Want a real look at how breakthrough tech actually gets built and shipped? I had the pleasure of sitting down with Samira Naraghi, Chief Business Officer at Enovix, who has held previous roles at AWS, Meta, Qualcomm, and other notable companies, to unpack a career defined by tackling challenging problems, making significant pivots, and achieving results that speak louder than titles. From growing up in post-war Iran, where power outages made technology feel magical, to leading global go-to-market strategies and launching industry-defining products, Samira shows how adaptability, curiosity, and grit compound into leadership.

We trace the through line across semiconductors, cloud, and next-gen batteries: translating deep technology into real business impact. Samira breaks down why go-to-market must start on day one, how co-building with early customers derisks product-market fit, and what it takes to prioritize nascent bets like AR when constraints around power, space, and manufacturability are unforgiving. She shares the unglamorous truth of innovation, fighting physics, supply chains, and disbelief, while still hitting commitments through decisive execution and a culture built for pressure.

For women in tech navigating ceilings and seeking visibility, the guidance is clear and actionable. Choose the messy, high-impact work others avoid. Build trust by delivering under pressure. Communicate with clarity, drop the hedging, and be overprepared. We also explore becoming future-ready with AI: learn the fundamentals, speak the language, and use the tools to amplify your work. Mentorship, peer networks, and “quiet boldness” round out a candid playbook for career growth that doesn’t wait for permission.

I hope this conversation gives you the nudge to take the harder path intentionally, and if so, share it with a friend who needs the encouragement. Subscribe for more honest, tactical stories from leaders building the future, and leave a review to tell us the bold move you’re making next.

Hi Mary here, through my conversations with women leaders, I’ve learned just how urgent the need is for AI strategies that actually make sense. It’s not about adopting tools just to keep up; it’s about building a smart foundation. That’s exactly what Beyondsoft is doing. To learn more visit
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-yCsEeZbsl6ivoZoS9YW1quYxbQr1Teo

What if the straightest line to a bigger career is choosing the uncomfortable zones? On episode #141, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Tracy Nolan, Fortune 100 executive, transformation leader, and champion of women in leadership, to unpack the choices and mindsets that turned discomfort into momentum. From retail floors to the front lines of telecom, from global negotiations to a mission-driven role in healthcare, Tracy shows how to trust your instincts, claim your seat, and bring others with you.

We dig into the moment a sponsor pushed her into a stretch role and why that single act of belief changed her trajectory. Tracy breaks down the difference between mentorship and sponsorship (and how to be a great mentee), shares a simple mental model for speaking up in intimidating rooms, and explains how demanding goals can coexist with deep empathy and active listening. Her stories, like giving a CEO-ready plan just ten days into a new job, reveal how confidence is built: not by waiting to be “A+ ready,” but by acting, learning, and iterating.

Tracy also opens up about why healthcare fits her purpose, the women-first culture she’s found at Humana, and the platform she’s building, Lift as They Climb, to make sponsorship among women the norm, not the exception. We talk board pathways, continuous learning, and the skill set that will outlast every tool in an AI-driven economy: leading people through change with clarity, process, and heart.

If boldness has been on your list, consider this your nudge. Listen, and share this with a friend who needs a push. Additionally, if possible, please leave a review of the show. This will help us grow and increase our visibility on the streaming channels.

Resources:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyenolan/
Website: www.tracynolan.com

Hi Mary here, through my conversations with women leaders, I’ve learned just how urgent the need is for AI strategies that actually make sense. It’s not about adopting tools just to keep up; it’s about building a smart foundation. That’s exactly what Beyondsoft is doing. Please visit their Data + AI playlist on YouTube to learn more.
https://bit.ly/4ob8X8j

When you subscribe to the podcast, you are supporting our work's mission, allowing us to continue highlighting successful women in a variety of careers to inspire others helping pay our wonderful editor, Chris, and helping me in paying our hosting expenses. 🎉

What if your business could actually work for your life instead of consuming it? This question lies at the heart of Tana Kramer's approach to financial strategy for women entrepreneurs.

Tana, founder of TK Solutions and a self-described "profitable strategist," joins the To Be Bolder podcast to share her journey from answering phones at her father's glass shop at age eight to becoming a fractional CFO for women-led businesses generating $1-5 million in revenue. Her path wasn't linear – after graduating with a management degree, she quickly realized corporate life wasn't for her and found her calling supporting entrepreneurs through various ventures before launching her own business.

The conversation reveals profound insights about the relationship between profitability and lifestyle design. Tana emphasizes that most entrepreneurs fail to regularly examine their financial statements, often relying on flawed memory rather than actual data. "Looking at your numbers is definitely going to be the biggest thing," she explains, noting how entrepreneurs sometimes mentally spend the same dollar multiple times. This disconnect between perception and reality leads to misalignment that manifests physically – grinding teeth, tension in the shoulders, persistent irritability – signaling something in your business model isn't working for you.

Perhaps most valuably, Tana addresses the emotional and psychological dimensions of entrepreneurship. She shares how she discovered her own inherited scarcity mindset through conversations with her mother, and offers a powerful strategy for those struggling with similar limitations: "Get yourself into rooms where people are sure it's possible and you can borrow some of their confidence while you prove it to yourself." This environment shift gradually transforms your relationship with money and profitability.

Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey or looking to scale your existing business more intentionally, Tana's guidance offers a refreshing perspective on creating financial systems that support your vision rather than dictate it. Tune in to be inspired and learn two important insights about managing your money.

Support the show

When you subscribe to the podcast, you are supporting our work's mission, allowing us to continue highlighting successful women in a variety of careers to inspire others helping pay our wonderful editor, Chris, and helping me in paying our hosting expenses. 🎉