Women in Tech: Leading with Authenticity to Build a Better Community

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“Community is not just that you've brought a bunch of people together, it is about how these people are connecting... and why.” Share on X

Tech often gets a bad rap. Critics argue that tech leaders prioritize profits and scale over societal wellbeing. However, more leaders within the tech community are actively challenging that narrative—pivoting technology toward greater good and making meaningful waves in philanthropy.

The heart of this episode is to pull back the curtain for a fireside chat with a tech leader who is redefining what it means to Create Community for Good.

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Women in Tech: Leading with Authenticity to Build a Better Community

The heart of this episode is to pull back the curtain for a fireside chat with a tech leader who is redefining what it means to Create Community for Good.

Meet Alana Karen: A Leader and Advocate for Authenticity

In this episode, I’m joined by Alana Karen, author of The Adventures of Women in Tech: How We Got Here and Why We Stay. With over 20 years in the industry, Alana currently serves as the Director of Search Platforms at Google and is a Founding Member of Enrich, a private network for business leaders.

From Google Search to Ads to Search Platforms, Alana has built an inspiring career grounded in authenticity, leadership, and community-building. She’s also a recognized speaker and was nominated for WomenTech Speaker of the Year at the Global WomenTech Awards 2020.

In our conversation, Alana shares her mission to inspire not just women, but the entire tech community, to advocate for true leadership rooted in authenticity. Together, we explore leadership tips, how to practice authenticity at work, and her personal philanthropy journey.

How Authentic Leadership Changes the Workplace

What would happen if we shared our real-life experiences openly at work?
How would company culture shift if leaders celebrated the personal milestones and struggles of their teams?
Where’s the line between being open and oversharing?

In this episode, Alana shares her insights on:

Building strong, genuine connections
Nurturing powerful collaborations
The delicate balance between transparency and authenticity
How staying true to yourself fuels long-term success—inside and outside the workplace

Authenticity isn’t just about being transparent. It’s about honoring your values, experiences, and identity every step of the way.

Tune In for a Fresh Perspective on Leadership and Philanthropy

This conversation is packed with practical advice, thoughtful reflections, and actionable insights on building community through authentic leadership. Whether you’re in tech or another field, you’ll find wisdom here that you can apply immediately.

Don’t miss this inspiring episode. Tune in now to learn how authenticity can transform the way we work, lead, and give back to the world.

Key Takeaways:

03:00 – What does it mean to be real and a true leader in the tech field as a woman and an active member of the community?

09:49 – Is your home messy? Well, mine too! — On the urgency for the normalization and celebration of people’s authenticity and day-to-day lives.

14:34 – The Adventures of Women in Tech: The creation and materialization of a strong motivation, and how the stories we are told in the past can strongly influence our present.

21:32 – Proving your worth in every single meeting room and living up to your loved ones’ expectations of yourself: Alana’s advice to deal with outsiders’ thoughts.

30:13 – Perspectives on how connection is the key to community. Sharing stories, challenges, real-life issues.

31:37 – Alana’s motivation for philanthropy and board service.

40:07 – Why the youth give Alana hope in regards to how health, education, and medical shortfalls are impacting all of us.