On March 26, 2026, the GovCX Collective celebrated Women’s History Month with a dynamic discussion with female leaders in technology moderated by Arlene Romero.
I was joined by Anne Lousie Mason, Senior Product Manager, Capital One; Cherile Delacruz Managing Director, HCC Consulting; and Julie Gordon Chief Problem Solver, Pilant Management Services; to share insights and reflections on career trajectories, assessing risk and reward, and navigating a changing landscape.
If you couldn’t join us in person, here are 10 key pieces of wisdom shared during our discussion:
1. Empowering Women Beyond Mentorship
Women can be over mentored and under sponsored. True progress comes from growing and investing in a strong pipeline of talent. Each of us has the responsibility to examine our strengths and areas for growth, while also building teams that bring together complementary skills.
2. Valuing Non-traditional backgrounds
Diverse experiences and unique skills are not just welcome, they are essential. Those from non-traditional backgrounds are often very well equipped to anticipate and meet customer needs in ever-changing environments.
3. Investing in the Team You Have
While it’s not always possible to hand-pick your team, true leaders see the value in nurturing and developing existing talent, creating opportunities for everyone to thrive.
4. Embracing Authenticity and Resilience
Bringing your whole self to work matters. Your curiosity, resilience, and life experiences make you stronger, often giving you the adaptability needed to navigate change, whether at home or in the workplace.
5. Translating Technology for Human Impact
In a world where technology evolves at lightning speed, we need skilled translators. And while customers are increasingly tech-savvy, they appreciate options and personalization.
6. Communicating for Success
The heart of most workplace challenges is miscommunication or lack of communication. Frequent, direct, and open communication channels pave the way for positive, organization-wide change.
7. Taking Thoughtful Risks
Growth can be risky, and taking the right risks is critical. Consider the probable and the plausible, but growth cannot happen without risk.
8. Leadership That Protects and Empowers
Strong leaders create environments where teams feel safe to innovate and experiment. Sometimes leadership means making the next best decision and owning the inherent risk so others can thrive.
9. Defining Success Through Impact
Success is measured not only by achieving objectives, but also by the positive impact you leave behind, both in tangible accomplishments and the culture you help build.
10. Recommended Reading for Continuous Growth
Rebecca Shambaugh’s book “It’s Not a Glass Ceiling, It’s a Sticky Floor“ offers powerful insights on self-imposed barriers and how to break them. It is highly recommended for those striving for upward mobility.
We were truly honored to host this remarkable event in recognition of Women’s History Month and are grateful for the wisdom shared by our community! We know these insights can be applied by men and women at various points in their careers.
At NuAxis Innovations, we are proud to lead the GovCX Collective, a thriving community of federal leaders, practitioners, and partners dedicated to improving public services through customer and digital experience. By coming together, we share best practices, ignite new ideas, showcase innovation, and accelerate the adoption of solutions that make government services simpler, more accessible, and more human-centered.
