Founding Members Speak On Leadership and Personal Branding in Tech

By actively participating in WomenTech conferences, sharing knowledge through technical blogs and presentations, and engaging with the broader IT community, I've cultivated a reputation as a thought leader in the field of enterprise architecture. This visibility has not only enhanced my professional network but has also opened doors to exciting opportunities and collaborations. 

The Open Group's recognition as a Master Certified Architect is a testament to my commitment to excellence and technical proficiency. This certification, coupled with the invaluable guidance of mentors and career sponsors, has empowered me to navigate complex challenges and drive strategic initiatives. 

I believe that a strong personal brand, combined with technical expertise and a passion for innovation, is essential for aspiring enterprise architects. By consistently delivering value, building relationships, and staying ahead of emerging technologies, I'm confident in my ability to contribute significantly to the future of enterprise architecture and contributing to innovative solutions. 

Amy Forsee, Senior Enterprise Architect at the State of Missouri

Building a personal brand has been a pivotal part of my journey in the tech industry. It has allowed me to establish credibility, build trust, and amplify my impact as a leader. By positioning myself as a strategic thinker, a collaborative leader, and someone passionate about innovation, I have unlocked new opportunities that align with my professional aspirations. 

Maintaining authenticity and staying true to my core values has been central to this process, enabling me to forge meaningful connections with mentors, peers, and like-minded professionals. My personal brand has become a bridge to new challenges, leadership roles, and opportunities to contribute on global platforms, ultimately shaping the trajectory of my career. 

Gunjan Paliwal, Sr. Product Marketing Manager, AI/ML Ads Signals Products at Meta

Building my personal brand has been a transformative aspect of my journey in the tech industry. It has allowed me to authentically showcase my expertise in Data, AI, and Responsible AI, along with my passion for diversity and inclusion. Furthermore, inspiring thousands of students from top business schools where they invite me for the guest lecture to inspire their students. Platforms like WomenTech Network have enabled me to establish thought leadership as a speaker, jury member, and mentor, amplifying my influence in global communities. My personal brand reflects my vision of life to blend technical proficiency for bringing global change with the commitment to social good, helping me align with impactful opportunities. This has created a reputation that extends beyond technical accomplishments, focusing on ethical innovation, inspiring others, and empowering women in STEM. 

Sonal Kalbande, Principal Consultant I - Data & AI at Neudesic, an IBM Company

My personal brand has allowed me to be an innovative problem solver, a continuous learner, and someone who thrives on collaboration and inclusivity in tech.

Zarana Talati, Senior Project Manager at Sight Sciences

In the evolving tech landscape, active listening is an essential leadership trait. The ability to understand the needs, concerns, and risks of stakeholders allows technical leaders to translate complex challenges into actionable, effective plans. This skill not only helps in solving problems but also builds trust and alignment across teams. 

Another critical trait is communication—especially the ability to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. Clear communication fosters strong relationships, ensuring shared understanding, and drives successful project outcomes. 

Lastly, confidence plays a pivotal role. In a rapidly changing environment, leaders must step out of their comfort zones to innovate and grow. Even when confidence is lacking, projecting it inspires belief and motivates others to follow. As the saying goes, "growth doesn’t happen in comfort"—leaders must be bold and resilient to navigate a challenging and changing world. 

The rapidly changing tech landscape demands adaptability, empathy, and vision. 

• Adaptability ensures leaders can pivot strategies in response to change or disruption. 

• Empathy builds trust, motivates teams, and fosters inclusivity, which is critical for innovation. 

• Vision is essential for navigating uncertainty and identifying future opportunities. 

Additionally, strong communication, decision-making, and an ability to lead through influence (not just authority) are traits that separate good leaders from great ones. 

Aligning your life’s vision with tech and Adaptability vital traits for success in the ever-evolving tech landscape. A strong leader must remain agile and foresee industry shifts, leveraging innovation to create value. Empathy and inclusivity are equally important, especially as technology increasingly impacts diverse communities. Leaders should foster collaboration, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard. Critical thinking, coupled with a commitment to ethical and responsible technology development, is another key trait, particularly as we address the societal implications of AI and data-driven solutions. Lastly, continuous learning is indispensable—staying ahead in a dynamic field requires curiosity, courage to challenge the norm, and a drive for lifelong growth. 

  1. Adaptability and Agility 

• The tech world changes rapidly. As a leaders, you must embrace uncertainty, adapt to emerging trends, and pivot strategies when necessary. 

        2. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) 

• With high EQ enables leaders to build strong inter personal relationships, help foster collaboration, and manage diverse teams effectively, even during in high-pressure environments. 

        3. Lifelong Learning 

• With constant advancements in tech, staying curious and committed to learning is essential for growth. 

        4. Resilience and Grit 

• The ability to navigate setbacks and maintain focus is crucial.

My personal brand as a thought leader and experienced Senior Enterprise Architect has been instrumental in opening new doors and creating opportunities throughout my career. By consistently demonstrating my expertise in technology and innovation, I’ve positioned myself as someone who not only understands the complexities of enterprise architecture but also inspires others to embrace innovation. 

One example that stands out is when I shared insights on emerging technologies and architecture strategies at a technical summit. My passion for technology and my ability to connect with like-minded professionals led to meaningful conversations that ultimately resulted in an invitation to collaborate with a global organization on a major transformation project. This opportunity not only allowed me to expand my professional network but also reinforced my role as someone who drives impactful change. 

I’ve found that staying authentic, engaging with my network, and consistently sharing knowledge (through speaking engagements, mentoring, or thought leadership content) has helped me build trust, inspire others, and uncover new opportunities that align with my passion and expertise. 

One notable example of how my personal brand has opened doors is from my time at Sears Holdings Corporation. Despite being relatively new to the team, my reputation for strategic thinking and delivering impactful results earned me the opportunity to lead the transformation of Sears' third-party marketplace platform. This initiative included redesigning the seller onboarding process, enhancing seller tools, and co-leading a seller roadshow in China that successfully attracted thousands of international vendors. 

The measurable outcomes of these efforts—such as significantly increased seller engagement, expanded product listings, and multi-million-dollar revenue growth—further reinforced my personal brand as a leader who drives innovation and achieves tangible results. This success helped propel my career forward. 

My personal brand has consistently opened doors to exciting opportunities, including my involvement with the WomenTech Network as a Founding Member, Jury Member, and Track Chair and positioned me at Country Chair for Data, AI, Cybersecurity Wing, North America at G100. Also gave me an opportunity to serve as Advisory Board Member at University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education. It has fostered my leadership skills and got me promoted to Principal Consultant, Data and AI at Neudesic an IBM Company.   These roles have enabled me to connect with global leaders, share my insights, and mentor aspiring women in tech. My commitment to diversity and Responsible AI has positioned me as a thought leader, resulting in invitations to speak and inspire thousands of students at top business schools, at conferences, contribute to policy discussions, and collaborate on projects that align with my values.

Initially, my focus was on developing technical skills, but as I grow in my career, I try to positioned myself as a mentor and advocate for diversity in tech, which has created opportunities and broadened my impact. This serves as my blueprint and continues to guide me as I aim to lead initiatives that blend technology and social impact.

My advice to women in tech looking to strengthen their personal brand and step into leadership roles is to embrace two key principles: ask for help and believe in yourself. 

First, don’t be afraid to seek guidance and support from mentors, peers, and leaders in your network. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of strength and a desire to grow. The most successful leaders I know are those who continually learn from others and value diverse perspectives. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and challenge you to step outside your comfort zone. 

Second, believe in your abilities and the unique value you bring to the table. Imposter syndrome is real, but it’s important to recognize that you deserve to be in the room and that your voice matters. Own your expertise, share your insights, and don’t wait for permission to lead. Building a strong personal brand starts with believing in yourself and showing up authentically, even when it feels difficult. 

Define Your Narrative: Be clear about your strengths, values, and passions, and align your work and communication with these consistently. 

Develop Expertise: Build credibility by mastering a niche or domain and sharing insights through blogs, speaking engagements, or mentoring. 

Network Authentically: Focus on building genuine relationships rather than transactional connections. Seek out mentors and allies. 

Be Visible: Advocate for yourself by sharing achievements, participating in leadership discussions, and taking on challenging roles. 

Pay It Forward: Empower others in your community. Helping others strengthens your reputation and builds a legacy of leadership. 

My advice to women in tech is to authentically define their personal brand by aligning their technical expertise with their core values and passions by aligning their life’s vision. Embrace opportunities to speak, mentor, and contribute to thought leadership initiatives to amplify your presence. Invest in lifelong learning to stay current in your field, and don’t shy away from highlighting your achievements. Building meaningful relationships and finding mentors is critical, as networking can open doors to leadership roles. Most importantly, be fearless in challenging stereotypes—embrace your unique perspective as an advantage. Focus on creating impact, and let your work speak for itself. 

The clarity in my personal brand has helped me connect with like-minded professionals, gain trust in leadership roles, and align with companies that value innovation and adaptability in an ever-changing world.