From a Woman to a Leader

Limor Bergman Gross
  • 5.0 (6)
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From a Woman to a Leader helps women in tech grow into confident, strategic leaders. Hosted by former Director of Engineering and executive coach Limor Bergman Gross, this show explores promotions, executive presence, visibility, influence, decision-making, and navigating bias in male-dominated environments. Through honest conversations with senior women in technology, you’ll gain practical strategies and mindset shifts to step into leadership with clarity, authority, and impact.

  1. 9H AGO

    What I'd Do Differently: Start Building Before You Leave Your Job

    If you're thinking about starting a business but you're afraid to leave your job, I want to tell you something honest: I jumped into the deep end, and if I were doing it again, I would do it differently. In this solo episode, I share my personal story of leaving a director of engineering role, moving back to Israel, and starting a business with no plan and no clue what I was doing. I talk about growing up in an employee mindset home where being a business owner felt dangerous, about becoming an information junkie who kept buying courses instead of doing anything, and about the moment I realized I already had everything I needed to start. This episode is my advice to you based on what I learned the hard way: Why you should start building on the side before you quit your jobHow to stop over-preparing and start using what you already knowWhy learning and earning need to happen at the same time, not one after the otherHow to stay open to opportunities you didn't plan forWhy you don't need sophisticated tools or another certification to begin If you've been sitting on an idea, a skill, or something you've been thinking about building, this episode is for you. Companion episode: Listen to my conversation with Virginia Frischkorn, a serial entrepreneur who started a company at 24 with no plan. Her story is different from mine, and that's exactly why hearing both will help you figure out your own path. Connect with Limor:Website: https://limorbergman.com/podcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman/Substack: https://limorbergman.substack.com

    12 min
  2. Stop Preparing and Start Building: What Women Get Wrong About Starting a Business

    2D AGO

    Stop Preparing and Start Building: What Women Get Wrong About Starting a Business

    You've been reading the books. Taking the courses. Telling yourself you'll start when you know enough, when the timing is right, when you feel ready. But what if all that preparation is actually what's keeping you stuck? In this episode, I talk with Virginia Frischkorn , a serial entrepreneur who started her first company at 24 without a plan, without knowing what she was doing, and built it into one of the top 50 event planning companies in the world. She then ran four businesses at once, lost her father overnight, and had to completely rethink what she was building and why. Virginia and I get into the real stuff, what it actually takes to go from idea to action, how she scaled from $500K to $5M events using systems and documentation, and why the "overnight success" you see on LinkedIn is almost always years of quiet, unglamorous work. What you'll get from this episode: Why "just start" is real advice, not a cliché, and what it actually looks like in practiceHow systems and documentation took Virginia from trading time for money to scaling her businessThe relationship-building strategy that helped her cultivate a pipeline of referralsWhy everything takes longer than you think, and why that's not a reason to waitHow losing her father forced her to ask the question most of us avoid: Why am I building this? About Virginia Frischkorn:Virginia is the founder of Party Trick, a platform that helps people plan gatherings by telling them what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. Before Party Trick, she built a luxury event production company recognized by Vogue and Martha Stewart, and scaled from boutique weddings to multi-million dollar brand activations. She's a mom of two, splits her time between Aspen and New York, and gets up at 3:30 AM to build software because she believes connection is what matters most. Connect with Virginia:Party Trick: https://partytrick.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/virginiatfrischkorn/ Book mentioned: The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick: https://www.momtestbook.com/ Connect with Limor:Website: https://limorbergman.com/podcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman/Substack: https://limorbergman.substack.com YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LimorBergman

    31 min

  3. FEB 26

    Unlock Your Leadership Potential by Mastering the Art of Asking Questions

    As women in tech, we often feel pressure to prove we belong. To know everything. To have all the answers. To speak only when we’re 100% sure. But I think that the real leadership skill isn’t knowing everything or having all the answers… Is it asking powerful questions In this solo episode, I’m sharing why asking questions is one of the most underutilized leadership skills and how it can completely transform the way you lead. You’ll hear real stories from my career: Challenging an architect’s design without creating defensiveness Addressing team conflict with curiosity instead of judgment Building authority as a new engineering manager in the US We’ll talk about: Why women hesitate to ask questions How questions lower defensiveness and build ownership How curiosity creates collaboration instead of conflict Why leadership is about guiding thinking, not having answers If you’re ready to stop proving and start leading with confidence, this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen on the Podcast Hub: limorbergman.com/podcast 📚 Subscribe on Substack: https://limorbergman.substack.com/ 🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LimorBergman 💬 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman/

    14 min
  4. How Asking Better Questions Can Make You a Stronger, More Confident Leader with Nisreen Cain

    FEB 24

    How Asking Better Questions Can Make You a Stronger, More Confident Leader with Nisreen Cain

    Most women hesitate to ask questions, fearing it might make them seem less competent. But what if I told you that asking the right questions is actually one of the most powerful leadership skills you can develop?  In this episode, I chat with Nisreen Cain, a former Google engineering leader turned computer science professor, about her journey and her groundbreaking insights on curiosity. Nisreen shares her personal stories of navigating leadership as a woman in tech, facing doubts, and internalizing the need to know everything.  We dig into how curiosity challenges our ego, builds trust, and transforms how we lead teams without needing to control.  You'll discover practical ways to ask better questions, create psychological safety, and promote independence in your team, all while feeling confident in your authority. If you're tired of feeling stuck or insecure about asking for help, this episode will help you.  You’ll learn how curiosity can elevate your leadership, open doors for growth, and help you lead with more ease and authenticity. Plus, my simple questions framework will give you immediate tools to practice today. Whether you're in tech, leadership, or just want to show up more confidently, understanding and harnessing curiosity will change the game for you.  Ready to unlock your full potential?  Hit play now and start leading with curiosity because that's where real power begins. About Nisreen: Nisreen Cain is a Computer Science professor bridging industry and academia to help professionals navigate the AI era. After 25 years in technology leadership spanning corporate giants like Google to startups like Propel and Babel Street, she now brings real-world experience into the classroom, and academic curiosity into industry practice. Throughout her career journey, from engineer to VP to professor, Nisreen discovered that curiosity is essential. It opens conversations, reveals new possibilities, creates space for creativity, and helps teams move forward with confidence. She's learned that staying curious about yourself, your team, and your challenges is what creates genuine connection and builds high-performing teams. This bridge between worlds shapes her teaching today. Nisreen works with tech professionals, organizations, and women in leadership to build practical AI strategies that align with their values and goals. She's passionate about empowering women in tech and leadership to question assumptions, communicate their value clearly, and lead with authenticity instead of perfection. Beyond her professional work, Nisreen is a community activist who continues to advocate for equity and inclusion of women and minorities in engineering and leadership across STEM/CS fields. Connect with Nisreen: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nisreencain/Instagram: @nisreencainNewsletter: https://beyondthebinary.substack.com About Limor Bergman Gross Limor Bergman Gross is a former Director of Engineering turned executive coach for women in tech. She helps ambitious women grow their confidence, influence, and leadership without burnout or pretending to be someone they’re not. Podcast hub: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://limorbergman.com/podacst⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://limorbergman.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LimorBergman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    42 min

  5. FEB 19

    You’re Not Stuck. You’re Waiting.

    Stop Waiting to Feel Ready I wasted years waiting. Waiting to feel more confident. Waiting to feel more ready. Waiting for someone to give me permission. And while I was waiting, other people were raising their hands. In this solo episode, I share the part of my story I didn’t always say out loud, how waiting slowed my career, what finally changed, and what I now see again and again in the women I coach. If you are capable, responsible, and quietly frustrated that your growth isn’t matching your effort, this episode is for you. We’ll talk about: • The hidden cost of waiting • Why confidence doesn’t come first • How to know if you’re growing or just staying comfortable • What actually creates momentum in your career This is personal. And it might feel uncomfortably familiar. 🎧 Listen now on your favorite platform 📩 Join my Substack for deeper reflections: https://limorbergman.substack.com/ 🌐 Podcast hub: https://limorbergman.com/podcast/

    11 min
  6. How to Grow in Your Career When You Don’t Feel Ready with Lisa Zaythik

    FEB 17

    How to Grow in Your Career When You Don’t Feel Ready with Lisa Zaythik

    You don’t need more confidence. You need to stop waiting for it. If you’re a high-performing woman in tech who keeps thinking, “I’ll go for the promotion when I feel ready,” This episode is going to challenge you. Because confidence is not what moves your career forward. Impact is. In this conversation, I sit down with Lisa Zaythik, founding partner at AppsFlyer and Executive Chief of Staff at a 1,300-person global tech company. Lisa has moved across marketing, operations, HR, and the CEO office, often stepping into roles she had never done before. She didn’t wait to feel confident. She focused on the value she could bring. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to grow in your career when you don’t feel ready How to identify the value you bring, even when others seem more experienced How to know if it’s time to grow in your role or move on The difference between being assertive and being perceived as aggressive How to build confidence by taking action, not waiting for it This is for you if you are competent, responsible, and quietly frustrated that your work isn’t translating into growth. If you keep waiting to “feel ready,” someone less prepared will raise their hand before you. Listen now and rethink how you approach career growth, leadership development, and visibility at work. About Lisa Zaythik: Lisa Zaythik is a founding partner at AppsFlyer and currently serves as Executive Chief of Staff. With a background in marketing, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s value proposition, culture, and organizational DNA from its earliest days. Today, at a company of approximately 1,300 employees, Lisa partners closely with the executive team to drive company-wide strategy, guide senior leadership on organizational processes, and continuously evolve AppsFlyer’s culture of “doing well by doing good.” Follow Lisa on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisazaythik/ About Limor Bergman Gross Limor Bergman Gross is a former Director of Engineering turned executive coach for women in tech. She helps ambitious women grow their confidence, influence, and leadership without burnout or pretending to be someone they’re not. Podcast hub: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://limorbergman.com/podacst⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://limorbergman.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LimorBergman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    36 min
  7. How to Reboot Tech Culture So Women Can Lead, Be Seen, and Succeed with Tele Whitney

    FEB 10

    How to Reboot Tech Culture So Women Can Lead, Be Seen, and Succeed with Tele Whitney

    What if confidence in tech doesn’t have to be loud, aggressive, or look like everyone else? In this episode of From a Woman to a Leader, Limor Bergman Gross sits down with Telle Whitney, a long-time leader and culture-shaper in the tech industry, to unpack why so many capable women still feel overlooked and what it actually takes to change that. Together, they explore how tech culture was built on outdated myths like meritocracy and the “lone genius,” why quiet, introverted leaders are often underestimated, and how women can build confidence, visibility, and influence without pretending to be someone they’re not. This conversation is especially for you if: You do great work, but still feel invisible You’re confident internall,y but don’t fit the loud leadership stereotype You’ve been told to “be more strategic” without clear guidance You want to grow your career without burning out or changing your personality You’ll hear practical insights on sponsorship versus mentorship, how to speak up in loud rooms, how to respond to disrespectful behavior, and why communities like ERGs can be powerful accelerators when done right. About Telle:  Telle Whitney is a senior executive leader, an entrepreneur, an author, and a recognized advocate and expert on women and technology. She has over 30 years of leadership experience and was named one of Fast Company’s Most Influential Women in Technology. She is a frequent speaker on the topic of Women and Technology. She is an accomplished technologist who spent twenty years in the semiconductor industry in Silicon Valley. Telle has been called “a pioneer for the promotion of women technologists” and “one of the most inspirational leaders I have ever known.”  Telle co-founded the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing Conference in 1994 and was CEO of the non-profit Anita Borg Institute from 2002 to September 2017. She transformed the Institute into a recognized world leader for women and technology.  Before that she served in leadership positions at several semiconductor startups.  She is the author of Rebooting Tech Culture, How to Ignite Innovation and Build Organizations Where Everyone Can Thrive, which explores the practices that executives use to create organizational cultures that are both innovative and inclusive.  She has won numerous awards, including the ACM Distinguished Service Award, an honorary degree from CMU, and an honorary membership of IEEE. In 2024, the REC Foundation recognized her as a STEM Hero. She co-founded the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT). In 2022, she was elected to the National Academy of Engineering.  Telle serves on the board of AI4All, CMD-IT, and Power and Systems and consults for numerous technology organizations.  Telle holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Computer Science from the California Institute of Technology and a BS in Computer Science from the University of Utah.  Website: www.TelleWhitney.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/telle-whitney/ About Limor Bergman Gross Limor Bergman Gross is a former Director of Engineering turned executive coach for women in tech. She helps ambitious women grow their confidence, influence, and leadership without burnout or pretending to be someone they’re not. Podcast hub: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://limorbergman.com/podacst⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://limorbergman.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LimorBergman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    37 min
  8. Why Fewer Mistakes Might Mean Your Team Feels Less Safe with Francie Jain

    FEB 3

    Why Fewer Mistakes Might Mean Your Team Feels Less Safe with Francie Jain

    Unlock the secret to creating workplaces where mistakes are celebrated, not punished. Discover how high psychological safety drives innovation, reduces turnover, and boosts team performance even when errors spike. If you're a leader feeling anxious about speaking up or a woman striving to foster trust in your team, this episode is your game-changer. Dr. Amy Edmondson’s groundbreaking research reveals that environments with high psychological safety report more errors but for the right reason. Errors aren't signs of failure; they're opportunities for growth. Francie Jain, CEO of Terawatt, breaks down how safe spaces lead to better processes, happier employees, and massively reduced turnover, saving organizations millions. She shares surprising insights from Google’s top teams, showing how trust and diversity make all the difference, and explains why women excel at fostering this kind of culture. You'll discover: The counterintuitive link between error reporting and safetyHow leaders can build psychologically safe environments regardless of hierarchyPractical steps to assess and improve your team’s cultureThe crucial role of diversity and humility in avoiding groupthinkWhy embracing change and failure unlocks long-term success Ignoring psychological safety risks leads to high turnover, toxic cultures, and missed opportunities for innovation. But when you prioritize trust, you open the door to breakthrough results and happier, more resilient teams. This episode is perfect for managers, founders, and women leaders ready to shift their culture and their impact. With deep expertise at Harvard and real-world success in healthcare and tech, Francie Jain shares how to transform your leadership approach. If you're ready to turn mistakes into momentum and create a workplace where everyone can thrive, hit play now. About Francie Francie Jain is the founder & CEO of Terawatt, a B2B marketplace that helps healthcare organizations reduce turnover through expert-led group coaching. She is committed to transforming how employers understand the relationship between professional development and employee retention.  Before launching Terawatt, she founded West River Partners, a consultancy that raised capital for emerging markets-based equity hedge funds. Francie holds an AB from Princeton University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where she refined her expertise in data and analytics to drive strategic decisions. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franciejain/  Terawatt: https://terawatt.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/terawattgroups/ About Limor Bergman Gross Limor Bergman Gross is a former Director of Engineering turned executive coach for women in tech. She helps ambitious women grow their confidence, influence, and leadership without burnout or pretending to be someone they’re not. Podcast hub: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://limorbergman.com/podacst⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://limorbergman.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/limorbergman/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LimorBergman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    30 min
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About

From a Woman to a Leader helps women in tech grow into confident, strategic leaders. Hosted by former Director of Engineering and executive coach Limor Bergman Gross, this show explores promotions, executive presence, visibility, influence, decision-making, and navigating bias in male-dominated environments. Through honest conversations with senior women in technology, you’ll gain practical strategies and mindset shifts to step into leadership with clarity, authority, and impact.

Information

  • Creator
    Limor Bergman Gross
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    160
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Limor Bergman Gross
  • Show Website
    From a Woman to a Leader