Cindy Gross
I uplevel the leadership, impact, and influence of women
Issaquah, Washington, United States
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Experienced CEO & Leadership Coach blending 25+ years navigating corporate tech with expertise in leadership, DEIB, & coaching to elevate women’s leadership, impact, & influence. I excel at delivering large multi-organization projects, fostering trust, & asking insightful questions for impactful outcomes. My superpower is turning challenges to opportunities with clear paths forward.
Area of Expertise
Topics
Women In Technology Panel -- Gender Equality: How far have we come?
Women remain a minority in the tech industry at all levels. A 2020 https://AnitaB.org Institute study found that women are 28.8% of the tech workforce, a steady increase from 25.9% in 2018. However, women continue to leave the industry at rates far higher than cis men and the gains are not equal across race, ethnicity, age, or level. Per the Kapor Institute the American tech industry loses $16 billion every year replacing people who report leaving for unfairness. In this panel discussion we look at how far we’ve come and what we still need to do to reach fair pay, hiring, and retention in the tech workforce. WE aren’t the problem, WE are the solution. When we see, understand, and rebuild the systems around us in alignment with community values, everyone can thrive.
White Male Bars in Tech
The relief, overwhelm, and hope of recognizing the systems in place that mean WE aren't the problem. We are the solution, if the systems change so we can thrive.
Stepping Stones from Diversity Learning to Equitable Actions
We are in the middle of an awakening, a disruption and reforming of norms, values, and expectations. Many organizations and individuals are rethinking how we show up in the world, how we see ourselves, our communities, and our organizations. It can be overwhelming to the point of inaction. We attend anti-racism trainings and book clubs, we commit to a couple of takeaways, and then.... we move on to other priorities. There's a gap between knowing we want to create change and actually acting to create that change in ourselves and our communities. Let's talk about how to move forward, nurture positive, intersectional change, and continue the momentum of #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter. Let's each take the next right step forward within our scopes of control to nurture more equitable anti-bullying cultures.
SELECT * FROM Life WHERE Person = 'me'
I live with depression, anxiety, and perimenopause. And in some ways, I'm living my best life. I'm learning how to listen to my instincts differently, prioritize my own needs, and strive for thrival rather than survival. I nurture community and personal relationships that really work for me.
I'll share the story of my ongoing journey to befriend my internal dragons, think of myself as "I am enough," and create new patterns and habits that serve the me I want to be. Then we'll have a conversation about how you each can thrive with the authentic relationships that really work for you.
Navigate Work Culture with Confidence
Tips and tricks to navigate work culture with confidence, claim what you want, set boundaries against what you don’t want, and own your value.
You or the people you lead feel left behind. You can see and feel the bias and inequities in the system, and your options for a successful, thriving career have narrowed or vanished. Your workplace isn't working for you, and you want a new path forward.
We'll cover how to
- See, name, & talk about common DEI issues that get in our way
- Identify & remove leadership and career roadblocks
- Align your career with your values, strengths, goals, & deep needs
- Name and nurture boundaries that truly work for you
- Listen differently to your inner critic and instincts
Pre-reqs
- Willingness to see and do something about systemic inequities
- Genuine curiosity
- Respect Befriending Dragons community agreements during the session
Goals
- Gain new career development options for leadership of self and others
- A dragon hoard of tips, tricks, frameworks, and tools for career leadership
- Paths and perspectives for a more fair workplace rooted in anti-racism
How Therapy Helps Us Thrive
Our culture can make it seem like we only need therapy when we're broken, when there's something wrong with us. But we aren't broken and we don't need to be fixed. Sometimes we need to spend time with people trained in how people think, feel, and act. We need to feel the support of someone whose focus is on us, on meeting our needs, on helping us see our way through a healing journey. We need someone who listens empathetically AND calls us out on our b*lls*t.
Today we'll hear from folks on how we knew we found "the right" therapist, how therapy has helped us heal and move forward, and what we needed to do to get the most out of our therapy experiences.
Negotiate Boundaries for Success
Negotiate Boundaries for Success
How to say no without feeling guilty
Do you wish you could say “no” to your boss and coworkers without feeling guilty or ruining your career? Do you struggle with setting healthy limits at work and in your personal life? Do you want to enjoy the holidays without feeling drained and resentful?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then this event is for you!
Join Cindy, an ICF-certified coach, leadership expert, ex-techie, and boundary expert, for a fun and interactive online workshop where you will learn how to create and communicate boundaries with your boss - and anyone else who needs them.
You will discover:
🐲 Why boundaries are essential for your well-being and success
🐲 How to identify and overcome the common barriers to setting boundaries
🐲 How to use my simple worksheet to create a boundary that works for you
🐲 How to communicate your boundary with confidence and clarity
🐲 How to handle pushback or resistance
Boundaries are not selfish or rude - they are a gift to yourself and others. They allow you to honor your needs, values, and goals while building trust and respect with others. They free you from stress, overwhelm, and resentment, and help you enjoy your life and work more.
Pre-reqs
Experience in work environments where your boundaries aren't working for you.
Goals
By the end of this workshop, you will have one boundary that you can implement right away and take to work on Monday. You will also have the tools and skills to create more boundaries in the future, whenever you need them.
I got the role…. Now what?
ou fought for it. You worked long and hard, grew in ways you didn't know you could, & sacrificed other parts of your life to get that dream role. Like the dog who finally caught the big red car she chased every afternoon, you don't quite know what to do now.
Well, I have a "Monday Toolkit" for you! I'm Cindy Gross, a 25-year tech veteran who grew into a leadership coach. There are checklists & books full of advice on actions & tasks - but what about what's going on inside you? What about your relationships - the ones that are new, changing, & disappearing? What about all those feelings of discomfort, of no longer being the expert at everything, of just not knowing what the right answer is anymore? How do you deal with the changed power dynamics, expectations, & goals that leave you off-balance?
I get it - I switched from a hyper-logical role in one of the biggest, best known corporations in the world to a series of deeply empathetic 1:1 conversations where I ask people to talk about what makes them uncomfortable. That was a culture shock! I had to update just about everything about my "Be. Do. Have." I learned a lot along the way & I have so much to share about how to see & understand the emotions more deeply, actions, & goals of everyone around you - & of yourself.
You'll leave with a "Monday Toolkit" of curious questions, awareness exercises, & evidence-based strategies that help you grow into the person you already know you can be - the leader of your dreams.
Pre-reqs
Curiosity, openness, & a readiness to create culture change.
Goals
Toolkit that prepares you for big changes in your work life.
I got the role I wanted…. Now what?
You fought for it. You worked long and hard, grew in ways you didn't know you could, & sacrificed other parts of your life to get that dream role. Like the dog who finally caught the big red car she chased every afternoon, you don't quite know what to do now.
Well, I have a "Monday Toolkit" for you! I'm Cindy Gross, a 25-year tech veteran who grew into a leadership coach. There are checklists & books full of advice on actions & tasks - but what about what's going on inside you? What about your relationships - the ones that are new, changing, & disappearing? What about all those feelings of discomfort, of no longer being the expert at everything, of just not knowing what the right answer is anymore? How do you deal with the changed power dynamics, expectations, & goals that leave you off-balance?
I get it - I switched from a hyper-logical role in one of the biggest, best known corporations in the world to a series of deeply empathetic 1:1 conversations where I ask people to talk about what makes them uncomfortable. That was a culture shock! I had to update just about everything about my "Be. Do. Have." I learned a lot along the way & I have so much to share about how to see & understand the emotions more deeply, actions, & goals of everyone around you - & of yourself.
You'll leave with a "Monday Toolkit" of curious questions, awareness exercises, & evidence-based strategies that help you grow into the person you already know you can be - the leader of your dreams.
Data Platform Mental Health and Wellness Day 2024 Sessionize Event
Data Platform Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Virtual Group User group Sessionize Event
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