http://www.sherylkline.com/blog

In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the honor of speaking with Jen Kirkpatrick, VP Americas Networking Sales at Cisco, about creating a cohesive culture for larger organizations. At the core, it’s about finding your voice and leading with heart.

Jen’s leadership journey is rooted in early encouragement from her mother, who instilled a fearless “why not me?” mindset that’s stayed with her throughout her career. From being the only girl playing quarterback with the neighborhood boys to the only woman in executive tech rooms, Jen has built her career by stepping forward—even when she didn’t feel ready.

She shared how her mindset has evolved over time, from doubting her seat at the table to walking confidently into rooms and sitting squarely at the center. Jen emphasized the importance of speaking up, not apologizing for your voice, and realizing that leadership is a journey of continuous learning.

We also explored what it takes to build a cohesive culture in large organizations—something Jen has done masterfully at Cisco. She believes creating unity isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s essential to business performance. Her approach focuses on transparency, listening, shared agendas, and infusing joy and celebration into everyday work.

Key takeaways from the interview:

0:01:22 – Jen’s mother encouraged limitless thinking early on, telling her she could be anything—even president.

0:03:25 – Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In and Option B played a pivotal role in helping Jen find her voice and resilience in her early tech career.

0:05:00 – Growing up as the only girl among boys helped Jen feel comfortable being “the only” in male-dominated rooms.

0:08:32 – Jen remembers the moment she spoke up in a critical meeting—and realized the value of her voice and perspective.

0:09:43 – Over time, she stopped apologizing for being direct and began owning her seat and her power at the table.

0:12:39 – A cohesive culture starts with alignment toward a shared North Star—even if each person’s path there looks different.

0:13:41 – Culture transformation begins when everyone openly shares their agendas, history, and experiences—it breaks down walls and builds empathy.

0:15:00 – True cultural change requires both top-down support and bottom-up ownership—leaders and team members must meet in the middle.

0:20:00 – Culture isn’t just about execution—it’s about fun. Teams that enjoy working together are more productive and resilient.

0:21:05 – Celebrating wins, big or small, is vital to building a thriving, cohesive, and sustainable high-performance culture.

If you’re interested in being featured on the Fearless Female Leadership podcast, or you’re a leader looking to gain clarity on ‘what’s next’, how to build more cohesive and high-performing teams, and lead with greater confidence and influence, let’s have a confidential conversation.

Cheering you on always!
– Sheryl

http://www.sherylkline.com/blog

In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Erika Irby, the Director, GTM Small Medium and Corporate Business, Americas at Microsoft, to explore how embracing your personal story can fuel your professional impact. Erika's energy, authenticity, and strategic insight lit up the conversation as we discussed storytelling, visibility, and fearless leadership—especially as women in tech.

Erika’s leadership journey began early—at just 17, she chose to stay behind and start college while her military family moved overseas. That moment, powered by grit and independence, set the tone for her lifelong mantra: "I will figure it out." Erika’s resilience, her trust in the universe, and her ability to turn obstacles into growth moments have shaped an inspiring career across education, tech, and executive leadership.

We also dug into the challenges women face with visibility, self-advocacy, and storytelling—especially in corporate environments. Erika emphasized the power of proactively sharing wins, creating a “walking deck” of your professional narrative, and boldly reaching out to people who can open new doors. Her message? Stop waiting. Own your story. Be strategic. Be seen.

Key takeaways from the interview:

• 0:01:15 – Erika’s early independence—staying in the U.S. while her family moved abroad—instilled a lifelong sense of self-reliance and adaptability.
• 0:02:25 – Her two personal mantras: “The universe provides” and “I will figure it out.” These guide her through both triumphs and setbacks.
• 0:04:02 – Even when things fall apart—like losing a job or a relationship—there’s purpose in the pain. Stay open to the redirection.
• 0:07:01 – Erika’s career path from teacher to tech leader highlights the power of transferable skills and trusting your evolution.
• 0:09:23 – Confidence is built on owning your unique journey. Even a nontraditional background has tremendous value.
• 0:12:01 – Diversity in leadership (gender, race, and background) isn’t just fair—it’s essential for innovation and AI inclusivity.
• 0:14:33 – “Your work won’t speak for itself.” Erika recommends monthly impact recaps to leadership—even if it feels bold.
• 0:17:29 – Use AI tools like Copilot to amplify your voice—but remember, you are the pilot.
• 0:18:55 – Don’t just “like” on LinkedIn—add thoughtful context, tag mentors, and share your expertise to establish thought leadership.
• 0:21:11 – Be bold and reach out to people, even if they’re senior or don’t know you. 80% of the time, they’ll say yes.
• 0:24:15 – Always have a “walking deck”—a personal presentation that shares your career highlights, aspirations, and values.

If you’re interested in being featured on the Fearless Female Leadership podcast, or you’re a leader looking to gain clarity on ‘what’s next’, how to build more cohesive and high-performing teams, and lead with greater confidence and influence, let’s have a confidential conversation.

Cheering you on always!
– Sheryl

http://www.sherylkline.com/blog

In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Melissa DiMuro, the Chief People, Culture & Marketing Officer at Limbach, about leading with resilience during times of change and the importance of evolving alongside the businesses we serve.

Melissa’s journey started in a blue-collar household and was shaped by the strength and grit of her grandmother—a farmer’s daughter who raised twelve siblings and worked multiple jobs just to keep food on the table. That legacy of resilience deeply influenced Melissa’s leadership style and commitment to growth through discomfort.

Though her path wasn’t linear—initially aspiring to be a psychologist—Melissa leaned into her natural strengths and built a career across multiple male-dominated industries including printing, aviation, and construction. Her ability to navigate change and adapt through uncertainty positioned her as a transformational leader who prioritizes systems thinking, emotional intelligence, and authenticity.

Melissa emphasized that today’s leaders must lead with calm confidence, agility, and vision—even when the future is unclear. She urges emerging leaders to develop their emotional intelligence, stay informed, and most importantly, lead with intention no matter their title.

Key takeaways from the interview:

0:01:58 – Melissa’s hardworking grandmother served as a model for persistence, strength, and self-determination.
0:05:13 – Her career path wasn’t a straight line—she pivoted from psychology to HR, learning to embrace discomfort as a growth driver.
0:06:47 – Melissa chose to take on tough roles and switch industries, believing that growth happens when you lean into the uncomfortable.
0:09:57 – Evolving leadership means practicing systems thinking and being agile amidst constant change.
0:11:29 – Emotional intelligence and intentionality are essential for leading people through disruption.
0:13:21 – Great leaders manage fear by preparing their teams and working themselves out of a job—developing others is key.
0:15:13 – Change leadership is not just about strategy, but the how—transparency and empathy build trust.
0:18:13 – Melissa shares how Limbach is deepening customer relationships by leading with purpose and service—not just transactions.
0:21:18 – A leader’s long-term success depends on relationships, context, and empowering teams with shared vision.
0:26:11 – Her final advice: compete only with yourself. Be better than yesterday and seek inspiration—not comparison—from others.

If you’re interested in being featured on the Fearless Female Leadership podcast, or you’re a leader looking to gain clarity on ‘what’s next’, how to build more cohesive and high-performing teams, and lead with greater confidence and influence, let’s have a confidential conversation (http://www.sherylkline.com/meeting).

Cheering you on always!
– Sheryl