Program managers play a crucial role in guiding complex projects, aligning teams, managing resources, and ensuring that strategic goals are met within organizations. Hiring the right program manager means finding someone with not only the technical know-how but also the leadership skills, communication abilities, and strategic vision necessary to oversee multifaceted programs successfully. Crafting the right interview questions is essential to uncovering these qualities. This article provides an in-depth guide to strategic interview questions explicitly tailored for program managers. These questions help assess candidates across key competencies such as leadership, project execution, communication, stakeholder management, risk mitigation, and strategic thinking. By using these targeted questions, hiring teams can better predict which candidates will excel and drive organizational success. Leadership And Team Management Questions Program managers must effectively lead diverse,...

Landing a second interview is a clear sign you’re a strong contender for the role. You’ve passed the initial screening, and now the employer is evaluating not just whether you can do the job , but whether you’re the right fit long-term. In a second interview, you can dive deeper, ask lingering questions, and leave a lasting impression. It isn’t just about fielding questions, though. As the candidate, you have the opportunity to ask questions as well, and you should. Strategic, thoughtful questions demonstrate your professionalism, curiosity, understanding of the company’s goals, and how much you’ve thought about the role. Here are some questions to ask in a second interview to showcase your talents and help everyone make an informed decision. Digging Into The Role Itself You probably got a general overview of the position during the first interview. Now’s the time to ask more nuanced questions to ensure you understand the full scope of what’s expected. What would a typical day or...

Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a wave of transformation, reshaping how organizations adapt and compete — making it essential to foster a culture of innovation and adaptability to navigate disruption and ensure long-term success. At AFROTECH™ 2024, Temi Soleye, the senior director of learning & performance at Merlin Labs, and Ashley Gatewood, the change & transformation leader at Google, came together to discuss the opportunities and challenges AI presents for businesses, how to lead effective transformations and what it takes to build a future-ready workforce. When it comes to AI and transformation, Soleye noted that AI has productivity tools, such as support for coding and coders — but its challenges and opportunities go hand in hand. “High performance culture depends on the people, but it also depends on the processes and the systems,” Soleye said. Adding that, to streamline workflow, people should consider what the person currently does and how artificial intelligence...

Artificial intelligence (AI) now touches nearly every aspect of life — from health care and national security to smartphones and entertainment. At AFROTECH™ 2024 , Tanneasha Gordon , U.S. data and digital trust principal at Deloitte & Touche, joined Jarell Oshodi, privacy executive and counsel, to explore balancing AI innovation with protecting sensitive information and maintaining trust in a data-driven world. Diving deep into ethical frameworks, Gordon described AI as a “broad field of computer science, really focused on designing and deploying systems that mimic human intelligence,” viewing it through three paradigms: Our five senses, creativity, and consciousness. Purchase your ticket to AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 now!   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) When asked about AI’s benefits, Gordon pointed to increased productivity, efficiency, and cost savings across individuals and enterprises. However, she highlighted five key risks: Deepfakes and...

Representation matters now more than ever — a key theme highlighted during the AFROTECH™ 2024 Conference panel discussion, “Fueling Ambition For Women On The Rise.” The Summit Stage came alive with an inspiring conversation between two powerhouse leaders: Gabrielle Wesley , chief marketing officer of Mars Wrigley North America, and Jennifer Lynne Williams, chief development officer at the USA Basketball Foundation. Moderated by Zuhairah Scott Washington, founder and CEO of Unlimited Ventures, the session explored bold leadership, inclusive innovation, and the fearless pursuit of impact. Through personal stories and hard-earned insights, the panelists offered attendees tangible strategies to fuel their own ambition and rise in their careers. Both Wesley and Williams reflected on the impact of seeing Black women who looked like them in leadership roles and how mentorship shaped their own journeys, expressing a deep commitment to doing the same for the next generation — serving as...

No matter who occupies the White House, Maryland Governor Wes Moore remains steadfast in his commitment to three core pillars for his state’s 6.2 million residents: work, wages, and wealth — and creating pathways for all three. At AFROTECH™ Conference 2024, Moore — Maryland’s 63rd and first Black governor — joined Blavity Inc. Co-Founder and COO Jeff Nelson for a powerful fireside chat focused on economic empowerment, youth engagement, public safety, and sustainable community development. The governor shared insights on building resilient, self-sufficient communities, equipping the conference room of innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers with tangible steps to create a lasting impact. Buy your AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 ticket now! Reflecting on his personal journey into public service, Moore shared that he didn’t come from a political dynasty — far from it. Now, he says he sees the world in two categories: Marylanders and future Marylanders. “I had to convince members of my...

Cliff Worley Sr., head of portfolio marketing at Oakland, CA-based venture firm Kapor Capital, believes artificial intelligence (AI) is going to make us all entrepreneurs. Based on its website, Kapor Capital invests in businesses that improve the lives of low-income communities and communities of color. It was also an early investor in Blavity Inc. At AFROTECH™ Conference 2024, Worley led a dynamic workshop offering a comprehensive overview of the most effective AI tools for founders. The workshop aimed to equip attendees with the knowledge and strategies  to streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and optimize budgets using cutting-edge AI innovations for business success. Purchase your ticket to AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 now! “If you’ve ever had that idea that you’ve always wanted to build, now is the time to do it,” Worley said while on stage.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech) Drawing parallels to the internet in 1988 and the release of...

Marche Robinson has advice for content creator seeking monetization. Robinson has worn many hats from attorney to content creator to founder of the vegan and cruelty-free haircare brand Isaline Beauty, which she launched in 2020. Having multiple streams of income has worked to her benefit, as she admits it has allowed her to take greater risks and be more intentional with the opportunities presented to her as a content creator, as explained on the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast hosted by AFROTECH™ Brand Manager Will Lucas. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marche Robinson (@marcherobinson)   “I worked for, I think, seven years before I went full-time with, or I won’t say full-time content creating, but before I left corporate America, one thing I loved when I worked my day job was…I never felt the pressure to align with a brand that I didn’t feel spoke to my life or resonated with my followers…,” she explained. “If you ask my managers, I’m very rigid when it comes to...

Cybersecurity remains one of the most important — and unpredictable — topics shaping today’s technology landscape. At AFROTECH™ 2024, Nicole Dove, director of security engineering at Riot Games, led a session on how bad actors use artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance cyberattacks and how defenders are evolving to stay ahead. Moderated by Dr. Christine Izuakor, founder and CEO of Cyber Pop-up, the session also included Oluwadamilola Obamehinti, who has over a decade of experience at major tech companies including eBay. During the session, Dove and Obamehinti were presented with high-stakes real-world scenarios to respond to live. “We’ve all heard a lot of the nightmare stories over the last year, especially when it comes to security,” Izuakor said. “Everything from unprecedented amounts of data being leaked to social media hacks to a global IT outage — and it’s important as leaders for us to be able to respond in ways that are efficient, to remain calm, to think critically while...

As data remains the backbone of digital advertising and regulatory scrutiny continues to grow, technologists are uniquely positioned to influence the industry’s future. At AFROTECH™ 2024 , Juliette Stancil, senior assistant general counsel of data privacy at Intuit Inc. — the parent company of TurboTax, QuickBooks, Mailchimp, and Credit Karma — led a workshop tackling the intersection of digital advertising and data privacy. Stancil unpacked current challenges, evolving platform rules, and privacy-first innovations — equipping attendees with the insights needed to navigate and influence a rapidly shifting landscape. “I would encourage anyone to really read through privacy settings and the privacy policy of any of the places you tend to visit or where you ingest content,” Stancil shared early in the session. “And you might be surprised at the number of capabilities you have to set permissions around what gets collected and what gets used, particularly for marketing and advertising...

Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), once known primarily for powering video games, have evolved into the backbone of today’s most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems. At AFROTECH™ 2024 , Seyi (Shay) Ogebule, Ph.D., product lead at Intel and a seasoned expert in IoT and tech manufacturing, took the Cybersecurity Stage to share how GPUs are revolutionizing edge AI. “What powers AI? How does AI work? What’s behind the scenes?” Dr. Ogebule asked the audience. “So, I spent a lot of my career and my work over a decade-plus behind the scenes trying to create those specialized chips so that you can enjoy the benefits of AI.” Purchase your ticket to AFROTECH™ Conference 2025 now! During the panel, viewers learned about the latest breakthroughs in GPU technology, which is used to process massive volumes of data, and how such advancements are making general computing and AI more efficient, accessible, and impactful. As Ogebule explained, the growing demand for real-time, intelligent...

Morgan Hewett didn’t explore alternative funding options when she launched her first company. In June 2020, Hewett, a former health lead at Facebook (now Meta) who generated $100 million in profit for the company, launched her own company, OptionsMD. The telehealth platform uses generative artificial intelligence (AI) to predict which treatments and medications individuals with treatment-resistant illnesses are most likely to respond to. The venture was inspired by her older brother, who suffered from severe mental health issues and suicidal ideation. Despite having great doctors, it was still hard to find the right medication, leading him to try nearly 12 antidepressants before finding a match. “That made me wonder, ‘Why didn’t the doctors know which medication was gonna work for him?'” Hewett told AFROTECH™. “So I started becoming obsessed with the psychiatry industry and interviewing doctors, and they kept on telling me, ‘When a patient walks into our office, we have five...

At a time when rising data breaches and scams enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI) are dominating headlines, it is more crucial than ever to go the extra mile to protect one’s data privacy and boost digital security . From phishing scams that mimic a loved one’s voice to deepfakes , fabricated USPS texts, identity theft, and fraud, modern-day threats are far more frequent and sophisticated. During AFROTECH™ 2024 , Kunmi Akingbade of Deloitte , Anietie Umoh of Meta , and Cortney Worthy of Dropbox took the Cybersecurity Stage to share insights on navigating a high-stakes digital landscape where personal data is constantly collected, analyzed, and exploited. The 40-minute panel warned of rising threats and offered tips for those looking to build or grow a career in cybersecurity, data privacy, and risk management. “In cybersecurity, it is common that you wear multiple hats,” Umoh said , emphasizing the importance of prioritizing and juggling multiple tasks. “Oftentimes you may have...

The modern workplace is becoming much more diverse, equitable, and inclusive . However, neurodivergent individuals — those with conditions such as autism , ADHD, dyslexia, and other cognitive differences — still face significant barriers to employment . Despite their skills and potential, many struggle to secure jobs or advance their careers due to systemic challenges, bias, and a lack of accommodations. Research shows that unemployment remains a pressing issue in the neurodivergent community. Up to 85% of adults with autism in the U.S. are unemployed, according to Golden Steps ABA . This statistic highlights the urgent need for more inclusive hiring practices and workplace policies that recognize neurodivergent talent. A Misunderstood Segment Of The Workforce Although “neurodivergent” is gaining recognition, many Americans still lack a clear understanding of what it means. A recent YouGov poll found that only 32% of Americans can define the term without prior explanation, while 56%...

Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now is a transformational book that explores the importance of living in the present moment. Since its publication in 1997, it has become one of the most influential spiritual and self-development books of modern times. The book argues that many of life’s struggles stem from an overattachment to the past and excessive worry about the future. By focusing on the present, Tolle explains, individuals can free themselves from unnecessary suffering and live with greater clarity and purpose. Check out this summary of The Power of Now to see if it’s worth adding to your to be read pile. Summary Of The Power of Now’s Core Message Tolle’s philosophy centers on the idea that most people live in a constant state of distraction, caught up in thoughts that pull them away from the present. He describes the mind as a source of both suffering and limitation because it constantly replays past regrets or anticipates future problems. This mental chatter, which he refers to...