Sabrina Ellis | CPO & Career Breaks

Kirthiga Reddy, a trailblazing leader and first female Investment Partner at SoftBank Vision Fund, shares her incredible journey from growing up in India to becoming an influential figure in tech. She details her time as a Director of Engineering at Silicon Graphics and the first employee to launch and lead Facebook (now Meta) in India. This episode is packed with invaluable insights, including: The Power of the "And": How she embraced the "superpower" of having a career and a family, even when societal pressures suggested it was an "either/or" choice The Career Jungle Gym: Why she chose a 40% pay cut to pivot her career and how her impressive (linear-looking) resume actually hides a series of strategic, non-linear moves Guilt Management: Her powerful philosophy on not "overthinking" every decision and learning to manage guilt as effectively as time The "Trust Technology": A deep dive into her new venture, Verix - a company building a verification layer for digital credentials using blockchain, and the pivotal learning that led her to that mission AI Kiran: The story behind her new initiative to spotlight and grow the community of women in AI in India. Kirthiga's story is a testament to the power of a growth mindset, the importance of mentorship, and the courage to take a break and find clarity. Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser.

Join us on The HumanizeHer Podcast for a powerful and candid conversation with Nidhi Gupta, a trailblazing leader with a chemical engineering background who rose to become a Chief Technology & Product Officer - then ventured out to create her own business and become a Co-Founder and CEO!  Nidhi shares her incredible journey from growing up in India, where she was one of just a few women in her engineering class, to navigating pervasive biases and microaggressions in the tech industry. She reveals how these experiences fueled her passion to create SheTO.org, a non-profit dedicated to accelerating women's leadership in engineering.   This episode is packed with unfiltered insights on: Overcoming adversity:  How early experiences of bias shaped her resilience and grit The emotional side of impact:  Why she prioritizes supporting one life over just chasing big numbers The unexpected challenges of funding a non-profit:  Debunking myths about corporate and investor support for mission-driven organizations Building a thriving community:  How SheTO's programs achieve remarkable promotion rates for women in tech A White House invitation:  The surreal moment she realized her work is being recognized at the highest level.   Nidhi's story is a raw and inspiring testament to creating change, fostering community, and finding soulful fulfillment beyond traditional corporate success.  Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser.

In this episode of The HumanizeHer Podcast we sit down for an insightful conversation with Catherine Fisher, LinkedIn's esteemed Career Expert! Catherine shares her journey in communications, from Netflix to LinkedIn, revealing how she became a go-to voice for career navigation.   This episode dives into crucial topics like the evolving job market, the impact of AI on careers, challenging traditional growth paths (the "squiggly line"), and the art of asking for what you want. Tune in for candid advice on handling workplace setbacks, the power of delegation, and building a resilient network.   Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser.   ** NOTE **  An audio mishap impacted this episode's sound quality, but we worked with Swell Sound to repair it so you don't miss a moment of the great conversation!

Join us on The HumanizeHer Podcast for an incredibly candid conversation with Sabrina Ellis, a powerhouse product leader as VP at companies like Google and Yahoo, and former Chief Product Officer at Pinterest!   Sabrina shares her remarkable career journey, revealing the highs and lows of navigating top executive roles in the tech industry. From the early days of the dot-com boom and making Yahoo Mail #1 globally, to steering product at Google and Pinterest, she offers an unfiltered look at what it takes to innovate and lead.   This episode is packed with invaluable insights, including:   💡 The power of career breaks: Sabrina openly discusses her intentional "off-ramps" and the confidence (and spousal support!) it took to step away, emphasizing how these breaks fueled her growth. 💡 Defining the Chief Product Officer role: What it means to "herd genius, feral cats" and empower diverse teams to build impactful products. 💡 Navigating adversity in the C-suite: Sabrina shares deeply personal experiences, from a toxic "Coliseum" culture to facing assumptions as an Asian female executive. 💡 "Sabrina's Rule of Three": Her fascinating observation on how minorities are perceived in professional settings and the importance of critical mass for true individuality. 💡 The future of work: A thought-provoking discussion on challenging capitalism's limits and envisioning tech companies that prioritize employees over profit maximization.   Sabrina's transparency about self-doubt, identity crises after leaving big brands, and the ongoing journey of self-discovery offers a refreshing perspective. Get ready to be inspired to embrace your own path, challenges and all!   Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser.

In this empowering episode of the HumanizeHer Podcast, we welcome Leela Srinivasan, CEO of Parity, for a compelling conversation that spans her dynamic career journey and her impactful work in women's sports. Leela, who transitioned from a successful CMO background at companies like LinkedIn and SurveyMonkey to leading Parity, shares authentic insights into career pivots, the value of an MBA, and navigating the challenges of leadership, including the elusive "work-life balance" as a new mother.   The discussion takes a deep dive into the mission of Parity, an organization dedicated to closing the gender income and opportunity gap in professional sports. Leela reveals striking statistics:   50% of professional women athletes make zero income from their sport after accounting for training and competition costs. 74% of these athletes hold a second job, with 1 in 4 working full-time while training 30 hours a week. Women's sports currently receives only 15% of media share. 63% of female athletes surveyed have considered quitting elite sports due to financial struggles. 93% of surveyed athletes experience financial stress. An annual sponsorship of $20,000 would be "very meaningful" or "life-changing" for 88% of female athletes. Women's sports fans are 2.8 times more likely to purchase a product or service recommended by a professional woman athlete than by any other influencer.   Leela emphasizes that this is not a charity, but a lucrative business opportunity for brands to align with purpose-driven athletes. She highlights how brands like Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, and Hormel are already investing in Parity's community of over 1,100 professional women athletes across 85 sports, finding authentic partnerships based on shared values rather than just follower counts. The episode also touches upon the historic 2024 Paris Olympics, which for the first time achieved gender equality in participants.    Through raw honesty about her own experiences with imposter syndrome and the importance of seeking feedback and coaching, Leela inspires listeners to embrace challenges and continuously learn, leaving an indelible mark on both the professional landscape and the world of women's sports.   Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser.

What if success didn’t mean choosing one path, but embracing many? In this episode of The HumanizeHer Podcast, We sat down with the incomparable Jory Des Jardins —co-founder of BlogHer and, more recently, the co-founder of Optionality, a platform dedicated to reimagining how we work, lead, and live. Jory takes us on a deeply personal and professional journey through her unconventional career—from couch-surfing in New York while reading manuscripts at Penguin, to co-founding BlogHer and growing it into a movement that reached over 100 million users, to today—championing the rise of fractional roles, community-powered leadership, and portfolio careers. Together, we explore the power of optionality: a framework where work is no longer a one-size-fits-all ladder, but a flexible, multi-dimensional life design. Jory shares how optionality allows people—especially women—to balance meaningful work, caregiving, creative pursuits, and self-defined success, even when traditional systems aren’t designed to support it. This episode isn’t just about careers—it’s about courage. It’s about listening to your gut, staying curious, and being unafraid to start again. Whether it’s pioneering the blogosphere, navigating burnout after acquisition, or diving headfirst into emerging tech and VR, Jory’s path is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and radical authenticity. We also talk candidly about caregiving, aging parents, raising teens, and the internal conflict so many women face when they feel pulled between achievement and presence. Jory’s honesty and humor remind us that no career path is linear—and that building a “portfolio life” might just be the most honest reflection of who we are and who we’re becoming. ✨ Whether you're in a moment of reinvention, questioning the 9–5, or dreaming of more freedom and purpose in your work—this episode will speak to you. Key themes we unpack: Why “fractional leadership” is rising—and what it really means The difference between advisory vs. fractional roles How BlogHer created a trusted model for women creators—and what it taught us about power and representation How caregiving, life phases, and flexibility intersect with ambition The future of work—and how we can build it on our own terms This conversation is both a mirror and a permission slip. If you're craving more flexibility, more agency, or simply a new way to define success—this is the episode for you. Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser

In this insightful episode of The HumanizeHer Podcast, Florina Grosskurth and Vicky Fang delve into their remarkable career journeys, sharing personal stories of navigating the tech industry, embracing entrepreneurship, and finding true fulfillment via the world of literature. Florina Grosskurth, a force in tech from program management to event planning, shares her inspiring transition to owning Linden Tree Books, a beloved local bookstore. She discusses the challenges of balancing a demanding tech career with motherhood and the liberating decision to prioritize family and passion. Flo recounts co-founding "Women in Tech" (WIT) at LinkedIn, highlighting the power of community, allyship, and intentionally embedding inclusion into company culture. Vicky Fang, author and former Google product designer, reveals her journey from aspiring actress to STEM advocate through her children's books. She explains how her diverse background fuels her creative process, inspiring kids to be "creative problem solvers." Vicky also candidly shares the challenges of managing multiple creative endeavors, promoting her growing list of published books, and even venturing into TV writing. Both guests open up about the "real stuff" - the struggles, rejections, and moments of self-doubt that come with career pivots and balancing personal life. They emphasize the importance of self-reflection, listening to one's gut, and finding true passion over external expectations. The episode celebrates the power of community, the joy of empowering others, and the courage to redefine success on your own terms. Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser  

Telle Whitney—a pioneering computer scientist, co-founder of the Grace Hopper Celebration, former CEO of AnitaB.org, and now, author of the book Rebooting Tech Culture: How to Ignite Innovation and Build Organizations Where Everyone Can Thrive. Telle shares her incredible journey as one of the first women in tech to step into leadership and has been on a mission to ensure no other woman feels isolated in their career like she once did. Her path, from being one of the only women in engineering meetings to co-founding one of the largest global gatherings for women technologists, is nothing short of extraordinary. Together, we unpack: 🧠 The early days of being a woman in a male-dominated tech environment 💡 How she and Anita Borg sparked the Grace Hopper Celebration from a single idea 📘 Why she wrote Rebooting Tech Culture, and what organizations must do now to foster equity and innovation 🔁 Lessons in burnout, sustaining leadership, and building inclusive companies that actually work for everyone 🌱 Telle’s perspective on legacy, mentorship, and evolving beyond performative DEI efforts 💬 “You don’t need permission to lead. You just need to care enough to begin.” This episode is a masterclass in values-driven leadership—thoughtful, grounded, and full of actionable wisdom. Whether you’re a woman in tech, an aspiring leader, or someone working to create more inclusive workplaces, this conversation will challenge and uplift you. 🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser  

🎙️ EPISODE: From Corporate Grit to Cannabis Grit – Erin Gore’s Journey with Garden Society In this bold and deeply human episode of HumanizeHer, we sit down with Erin Gore, the powerhouse founder and CEO of Garden Society. From a chemical engineering background and climbing the ranks in a male-dominated corporate world to pioneering in the cannabis industry, Erin shares how pain, perseverance, and purpose led her to build one of the most innovative and woman-led cannabis brands in the country. We unpack: The shocking realities Erin faced as the first woman in a chemical plant How a garden party with girlfriends sparked a mission-driven company Her vision for making cannabis approachable, effective, and stigma-free Fast-acting edibles, equity in cannabis, and building a diverse cap table Raising capital as a woman founder in an industry that still doesn't fully get it This conversation is packed with grit, growth, and game-changing perspective. Whether you’re curious about cannabis or just love a story about a woman rewriting the rules—this one’s for you. Disclaimer: The following conversation contains personal experiences and perspectives regarding cannabis. This content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. The views expressed by guests are their own. Cannabis consumption should be done responsibly and in accordance with local laws. Please consult your healthcare provider before using cannabis for any medical purpose. Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser

In this special HumanizeHer live episode from SXSW, Adrienne Bankert, who is an Emmy-award winning journalist who has worked as a broadcast journalist for NewsNation, ABC News, Good Morning America with a mission to deliver unbiased news. From covering major events like the 2011 tsunami to interviewing Lady Gaga and The Rock, Bankert's reporting shaped her empathetic style. Now, she embarks on the fearless endeavor to discuss faith at work, including in her special series "One Nation Under God," and her new YouTube personal podcast series  where she has conversations about where faith lives in culture, current events, sports and media, particularly for Gen Z.  Help support her and follow her on Instagram and YouTube. Live at SXSW, Adrienne opens up about her current endeavor: a powerful shift towards unbiased news that seeks to humanize people of faith. What does unbiased news truly mean, and how can faith-based reporting achieve it? We delve into thought-provoking questions like how faith finds its place in technology, media, and sports, and even explores faith in the face of death and grief. Learn how Adrienne approaches conversations with those holding vastly different worldviews and her strategies for building trust with anyone she meets – a skill highlighted in her insightful TED Talk. We also explore Adrienne's book, "Your Hidden Superpower," uncovering the inspiration behind it and the impactful lessons on kindness it imparts. Hear about moments in her career where kindness made a tangible difference. Tune in for a deeply humanizing conversation with HumanizeHer podcast hosts, Erica Lockheimer and Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser that bridges divides and illuminates the power of faith and understanding in today's world. Plus, don't miss Adrienne's inspiring "Pay It Forward" moment, where she shines a light on incredible women making a difference.