Welcome to 'From a Woman to a Leader,' a podcast dedicated to discussing women's unique challenges in tech leadership and providing actionable tips to help overcome those challenges and grow your career in the tech industry.
In each episode, I will speak with successful women in tech who have navigated the industry and come out on top, sharing their stories, insights, and advice for other women looking to do the same.
Whether you're just starting out in your tech career or a seasoned professional looking to take the next step, this podcast is for you.
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The VP Mindset: Coachability, Visibility, and Relationships That Open Doors with Tamara Jackson
Season 4 · Episode 57
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 • Duration 44:26
What if the reason you’re not getting promoted isn’t your performance, but your visibility?
In this episode, I sit down with Tamara Jackson, former Vice President at a Fortune 500 financial institution, to talk about what it really takes to rise in a male-dominated environment without burning out or becoming someone you’re not.
Tam shares the career habits that helped her hold 13+ roles over 25 years, including the one word she credits most for her growth: coachability. We also talk about how women can stop over-interpreting tone, ask better clarifying questions, and build strategic relationships that create real momentum.
And in a powerful turning point, Tam shares why losing her mom in 2023 became the catalyst to leave corporate and build her next chapter.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to adapt communication without shrinking yourself
A simple way to ask for feedback that accelerates promotions
Why “doing great work” isn’t enough, and what to do instead
How introverts can build visibility with one-to-one strategy
The mindset shift that helps you stop waiting to be chosen
About Tamara:
Tamara Jackson is the visionary founder of Beaconship, a platform dedicated to equipping faith-driven leaders to transform industries and tackle global challenges through innovation.
She is also the CEO of Lead Reviver, an AI-powered sales reengagement platform that helps businesses and nonprofits unlock the hidden potential of their lead databases. Tamara merges faith, innovation, and purpose to inspire leaders to create lasting impact.
Limor Bergman Gross is a former Director of Engineering turned executive coach for women in tech. She helps ambitious women grow their confidence, influence, and leadership without burnout or pretending to be someone they’re not.
Why You Feel Unhappy Even When Life Looks “Fine” with Marina Morgan
Season 4 · Episode 56
Tuesday, December 30, 2025 • Duration 40:37
So many women in tech look around and think:
“My life is good. My role is fine. So why do I feel unhappy, exhausted, and stuck?”
In this episode, I sit down with Marina Morgan, organizational psychologist and founder of The Morgan Impact, to talk about what’s really happening under the surface.
We unpack the invisible responsibilities women carry, why burnout often disguises itself as “I hate my job,” and why the first step is not a big career pivot. It’s building capacity again.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to recognize when low energy is a nervous system issue, not a personality flaw
A simple assessment to see how much you’re actually carrying
Why sleep, nutrition, and movement change decision-making
A 10-minute daily “whole body yes” practice to retrain your system for pleasure, not survival
When it’s time to make a career change, and when it’s time to stabilize first
If you’ve been pushing through on fumes, this one will feel like a deep exhale.
About Marina Morgan
Marina Morgan is an organizational psychologist and founder of The Morgan Impact, where she helps leaders and founders build resilience, clarity, and sustainable performance.
Breaking Free from Unconscious Beliefs: The Hidden Glass Ceiling with Egle Aleknaviciute
Season 4 · Episode 55
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 • Duration 29:41
What if only 5 to 10 percent of your thoughts are actually conscious?
In this eye-opening conversation, Limor Bergman Gross talks with wealth and purpose strategist Egle Aleknaviciute about the subconscious beliefs that quietly shape your career, your confidence, and even your income.
Egle shares how she went from corporate finance and transformation programs to exploring the unconscious patterns that keep so few women in leadership, especially in finance and tech.
They talk about:
Subtle unconscious bias in interviews and meetings
How women are conditioned to be “nice,” never too loud or ambitious
What perfectionism and fear of failure are really protecting you from
How to listen to your emotions as data, not drama
Practical ways to surface and reframe limiting beliefs
Choosing environments that support your leadership instead of punishing risk
About Egle:
Egle Aleknaviciute is a wealth and purpose strategist with a background in corporate finance and business transformation. She helps ambitious women break subconscious patterns around self worth, money, and success so they can create both financial and emotional freedom. Egle blends deep subconscious work with practical strategy to support women who feel stuck, overachieving, or afraid to ask for more. You can connect with Egle on LinkedIn and explore her work through her website and Money Freedom Scan below.
How To Claim Your Seat At The Table When You Feel Like An Imposter With Sheila Buswell
Season 4 · Episode 54
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 • Duration 27:35
Being the only woman in the room is hard.
Feeling like you do not deserve to be there is even harder.
In this episode of From a Woman to a Leader, Limor Bergman Gross talks with Sheila Buswell, CEO and Co-Founder of Buswell Biomedical, US Army veteran, engineer, and author of Is This Seat For Me? Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Everyday Life and Business.
Sheila shares how the US military, a deeply male-dominated space, actually felt more like a meritocracy than her first corporate engineering job. In the Army, no one cared what she looked like. They only cared whether she could fix the generators that kept the lights and heat on.
In corporate life, she was told not to be “so girly” if she wanted to be taken seriously as an engineer. From there, the self-doubt and second-guessing began to creep in.
Together, Limor and Sheila unpack:
Why being “comfortable in your own skin” changes how others see you
The five personal solutions Sheila uses to work with imposter syndrome
How to stop comparing yourself to everyone else’s highlight reel
Why perfectionism keeps you stuck and exhausted
How to build respect, even when not everyone likes you
Practical ways to remind yourself that you deserve your seat at the table
If you are tired of feeling like you are one course or certification away from being “enough,” this conversation will help you see your experience, your voice, and your presence in a new way.
About She is the CEO and Co-Founder of Buswell Biomedical, a veteran of the US Army, and the author of In her book, Sheila shares her personal experiences with impostor syndrome, as well the stories of a diverse group of accomplished individuals who struggled with self-doubt but found ways to overcome it. She hopes to help others who feel limited by their beliefs experience more freedom and realize they are enough.
From English Tutor to COO: How Mariam Chtchyan Broke Into Tech, Navigated Armenian Culture, and Reached the C-Suite
Season 4 · Episode 53
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 • Duration 30:57
What happens when you realize the job you took is not for you, but you still want a career in tech?
In this episode, Limor talks with Mariam Chtchyan, former Chief Operations Officer at HackTech and now Associate Partner at Civitta, with over a decade of experience in project and delivery management across industries.
Mariam started as an English tutor, accidentally landed in a sales role in an IT company, and spent months trying to make it work before she admitted it was not the right path. Instead of quitting tech altogether, she pivoted into project management, learned the technical side from scratch, and eventually reached the C-suite.
They talk about:
How to know when a role is not for you, and why that does not mean you failed
Learning fast in a technical environment when you are not technical
How to ask “dummy” questions without feeling small
Growing from junior project manager to COO in about seven years
What it means to build a tech career as a woman in Armenia, where some women still need their husband’s “permission” to work
How Mariam is raising her son to feel and express emotions, not hide them
If you are pivoting into tech, feel behind, or are balancing cultural expectations with your ambition, this conversation will remind you that your path does not have to be linear to be powerful.
About Mariam:
Mariam Chtchyan is an operations and delivery leader in the tech industry, specializing in digital transformation. She has grown from an English tutor with no technical background into a C-level executive, serving as COO at a tech company and now helping organizations modernize and scale their digital capabilities. Mariam is passionate about challenging traditional gender norms, supporting women in tech, and sharing real stories of corporate evolution through her work and podcast, .
Growth Happens in Discomfort: How Brittany Kaplan Built a Bold, Purposeful Career
Season 4 · Episode 52
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 • Duration 34:19
What would happen if you said yes more often - even when it meant moving across the country in a week, starting over, or walking into a room where you know absolutely no one?
In this episode of From a Woman to a Leader, I sit down with Brittany Kaplan, founder of BK Media Strategies, whose career has taken her from "Camp CNN" to Entertainment Weekly, Madison Square Garden, and now her own media strategy company.
Brittany has moved cross country seven times, launched shows, built high profile partnerships, and led celebrity and influencer relations at some of the biggest brands in media and sports. But what stands out the most is how she did it: by saying yes, working hard, and being willing to be uncomfortable again and again.
We talk about:
How she got hired at CNN before graduation and why her dad told her to be "a big fish in a small pond"
What it really took to say yes to opportunities that required moving in a week
Why she does not believe women were actually set up to "have it all" - and how things are starting to course correct
The power of mentorship and the story of one news anchor’s phone call that changed how she leads
How to stand out early in your career by being helpful, curious, and always raising your hand
Why confidence does not mean knowing everything and how she works with clients as the expert in media, not in their business
How to put yourself in uncomfortable rooms and be proud of yourself just for showing up
If you have been feeling stuck, craving a change, or intimidated by the idea of putting yourself out there, this conversation will make you feel less alone and more equipped to move.
Listen next if you want to:
Build a career that can evolve with you
Find mentors and become one yourself
Grow your influence without losing who you are
How to Speak Up Without Changing Who You Are: Confidence, Career Pivots & Owning Your Voice in Tech with Juhi Ranjan
Season 4 · Episode 51
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 • Duration 39:37
What if confidence isn’t about being louder, but about asking the right questions?
If you’ve ever walked out of a meeting feeling steamrolled, talked over, or unsure how to speak up without pretending to be someone you’re not, this episode is for you.
In this episode of From a Woman to a Leader, I sit down with Juhi Ranjan, Head of Product Management at RTI and a computer science PhD with deep experience in real-time systems, edge computing, and autonomy. Juhi has built her career around complex, high-stakes platforms for automotive, aerospace, and medical markets but the most powerful thing she built was her voice.
Juhi shares how she transitioned from research to product leadership, how she handled assertive colleagues without losing herself, and why being the “only woman in the room” taught her how to lead with quiet strength, values, and curiosity.
🎧 In this deeply inspiring and practical episode, you’ll learn:
💡 How to speak up in male-dominated rooms without faking confidence
🔄 How Juhi pivoted from academia to product and stayed aligned with her values
🧭 A simple framework to navigate assertiveness with curiosity instead of confrontation
🌱 Why it’s okay to build a non-linear career—and how to use your story as your strength
💬 How to find champions, build influence, and stop shrinking in high-stakes situations
If you’ve ever felt overlooked or unsure how to lead in your own way, this episode will remind you: you don’t have to change who you are to become a leader.
The Invisible Rules Holding Women Back at Work And How to Break Them with Laura Patterson
Season 4 · Episode 50
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 • Duration 34:52
Why Being Exceptional Isn’t Enough: The Invisible Rules Holding Women Back at Work
What if the real reason you’re not being chosen for bigger roles has nothing to do with your talent?
In this episode, I sit down with Laura Patterson - corporate veteran, CEO, strategist, and globally recognized expert in customer-centric leadership - to unpack the unspoken rules that shape career growth inside organizations.
Laura shares a story that hits hard: the moment her boss told her,
“You’re exceptional… but I don’t trust that you would make the same decisions I would.”
It wasn’t about capability.
It wasn’t about performance.
It was about trust, decision-making, and leadership signals women are rarely taught to navigate.
This conversation is for every woman who has ever:
• worked harder than everyone else but still felt overlooked
• been told she’s “great,” yet not seen as a leader
• wondered why others get picked while she quietly delivers
• struggled with advocating for herself without sounding demanding
• wanted more visibility, influence, and leadership opportunities
• felt unsure how to step out of the execution trap
Together, we break down:
✨ Why working harder won’t get you promoted
✨ The trust signals leaders look for
How Ambitious Mothers Can Build Executive Careers and Wealth Without Burnout or Guilt | Khiara Cureton
Season 4 · Episode 16
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 • Duration 36:33
You don’t have to choose between ambition and motherhood.
In this episode of From a Woman to a Leader, executive coach Limor Bergman Gross sits down with Khiara Cureton, Executive Career & Wealth Coach and Founder of AncHER Co., to talk about the mindset and strategies ambitious mothers need to rise into executive leadership, grow their income, and build financial freedom without losing themselves to guilt or burnout.
Whether you’re a working mom navigating mid-career growth or an emerging leader ready to break through the middle-management ceiling, this episode gives you:
✨ Mindset shifts to stop waiting until you’re “100 % ready” and start going for the next big role
💼 Career strategies to land your first executive position through networking, clarity, and confidence
💰 Wealth-building lessons to align your financial goals with the life you actually want
💫 Permission to thrive as both a present parent and an ambitious professional
Khiara shares her journey from high-pressure consulting to founding AncHER Co., helping mothers redefine success and earn what they deserve. Together, we challenge the old rules — and help you design a life where your career and family both flourish.
🎧 Listen if you’ve ever wondered:
“Can I grow my career without sacrificing my family?”
“Why do I feel guilty for wanting more?”
How to Become a CTO: Lessons on Leadership, Resilience & Neurodiversity from Meri Williams
Season 4 · Episode 48
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 • Duration 34:57
What if your career path isn’t broken, it’s just different?
Many ambitious tech leaders believe there’s only one “right” way to grow: climb the ladder fast, take on bigger teams, and never slow down.
But what if true leadership involves taking a different path, one that respects your values, prioritizes your wellbeing, and celebrates your unique perspective?
In this episode of From a Woman to a Leader, I sit down with Meri Williams, an accomplished CTO, tech advisor, CTO coach, and Chair of The Lead Developer conference, for one of the most authentic and inspiring conversations I’ve ever had.
Meri shares their nonlinear journey from software engineering to executive leadership, growing teams from 30 to 300, managing burnout, discovering their neurodiversity, and leading with authenticity and compassion. Their story reminds us that success isn’t about fitting the mold, but about building a career that fits you.
🎧 In this deeply human and eye-opening conversation, you’ll learn:
💡 Why career growth isn’t linear, and how to redefine success on your own terms
🔥 What scaling too fast taught Meri about burnout, boundaries, and balance
💬 The multiple paths to becoming a CTO, and how to find the one that suits your strengths
🚀 How domain expertise, curiosity, and integrity shape great leadership
🌱 Why management isn’t the only way to grow, and how technical excellence can be just as fulfilling
💫 How to thrive as a neurodiverse leader and build a sustainable, values-aligned career
Limor Bergman Gross is a former Director of Engineering turned executive coach for women in tech. She helps ambitious women grow their confidence, influence, and leadership without burnout or pretending to be someone they’re not.
✨ How to have career conversations that actually open doors
✨ The role of decision-making in leadership credibility
✨ How to build advocates inside your organization
✨ How women unintentionally become their own biggest barrier
✨ Steps to get seen, get trusted, and get opportunities — without burning out
If you’ve ever felt stuck, undervalued, or invisible despite doing everything “right,” this episode will change how you think about your career.
You’ll walk away with clarity, confidence, and practical tools to step into real leadership.
🎧 Press play and learn the invisible rules that finally change the game for women in tech.
ABOUT TODAY’S GUEST — LAURA PATTERSON
Laura Patterson is a globally recognized expert in customer-centricity, data-driven decision-making, and performance management. Her 25+ year corporate and consulting career spans sales, customer relationship management, analytics, product marketing, and strategic leadership.
Limor Bergman Gross is an Executive & Team Coach, former Director of Engineering at DigitalOcean, and host of From a Woman to a Leader. She helps women in tech step into strategic influence, executive presence, and leadership roles — without burnout or people-pleasing.
Her mission is simple:
Help hidden leaders get seen, respected, and promoted.
“How do I earn my worth and still protect my peace?”
Khiara Cureton is an Executive Career & Wealth Coach, keynote speaker, and the founder of AncHER Co. — a coaching and consulting company that empowers ambitious mothers to rise into executive leadership, increase their earning potential, and build lasting wealth — without burnout or guilt.
Drawing on her background in corporate strategy and operations leadership, Khiara helps women bridge the gap between career growth and financial freedom. Her signature approach combines mindset work, career strategy, and money management to help professional women design lives where ambition and motherhood thrive together.
If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re on the “right” path, struggled with burnout, or wondered if leadership can coexist with authenticity, this episode will change how you see your own growth.
You’ll walk away knowing that your differences are your strengths, your detours are part of the plan, and your success doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.
Meri Williams is an experienced CTO and leader of technology organizations, currently leading technology teams and advising companies as a CTO coach through their micro-consultancy, ChromeRose.
They have led teams ranging from 30 to 300 across organizations including Procter & Gamble, the Government Digital Service, award-winning online print company MOO, mobile-first bank Monzo, and AI-driven drug discovery company Healx.
A published author and international speaker, Meri chairs The Lead Developer conference and serves as a tech advisor for Kindred Capital. Together with their wife, they run micro-charity One Goes Up to help young women and enby folks pursue STEM education and careers.
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