In this episode, hosts Jodi Ashley and Tracy Ragan are joined by Percona CEO Ann Schlemmer and CTO Liz Warner who share insights on open source innovation, company culture, and their unique leadership journeys as women in technology. Percona, an open source database company, is dedicated to making databases accessible and secure, with a focus on community, ease of use, and robust documentation to drive adoption.
Ann and Liz emphasize the transformative impact of open source, which allows for rapid innovation and fosters trust through transparency. They also highlight Percona’s inclusive culture that values equity and diversity, believing that a balanced leadership team leads to better outcomes. Ann’s background in team sports and all-girls education instilled a competitive yet team-focused approach, while Liz’s journey reflects resilience, challenging early discouragement to become a leading tech executive. Both women aim to empower more women in tech and continue driving Percona’s mission of open source excellence and community-focused growth.