Leading Women in Tech Podcast

Author: Toni Collis

For ambitious women ready to rise, lead, and thrive without burning out. Are you delivering results but still waiting to be seen as a true leader? Tired of performance reviews with praise but no promotion? Hosted by Dr. Toni Collis, executive coach for women in tech, this podcast is your go-to leadership toolkit. Whether you're a rising Director, lone female VP, or overextended operator tired of being overlooked you're in the right place. Each week, Toni shares real-world leadership strategies, career advancement frameworks, and executive presence tools to help you: Build strategic visibility Communicate like a trusted exec Navigate politics with integrity Advocate for yourself (without overworking) Lead with confidence, clarity, and influence You'll also hear powerful interviews with women who've paved the way and candid conversations on the unspoken challenges women face in male-dominated industries. If you're ready to go from "she's great" to "she's the obvious next Exec" hit follow.
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Language: en

Genres: Business, Careers, Management

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293: Women in Tech Leadership: Why You Don't Need a Perfect Career Plan to Reach the Top (With Sarah Walker, Cisco UKI CEO)
Episode 293
Tuesday, 24 March, 2026

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!