Q&A with Monica Marquez: Co-Founder of FlipWork, Workforce Reinvention Strategist, and widely known as the MacGyver for Agentic-Human Reinvention

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Monica Marquez“With AI there’s constant disruption,” says Monica Marquez. “It’s about how do you get people to become very agile and comfortable with that disruption? And how do you leverage and sustain that change?”

A “MacGyver for Agentic-Human Reinvention,” Marquez does not shy away from disruption – she wholeheartedly embraces it. Previously profiled in 2021, she spoke with theglasshammer.com on the next chapter in her journey of pioneering change, as she dives into the evolving intersection of human potential and artificial intelligence.

Q: Tell us more about what you’re working on now and how your new venture, Flip Work, is helping organizations navigate this era of rapid change.

At its core, Flip Work helps organizations achieve measurable ROI from AI by focusing on human adoption. According to a 2025 MIT report, 95% of AI pilots have failed, not because of the technology itself, but because people aren’t adopting it, reinventing workflows, or using it to augment their work.

Many companies implement AI without a real plan for how people will use it. The question becomes, how do you help people shift their identities to see themselves differently in the way that they work, and in the way that they must reinvent themselves in the AI era? Because the reality is, AI is changing work faster than people can adapt.

This widening gap is what we define at FlipWork as the Exponential Divide, the moment when technology evolves faster than people can change how they work.

That has been our focus, and we’ve built a human and agentic system that helps people reinvent the way that they work, from a three-pronged approach. First, we help people reinvent themselves from a behavioral and a mindset perspective with the support of FlippyAI, which acts as a daily AI coach and change agent. Second, we reinvent workflows through Flip Lab, our 90-day reinvention sprint. Third, we reinvent workforce tools through Flip Factory, where agentic automations bring redesigned workflows to life. With AI, disruption is constant. The goal is to help people become agile and comfortable with that reality, to leverage it rather than resist it. This is how individuals become People², exponentially capable professionals who evolve at the pace of technology. That’s what Flip Work is all about.

Q: The work you’re describing sounds very much rooted in organizational development, guiding people through behavioral and mindset change. Would you say that’s part of your approach?

Yes, definitely, it’s change management, but traditional change management is no longer enough. When companies are thinking about AI adoption, they think that if they buy all the tools and give them to employees, that will be enough, but no one is really helping the people change and leverage the tools.

Recently I was at a conference talking to senior leaders at Microsoft and they told me that despite rolling out Copilot across their entire professional population, adoption is only 47%. That means that more than half of people aren’t using the tools, often because they’re waiting for permission or guidance from leadership. The impact of that is that people are going to get left behind.

Everybody is fearing that AI is going to replace jobs. The reality is that yes, it will, but we always reinvent ourselves. If we look at the past, think the dot-com era, digital cash registers, or similar technological shifts, people often said, “This is going to displace jobs.” And yes, some roles change, but people reskill and find new ways to contribute. At the end of the day, human discernment, creativity, empathy, and expertise remain essential. Our lived experience still matters in ensuring that outputs are accurate, meaningful, and impactful.

It’s about helping people reinvent themselves, recognizing what your zone of genius is, and how you augment or amplify your zone of genius with AI, and delegate the things that you don’t like to do, so that you can focus on your genius zone. This is the identity-first reinvention that FlipWork is built around.

Q: This is obviously a very exciting moment and project. What brought you here?

As a leader, I’ve always been curious and an early adopter, a pioneer. An example of that is when I was at Goldman Sachs, back in 2008, I spearheaded the Returnship Program. Later, I co-founded Beyond Barriers to accelerate career advancement for women and underrepresented talent. My mindset is always you have to disrupt yourself before you get disrupted. I’ve always operated like a MacGyver, finding resourceful ways to reinvent how work gets done. AI fits in with that because I’m very comfortable with disruption.

When I had colleagues, some of whom are now CHROs at major companies, coming to me and saying, “Our company is adopting all this AI, but I don’t even know how to leverage it. How do we roll out AI adoption for our people?” I started to see a real gap in the marketplace. It’s not just about using the tools; it’s about shifting mindsets. Many people think AI is only for coders or tech experts, and they feel it’s not for them. The truth is, you don’t have to understand how AI works; you just need to know how to use it to do your work better.

Q: What would you tell a digital native, then, entering the space in this exciting world of AI?

Digital natives may have an easier time embracing new tools, but I would be careful that it doesn’t cause creativity and diversity of thought to become lazy. Even though you’re a digital native and you may be an early adopter, you must continuously make sure that what you’re practicing doesn’t lead to intellectual atrophy, making the technology smarter and the humans less smart.

For example, you shouldn’t just be taking the output that ChatGPT or another AI tool gives you and putting it out there without utilizing your own expertise, judgement, and discernment.

One way to think about AI is as your “Artificial Intern.” You wouldn’t give an intern a task and then pass their work along to the higher-ups without checking it first. The same applies to AI. You have to coach it, refine it, review its work, and ensure what it produces reflects your expertise. You wouldn’t pass along unedited intern work to an executive, and the same rules apply with AI.

Q: You’ve long been an advocate for Latina representation in leadership and tech. As a board member for Latinas in Tech and the Association for Latino Professionals in America, how are you helping the next generation of Latino leaders prepare for this new era of work?

Supporting Latinos, Latinas, and other marginalized groups has always been a huge passion of mine, helping them accelerate their careers and expand beyond the limits of their cultural upbringing and conditioned beliefs.

What we’re finding now, though, is that some of the fear around the digital divide is widening. I was at the ALPFA conference over the summer, where we soft-launched Flip the Script, a program designed to help people start thinking about how to adopt AI. The feedback I heard was interesting in that many participants told me, “I’ve always been taught I have to work twice as hard to get half as far. If AI helps me do something in 30 minutes that used to take three days, what does that say about my worth?”

That mindset runs deep, the belief that effort and hard work equal success. But in this new era, we help people rewrite the script to say that impact equals success. AI amplifies your value; it does not diminish it. If you can use AI to achieve more in less time, you’re amplifying your impact, not diminishing your value.

For many, especially those from cultures where perseverance and grit are tied to identity, this shift is difficult. I’ve coached young Latino professionals who feel like using AI is “cheating.” They’re hesitant to embrace it because it challenges their definition of what it means to earn success.

So part of my work now is helping people rewire those conditioned beliefs—whether they’re cultural, societal, or organizational—and help people recognize that their true value lies in their expertise, discernment, empathy, and creativity, the exact human strengths that AI amplifies inside the People² model.

Interviewed by Nicki Gilmour, founder and CEO of theglasshammer.com

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Words of Wisdom from Women in Leadership 2025 (Part 1)

words of wisdom 2025In 2025, a clear theme emerged from the leaders we had the privilege of profiling: meaningful leadership grows from the relationships we build, the self-awareness we cultivate, and the courage we bring to each new chapter. Across industries and backgrounds, these women shared the habits and mindsets that have shaped their journeys, including building personal boards of advisors, embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth, strengthening EQ, and remembering to look beyond the demands of a single role to the broader arc of a career.

Words of Wisdom 2025 brings their insights together in this first installment, with Part 2 coming in future weeks. As we reflect on their stories, we will also explore how coaching can help leaders deepen these practices and accelerate their development. We are grateful for the candor and generosity each woman offered. Their voices continue to illuminate what intentional, authentic leadership looks like and the possibilities that open when we stay curious and committed to our own evolution.

On why networking matters

“In each stage of my career I’ve heeded the advice to build my personal board. It’s thinking about who are the five or six people to go to for very critical decisions? Why are they on your board? Why do they keep a seat on your board, or do you rotate them? They can be a mix of mentors, sponsors, or just people whose opinions you trust.”

Alexandra Wilson-Elizondo: Partner, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Multi-Asset Solutions (MAS), Goldman Sachs Asset Management

On leadership styles evolving

“As I moved higher in my career, I recognized the value of awareness and empathy, understanding different perspectives, styles, and what motivates the current workforce as it’s different from when I was a young professional.”
Today, her leadership prioritizes open communication and constructive feedback. “I have been focused on rebalancing my ‘get things done’ upbringing with understanding how people receive and digest information, and how they can grow.”

Daniela Shapiro: Senior Managing Director, HASI

On embracing change

“I’m not someone who loves change,” confesses Burger. “But one of the best pieces of advice I got—and now share—is to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Challenges can be scary because inevitably they involve change, but it leads to growth. It’s about taking calculated risks and being okay with change when you know it can lead to something better.”

Julie Burger: Co-Head of Public Finance, Wells Fargo

On finding strength in uniqueness through executive coaching

“I focused on how I could be more structured, more powerful, more impactful—so that my French accent became a strength. The firm provided me with a coach who helped me work on my communication and presentation style, which really made a difference. I also found having an external perspective, someone who listens and helps you understand how others hear you, to be invaluable.”

Pamela Codo-Lotti: Partner, Global Chief Operating Officer of Shareholder Activism Defense, Goldman Sachs

On the value of EQ in navigating client relationships

“Working with clients across industries and influencing multiple stakeholders requires emotional intelligence. Every corporation has a different culture, every CFO has a different way they like to be engaged. Understanding that and adapting your approach is critical.”

Alex Douklias: Vice Chair, Corporate Banking, Wells Fargo Corporate & Investment Banking

On building teams with diverse viewpoints and approaches

Marsland recalls a former manager who exclusively hired people with identical approaches. “You end up with a team that lacks diversity in thinking. I don’t think that’s great for business.”

“I want different perspectives, different strengths. One person might be great at presentations; another might excel in negotiations. As long as the job gets done, I don’t need everyone to work the same way.”

Jennifer Marsland: Head of Sales, North America, World Travel Protection

On not losing sight of the bigger picture

“It’s important to remember that your career and your job are two different things. Whether you are happy in your current job or not, you always want to think about your broader career trajectory outside of the present position…Keep up with LinkedIn and go to networking events. Don’t get so heads-down focused on being successful in your current job that you don’t also build connections outside in industry and peer groups.”

Christine McIntyre: Chief Financial Officer, Raftelis

On the impact of a coaching mindset

“My training as a coach has impacted me in foundational ways. That includes not letting fear drive decision making, because in coaching you learn how to look at the worst-case scenario and explore questions like, ‘how bad can it really be? What if that happens? What can you do about it?’ That mindset has impacted my ability to adapt and flex and pivot.”

Natalie Runyon: Content Strategist for ESG, Human Rights Crimes and AI in Courts, Thomson Reuters

On navigating a crossroads when confidence falters

“Firstly, ask this. What was the best moment in the last 12 to 24 months of your life? Often we are so focused on the summit, we don’t look back to see how much ground we’ve covered. So I ask people to find the best moment – personal and professional – and double-click into that moment to ask what you did to make that moment a reality. It did not happen by luck or chance. It was your strengths and talents that made it happen.”

Lisa Sun, Gravitas Founder & CEO & Best-Selling Author

How Coaching Can Accelerate This Wisdom

What ties all these insights together is the active work of becoming. Growth requires intention, perspective, and the willingness to look honestly at how we show up. That is where executive coaching becomes a powerful accelerator. Research consistently shows that coaching strengthens emotional intelligence, improves decision-making, and helps leaders translate insight into sustained behavioral change.

A coach helps you do exactly what these leaders describe: examine how you communicate, challenge unhelpful assumptions, reconnect with your strengths, and navigate uncertainty with more confidence. Coaching provides the structured space that busy professionals rarely give themselves, especially at this time of year, when reflection and recalibration naturally come into focus.

As we close out 2025 and prepare to step into 2026, consider how you want to lead in the year ahead. If this collection sparked recognition or reminded you of the leader you aim to be, take it as an invitation to act. Seek out an executive coach who can help you deepen these practices, expand your impact, and enter the new year with clarity, purpose, and intention.

Book your session today and start 2026 with intentional growth.

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Deborah Overdeput: Chief Operating Officer, Innovative Systems (FinScan, Enlighten, PostLocate)

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Deborah Overdeput“I can look back and point to the promotions, the double-digit growth, all the successes along the way, but I never truly believed in my success until I stepped out on my own and built a business,” says Deborah Overdeput.

That moment of independence was not just a career milestone, but a shift in how she saw herself as a leader: someone who thrives on curiosity, creates clarity where there is none, and knows when it is time to pivot.

From Rocket Science to Market Growth

Overdeput began her career as a rocket scientist, trained in space station computing and fault-tolerant systems. Yet, when she relocated to Belgium for an engineering role at Swift, she felt restless. “I realized I really liked talking about what we were doing rather than actually building it. Once I got bit by that bug, I knew I had to transition into marketing.”

With no formal background in marketing, Overdeput made a bold decision: she would become a Chief Marketing Officer in technology. That goal guided every step she took, from mastering the fast-changing dynamics of marketing to taking lateral moves and pushing herself into stretch roles that expanded her skills and influence. At SunGard, her determination paid off as she advanced from marketing a single product line to overseeing more than 40. Later, at Sapient, she led the repositioning of a 250-million-dollar business unit and helped drive it to more than 500 million dollars in under five years.

What she took away from those years was simple: strategy only works if it is rooted in reality. “If you do not understand how products work, how teams operate, and what customers actually need, it is hard to make the right choices. I have always believed strong leadership starts with really knowing what is happening on the ground.”

Creating Clarity in Uncertain Times

Overdeput believes leadership matters most when circumstances are ambiguous. “You do not need leadership when everything is well defined. You need leadership when the path is unclear and the pressure is high. My role has always been to take that uncertainty, translate it into strategy, and help others see the way forward.”

That principle carries into her role today as COO at Innovative Systems, where she leads global product management, marketing, operations, and human resources. “My focus is on enabling human potential by aligning talent, strategy, and resources so that even in shifting markets, our people can do their best work and deliver meaningful impact for our clients.”

Innovative Systems is also known for building long-term relationships with clients, some spanning decades. Overdeput emphasizes that trust is both a differentiator and a responsibility. “Our clients count on us not just for technology, but for partnership. Delivering on that promise, year after year, is what keeps us relevant and resilient in a shifting compliance landscape.”

Lessons in Confidence and Voice

Before her COO role at Innovative Systems, Overdeput built a successful consultancy as a fractional Chief Marketing Officer. Working with a range of technology and financial services clients, she discovered a new level of confidence in her own capabilities. The experience affirmed her expertise and sharpened her ability to deliver high-impact results across different businesses and industries.

She also discovered her voice had changed. “Earlier in my career, as a woman inside large companies, I often found my ideas ignored until repeated by a man. Over time, I learned to strengthen my voice, to claim my authority. Today, people stop and listen not just because of my title, but because they know I speak with conviction and experience.”

That conviction shapes her leadership style today. “I try to listen more and advocate for voices within the company. Leadership is not about being the loudest person in the room. It is about making sure the right voices are heard.”

The Power of Networks and Mentorship

For Overdeput, networks and mentorship are essential leadership tools. She has mentored University of New Hampshire students since 2009, often those with math or computer science backgrounds like her own. “I tell them, start early. Build your network, get on LinkedIn, connect with your peers. Those relationships are career changing.”

Mentorship, she says, has shaped her as much as her mentees. “Working with students helps me see how the next generation thinks, what motivates them, and how they want to grow. That perspective is essential for any leader who wants to build teams that are not only high-performing today but also ready for tomorrow.”

It is also what inspired her latest project: Walk Away, a book she is co-authoring with Sally Clarke. “The book brings together stories of women who reached pivotal moments and chose to leave situations that no longer aligned with their values or ambitions. Hearing these stories has been like sitting with different mentors. Each one has helped me rethink the situations I face in my own career and the challenges my mentees bring to me. One of the women said, ‘Walking away was the boldest form of leadership I have ever practiced.’ That stayed with me, because leadership is often about knowing when to stay the course, and when the braver choice is to step into something new.”

Building Teams Through Talent

For Overdeput, the heart of leadership lies in building strong teams. “High-performing teams are not built by accident; they come from spotting potential others might overlook and giving people the chance to prove themselves. One of my best hires did not meet the checklist on paper, but I knew she had what it would take. She went on to become a star. As Steve Jobs once said, it does not make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do. My role is to create the conditions for their talent to shine.”

Her approach is less about rigid processes and more about creating conditions for people to thrive. Weekly check-ins, open conversations, and celebrating wins keep teams connected and aligned to a bigger purpose. “One of the most rewarding experiences is when a team pulls together to deliver something bigger than any one individual could achieve. I make it a point to celebrate those moments, because they remind me that leadership is not about one person’s actions, but about creating the environment where everyone’s contributions matter.”

Leading With Intuition and Humanity

Her leadership philosophy is also shaped by yoga and meditation, which she has practiced for more than 30 years. “Yoga taught me how to breathe through stress and build core strength, not only physically but also in the way I show up as a leader. Meditation taught me to quiet the noise, to see the world beyond my own ego, and to stay present for others. Together, they remind me it is not about me, it is about enabling others. Maya Angelou captured it best: people will forget what you said and what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. That truth stays with me, because I have seen it reflected back in the people I have supported, watching their success become part of my own impact.”

And from her mother, she learned the value of having a cheerleader in your corner. “She showed me that sometimes what you need most is someone who believes in you, no matter the obstacles. That is the kind of leader I try to be for others.”

Looking Ahead

Asked what drives her today, Overdeput points to impact. “I want to look back and know I left a stamp, that I built teams, grew businesses, and created opportunities for others to succeed. For me, leadership is about enabling human potential in ways that last, so the people and organizations I have touched continue to thrive long after I have moved on.”
That philosophy ties her trajectory from rocket science to COO together. As she puts it: “Great leadership means building great products, growing great people, and creating clarity in a complex world.”

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Nicole Young: Head of CRE Portfolio Management, Wells Fargo

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Nicole Young“At the end of the day, the impact I care about most is on people, helping them achieve what they didn’t think was possible and elevating the organization to new levels,” says Nicole Young. “The efficiency, output, and success that result from bringing out their best work are just byproducts of that focus.”

Young is a leader whose passion lies in transformation: unlocking potential in people, teams, and entire organizations. She shares how this mindset has guided her career, from CMBS to consumer lending and back to commercial real estate, where she now leads Wells Fargo’s portfolio management organization.

Building from the Ground Up

With nearly thirty years in commercial real estate at Wells Fargo, Young has navigated multiple facets of the business, from underwriting and origination to credit approval and even workouts during the Global Financial Crisis. Each role sharpened her expertise and resilience, but more importantly, it revealed her talent for building and shaping something from the ground up.

“I was fortunate to be asked to start from scratch and lead our small loan CMBS (Commercial-Backed Mortgage Securities) program, which focused on loans between 1 million and 15 million,” she recalls. “I started the group, structured how it would work, hired the people, developed the process. That was really fulfilling…it’s where I got the taste for building something from the ground up.”

After fifteen years in CMBS, Young made a pivotal decision to move to Wells Fargo’s consumer side, leading underwriting for the home lending group. The transition required scaling her leadership from 20 people to more than 1,700 while transforming the organization to be more efficient and effective. “That was a steep learning curve,” she says. “I had to really learn to lead with data… and understand how standardized processes are critical to making an organization of that size run efficiently and effectively.”

When Kara McShane, Head of Commercial Real Estate, asked her to return five years later to take on a role that demanded both large-scale leadership and efficiency shaped from the start, the decision was an easy one.

“I had always admired Kara’s leadership and knew I would love to work for her. When she contacted me about coming back to CRE, I was thrilled.” She continues, “Wells Fargo had recently consolidated its commercial real estate lines of business, but no one was managing the portfolio as a whole and making sure those businesses were acting and making decisions as one. There was a huge opportunity to create efficiencies through standardization, and I got to build the new Portfolio Management organization from the ground up.”

Today, Young’s group of nearly 400 professionals oversees capital strategy, underwriting, closing, and portfolio management, bringing consistency, efficiency, and risk mitigation across the organization.

“Kara’s vision of bringing those groups together and leading them as one unit has really paid off given that we are rated the #1 Global Real Estate Bond Bookrunner, #1 CMBS, #1 Bank Agency lender, #1 Construction lender, and #1 in Loan Syndications.”

Learning to Lead at Scale

As Young progressed into senior leadership, she quickly realized that success required developing new skills, most notably, learning how to lead at scale and communicate effectively across large, complex organizations. When she transitioned to leading a team of 1,700, she remembers her boss giving her valuable advice that fundamentally shifted her mindset.

“He said, ‘I need you to lead the people, not the work’…it really shifted me from feeling like I needed to be the subject matter expert to recognizing that I’m here to lead the people. They can be the subject matter experts. My job is to guide them, give them the vision, and make sure the organization is moving in the right direction.”

Young notes that another key part of leading at scale is mastering communication in many directions: down to the team, out to the organization, and up to executive leadership.

“With my team that means ensuring they understand the vision, are aligned around the priorities and the mission, and are inspired to do their best work to deliver for our clients. To do that, I spend a lot of time with the team individually and in groups.”

In communicating up and out to executives, regulators, and the board, Young explains, “It’s about taking the complex and making it simple, understanding your audience, and tailoring your message with the right level of detail.” For Young, effective leadership at scale depends on both connecting with her team and translating that insight for the broader organization.

Authenticity and Grit

Young’s experience learning to lead at scale also reinforced a few key traits that have consistently supported her success. Young attributes much of her leadership growth to a willingness to embrace new challenges and learn continuously. “I’ve taken on different roles throughout my career where I didn’t necessarily have deep expertise,” she says, “but I was always willing to dig in and figure it out. That willingness to learn and to tackle hard challenges is important.”

Young also points to authenticity as foundational to her approach. “I don’t put on a façade…I’m direct and frank, which some people like and some may not, but this is the real me. I lead my team that way, and I try to always be honest and transparent.” That straightforward approach, combined with high expectations, has helped her bring out the best in the people she leads. “One of the things I’m most proud of is the team I build and what I can help them achieve.”

Finally, grit and drive are an important part of the mix. “You can’t underestimate the power of hard work,” she notes. “It has served me well throughout my career.”

Believing in Others as They Believed in Her

While Young’s drive, authenticity, and willingness to take on challenges were essential building blocks to her career progression, she is quick to credit the support she received from both Wells Fargo and the people around her. Early on, she balanced career ambitions with family responsibilities, working part-time as a young mother while continuing to excel in her role.

“People saw my potential and believed in me—Wells Fargo believed in me—and were willing to wait until the time was right for me to step into bigger roles…I appreciate that I was given the time and space when I needed it and I try to do the same for my team.”

Now, Young pays that support forward. “When I see someone’s potential, I bring them in, help them develop, and give them a platform to grow. Sometimes that even means helping them move to other parts of the organization where they can expand their skills.”

Bringing Out the Best

The commitment to lifting others up naturally extends into how Young leads her own team. A defining principle of her leadership is written clearly on her whiteboard: What did I do today to make the team better?

“I spend time really trying to figure out what motivates people individually and collectively as at team to bring out the best in them. I give stretch assignments that get them to do more than they think is possible,” she explains. “When they’ve done the work, I make sure they’re the ones presenting it. They deserve the visibility and the access to other leaders.”

That people-first philosophy is both Young’s leadership signature and her source of fulfillment. She finds meaning in seeing her team grow, whether it is employees she once hired fresh out of college who are now thriving across the organization, or former team members who choose to come back and work for her again. “That to me is amazing,” she says. “Seeing people’s success and knowing you had a part in getting them there is truly fulfilling.”

Even after building multiple teams and functions, Young remains motivated by challenge and transformation. “We have a few more years before this group is a completely well-oiled machine… but it’s exciting to see the impact. Ultimately, success isn’t just efficiency—it’s the growth and fulfillment of the people I lead.”

By Jessica Robaire

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Angela Cruz: Sales Effectiveness Leader, Sales Excellence, Accenture

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Angela Cruz“One of my love languages is acts of service, and at work, I manifest that through mentoring, supporting career advancement, anything that fosters engagement,” says Angela Cruz. “It’s how I bring to life a part of me that’s very important to my soul.”

For Cruz, the work matters, but it is the people, the learning, and the community that make it meaningful. She shares how through every chapter of her journey, authenticity, connection, curiosity, and service are the compass guiding both her growth and her leadership.

From Technical Skills to Personal Alignment

Moving from the Dominican Republic to the United States at fifteen, Cruz faced the dual challenges of learning English and adapting to a new culture, yet she remained optimistic about the possibilities ahead. She started her studies at a community college, the most affordable and accessible option, and explored different paths before settling on electrical engineering. The choice was pragmatic rather than inspired. “It wasn’t a calling,” she reflects. “I wanted to finish college with a career that had a financially stable future, and technical careers were very well paid.”

That practical decision laid the foundation for Cruz’ first professional chapter at AT&T Bell Labs, where she spent 15 years. She describes it as “like what working for Google or Apple is today,” a place defined by PhDs and cutting-edge innovation. “That’s where I grew up professionally,” she says. But just as important, “that’s where I also learned about corporate culture… to get involved in passion projects that contributed to the culture of the team and the company.”

After more than a decade in technical roles, Cruz realized her personality aligned more naturally with business development. Marketing became a bridge into sales, where she discovered the work felt intuitive. “Sales isn’t something you really learn in a university,” she explains. “It was something I evolved to, and it had a lot to do with my personality—my ability to connect people and build relationships, which is the heart of what sales is.”

Cruz’ combination of technical grounding and people-centered skills propelled her into sales leadership across the telecommunications and software platform landscape. Today at Accenture, she brings those same strengths to her role as Sales Effectiveness leader for Sales Excellence.

“I’m in a sales-effectiveness role, helping account teams bring innovative solutions to clients, all anchored on GenAI and Agentic Architecture. To be in a role that is so relevant to what’s business reinvention and transformation– it’s a huge privilege.”

Connection, Adaptability, and Purpose

The qualities that have carried Cruz forward extend well beyond relationship-building; she describes how cultural alignment, adaptability, and purpose also play a defining role.

“I learned at a certain point in my career what my strengths were in terms of cultural alignment. When I transitioned into sales, I worked a lot with Caribbean and Latin America, which is where I come from. Having the dual language and the cultural sensitivity gave me an edge in navigating that transition, which was very motivating for me.”

That shift into sales also coincided with a move from New Jersey to Miami, which tested and reinforced her adaptability. “Flexibility, being open to adjust to different environments, adapting to new circumstances, it’s something I learned very early on, and that trait has helped me along the way as I navigated my career.”

While connection and adaptability opened doors, purpose is the force that sustains Cruz.

“Every company I’ve been at, I’ve always combined my responsibilities with volunteer work both within the company and within the community. That’s what has kept me with a high level of enthusiasm for what I do. I always need to have the two: not just the job, but also the engagement.”

Leaning on Guidance

As much as Cruz’ strengths have contributed to her achievement, so too are the people who believed in her potential. “I’ve always had a personal board of directors. Some people come into your life for a season, for a reason, or for a lifetime. I’ve had all those types of influences.”

Cruz highlights the mentor who gave her a chance when she had no sales experience and sponsored her move to Miami. “I experienced impostor syndrome in the beginning, but his encouragement eased the transition.  He’s always been invested in my success and has been there through every career milestone.”

That kind of support has remained important at every stage of her career. When Cruz joined Accenture through an acquisition, she recalls how overwhelming the transition felt. “When you come as a group that was just acquired, you’re completely lost. But I was fortunate to work with people like Alex Tyler, a Managing Director and extraordinary leader who was kind, patient and recognized my value.”  Those experiences of being championed are at the heart of why she invests so deeply in others. “I know the power of sponsorship, mentorship, and advocacy. I’ve fully taken advantage of it, and that’s why I feel so strongly about paying it forward!”

Family is also a grounding force. Cruz credits her grandmother, now 101, as a pillar and role model. “She had 13 kids, and now there are about 169 family members over five generations. She’s taught me resilience, strength, faith, and positive mindset. She loves music, she’s witty, light-hearted and full of joy. She’s been a huge influence and my source of inspiration.”

Bring Your Full Self and Build Community

Nearly four decades after making the pivotal decision to study electrical engineering, Cruz was invited to return to her alma mater to deliver the commencement address.  Speaking to over 1,800 graduates, many from underrepresented backgrounds, her message was both simple and profound: “Always be proud of who you are, and bring your full self to whatever environment you’re in. It’s what makes you unique, and the world needs you as an individual and what you bring to the table.”

Second, she highlighted the importance of building community. “I’ve moved and started over several times. Managing those transitions successfully is only possible when you make community, when you connect with people, when you find affinity and appreciate differences. The differences are where you learn.”

For Cruz, this same principle applies in business. Networking, she explains, is less about career advancement than about deepening understanding. “That’s where you really learn –when you connect with people in different companies that do different things than you do. It enriches you as a professional and as a person.”

Continuous Learning, Lasting Pride

Even at this stage of her career, Cruz challenges herself to try something new, recognizing that part of her success is a willingness to evolve. “Continuous learning has been a key driver,” she reflects. “I have reinvented myself quite a few times because I’ve always been open, flexible, and curious to learn.”

Her current position at Accenture is a clear example of that mindset in action. “This was a stretch assignment for me. While I had worked in Sales Operations in the past, the scope is much broader here, in fact is called Sales Excellence for a reason, best in class. There was a lot I needed to learn… and I said, yes, I’ll do it.”

Cruz reflects on the impact of that choice. “Fast forward one year, I feel very privileged and successful, because I helped the team achieve the goals the firm established. It fills me with a lot of pride.”

When it comes to her greatest accomplishment, however, Cruz does not look to her career. “I have very strong family values and my kids are a huge source of pride for me. They are grown and very successful professionals – my older son is in cybersecurity at Zendesk, my younger son is a digital content producer with the Miami Heat, and my daughter works for the president of TelevisaUnivision. I raised them as single parent, and to me, that is, besides work or anything else, my biggest accomplishment. They are my anchor and my beacon of light.”

By Jessica Robaire

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Johanna Diaz: Global Head of Alternatives Product Strategy, Goldman Sachs

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Johanna Diaz“In facing challenges or change, I always go back to the questions: Am I in the right place? Am I surrounded by the right people? Am I learning? Am I growing?” says Johanna Diaz. “When you can identify core tenets to return to and hold yourself to them, they become a guide for navigating almost anything.”

Led as much by her intuition as by the foundational aspirations of her first-generation beginnings, Diaz leverages every opportunity to learn, grow, and lead. She shares how her trajectory reflects not only her resilience but also the support of mentors whose influence continues to inform her leadership.

From the Bronx to Goldman Sachs

Born in the Bronx to parents who immigrated from the Dominican Republic, Diaz understood the value of education from an early age: “being a first-generation American, my parents made it a priority for my siblings and me. We were the first in our family to attend university and enter the business world.”

For Diaz, that focus on education was also a path to financial stability, which led her to pursue accounting — a profession she saw as both practical and reliable. Starting her career first as an intern and then as a CPA at Grant Thornton, Diaz gained both skills and exposure. When she was first introduced to Goldman Sachs as a client of Grant Thornton, the experience left an impression.

“I was blown away by the caliber of the people, the rigor around collaborative teamwork and the focus on delivery.” That exposure opened her eyes to possibilities beyond what Diaz had imagined. When the opportunity came to join Goldman, she took the leap. “That was the first big twist in my career as it redirected my vision from accounting to a whole other world of possibility.”

Over the next two decades, Diaz’ career grew organically across business development, research, and ultimately asset management to be the Global Head of Alternatives Product Strategy, a role that she finds equally rewarding and inspiring.

“The last five years have been so incredible, pivoting to the alternative investing landscape. I’ve had the opportunity to help build a business from scratch and expand the shelf as it relates to our products. The content, as well as being a part of a team that is integral to Goldman Sachs’ growth has been so fulfilling.”

The Influence of Mentors and Executive Coaching

Diaz credits her ability to pivot, take risks, and grow in new roles as being bolstered by the mentors who offered guidance and perspective along the way. An early mentor gave her a piece of advice that still resonates: take stock every few years.

“That conversation was pivotal for me. Even 20 years later, every two to three years, I take a personal moment of deep reflection: Where am I? Have I accomplished what I set out to do? Could there be more? That practice has guided me throughout my entire time at Goldman.”

She sees mentors as a personal “board of directors” — people who know her well and can be honest when she calls on them for guidance, whether about career decisions or balancing family and work. “My mentors played a huge role in helping me navigate my personal journey, including building a family, while building momentum in my career.”

Executive coaching complemented that support, giving Diaz structured feedback and tools to grow. Early programs offered through Goldman helped her refine presentation skills, while later on she focused on refining “leadership and communication skills but in a more nuanced way than I’d ever had before.”

Together, mentorship and coaching have provided Diaz with both a trusted sounding board and a framework for continuous growth, shaping the leader she is today.

Values-Driven Leadership

Beyond the mentors and coaches who helped guide her, Diaz points to a foundation of authenticity and integrity as key to her success.

“First and foremost, it’s important to remain true to yourself,” she says. “All of my values anchor around being a good human and working with high integrity. They guide me through everything I do.”

Fairness is equally central. Diaz strives to create a work environment where people feel valued, connected, and confident that they will be treated justly. “I want to be someone people feel comfortable approaching,” she explains. “They should know I’ll listen and provide support.” Drawing on lessons from leaders she has worked with, Diaz shapes her leadership around trust, relationship-building, and followership.

Hard work and high standards also define her approach. She believes in delivering quality work with reliable outcomes and modeling excellence to inspire her team to do the same. “As a baseline, I expect that not only of myself, but it’s also important to me to set the right example that my team then wants to follow,” she notes.

Embracing Risk

While Diaz’s career has been marked by achievement, it has not been without moments of uncertainty. She recalls these moments as an opportunity to pause and reflect.

“Early on, I faced a decision about whether to continue in research or move toward a more strategic, leadership-focused role. It was uncomfortable because I wasn’t sure I’d excel, but I leaned on my core values and trusted mentors to guide the decision.”

Over time, Diaz has learned to embrace risk thoughtfully, viewing it as an opportunity to challenge herself and explore new possibilities. Her recent transition into asset management illustrates this approach. Encouraged by a mentor to consider another part of the firm, she reflects, “it was through that conversation that I realized that it was time to take a risk. I was super comfortable. I had a lot of security. I had to consider, ‘do I want to push myself a little more?’”

Deciding to “take a risk on herself” and accept the opportunity to become the COO of Goldman’s growth business, Diaz says, “was a big transition. But it pushed me, and it’s been the most pivotal part of my career.”

Legacy of Access and Opportunity

Looking ahead, Diaz is focused on creating opportunities for others to grow, much like she was supported throughout her career. “I hope to provide a platform for the teams I work with, and for the junior professionals I mentor, where they have access, exposure, and opportunity the way I did.”

Reflecting on her own journey, Diaz acknowledges how her first-generation roots are a part of shaping this commitment. “We really have lived the proverbial American dream. My parents grew up on a farm — my mom one of 12 kids, my dad one of nine — and through a combination of hard work, timing, and a little luck, we’ve seen growth that isn’t just financial. It’s also about access to the world, to opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t have been organic. It’s important to me and my family to pay it forward.”

Thanks to the holistic support embedded in Goldman’s culture, Diaz also makes an impact beyond the firm through programs like 10,000 Small Businesses. “Having the opportunity to serve as a mentor in the program, I have listened to small business owners’ pitches and given feedback—providing people with access that they otherwise wouldn’t have.”

Ultimately, Diaz measures her legacy by the people she supports. By combining high standards, integrity, and a values-driven leadership style, she aims to cultivate talent, inspire confidence, and foster a culture where people feel valued, challenged, and capable of achieving their potential.

“If, 20 years from now, I can look back and see that the people I touched built successful, meaningful careers, then I’ll know I’ve done my part.”

By Jessica Robaire

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Heather Plumski: President, Stearns Bank

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Heather Plumski“I lead with integrity and faith,” says Heather Plumski. “That means being honest, thorough, and accountable.”

As President of Stearns Bank, Plumski brings a rare blend of head and heart. She shares how her leadership is driven by values, grounded in purpose, and distinguished by forward thinking with a readiness to own both the good and the bad.

From Part-Time Teller to President

Plumski’s journey started in forensic science before pivoting to accounting, completing her degree in two years. While classmates chased big-city roles, she chose central Minnesota and a part-time teller job that turned into a career.

“I didn’t even know what a credit analyst was,” she recalls. “But it let me work with numbers and small businesses both objectively and subjectively to understand their needs…which I found to be incredibly rewarding.”

Since joining Stearns in 2005, Plumski has led through every phase from underwriting through the Great Recession to helping build the SBA and equipment finance programs. As CFO, she drove strategy. Now, as President, she leads a women-owned, employee-owned institution committed to helping people reach their full financial potential.

“We walk the walk. As employee-owners, we understand the challenges our customers face, and we build solutions that serve them.”

Authentic, Inclusive Leadership

Plumski’s leadership style is rooted in authenticity. “You can’t fake it,” she says. “When you’re aligned with who you are, your decisions get clearer, your leadership gets stronger.”

Her collaborative approach encourages open thinking. “I used to wait until every idea was perfect. Now, I bring it to the table early. It invites feedback and makes the work better.”

She credits her growth to staying curious and stretching beyond her comfort zone. One major stretch? Leading technology. “It was like learning a new language. But I learned I didn’t need to know everything I needed to trust the experts around me.”

Just Keep Going

Plumski pushes back on perfectionism and encourages boldness. “Women often hesitate if they don’t check every box. My advice? Don’t count yourself out – say yes before you say no.”

Her mantra: “Don’t quit on a bad day.” That resilience, she says, has made all the difference.

Coaching, Clarity, and Perspective

Executive coaching has been a game changer for Plumski. “It pulls me out of the weeds. I walk away with clearer thinking, stronger communication, and better perspective.”

Even when she feels too busy to take the call, she never skips it. “I always leave better than I came.”

Empowering Employees, Growing Communities

Looking forward, Plumski is focused on deepening Stearns Bank’s impact from growing employee ownership to expanding inclusive financial solutions nationwide.

“Our Employee Stock Ownership Plan isn’t just a model. It’s a movement,” she says. “When we help our customers succeed, our employee-owners build generational wealth.”

That sense of shared prosperity also drives Stearns’ focus on underserved markets. “We listen first. Then we build whether it’s through our Salaam Banking Division or nonprofit solutions. And by the time the rest of the industry catches up, we’re already on to what’s next.”

Family and the Mountains

When she’s not leading a national bank, Plumski is hiking, running, canoeing and simply soaking in family life with her four kids, husband and extended friends and family.

“There’s something about the mountains,” she says. “They remind me how small we are, and how big our purpose can be.”

By Jessica Robaire

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Sally J. Clarke: Entrepreneur and Author

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Sally J Clarke“It took me a long time to realise that I am a verb, not a noun,” says Sally Clarke. “That’s why I now have a portfolio career.”

From leading communications at some of the world’s largest fintech companies to writing novels, building a business, and advising boards, Clarke has consistently evolved while staying true to her values of creativity, integrity, and impact.

Clarke shared with The Glass Hammer her experiences in shaping a career defined by movement, meaning, and a refusal to be boxed in.

On embracing a portfolio career:

“At the world’s largest financial technology companies, I led global marketing and communications over an eleven-year period. I’ve built and sold an online arts business, won multiple awards in the technology industry, published my fiction novel  Ringside Gamble, established the advisory practice of Asia’s leading think tank, visited Iran and Kazakhstan on writing assignments, sat on several boards across both the arts and technology sectors, and am now writing two new books. One non-fiction and the other fiction.

“It took me a long time to realise that I am a verb, not a noun. That’s why I now have a portfolio career. From my home in Singapore, I divide my time between advising technology companies solving complex problems, writing, and participating on boards.  My career continues to be an evolutionary process, not a ladder, but a landscape.”

On the personal qualities that shaped her path:

“I’m an optimistic team player — resilient and reflective. I was born into a working-class family and had my first job at the age of 14, delivering newspapers in rain, sunshine, sleet, and snow on my not-so-trusty, rusty bicycle. To this day, I can still remember the click-clacking sound the pedals made! I supported myself and earned scholarships through university and two postgraduate Master’s degrees — one in International Finance and the other in Asian Art History. I work hard to stand in the other person’s shoes.”

On living her values in high-stakes moments:

“Thanks to my parents, I have an internal compass forged in tungsten, a North Star I’ve trusted throughout my life.  I take time to reflect and rely on qualitative as well as quantitative data when forming decisions.

“In Singapore, I faced significant pressure to tell a potential customer at one firm that we had paid pilots — when the company did not. The same founder misinformed about the readiness of the software, employed bullying tactics and took credit for other people’s achievements. As a consequence I found opportunities aligning to my integrity and transitioned from the firm.

“The second challenge was leading the development and rollout of a content management system (CMS) and the front-end client interface. I pitched and secured USD two million in funding to lead a team of developers, designers, and project managers to rapidly build a web platform for data distribution. When it came time to go-live, self-doubt crept in. Many people told me the CMS would be rolled back — I had countless sleepless nights. But I trusted the process, and the so-called Greek chorus of naysayers was wrong.”

On mentorship and the power of stories:

“I’ve had the honour of working on the teams of some incredible people, such as Michael Rushmore who was pivotal in contributing to the growth of IHS Markit, a company I joined as head of marketing and communications in 2007.  Data giant S&P Global agreed to buy IHS Markit in a deal worth $44 billion in November 2020.  Michael had phenomenal insights, which I still share to others.  For example, “don’t make them have to work it out.” This golden nugget refers to the importance of communicating in such a way that your ideas land.

“Cristobal Conde former President, Chief Executive Officer and FIS and Chief Executive Officer at SunGard is a leader I admire.  He was incredibly supportive of the sustainability framework I helped build during my time at the latter firm.  At SunGard I won the President’s 100 per cent award.

“I read. A lot. Both fiction and non-fiction. Some of my favourite start up books, Shoe Dog by Nike co-founder Phil Knight,  Start Up CEO, by Matt Blumberg,   Play Nice but Win, by Michael Dell, and  Venture Deals: Be Smarter than your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson are examples.  I am inspired by stories. Indra Nooyi , former Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, is another business leader I follow, and can thoroughly recommend My Life in Full.”

On how she leads with positivity and empathy:

“One piece of advice that shaped me early on was: “Don’t wait for permission.” It gave me the confidence to lead with conviction, long before I had a formal title. That mindset has served me well: whether I am building global brands, launching a start-up, or navigating difficult company mergers.

“But perhaps more influential than any single piece of guidance has been the example set by the leaders I’ve most admired. They led with clarity, composure, and care, especially in high-pressure situations. They didn’t command attention with noise; they earned respect with consistency. And they made people feel seen.

“Something I’ve carried with me through every chapter of my career is this: always role model the positive. Culture is shaped by what we tolerate, and by what we choose to amplify. So even when things are tough, I make a conscious choice to lead with optimism, empathy, and purpose. It’s not about pretending everything’s perfect; it’s about showing up in a way that helps others believe in what’s possible.

“And finally, I’ve learnt that how you leave matters as much as how you lead. It’s easy to focus on beginnings, but endings reveal who we really are. Whether moving on from a role, a company, or a chapter, I try to exit with the same integrity and thoughtfulness I brought to work itself.”

On redefining success:

“I often tell those I mentor that you can define success on your own terms, but only if you’re brave enough to step outside the conventional path. Early in my career, I tried to fit into other people’s expectations. It wasn’t until I started backing myself that I truly began to build things of value.

“I’ve learnt that leadership isn’t about knowing everything; it’s about being willing to go first, to take risks, and to bring others with you. I’ve built global brands, scaled start-ups, and now manage a portfolio career, and through it all, what’s mattered most is clarity of purpose, emotional resilience and having smart colleagues who challenge you.

“I would also say this: creativity is not a luxury; it’s a leadership superpower. Whether you’re building a business or writing a novel, the ability to imagine something that doesn’t exist yet and make it real is what sets great leaders apart. That, and the ability to walk away from what no longer serves you.

“Your career is not a ladder, it’s a landscape. Don’t be afraid to move sideways, take a leap, or build something of your own and test a hypothesis. Solving a big problem is where the real growth lies. If you opt to build a hobby business that’s fine too.  Just define what success means to you.”

On blending purpose with creative pursuits:

“I aim to continue supporting the efforts of sustainable companies using technology to make the world a better place. One particularly impressive firm I have worked with is Yokahu, a leading innovator in parametric insurance.

“That same sense of purpose carries into the passion projects that are a part of my portfolio career. In 2023, Ringside Gamble, a universal story about a young boy with a big dream, was published. Christopher Hatton (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Raven’s Hollow) is attached as producer for the feature film adaptation. I donate a percentage of the royalties to support the purchase of books and school equipment for children in Khao Lak, Thailand.

“With Deborah Overdeput, Chief Operating Officer of Innovative Systems, I’m currently working on a non-fiction book. It features a series of interviews with C-suite women, many of whom have founded their own successful companies or hold senior roles at the world’s leading banks and technology firms. More than a series of personal narratives, it is a testament to resilience, ambition and the power of choice. Each story shares hard-won insights, lessons in leadership and practical guidance for those looking to shape their own future. We’re currently seeking a publisher, with submissions expected to begin in September 2025.

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Marie Bober: Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Counsel, Moelis Asset Management

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Marie Bober“I naturally step into a role when there is a dearth of leadership,” says Marie Bober. “It’s just part of who I am – I see the need and think, ‘I got it.’”

From captaining sports teams as a kid to speaking up in moments of silence, taking charge has always felt instinctive for Bober. “I come from a really long line of very bossy women,” she laughs. “I think it’s probably genetic.” While her grandmothers ran their households with authority, her mother broke barriers, becoming one of the first women to earn a PhD in chemistry from NYU in 1972.

That inherited sense of purpose shaped Bober’s own unconventional path. She started college as a chemistry major but quickly pivoted to psychology. Drawn to forensic work, she earned a master’s and spent three years at a pediatric psychopharmacology lab at Massachusetts General Hospital researching ADHD and pediatric bipolar disorder.

“My plan was to go on to get my PhD, but research itself started to feel like a tough long-term path with low pay, questionable ethics in some corners, and not a great ROI if you wanted a sustainable career.”

Still captivated by the intersection of law and human behavior, Bober pivoted again, this time to law school at Northeastern University. Being a part of Northeastern’s distinctive co-op program allowed her to try a little bit of everything: working with a solo practitioner, in a judge’s chambers, the DA’s office, and an in-house legal team.

“In-house was by far my favorite, but you don’t just go from law school to in-house,” says Bober. Instead, she built her experience through small firms, auditing work, and ultimately opened her own practice while keeping her eye on the long game.

Bober’s diligence paid off when a friend offered her an in-house legal role at Gracie Asset Management, a Moelis subsidiary. The only catch was the job was in New York, which meant that Bober and her wife had to live long distance for a few years. When Gracie had a key man event resulting in steep layoffs, Bober moved over to the parent company. After a few internal moves – and the sudden loss of a friend that left a senior counsel role vacant – she was promoted into her current role as Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Counsel at Moelis Asset Management.

Breadth that Delivers

Looking back on what has helped her succeed, Bober points to adaptability and a breadth of knowledge, both of which are essential in a role that spans legal and compliance.

“To be in this particular role, you can’t be rigid or precious,” she explains. “We’re an entrepreneurial business…everybody’s got to do a little bit of something, and you have to be okay with that. We’re always thinking about new strategies, markets to tap and ways to get clients. It’s flexibility and a willingness to pick up the next thing and learn.”

Bober points to the growth of the business as another part of what requires adaptability: “when we started, we were private equity. Now we’re private equity, broadly syndicated loans, direct lending, seeding of emerging managers, venture capital.”

As the business expands, so too does Bober’s knowledge base, which is necessary for her to guide legal and compliance issues.

“I call myself a triage nurse because there are certain areas that I’m deep in, like fund formation or structuring, but then I also have to be able to direct counsel for things like litigation, tax matters, or employment. I might not be an expert on all those issues, but I must be conversant enough so that my subject matter experts can direct me effectively.”

What They Didn’t Teach in Law School

Beyond technical range and flexibility, Bober believes that one skill rises above the rest when it comes to lasting success: knowing how to navigate people.

“How to handle and approach people is key; it gets you so much further than even your technical knowledge,” she emphasizes. “One of the things law school doesn’t teach you is that if you’re a practicing lawyer in a firm, networking is 98% of your job. To be a partner at a law firm means that you bring in a good amount of business.”

Bober adds, “My boss likes to joke that he thinks that my psych degree sometimes helps me more than my law degree because it definitely gives you a framework for understanding people.”

That understanding shapes the way Bober communicates, builds relationships, and earns trust, especially in the context of leadership and knowing how to manage in all directions.

“Managing up is a skill that’s rarely taught, and it matters just as much as managing direct reports. I’ve learned how to communicate differently depending on who I’m talking to, and how to present something in a way that gets the right response.” As Chief Compliance Officer, she often needs people to act on specific requests and ideally, do so with genuine buy-in. “I’ve seen people try to lead through fear or pressure, but that only works for so long. Eventually, people tune you out.”

It is a message she impresses on junior staff as well: “be proactive, message appropriately, be polite and respectful, and if you make a mistake or get it wrong, have the ego to walk it back and take responsibility. It builds trust.”

Leadership as a Team Sport: Fostering Growth Over Competition

In an industry known for individual ambition, Bober takes a different approach to leadership; one that is shaped by hard-earned lessons and a clear sense of the kind of environment she wants to create.

“I’m a competitive person,” she says, “but I try not to be competitive at work. That’s not the environment I want to foster.”

Earlier in her career, Bober saw firsthand how toxic leadership can erode trust. She recalls a former manager who guarded her influence closely and refused to use any of her political capital to support others.

“When my mom passed away, I got two days of bereavement. Other department heads had given people the full week, but my boss told me if I wanted the extra time to attend the funeral, I’d have to use vacation days. She didn’t want to spend any of her political capital justifying why I was not billing or there for that week.” That experience left a mark, but also a guidepost: “It taught me exactly the kind of leader I don’t want to be.”

Now, as a senior leader herself, Bober sees mentoring others not as a threat, but as part of what defines strong leadership. She draws inspiration from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a sport she trains in outside of work.

“My coach always says he never hides the best parts of his game because if someone can master it in two weeks and beat him, they deserve to win.” The same philosophy, she says, applies in leadership. “Helping my associate grow, bringing her along and giving her what I can to help her succeed doesn’t threaten me; it strengthens the team, and if I ever move on, she’s ready to step in.”

Success, On and Off the Mat

Whether she is preparing for a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament in New Jersey or aiming for another podium finish at Masters Worlds in Las Vegas, Bober brings the same focus and drive to the mat that she brings to her role at Moelis. A two-time Masters World Champion as a brown belt and now a black belt competitor, she thrives on the discipline and challenge of competing and on the fulfillment it brings outside the office.

That mix of ambition and purpose is intentional. “I strove to have an in-house position. I strove to have work-life balance in my career,” she says. “And I think I’m in a spot where I can do both.”

For Bober, success is not about chasing the highest title or the biggest paycheck. It’s about feeling grounded, challenged, and able to pursue what matters. “I can sing in a rock choir on Tuesday nights. I can do jiu jitsu. That’s what makes it all worth it.”

By Jessica Robaire

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Nicola Free: Managing Director, Head of CRE, EMEA, Wells Fargo

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Nicola Free“It’s hard to teach determination, but if you’ve had setbacks, and you’ve had to fight to get to where you are, it is built in you to keep going,” says Nicola Free. “It’s how quickly you bounce back, what learnings you take away, that can make you even stronger.”

With a career shaped by determination, hard-won resilience, and a commitment to leading with integrity, Free does not just navigate change — she drives it. She reflects on how embracing risk, learning from inspirational leaders, and trusting in both her existing skills and her capacity to grow have been central to her journey.

Taking Risks and Having Faith in Herself

From an early age, Free learned to be a self-starter. She reflects, “I came from a very working-class background and went to the worst school in Warwickshire. I had to teach myself my GCSEs because the classes were so disruptive.”

Determined to “do something with my life and make my parents proud,” Free was the first in her family to attend university, where she pursued law. However, it did not take long for her to realize that the legal path, while hard-earned, was not where she wanted to stay. When a client she had supported on a major securitization project invited her to help launch a CMBS platform, she made a decision that would completely change her career.

“It was definitely a big risk,” Free admits. “I would never have anticipated that I would have left the law a year after qualification, but this new opportunity sounded really interesting.”

Jumping into a completely new environment, Free recalls that “a third of it was in my comfort zone and two-thirds I was learning from scratch.” Free leaned on what she knew: her work ethic and resilience.

“Have confidence in the skills you bring, work hard to learn what you don’t know, and don’t give up at the first hurdle. Be willing to take a leap of faith. Ultimately, it’s about believing in yourself; that you’ll get there, and that you can do it.”

That mindset has carried her through ever since. Today, Free is a recognized leader in her field. As Head of Commercial Real Estate (CRE), EMEA for Wells Fargo, she is driving the firm’s CRE strategy across Europe, strengthening its capital markets capabilities, and deepening client relationships in the region.

“It’s a hugely exciting time to be a part of this business and the opportunity ahead of us…this is the year that the strategy is all coming together.”

Leading with Humility and Authenticity

When reflecting on her leadership approach, Free emphasizes the importance of clarity, humility, and authenticity.

“I always try and bring people along with me,” she says. “Give them a vision of what the strategy is, what we’re trying to achieve…make them feel like they’re part of something really special.”

She continues, “it’s about leading with integrity, humility, and doing the right thing for the business, the clients, and the strategy we’ve set for ourselves.”

Mentoring and feedback are important elements to how she leads. “The only way I managed to make a success of my career change was having good people around me who were prepared to coach and teach me,” Free says. “It’s incumbent on us all, particularly as leaders, to be that player-coach where you take the time to give people feedback and help them develop.”

She recognizes that it is also about holding oneself accountable when things go wrong and ensuring others are recognized when they go right. “When things are going really well, make sure people are getting the credit.”

Find a Culture that Aligns with Your Values and Leadership who Embody It

While Free is unquestionably guided by a strong internal compass, she also highlights the vital role that external factors, particularly an organization’s culture and leadership, play in shaping meaningful career development.

“One of the things I’ve learned throughout my career is to ask: What’s the culture? What kind of institution do you want to work for? At Wells Fargo I enjoy working for a bank that has a strong culture that I can relate to while being guided by truly inspirational leaders.”

Free is particularly inspired by Kara McShane, Head of Commercial Real Estate at Wells Fargo, “who is seen as one of the most influential women in finance.”

“To be able to work for somebody like her is really inspiring…and when you have leaders you trust and respect, you want to do your best for them.” It’s a dynamic she now pays forward to her own team. “I want them to come in and feel they’re part of something great, and that they want to succeed because they believe in me, in the business, and in the leadership above me.”

Be Bold. Own It.

Surrounded by leaders she respects, and serving as one herself, Free is acutely aware that leadership is not just about results; it’s also about presence. For women in real estate finance, that presence is still too rare at the top.

“If you’re a woman running a lending business in this industry,” she recalls reading in Real Estate Capital, “then you’re pretty extraordinary.” The line gave her pause, not out of self-congratulation, but reflection. “I come in and do my day job because I love it and want us to succeed. I don’t think of myself as any different than any other leader. But seeing that made me realize there’s a responsibility that comes with being one of the few.”

It is a responsibility that Free takes seriously. As she has risen through the ranks, invitations to speak and serve on panels have increased, and she uses them to push for broader representation. “I’m always conscious about making sure there are other women at the table, that the panels are diverse, and that we’re holding ourselves and others accountable.”

Her visibility is intentional. Instead of blending in, she embraces standing out.

“There’s a big real estate conference I go to every year,” she says. “You queue to board the flight, and it’s just a sea of men in navy suits. I make a point of wearing something bright and own the fact that I’m not the guy in the navy suit. I’m the woman in the bright red dress. It’s an opportunity to be seen.”

She emphasizes, “Being different can make you more memorable. It’s not just about gender. You might be younger, newer, or from a different background. Whatever it is, don’t be afraid to be visible. Have confidence and own it.”

Outside of work, Free applies the same conviction and focus to her personal life. She’s a mother of two daughters, and a competitive CrossFit athlete.

“I’m a strong working mom, and it demands a lot of my time, but I’m showing my girls what working hard and loving what you do can lead to and I’m not apologetic about it.” CrossFit is her outlet, her reset. “When I am training hard, I’m not thinking about anything other than being in the moment… it’s a really good way of switching off.”

That thread of determination runs through everything she does, whether it’s qualifying for a legal career, shifting into finance, growing a business, mentoring a team, or lifting a barbell.

“When things get really tough, don’t give up,” she says. “If you keep digging in, you’re going to feel so great at the end of it.”

By Jessica Robaire

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