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Women in Tech Leadership

Women in Tech Leadership
Women in Tech Leadership

Summary Keywords

The tech industry is evolving rapidly, creating exciting opportunities for women to step into leadership roles. However, challenges such as confidence gaps and societal expectations remain barriers that must be overcome. By fostering mentorship, embracing innovation, and building networks, women can rise to leadership and redefine the industry.

Opportunities for Women in Tech

With advancements in areas like AI, cybersecurity, and blockchain, the tech sector is ripe with opportunities. Women are increasingly taking on roles that drive innovation and growth in these fields. Talila Millman highlights that expanding mentorship programs and supportive peer networks can empower women to pursue ambitious goals and break through the glass ceiling.

Overcoming Barriers

  1. Build Confidence: Studies show that women often feel they need 80% of the qualifications to apply for a role, compared to 50% for men. Taking the leap, even when unsure, is key.
  2. Seek Mentorship: A strong mentor can provide invaluable advice, encouragement, and guidance. Mentorship not only offers career insights but also builds the resilience needed to navigate challenges.
  3. Leverage Next-Gen Tools: Harnessing technologies like AI can help women lead innovation and excel in their fields.

Millman shares how mentorship and encouragement have shaped her career, enabling her to mentor others and advocate for greater representation of women in leadership.

Conclusion

Women in tech leadership have the power to transform the industry. By embracing mentorship, taking bold steps, and leveraging innovation, women can overcome challenges and pave the way for future generations. Now is the time to seize opportunities, build confidence, and take on leadership roles that make an impact. For a deeper dive into Women in Tech Leadership, listen to Talila Millman’s interview on the Executive Connect podcast.

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Modern Maverick Test:

What Kind of Maverick Are You?

  • 🧠 Visionary Maverick: Illuminating the Path Forward
  • 🛠 Builder Maverick: Crafting Legacies of Substance
  • 🔥 Disruptor Maverick: Igniting Change and Challenging Norms
  • 🤝 Connector Maverick: Weaving Webs of Influence and Belonging
  • ♟ Strategist Maverick: Architecting Success with Precision and Foresight
  • ⚡️Rebel Maverick: Igniting Action with Instinct and Audacity
  • 🌿 Alchemist Maverick: Transforming Challenges into Purpose and Wisdom

Break Free. Design Your Legacy. Discover your unique Maverick mindset.

Instructions: Read each statement below and rate how strongly you identify with it on a scale from 1 to 5:

  • 1 = Not at all me
  • 2 = Rarely me
  • 3 = Sometimes me
  • 4 = Often me
  • 5 = Absolutely me
  • 1 = Not at all me
  • 2 = Rarely me
  • 3 = Sometimes me
  • 4 = Often me
  • 5 = Absolutely me

Contact Us: Renaissance Workshop Interest Form

Preorder RENAISSANCE: Redefining Success for Modern Mavericks

Executive Connect Podcast Guest Release Form

This guest release is entered into between Stronger to the Executive Connect Podcast, “Podcaster” and “You”, “Guest” or individually “Party”.

As a Guest of the Executive Connect Podcast (“Podcast”), I consent to the audio and video recording of my voice, name, and image as part of my appearance on the Podcast. I further consent to the distribution and broadcast of my appearance, including any information and content I provide, by Teri Schmidt (“Podcaster”) in audio, video, or text form without restriction.

I further acknowledge and agree:

  1. I will receive no monetary compensation for my appearance. The consideration I receive for executing this release shall be the exposure I receive to the audience of the Podcast.
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  3. I am waiving any intellectual property claims including, but not limited to, trademark and copyright infringement claims, associated with personal or business interests discussed during my appearance on the Podcast.
  4. I am waiving any right to publicity and privacy claims, and agree my name, likeness, and business information may be used by Podcaster in the episode in which I appear and future reproductions as well as the marketing materials supporting the Podcast in general.
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  6. I am releasing and discharging Podcaster together along with all of the Podcaster’s principals, shareholders, officers, employees, agents, successors, and assigns from any and all liability arising out of or in connection with my appearance on the Podcast or the subsequent reproduction and distribution of the episode in which I appear in any medium.
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Podcaster grants Guest a royalty-free, worldwide, license and right to publish the Podcast episode in which Guest appears on Guest’s website or app and promote said episode in all of Guest’s social media accounts.

Bryan Hancock Headshot — Founder of Integrity Development

Bryan Hancock

Founder of Integrity Development

Integrity Development

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Executive Biography

Bryan Hancock has been managing real estate investments—and overseeing development and construction projects—for nearly two decades. He has deep roots in Austin, Texas, and comprehensive knowledge of the opportunities and challenges in this fast-growing market.

Through his development and syndication companies, which he built from the ground up, Bryan has developed 50+ urban infill projects and managed $25M in real estate sales with approximately 35% return on investment at the project level. He also co-founded two private equity funds.

Bryan brings in-depth industry awareness, sharp business acumen, and extensive in-the-trenches experience to his work as co-founder and principal of Integrity Development. He partners with a team of professionals and industry experts (many have been involved in Austin real estate for 40+ years) to identify value-added and opportunistic investments that protect capital and reduce risk for lenders—while delivering outsized returns for investors.

Earlier, Bryan founded and directed Inner 10 Development, a residential development firm focused on Austin’s top zip codes and surrounding communities, and H2i, LLC, a real estate syndication company. He steered these organizations for 17+ years, overseeing the acquisition, buildout, and sale of single-family and multifamily properties, including a 350-unit urban infill joint-venture project.

Bryan was successful in delivering strong returns while minimizing risk for bankers and investors by taking a targeted, data-driven approach to opportunity analysis, due diligence, and strategic decision-making. He zeroed in on potential risks and developed proactive mitigation strategies to protect and grow investments.

Concurrent with his work at Inner 10 Development and H2i, Bryan established Gentry Lending Group, a private-equity debt fund. He also served on the board of Bullseye Capital Real Property Opportunity Fund. These experiences provided Bryan with a grasp of both investor and banker viewpoints, including an understanding of risk and liability on the lending side. This aspect of his background continues to shape his real estate decisions to this day.

There is another unique aspect to Bryan’s career—a corporate history that differentiates him from other investors and developers in this field. Bryan has built organizations, controlled multimillion-dollar projects, and supported billion-dollar programs for some of the world’s largest companies: Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Dell, CACI, and Charles Schwab. He managed teams and vendors in the US, China, France, and India, and often balanced up to 10 projects at a time. He was trusted with a Top Secret Security Clearance from the United States government.

A business-savvy leader and lifelong learner, Bryan holds an MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurship from Texas Christian University and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

Bryan founded the Wealth Investment Network, co-founded RealStarter (a crowdfunding platform for real estate investors), and was a member of the Urban Land Institute and Central Texas Angel Network. He has been a guest speaker at 20+ national events, including conferences and meetups through the Information Management Network (IMN), SXSW, Rice University, Bay Area Real Estate Summit, Soho Loft Conference, Texas Entrepreneur Network, and many others.

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Melissa Aarskaug Headshot — Founder of Executive Connect

Melissa Aarskaug

Founder of Executive Connect

Senior Executive, Board Member & Advisor

Vice President of Business Development
Bulletproof, a GLI company

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Executive Biography

Melissa Aarskaug is a global executive and business leader at the forefront of the technology/cybersecurity industry. She shapes strategy, leads teams, and partners with Fortune 500 companies and other enterprise clients to protect their organizations from risk and noncompliance—while improving operations and accelerating growth.

For 15+ years, Melissa has taken the reins to propel organizations to the next level of performance. By combining business acumen and revenue optimization with the sharp mind of an engineer, she uncovers and seizes opportunities for profitable growth in the US and around the world.

Melissa has established a distinguished career with Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), where she is a key member of the senior executive team. Throughout her tenure, she has assembled teams, developed new markets, and influenced P&L impact, ultimately positioning GLI as the #1 provider of testing, certification, and cybersecurity services to the global gaming and lottery space.

After achieving this feat—a big win for GLI and game-changer for clients worldwide—Melissa steered both GLI and Bulletproof (acquired by GLI in 2016) into untapped verticals: finance, government, healthcare, higher education, hospitality, and retail. An enthusiastic, knowledgeable growth driver who cultivates partnerships and rallies teams, she led GLI/Bulletproof to dominate these markets as well.

Before joining GLI, Melissa shaped and executed strategy as Vice President of Business Operations for LV Investments, where she built and optimized a portfolio of commercial and industrial properties. Earlier, in a very different role as Project Engineering Manager for Fisher Industries, she directed and mobilized a team of 550 employees and contractors to develop the world’s largest concrete bridge. Previously, she headed a major engineering project for Pacific Mechanical Corporation.

A curious, lifelong learner, Melissa holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering with minors including Business and Mathematics. She is a Karrass Master Negotiator and C4 Executive Coach who actively pursues ongoing education and inspiration as a member of Chief, Austin Technology Council, Austin Women in Technology, and Toastmasters International. In addition to her own personal and professional development, Melissa is committed to helping other people thrive both inside and outside of the workplace. She actively mentors and empowers team members at GLI/Bulletproof, and is an executive leader and coach for Global Gaming Women. She founded Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) Austin and is a current or past board member of many organizations, including Emerging Leaders in Gaming, Ballet Austin, Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired, the Society of Women Engineers, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. She has been a Junior League volunteer in Austin, Las Vegas, and Reno for 15+ years.

Throughout her career, Melissa has inspired individuals, teams, and entire organizations to think differently about innovation, cybersecurity, leadership, and business development. She was honored as one of the “Emerging Leaders in Gaming: 40 Under 40” and she continues to share her ideas and expertise through publications, podcasts, webinars, and presentations.

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This is the Executive Connect

A show for the new generation of leaders. Join us as we discover unconventional leadership strategies not traditionally associated with executive roles. Our guests include upper-level C-Suite executives charting new ways to grow their organizations, successful entrepreneurs changing the way the world does business, and experts and thought leaders from fields outside of Corporate America that can bring new insights into leadership, prosperity, and personal growth – all while connecting on a human level. No one has all the answers – but by building a community of open-minded and engaged leaders we hope to give you the tools you need to help you find your own path to success.