{"id":68710,"date":"2025-04-10T04:42:23","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T08:42:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/techservealliance.org\/?p=68710"},"modified":"2025-04-16T13:24:32","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T17:24:32","slug":"advancing-women-in-tech-leadership-real-advice-from-industry-leaders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/techservealliance.org\/advancing-women-in-tech-leadership-real-advice-from-industry-leaders\/","title":{"rendered":"Advancing Women in Tech Leadership: Real Advice from Industry Leaders"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The tech industry is full of bright minds and big ideas. But leadership still doesn\u2019t look as diverse as it should. It\u2019s common for women in tech leadership to be the only female voice in the room. <\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a woman in tech, you might be wondering how to move forward. If you\u2019re a leader, you might be wondering how to better support the women on your team.<\/p>\n

The good news is that there are clear ways to create stronger, more inclusive teams. It starts with how we lead, mentor, and grow talent. In this blog, we\u2019ll break down practical insights from four women who\u2019ve done just that.<\/p>\n

Monica Dominic is the Chief Client Officer at ProTeam Solutions. Melissa Manley is the CFO of Seneca Resources and a board member of the Women\u2019s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Project. Daria Morano is the COO and Co-Owner of Solving IT, with a background in both operations and music. And Betsy Robinson is the CEO of Tier 4 Group and Board President of Women in Technology.<\/p>\n

Together, they share leadership tips for women and valuable advice on career development for women at all stages and levels.<\/p>\n

Leadership Is About People. <\/strong><\/h4>\n

Melissa Manley shares how a focal moment in her career came not from a technical challenge, but a human one.<\/p>\n

Leading a company with financial difficulties, she quickly realized that success hinged not on processes but on people. She focused on three things: training under-experienced staff, empowering them to lead, and communicating transparently across all levels.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s okay to make mistakes,\u201d she told her team. \u201cI\u2019ve got your back.\u201d<\/p>\n

This built trust, loyalty, and eventually, progress. And it taught her something many leaders still forget: when you build the right team, everything else follows.<\/p>\n

Take Initiative, Even When It\u2019s Uncomfortable.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

For Daria Morano, leadership started early\u2026before she had the title. As a young woman in sales trying to break into a more technical role, she didn\u2019t just wait for an opportunity. She created one. Daria built an internal tool that automated workflows for her entire team, even though she was \u201cjust a BDR.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was very awkward… they\u2019re like, who is this woman?\u201d she says. But she didn\u2019t back down. With help from a supportive male colleague, her solution was rolled out across teams.<\/p>\n

Her advice is to take initiative. Speak up. And don\u2019t be afraid to challenge the status quo. Even if it feels uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

Build a Network Before You Need One.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Betsy Robinson knows a thing or two about networking. She is the CEO of a leading tech staffing firm and President of Women in Technology Atlanta, and has built her career on authentic connections.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t make withdrawals where you haven\u2019t made deposits,\u201d she advises. \u201cBuild the network when you don\u2019t need the network.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Betsy, networking is more about relationships than about transactions. She encourages professionals to seek out diverse voices, connect across departments, and give before you expect anything in return.<\/p>\n

One of her favorite tools is strategic volunteering. It builds both skills and relationships, especially in areas your current job might not touch.<\/p>\n

Mentorship: Find Your Champion, Be a Champion.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The power of mentorship is something all four women in tech leadership emphasized.<\/p>\n

Melissa credited her former boss, Tom Adams, for seeing her potential when she didn\u2019t yet see it herself. \u201cHe was more of a coach than a boss,\u201d she states. He challenged her, believed in her, and helped her rise.<\/p>\n

Now, she\u2019s passing that on. \u201cEveryone needs a champion,\u201d Melissa emphasizes. \u201cI can teach someone a system, but I can\u2019t teach them drive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daria and Monica echo that point: you don\u2019t need to be in a leadership role to mentor someone. Even if you\u2019re early in your career, you have value to share.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s Redefine Leadership for Women! <\/strong><\/h4>\n

When asked what makes a great leader, Daria focuses on curiosity and adaptability. \u201cWe are so scared as women sometimes to say, ‘I don\u2019t know.’ \u201cBut staying curious and building around people\u2019s strengths instead of their job titles is where the magic happens.<\/p>\n

Melissa adds that tone and timing matter when giving feedback. This is something her mentor modeled well. \u201cSomeone else could have delivered the same message, and I\u2019d have been defensive\u2026but not him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Diversity Is a Mindset.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Diversity in tech can bring in more valuable perspectives and opinions. But this is only the case when everyone feels safe and comfortable contributing and speaking up.<\/p>\n

Melissa Manley helped launch a Diverse Voice Alliance at her company. It was a space that started with open conversations and eventually led to stronger collaboration and problem-solving across teams.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf people feel like they belong, they feel like they’re in a trusted and safe environment,\u201d she says. And the numbers back it up: highly engaged teams are 23% more productive.<\/p>\n

Work-Life Balance Starts with Prioritizing Joy.<\/h4>\n

Daria has a fresh take on balance: \u201cWe talk about boundaries all the time, but not prioritizing joy, existence, happiness… You have to renew your energy.\u201d<\/p>\n

She mentions how her passion for music helps her stay grounded and connected, and how creating space for passions outside work can inspire creativity and authenticity.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to inspire others, not impress them,\u201d she says. \u201cStop apologizing. Stop fearing imperfection.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Road Ahead: We Still Need More Female Tech Leaders.<\/h4>\n

Even with all the progress, the numbers are clear: women still make up only 28% of the tech workforce.<\/p>\n

Betsy wants that to change: \u201cI want to see a tech field where women aren\u2019t the exception.\u201d<\/p>\n

That means more than just hiring. It means creating inclusive cultures, investing in mentorship, addressing pay equity, and making sure every woman knows: she belongs.<\/p>\n

Inspiring Women in Tech Leadership<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Leadership isn\u2019t one-size-fits-all and it certainly isn\u2019t reserved for people with titles or years of experience. It\u2019s about leading with empathy, building others up, and daring to raise your hand. Yes, even when no one calls on you.<\/p>\n

To quote Monica Dominic\u2019s career advice for young women (and more experienced ones alike): \u201cStay curious. Ask questions. Be open-minded.\u201d<\/p>\n

And don\u2019t forget to lift others as you rise. That\u2019s how we build not just better teams, but a better future for women in tech.<\/p>\n

The full webinar is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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