What does it actually take to become a transformational leader in the age of AI? Catherine Wong, Chief Product Officer at Entrata, joins Toni to share the career philosophy, leadership mindset, and honest hard-won lessons that took her from software engineer to CPO — via architecture, M&A, product, and operations.

Catherine built her career on range, not a straight line. She calls it the jungle gym — and she believes it's more relevant now than ever. In this episode she gets real about diversity as a product quality issue (not just a values issue), why AI adoption is the biggest change management challenge of our careers, and what authentic leadership actually means when the pressure is on.

If you're navigating a non-linear career, trying to lead your team through AI change, or wondering whether you need a perfect plan to reach the C-suite — this one is for you.

What we cover:

◾ Why range matters more than specialisation at the executive level

◾How empathy becomes your most powerful leadership tool across functions

◾Why diversity is a product quality issue — and what's at stake as that conversation disappears

◾AI adoption as a change management challenge at unprecedented speed

◾The "hit song" principle: why consistent messaging is the job

◾How to stop minimising yourself — and what to do if you don't have the right mentors

◾Authentic leadership: what it really means to bring the right energy to your team

About Catherine Wong

Catherine Wong is Chief Product Officer at Entrata, where she leads product and operations. She has held VP of Engineering and product leadership roles across multiple organisations and has spent her career building range across software engineering, architecture, M&A, and product management. She is a passionate advocate for diversity in tech and for leading teams through AI transformation with humanity and clarity.

Connect with Catherine Wong

◾LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/catherinewong

◾X: @catherinewong

◾Entrata: entrata.com

This episode was sponsored by our guest, Catherine Wong. Thank you Catherine for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!

When someone asks you how you're doing, what do you say?

If you answered "I'm fine" before you'd even finished reading that question — this episode is for you.

Burnout in high-performing women in tech leadership rarely looks like collapse. It looks like going through the motions. Like numbness. Like resentment that arrives out of nowhere and exhaustion that's become so normal you've stopped registering it as a warning sign.

In this episode, Toni breaks down why burnout hits women in tech leadership differently, the three patterns she sees most in her coaching work, and what burnout-proof leadership actually means — strategically, not just in a "take more baths" sense.

This isn't about slowing down. It's about building leadership that doesn't require you to run on empty to function.

What you'll hear in this episode:

◾ Why high-performing women are often the last to identify as burned out — and the specific compounding factors that make burnout in tech leadership different

◾ The three burnout patterns Toni sees most in coaching: the silent spiral, the conflict-avoidant overgiver, and the high-performer in denial

◾ What burnout-proof leadership actually requires — structural protection, a perceptual shift, and leadership identity recalibration

◾ The mistake that keeps women stuck in burnout cycles even when they're actively trying to recover

◾ Four practical first steps you can take this week, even if you're already running on empty

For a limited time, the Burnout to Balance Toolkit is completely free — self-paced audio training, workbook, and an optional four-week reset plan, designed for women in tech leadership who need something concrete right now. Available free for two weeks from release, or until the first 200 downloads. Get it at tonicollis.com/burnout-to-balance.

Links mentioned in this episode:

◾ Burnout to Balance Toolkit (free for limited time): tonicollis.com/burnout-to-balance/

◾ Episode 216 — Understanding and Overcoming Burnout with Lindsay, Jen, and Allison: https://tonicollis.com/leading-women-tech/216-understanding-and-overcoming-burnout-insights-from-leading-women-in-tech-with-lindsay-jen-and-allison/

You don't need a perfect career plan to succeed in tech.

In this episode of Leading Women in Tech, I sit down with Sarah Walker, Chief Executive of Cisco UK & Ireland, to talk about women in tech leadership, non-traditional career paths, AI in the workplace, and why backing yourself matters more than ticking every box.

Sarah didn't follow a traditional route into tech. She didn't leave school with perfect results. She didn't move to London (despite being told she should). And she certainly didn't have a 20-year career plan mapped out.

Yet today, she leads one of the most influential tech organisations in the UK and Ireland.

In this conversation, we explore:
◾ Women in tech leadership and representation
◾ Career advancement for women in tech without a rigid plan
◾ How to become a leader in tech without ticking every box
◾ Leadership mindset and backing yourself before you feel ready
◾ AI in the workplace and how it unlocks human potential
◾ Why social mobility and regional leadership matter
◾ Sustainable leadership and authenticity at the top

If you've ever questioned whether you "fit" the mould of a tech executive — this episode will change how you see your path.

🔗 Connect with Sarah Walker on LinkedIn
🔗 Learn more about Cisco UK & Ireland

👉 Ready to design your path to executive leadership?
Book a Strategy Call: https://tonicollis.com/lets-chat

This episode was sponsored by our guest, Sarah Walker at CISCO. Thank you Sarah for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!

Executive Leadership for Women: From Tactical to Strategic

You've mastered being a leader.

But executive leadership for women is not just the next step up.

It's a completely different game.

In this episode of Leading Women in Tech, we unpack why tactical excellence alone won't get you promoted — and what actually signals executive readiness.

If you've ever been told:

• "You're doing great."
• "Keep going."
• "You're almost there."
• "We just need to see a bit more."

This episode is for you.

We explore:

• Why women not getting promoted in tech is often a positioning issue
• The difference between management and executive leadership
• How gender bias in tech leadership shapes perception
• Navigating bro culture in tech without losing yourself
• Executive presence for women — and why it's about credibility, not charisma
• Why sponsorship matters more than merit
• A practical 90-day roadmap to reposition yourself strategically
  
  

Executive leadership for women is not about becoming louder.

It's about raising your altitude.

**Useful links**

• Listen to Episode 286: Executive presence is about how you are experienced in the room.

If you're ready to transition from management to leadership at executive level — but need clarity on your perception gap —

Book a Strategy Call: 👉 https://tonicollis.com/lets-chat

Because executive leadership for women is not reserved for a personality type.

It is built.

And you are closer than you think.

In this conversation, Adelina Peltea, CMO at USERCENTRICS shares her unique journey to C-level Leadership for women in tech, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's strengths and the realities of leadership roles. She discusses the significance of communication, empowerment, and the impact of presence in leadership. Adelina also introduces her meditation method, Inner Sanctuary, and explores the responsible use of AI in decision-making. The discussion concludes with advice for personal growth and reflection on one's career path.

Takeaways

◾ Adelina's journey to CMO was unconventional and early.

◾ Understanding your strengths is crucial for career success.

◾ C-level roles require a significant presence and responsibility.

◾ Communication is key in empowering teams and making decisions.

◾ Meditation can be a powerful tool for leaders.

◾ AI should be used responsibly and with critical thinking.

◾ Follow your passion to maintain energy in your career.

◾ Reflecting on your journey is essential for growth.

◾ Empower others while maintaining responsibility for outcomes.

◾ Enjoy the journey and be open to adjustments in your path.

**Useful links**

◾ Connect with today's guest and sponsor, Adelina Peltea:

▢ UserCentrics: https://usercentrics.com/

▢ Connect with Adelina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelinapeltea/

▢ Find out more about Adelina's work in wellness for leaders and get her book: https://www.verdawellnessclub.com/

This episode was sponsored by our guest, Adelina Peltea. Thank you Adelina for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!

The women in tech promotion gap is real—but it's not random. High-performing women in tech are still being overlooked for leadership roles, even as they deliver exceptional results. In this episode of Leading Women in Tech, we dive into the gender bias in tech leadership, the shift in workplace culture, and the strategic moves you need to close the gap—without losing yourself.

Why are women in tech not getting promoted at the same rate as their male peers? The answer isn't about competence; it's about perception, positioning, and politics. We'll explore:

• The promotion gap in the tech industry and why it persists, especially at Director-to-VP transitions.
• How executive presence for women and leadership visibility can shift how you're perceived.
• The difference between mentorship and sponsorship—and why the latter is critical for advancement.
• Navigating bro culture in tech without compromising your authenticity.
• Sustainable executive leadership: How to build influence capital without burning out.

This episode is for you if:

✔ You're a Passed-Over High-Performer delivering results but not seeing advancement.

✔ You're a Strategically Focused On Rising, and getting ready to step into executive leadership—but need a roadmap.

✔ You refuse to trade ambition for comfort or shrink in the face of pushback.

Key Takeaways:

1. Promotion is a strategic game. Hard work alone won't close the gap—you need positioning, visibility, and sponsorship.
2. Executive presence isn't about personality—it's about framing your work in business impact language.
3. Sponsorship > Mentorship. Advocates in high places are your ticket to the next level.
4. Cultural shifts don't have to derail your ambition. Learn to navigate gender bias in tech leadership with composure and strategy.

Resources Mentioned:

• Promotion Readiness Scorecard – Assess how you're perceived by leadership.
• Lit Up Leadership Academy – Join the next cohort to build your influence capital.

Ready to close the women in tech promotion gap strategically? Book a Strategy Call and let's design your roadmap to leadership.

How fractional leaders get hired isn't random — but it does follow a very different logic than most people expect.

If you've been having good conversations, receiving positive signals, and still not seeing those conversations turn into paid work, this episode will help you understand what's really happening on the hiring side.

In this episode, we step out of the leader's perspective and into the mindset of the organisation making the decision — because fractional leadership hiring doesn't follow a traditional job search or sales process.

Instead, hiring happens when recognition, trust, and timing align.

• Why fractional leadership opportunities don't follow a linear funnel
• The difference between visibility and recognisability
• The three conditions that consistently lead to fractional leadership hiring
• Why timing matters more than effort
• How trust is built before a hiring decision is ever made
• Why so many capable leaders get stuck in "almost" conversations

This episode is for senior women in tech who:

• Are fractional-ready but not yet chosen
• Are getting interest, but not conversion
• Want to stop guessing — without resorting to hustle or salesy tactics

• Understand how fractional hiring decisions are actually triggered
• Feel calmer and more in control of the process
• Make your leadership easier to recognise and hire

• Book a Strategy Session (Positioning + Hiring Clarity)
  • 👉 https://tonicollis.com/lets-chat
    
    
• Continue listening to the Fractional Series:
  
  • Episode 284 — Am I Ready to Be a Fractional Leader?
  • Episode 288 — How to Position Yourself as a Fractional Leader

• Chat to me to learn more about the Fractional Accelerator:
  • 👉 https://tonicollis.com/lets-chat

Fractional leadership positioning is one of the most misunderstood — and most important — parts of building a successful fractional career.

In this episode Toni breaks down why so many senior women struggle to gain traction in fractional roles, how positioning differs from full-time leadership, and what it really means to be hired for judgement rather than execution.

Here's what you'll learn in this episode

⏹ Why experience alone doesn't translate into fractional opportunities

⏹ The difference between employee positioning and fractional leadership positioning

⏹ Why fractional leaders are hired for judgement, not capacity

⏹ The most common positioning mistakes that keep leaders invisible

⏹ How to pressure-test your own positioning without "selling yourself"

⏹ What comes next if you want to move from interest to paid fractional work

In next week's episode, we'll go one step further and explore how fractional leaders actually get hired — what genuinely leads to opportunities, and what doesn't.

If this episode highlighted gaps or uncertainty around how you're currently positioned, you can book a free strategy session or fractional leadership positioning audit — here:

👉 https://tonicollis.com/lets-chat