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.

We cover:

• Her career journey from entry-level to executive
• The challenge of being heard in male-dominated rooms
• How to self-advocate without overworking
• Lessons in balancing ambition with wellbeing
• Why emotional intelligence is a leadership superpower
• The DEI strategies making a real difference at Boku
• How to speak up, create cultural change, and mentor the next generation

Whether you're climbing the career ladder, managing self-doubt, or trying to build a more inclusive culture from the inside—you’ll find both inspiration and practical insight in this conversation.

Connect with Leila: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-kassner-3a2b4a19/

Leila’s current read: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

👇 Book a free strategy call to explore how executive coaching can help you lead with clarity, confidence, and authenticity:
https://tonicollis.com/lets-chat

This episode was sponsored by Boku. Thank you Leila and Boku for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!

Your boss isn’t listening. You’re delivering results, showing up in meetings, and sharing smart insights — but somehow, it feels like your voice never lands.

In this episode of Leading Women in Tech, we’re diving into the deeper reasons why high-performing women are overlooked, unheard, or dismissed — and what to do about it.

We’ll explore how to shift perception, develop executive presence, and lead with influence (without becoming someone you’re not). You’ll learn:

✅ The hidden dynamics that cause leaders to tune you out
✅ The performance vs. perception trap (and how to escape it)
✅ Why strategic communication — not more effort — is the answer
✅ Real client stories of turning it around
✅ 5 leadership tools to speak up and be taken seriously
✅ How to self-coach your mindset and energy to be heard

If you’ve ever said, “my boss doesn’t listen to me” — this episode is for you.

🧭 Take the Promotion Readiness Scorecard → https://tonicollis.com/scorecard
🗓 Book a free strategy call with Toni → https://tonicollis.com/lets-chat

You don’t need a degree—or a perfect plan—to lead with vision.

In this episode, I’m joined by Jackie Peters, startup founder and longtime tech innovator, for a powerful conversation on how to lead boldly, build something meaningful, and move forward—even when you don’t feel 100% ready.

With 25+ years of experience across mobile gaming, AI-powered healthcare, and privacy-preserving data analytics, Jackie brings a rare mix of visionary thinking, human-centered leadership, and strategic clarity. We talk about building confidence in uncharted territory, trusting your instincts, and turning complex ideas into user-first innovation.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• Why you don’t need credentials to lead powerfully
• How to turn big vision into practical progress
• What it means to lead with empathy and clarity
• Why “privacy by design” matters now more than ever
• How to build momentum when the roadmap is uncertain
• The founder mindset: from grit to growth
• Why leadership starts before you feel ready

✨ This episode is for the bold, the curious, and the women shaping the future of tech on their own terms.

🔗 Connect with today’s guest, Jackie Peters:
Website: https://blindinsight.com
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jackiepeters
📖 Jackie’s current read:
Dogen's Genjo Koan: Three Commentaries
by Dōgen, Nishiari Bokusan, Shohaku Okamura, Shunryu Suzuki, Kosho Uchiyama, Sojun Mel Weitsman, Kazuaki Tanahasi, Michael Wenger

📞 Want career support or leadership coaching?
Book a free strategy session: https://www.tonicollis.com/lets-chat

👩‍💻 Show notes & more: https://www.tonicollis.com/episode269

💬 Join the free Slack community for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/slack

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