In this episode, I talk with Chief Product Officer Poornima Farrar about the challenges in tech recruitment and how HR needs to evolve to better support organizations. Poornima shares how her career journey has been shaped by HR, emphasizing the importance of embedding HR more deeply within teams while using data-driven strategies to drive success. We explore how the current recruitment process is failing both candidates and companies, and Poornima offers her insights on passive talent pools and innovative approaches to help fix this. We also dive into Poornima’s advice for women in product roles and the value of embracing cross-functional opportunities to grow in tech.

Join us for these helpful insights on where tech is falling short and how the combination of people and data can help us pave the way for the future of work.

We dive into:

• Poornima’s career journey highlights & lowlights
• How HR has shaped her career and its strategic role in tech
• Where tech is failing us
• The biggest recruitment challenges (and the solutions!)
• Advice for women in product and embracing cross-functional roles
• And more

**Useful links**

• Connect with today’s guest and sponsor, Poornima:
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/spfarrar/
  • http://www.rival-hr.com
  • https://www.facebook.com/TheRivalHR/
• Poornima’s current read: Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
• If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy
• Catch the show notes, and more details about today's episode here: https://tonicollis.com/episode222
• Check us out on Youtube.
• Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women’s tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives.

Are you ready to challenge the misconception that leadership requires being loud, or always in the spotlight? The truth is, quiet leadership can be even more powerful, with authenticity at its core. If you're a naturally quiet person, know that this doesn't limit your potential—it enhances it.

In this episode, I dive into the myths around loud and quiet leadership, showing how leaning into your natural tendencies can make you a more authentic, impactful leader. Join me to explore the unique and powerful techniques of quiet leadership and how in the end, the best leaders are those who embrace their true selves, and in your quietness lies the power to inspire greatness in others.

I dive into:

• The strength of quiet leadership: debunking the myth that leaders need to be loud to be effective
• Understanding introversion/extroversion in quiet leadership
• Essential qualities of the quiet leader
• The biggest challenges and opportunities for quiet leaders
• How to nurture more calmness in your leadership
• The role of quiet leaders in team dynamics
• And more
  
  

**Useful links**

• If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy
• Catch the show notes, and more details about today's episode here: https://tonicollis.com/episode221
• Check us out on Youtube.
• Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women’s tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives.

In this episode, I’m joined by Vanessa Jupe, CEO and founder of Leva, a company dedicated to supporting mothers in the workplace. Vanessa shares her insights on the challenges new moms face, from identity loss to the cognitive and emotional impacts of motherhood, and the feelings of loneliness that often come with it. We discuss how to normalize conversations about what happens when someone has a child and explore holistic support systems for new parents, including mental health resources, lactation support, career coaching, and more. Vanessa also highlights the high rate of women leaving the workforce within a year of having a baby and the economic impact on companies.

Ready to discover how organizations can better support new moms to thrive at work and learn practical strategies for balancing career and motherhood? Join us.

We dive into:

• Normalizing conversations about the impact of motherhood on workplace morale and performance
• Holistic support systems for new parents: mental health resources, lactation support, nutrition, career coaching, and sleep
• The measurable benefits of companies supporting new moms
• Addressing gender bias and the importance of supporting non-birthing parents and all caregivers in the workplace
• Practical tips for new moms, including the importance of community, flexibility, and creating a re-entry plan after maternity leave
• And more

**Useful links**

• Connect with today’s guest, Vanessa Jupe:
  • https://www.levaapp.com/
  • https://www.linkedin.com/company/levaapp/
  • https://www.instagram.com/leva.app/
  • https://www.youtube.com/@leva-app/
• Vanessa’s current read: National Park Mystery Series
• If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy
• Catch the show notes, and more details about today's episode here: https://tonicollis.com/episode220
• Check us out on Youtube.
• Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women’s tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives.