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271: Leaning In: Navigating Leadership, Authenticity, and Growth as Women in Tech with Leila Kassner

From Account Manager to COO: Authentic Leadership, Advocacy & Growth for Women in Tech | Leila Kassner Interview
What does it really take to rise to senior leadership as a woman in tech—without burning out, compromising who you are, or constantly second-guessing your worth?
In this episode of Leading Women in Tech, I’m joined by Leila Kassner, COO at Boku, to explore the power of authentic leadership, how to lean in without losing yourself, and what it means to build a career that blends impact, inclusion, and integrity.

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265: Be Yourself. Believe in Yourself. Build Big Things with Anna Belova

Have you ever felt like you couldn’t lead in tech because you didn’t come from a technical background?

This week’s guest, Anna Belova, is living proof that non-technical leaders can build cutting-edge tech companies and thrive in the most technical industries. Anna is a serial entrepreneur and CEO who has built multiple successful companies in AR and AI – including selling over 15 million AR books for kids worldwide and creating one of the leading web XR platforms used by Google and Meta. Her secret? She’s never written a single line of code, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

In this episode, we dive deep into what it means to lead highly technical teams without a technical background and how to turn perceived weaknesses into creative advantages.

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264: Why You’re Not Getting Promoted (Even When You’re Overperforming)

You’re doing all the right things—delivering results, taking initiative, working harder than ever.

So why are you still being passed over for promotion?

In this episode, I’m breaking down the real reason high-performing women in tech get overlooked for executive roles—and how to shift from being overlooked to being seen as a strategic leader so you can take the next step toward your promotion with clarity and confidence.

“Performance doesn’t equal promotion. If you’re delivering results but still being overlooked, you’re playing the wrong game—and it’s time to learn how to play like an executive.” — Toni Collis

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263: Breaking Out of Your Comfort Zone: Emily Dinu on Mindset, Grit, and Preparing for Venture Funding

Ready to raise venture funding—but wondering if you’re actually ready to lead at that level?
In this inspiring and honest conversation, I sit down with Emily Dinu, founder and CEO of Numinous Capital, to explore what VCs really look for—and what kind of leadership mindset shifts are essential to succeed as a founder in today’s market.
We go deep on the emotional and strategic prep work that’s required to lead through uncertainty, communicate vision clearly, and move forward with grit and clarity—even when you feel uncomfortable or underqualified.

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262: How to Disagree with Your Boss and Not Lose Your Job

Want to speak up at work—without risking your reputation or your sanity?
In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most uncomfortable (and essential) leadership skills: how to disagree with your boss in a way that’s grounded in confidence, emotional intelligence, and strategic communication for executives.
Whether you’re navigating power dynamics, trying to avoid “yes culture,” or just want to be heard in high-stakes meetings—this episode gives you the mindset, the frameworks, and the scripts for challenging conversations at work that actually protect your leadership brand.

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258: Freeze, Ramble, Go Silent? Coach Yourself in Real Time

Ever freeze mid-sentence in a meeting? Start rambling when challenged? Or walk away thinking, “Why didn’t I speak up?”

You’re not alone. This episode is going to be your go-to toolkit for navigating those high-pressure moments with more clarity and confidence.

In this episode, I unpack what pressure really does to high-achieving women — and more importantly, how to coach yourself through it in real time, even when your heart is racing and your voice feels like it’s vanished. If you’ve ever wanted to feel more grounded, more articulate, and more in control under fire, this one’s for you.

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253: Standing Her Ground: Sophronia McKenzie on Assertiveness and Leadership in Tech

Have you ever wondered how the most grounded leaders stay true to themselves—especially when the room wasn’t built for them?

In this episode, we’re talking about what it really takes to lead with confidence, clarity, and purpose. Sophronia McKenzie—tech founder, CEO, and unapologetically authentic leader—joins us to share how assertiveness, resilience, and authenticity have powered her rise from arriving in the U.S. with $100 to leading her own successful tech company.

We talk about what it really takes to thrive as a female leader in tech—from building resilience during seasons of personal struggle, to navigating bias in boardrooms filled with male CTOs, to making sure your voice is heard without losing who you are.

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251: 10 Lessons I Wish I Knew 20 Years Ago: Elisabeth Bykoff’s Advice for Women in Leadership

What if the only thing standing between you and the career you dream of… is the belief that you’re not ready yet?

Far too many brilliant women delay bold moves, silenced by doubt or the weight of invisible barriers. In this powerful episode, Elisabeth Bykoff—seasoned consultant, startup leader, and now founder—opens up about the 10 game-changing lessons she wishes she knew two decades ago. From navigating bias in male-dominated industries and silencing self-doubt, to building a strong network of mentors and allies, Elisabeth shares the candid truths behind her leadership journey, the confidence she had to cultivate, and the bold decisions that changed everything.

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250: Leading Through Change

What if change is the moment you’ve been preparing for as a leader? The best leaders don’t just survive change—they harness it to propel themselves and their teams forward.

In a world where change is constant, your ability to lead through it isn’t just valuable—it’s vital. How you respond to change can either reinforce trust, inspire action, and spark innovation… or leave your team drifting.

In this episode, I unpack why change isn’t something to dread—but something to embrace. You’ll discover how to recognize resistance (in yourself and others), reframe your mindset around change, and develop leadership strategies that help your team navigate uncertainty with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re facing a small shift or a major transformation, “leading through change” is an essential skill for every modern leader.

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