What’s up, Trailblazers! Tiffany and Jordan here with a new episode that’s about to shake up how you think about career growth, confidence, and real leadership. Today’s guest is Beth Pittman, an HR expert turned entrepreneur who’s on a mission to help women stop playing small and start owning their path.

Beth gets real about what it was like to step into tech without knowing the lingo, the politics, or the people, and how she turned that challenge into credibility. Her strategy? Show up, stay curious, and keep learning. "I didn’t know what tech stood for. I had to look it up," she shares, and honestly, haven’t we all been there?

But here’s where it gets deep. Beth talks about how coaching changed everything for the women she’s worked with. Not because it gave them new skills, but because it gave them permission to believe in themselves. Confidence isn’t just a buzzword in this episode; it’s the real currency. And spoiler, most of them got promoted. Not by luck. By asking.

We also break down what upskilling really looks like. Heads up: it’s not just about more certifications. From creating your own advisory board to joining industry associations to simply listening to more podcasts like this one, Beth gives a real-world roadmap to career growth that doesn’t require a $3K course. This is the kind of talk that pushes you to act.

Here are the key takeaways:

(2:39) Authenticity and early career identity

(4:30) Starting from zero in tech and recruiting

(6:18) Bias, credibility, and proving yourself in tech

(9:43) People over profit in strong teams

(11:11) The impact of good coaching on promotions

(15:55) Mental health vs. career clarity

(18:33) Upskilling beyond certifications

(20:15) Holding yourself accountable as a leader

(21:01) How to upskill when budgets are tight

(23:58) Career ownership and self-worth

(25:55) Why timing doesn’t matter anymore

(28:05) Age, confidence, and career fit

So here’s the question: what’s one thing you’ll do today that your future self will thank you for? Hit play and find out how Beth turned progress into power. Make sure to share this episode with someone who needs that little push. See you next time, Trailblazers.

About Beth Pittman

Beth Pittman is an experienced HR and executive search leader with a background in talent acquisition across industries like retail, healthcare, and consumer goods. She co-founded Skills Lab Training, offering coaching and leadership programs for professionals and students. Beth advises organizations on strategic HR planning and leadership development. She also serves on the UAMS Northwest advisory board and speaks regularly on recruiting and workforce trends.

Connect with Beth:

LinkedIn

About Tiffany Benitez & Jordan Franklin

Tiffany Benitez leads Data Governance at Compass Group USA, ensuring data quality, integrity, and compliance across all business units. She is passionate about driving data excellence and advancing women in tech and STEM.

Jordan Franklin, CEO of Gumption and Stratice, is revolutionizing the job market with behavioral AI, making talent acquisition efficient. For three years, she's been celebrated as a top staffing influencer.

Connect with Hosts:

Tiffany’s LinkedIn

Jordan’s LinkedIn

Disclaimer

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The content should be taken as something other than professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding specific situations or concerns.

Hey Trailblazers! Tiffany and Jordan are back with an episode that’s going to shift the way you think about leadership, mindset, and owning your story. This week, we sat down with Uma Subramanian, founder of Limitless Leaders and former Microsoft powerhouse, to talk about what it really means to be limitless in your career.

Uma walks us through her early days trying to blend in at Microsoft and how hiding her strengths actually held her back. That didn’t last long, though. Once she dropped the mask and embraced her full self, things started to shift. “Your work doesn’t speak for itself. You have to speak for it.” That one hit hard. And trust us, she has plenty more where that came from.

We dig into how mindset plays a major role in what you allow yourself to do or dream of doing. Uma breaks down the shift from scarcity to abundance and how that mental pivot helped her lead big projects and build global teams. She also shares a moment that changed everything, and it involves walking her dog and realizing, “Wait. I’ve been limitless all along.” She even shares her 5S formula to get there: See, Serve, Stretch, Shine, Sustain.

Of course, we couldn’t end the convo without touching on mentorship. Uma credits her success to the mentors who helped her rise and the support system that kept her grounded. “If you don’t shape your own narrative, someone else will,” she says, and that’s a reminder we all need.

Here are the key takeaways:

(2:11) Embracing authenticity and dropping the mask

(3:59) Why bold voices in tech matter

(4:57) The urge to constantly change ourselves to fit in

(5:49) Uma’s mindset journey inspired by Think and Grow Rich

(8:41) Limitless leadership and why it’s available to everyone

(12:16) Why advocating for your own work matters

(13:13) Owning what’s in your control in a challenging system

(16:11) How to stop thinking small

(18:11) Uma’s 5S framework for becoming limitless

(24:16) How networks carry impact forward

(25:18) Why networks only work when you show up and invest

(27:18) The missing link in community growth

So what would happen if you stopped waiting and started owning it? Hit play to find out how to lead with purpose, stretch outside your comfort zone, and finally realize you’ve been limitless the whole time. Subscribe and share this one with someone who needs a confidence reset. Let’s go, Trailblazers.

About Uma Subramanian

Uma Subramanian is the Founder and CEO of The Limitless Leaders, where she helps mid-career tech professionals grow into strong, effective leaders. She brings over two decades of experience, including 20 years at Microsoft. Uma designs coaching programs focused on leadership mindset, communication, and strategic growth. She is certified in executive coaching, behavioral analysis, and advanced leadership training.

Connect with Uma:

LinkedIn

Website

About Tiffany Benitez & Jordan Franklin

Tiffany Benitez leads Data Governance at Compass Group USA, ensuring data quality, integrity, and compliance across all business units. She is passionate about driving data excellence and advancing women in tech and STEM.

Jordan Franklin, CEO of Gumption and Stratice, is revolutionizing the job market with behavioral AI, making talent acquisition efficient. For three years, she's been celebrated as a top staffing influencer.

Connect with Hosts:

Tiffany’s LinkedIn

Jordan’s LinkedIn

Disclaimer

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The content should be taken as something other than professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding specific situations or concerns.

Welcome back, Trailblazers. Today’s episode hits different. Tiffany Benitez and Jordan Franklin are joined by certified leadership coach Lisa Stryker, who’s here to talk about the moments most people skip in their highlight reel, confusion, redirection, and the stretch between doing the work and actually leading.

Lisa opens up about entering full-time work later than most, getting handed a high-visibility role, and feeling totally lost in it. That experience led her to a deeper question: Why is it so hard to go from being a great contributor to a confident leader? The answer turned into a mission. “I wanted to be a leader so badly. I just had no idea what that really meant.”

We dig into authenticity, not the filtered version, but the one rooted in values and intention. Lisa explains how understanding who you are at your core helps you lead from a place that’s real, even when you’re not feeling your best. And if you’ve ever heard that voice saying “don’t brag”, this episode is a must. Lisa reclaims the word with her BRAG method, Boldly Recognize Achievement and Growth, and gives practical ways to advocate for your work without sounding, well, annoying.

You’ll also hear why visibility matters just as much as mentorship, and why stretch roles, even the ones you don’t feel fully ready for, are where real growth lives. “Don’t think you’re wrong just because they disagree with you,” Lisa says. That one’s a gut check.

Here are the key takeaways:

(2:13) The authenticity equation

(3:23) Managing emotions in leadership

(4:23) From doer to leader

(8:39) Being right isn’t always popular

(10:37) Brag = boldly recognize achievement and growth

(11:31) Speak on it or stay invisible

(13:14) Stealth promotion over self-promotion

(17:05) Authenticity is holding the line

(19:25) Stop playing safe with promotions

(20:58) Hiring for potential, not perfection

(22:46) Finding mentorship the organic way

(25:54) When mentorship isn’t the right fit

(27:24) From comparison to claiming influence

So if you’ve ever played small, waited to be picked, or second-guessed your impact, this one’s for you. Tune in, take notes, and let this conversation push you toward your next bold move!

About Lisa Stryker

Lisa Stryker is an executive coach and the founder of Stryker Coaching & Communications. She works with mid and senior-level professionals to help them move from behind-the-scenes roles into visible leadership positions. With a background in corporate communications and over 25 years of experience, she supports clients through one-on-one coaching and group training. Lisa is certified by The Life Coach School, the John Maxwell Team, DISC, and DDI.

Connect with Lisa:

LinkedIn

About Tiffany Benitez & Jordan Franklin

Tiffany Benitez leads Data Governance at Compass Group USA, ensuring data quality, integrity, and compliance across all business units. She is passionate about driving data excellence and advancing women in tech and STEM.

Jordan Franklin, CEO of Gumption and Stratice, is revolutionizing the job market with behavioral AI, making talent acquisition efficient. For three years, she's been celebrated as a top staffing influencer.

Connect with Hosts:

Tiffany’s LinkedIn

Jordan’s LinkedIn

Disclaimer

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The content should be taken as something other than professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding specific situations or concerns.