In this episode of Behind Numbers, host Alessandro Cozzi sits down with Tara Spalding, a dynamic leader whose journey spans from Silicon Valley startups to the boardrooms of Utah’s most innovative companies. Today, she’s the Strategic Relationship Advisor at Nusano, helping shape the future of isotope manufacturing — a field poised to transform energy and healthcare. But behind the milestones and titles lies a story of reinvention, self-belief, and turning doubts into power.

From teaching herself to code and leaping into tech in the early 2000s, to witnessing the birth of Salesforce and recognizing how data would redefine customer relationships, Tara’s career has been built on identifying the next big shift — and having the courage to move toward it. Her story is a masterclass in adaptability, resilience, and foresight — qualities that every leader needs in a world of constant change.

Tara shares how she learned to analyze her doubts instead of letting them paralyze her — transforming uncertainty into strategy. She reveals how to recognize when something “isn’t in the cards” and how to pivot with intention, confidence, and purpose. For her, doubt isn’t a weakness; it’s a signal — a strategic checkpoint that pushes you to reassess, refocus, and move forward stronger.

Beyond her impressive executive career, Tara has mentored over 500 entrepreneurs, helping founders navigate the toughest parts of building — from fundraising and market strategy to leadership and growth. Through her work with World Trade Center Utah, Kinect Capital, and her own incubator Hen House Ventures, she’s helped countless startups turn ideas into viable, scalable businesses.

In this conversation, Tara opens up about what it truly means to be a mentor and a leader in today’s rapidly changing world. She shares her perspective on:

• The mental mindset behind successful career pivots.

• The balance between confidence and humility that defines strong founders.

• Why curiosity and traction matter more than perfection in entrepreneurship.

• How leadership must evolve in the age of AI, digital acceleration, and global instability.

• The ongoing fight for gender equality — and what true empowerment looks like in the workplace.

Tara also reflects on what she’s most proud of — earning trust through integrity, consistency, and impact. Her story reminds us that credibility isn’t built overnight; it’s earned through actions that compound over time.

And when asked the closing question — what she would change if she could go back — her answer carries a timeless lesson: she wishes she had pursued technical education earlier, not because of regret, but because she sees how early learning and curiosity open doors to opportunity. Her advice to anyone listening? Keep learning, no matter your stage. Take the class, earn the certification, stay curious — because adaptability is the currency of leadership.

This episode is about more than a career journey — it’s about redefining success, embracing change, and leading with both strategy and heart.

🎧 Listen now to hear how Tara Spalding turned doubts into direction — and why embracing uncertainty might be the smartest move you make in your own career.