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In this talk, Xia He-Bleinagel, Head of Data & Cloud at NOW GmbH, shares her remarkable journey from studying automotive engineering across Europe to leading modern data, cloud, and engineering teams in Germany. We dive into her transition from hands-on engineering to leadership, how she balanced family with career growth, and what it really takes to succeed in today’s cloud, data, and AI job market.

TIMECODES: 00:00 Studying Automotive Engineering Across Europe 08:15 How Andrew Ng Sparked a Machine Learning Journey 11:45 Import–Export Work as an Unexpected Career Boos t17:05 Balancing Family Life with Data Engineering Studies 20:50 From Data Engineer to Head of Data & Cloud 27:46 Building Data Teams & Tackling Tech Debt 30:56 Learning Leadership Through Coaching & Observation 34:17 Management vs. IC: Finding Your Best Fit 38:52 Boosting Developer Productivity with AI Tools 42:47 Succeeding in Germany’s Competitive Data Job Market 46:03 Fast-Track Your Cloud & Data Career 50:03 Mentorship & Supporting Working Moms in Tech 53:03 Cultural & Economic Factors Shaping Women’s Careers 57:13 Top Networking Groups for Women in Data 1:00:13 Turning Domain Expertise into a Data Career Advantage

Connect with Xia- Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/xia-he-bleinagel-51773585/ - Github - https://github.com/Data-Think-2021 - Website - https://datathinker.de/

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​How resilience and inclusion shape better teams – Xia He-Bleinagel

​We will explore what it means to rebuild a career in technology and grow into leadership after a major life change. The session will look at how resilience, curiosity, and continuous learning can open new paths in data and cloud, especially when re-entering the workforce after time away. Drawing from practical experiences, it will touch on the mindset shifts, support systems, and habits that make career reinvention possible in a fast-moving field.

​The conversation will also highlight the human side of leadership that inclusive practices, empathy, and mentorship can help teams perform better and stay connected. It will examine how organizations can better support women and parents in tech, why visibility and representation matter, and what it takes to build confidence and belonging in technical environments.

​She will cover:

• ​Reflections from Xia’s first 100 days as Head of Data and Cloud
• ​Building a high-performing, empathetic data team
• ​Returning to tech after a career break and finding confidence
• ​Empowering women and mothers through inclusion and mentorship

​About the Speaker:

​Xia He-Bleinagel is Head of Data and Cloud at N O W GmbH, a German federal organization advancing zero-emission mobility and sustainable technology. After taking time off to raise her children, she returned to the workforce and built a successful career in data and cloud engineering.

​Through continuous learning and community involvement, she rose to a leadership role where she now focuses on building inclusive teams, empowering women in tech, and leading with empathy.

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