Reflections from Speaking on an Executive Panel at SIM Women Colorado

Serving on the Executive Panel at Castle Pines

This spring, I served as a panelist at the SIM Women Colorado Spring Conference. The event took place at Castle Pines, and the setting created a thoughtful environment for a group of women in technology who lead at many different levels. Being part of this executive discussion felt both energizing and grounding, and it offered a space for conversations that were honest and substantive.

Sharing Insights with Women in Tech

Our panel explored the realities women navigate as they lead in demanding and fast-moving environments. I shared insights drawn from my work with executives and other high-performing professionals, including strategies for dealing with decision fatigue. If you want a deeper look at those strategies, you can find a recent post on the topic here. I also discussed how perfectionism can be used as a strategic advantage when it is understood and leveraged correctly, rather than treated as something we need to remove entirely.

What stood out to me most was the honesty in the room. The conversations on the panel and throughout the day were thoughtful, candid, and rooted in shared experience. This panel felt particularly important because so many people in tech are navigating unique pressures right now. Workforce reductions, shifting expectations around AI, and uncertainty about the future of certain roles all create a level of strain that is easy to overlook. Speaking alongside other leaders about these realities helped create a sense of shared experience and highlighted new ways to move through these challenges with clarity rather than fear.

Events like this remind me that professional growth involves clarity and strategy, as well as the connection that comes from recognizing ourselves in one another’s stories.

A Meaningful Part of My Work

Speaking on this panel was a meaningful part of my ongoing work as a career counselor and executive coach. I help leaders find clarity, align with what matters most, and lead with intention in complex environments. The SIM Women Colorado Conference reinforced how important it is to create spaces where leaders can exchange insights openly and support one another. I left feeling inspired by the collective energy and by the commitment so many leaders have to their own growth and to the growth of others.