of AI and entrepreneurship.
Practical advice on how to integrate AI into your business, even if you’re not a tech expert.
The latest AI tools and resources you can use to build a brand that stands out.
Empowering stories from women who are balancing the demands of running a business with navigating the world of AI.
Each episode is packed with actionable takeaways that you can put into practice right away, whether you’re automating your workflows, enhancing your visual branding, or discovering the next big AI tool that will give your business a competitive edge.
We’ll talk about:
How AI and creativity collide to drive innovation.
The real-life stories of women paving the way in AI, who prove that you don’t need a tech background to master the future.
How AI can help you build a strong, memorable brand.
The AI tools every entrepreneur should have in their toolkit.
The power of mentorship, community, and women supporting women in the AI space.
Our goal? To empower you with the knowledge and tools to embrace AI confidently—no tech degree required—and inspire you with the voices of women who are actively participating in shaping the future of AI - all so we can collaboratively create AI-driven solutions that empower you to transform your business into something that not only thrives but leads the way in your industry.
Ready to take your business to the next level? Tune in, get inspired, and learn how to use AI to amplify your creativity, streamline your processes, and build a brand that’s not just innovative, but unstoppable.
And every episode ends with the same question to our amazing guests: What’s next?
Empowered by AI is more than just a podcast—it’s your community, your resource, and your weekly dose of inspiration to become a leader in the future of entrepreneurship.
Hit subscribe, and let’s transform your business together!

About your host

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Michelle Muncy-Silva