Breaking the 20% Podcast - Breakroom

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Breakroom - Season 2 (2025-2026)

The Podcast

Before computers were machines, they were women! For a span of two centuries the term "computer" was effectively interchangeable with a woman tasked with the role of a human calculator, adept at solving intricate mathematical problems. Then World War II started and men decided to build computers. Despite their zeal to build the machines, they had no interest in programming them, so they left the job to the women. Women, under the leadership of figures like Grace Hopper, played a pivotal role in shaping the burgeoning industry. And then, in 1984, everything changed. Women exited and the men became the programmers, the software engineers, and the "rock stars" of the digital epoch. Today merely 20% of IT degrees are being awarded to women. In this podcast with the help of my wonderful guests we delve into the chronicles of these forgotten women, the trailblazers who guided us into the digital era.

This podcast explores the amazing lives of women who pioneered the early years, and why the women left. We also talk about the women who are proving today that we can still make it, we can still lead the industry. And finally, we try to find the magic formula to break the 20% and bring back the women.

But that’s not all! Our Breakroom segment, co-hosted with Michalis, offers a fresh, irreverent take on the latest news from the tech and startup worlds. Instead of glorifying the industry, we gossip, roast tech billionaires, and critique our favorite (and not-so-favorite) tech services and products. It’s a fun, unfiltered, and informal dive into the quirks and controversies of the tech world.

Whether you’re here for the history, the inspiration, or the gossip, Breaking the 20% has something for everyone who cares about the past, present, and future of women in tech.

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About Elena

Elena studied Computer Science at the University of Cyprus and the University of Manchester. Currently, she holds the position of Co-Founder & CTO at Cocoon Creations, an esteemed agency renowned for its specialization in software platform design, development, and consultation. Prior to establishing Cocoon Creations, she garnered extensive experience within the IT sector of the hospitality industry.
In addition to her corporate roles, she was an executive Board Member of Cypriot Enterprise Link and had the pivotal position of team lead for hack {cyprus}, a prominent online community of technologists in Cyprus and the pioneering force behind the nation's inaugural hackathon. Her dedication to promoting women's achievements in tech is further evident through her role as a Woman Techmakers Ambassador but also by the fact that she has been recognized with the Forbes 20 Women in Tech Award in December 2023.

About Michalis

Michalis is an experienced entrepreneur and technologist with studies in Economics and Computer Science. With over 16 years of expertise in the financial services and technology sectors, he specializes in key areas such as tech and business strategy, relationship management, project management and business analysis. Michalis is the CEO of Cocoon Creations, an innovative agency specialising in the consulting, design and development of custom software solutions. Michalis is also deeply involved in the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Cyprus, having co-organized hack {cyprus}, the island’s first hackathon, Insights conference and relevant tech events. He is a founding member of Startup Cyprus as well as founding and Executive Board member of the Cypriot Enterprise Link.

About Maria

Maria studied Computer Science at the University of Cyprus and has an MSc in Distributed Computing. Maria is the CTO of Sequela, a corporate trainer for tech teams, and a GDG Cyprus organizer. She has a background in software engineering and years of experience leading teams and projects that make a difference. She champions psychological safety, mental health, and diversity, helping organizations build high-performing teams. An accomplished speaker and mentor, Maria supports founders, fosters collaboration, and offers creative solutions to the tech community.

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