The Importance of Advancing Women in the Workplace

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? 

For me, International Women’s Day is about celebrating the incredible achievements of women around the world in all fields. It’s also a reminder of how fortunate I am that my daughters have access to education—something that many girls in other countries don’t get. It’s a moment to reflect on progress, acknowledge the work still to be done, and stand up for equality. 

What’s your favorite part of being a CMO?  

I love storytelling. Ever since I was a kid, nothing captivated me more than a great story. As a CMO, I get to evangelize everything about the company—our brand, mission, values, impact and the people who make it all happen. I love data and seeing tangible results: from understanding what keyword drives engagement to how content fuels the sales pipeline. And I’m grateful to work under a leader like our CEO Al Subbloie, who fosters innovation and impact. 

How has your previous work experience shaped the way you lead your team? 

Being the captain of my college lacrosse team and coaching—especially for the Special Olympics—taught me invaluable leadership lessons. I learned patience, the importance of meeting people where they are, and that motivation isn’t one-size-fits-all. Studying psychology deepened my fascination with what drives people, and I’ve carried that into my leadership style. I believe in leading with empathy, understanding individual strengths, and creating an environment where everyone is seen and heard.  

I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible people throughout my career and being on great teams. My time in tech startups taught me the importance of being resourceful and scrappy—wearing multiple hats, finding creative solutions, and adapting quickly. 

Those experiences shaped how I lead today. I encourage my team to take ownership, think outside the box, and never be afraid to try something new. I believe in fostering a collaborative environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute, knowing that their ideas matter. I cultivate a “Yes, and...” mindset where we focus on solutions and build on each other’s ideas. 

What has been the most transformative lesson of your career? 

I have grown the most from the things that didn’t quite work out. When something doesn’t go as planned, in the moment, it may feel like you just can’t move forward. But growth comes from emotional resilience. The most important thing is how you move through disappointment, which can come in many forms.  A quote that has resonated with me from Deepak Chopra: “The key to bouncing back is to act now, not waiting until the next challenge or difficulty.” 

What advice would you give to a woman just starting her career? 

I don’t take the words “show up” lightly. To me it is more than clocking your hours. It’s about taking notes, asking questions, being curious, leaning in, doing the work, and going the extra mile to connect with different folks across your organization.  You will only get out of work what you put into it. Be bold and take advantage of what is in front of you, because if you are just going through the motions, it will be hard to feel inspired about your work. 

As a CMO, how do you help empower and advance women in the workplace?  

I work hard to create a space where all women feel empowered to shine. I want them to see that the sky is the limit, that their ideas are valued, and that their contributions matter. I have an open-door policy and am always available to chat with anyone about anything. 

There is no I in team- we’re all in this together. At the same time, individual recognition is essential for growth and visibility. I make it a priority to ensure my team feels seen and heard by regularly giving shout-outs, celebrating wins, and acknowledging that success is never about just one person—it’s about the team. Every team member is essential to our success. I also aim to lead by example, openly sharing my ideas, challenging things I don’t agree with, and experimenting with new strategies, technologies, and more.  

I’ve also tried to consider the needs of female employees my whole career. When I first came back after maternity leave, I was working at a global advertising agency. I became the first to create a “Mother’s room,” which can be an invaluable space for mothers in the workplace. Knowing I was paving the way for the next generation of moms felt good.  

What advice would you give a female employee looking to advocate for herself when seeking a raise or promotion?  

I think if you are waiting for it to come to you, it may not happen. You have to be courageous, know your value, and ask for what you want. In doing this, you must be prepared with your talking points, do your research, know your market value.  Highlight key achievements and be able to articulate this succinctly. It’s normal to feel uneasy asking for more, but growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. When you advocate for yourself, you not only advance your own career but also set an example for others to do the same. 

As a mother, how have you managed to balance work, family, and other aspects of life?  

When my kids were very young, it was not easy. I did not have family nearby. I commuted 5 days a week, 50 minutes each way. Even so, I made a rule that I would wake up with my kids and put them to bed, even if I walked in at bedtime.   

It was hard, and sometimes I was hard on myself. Once, I had weekly executive meetings from 8am-10 am, which interfered with school drop-off. Being the only female exec, I never wanted to draw attention to the fact that I was unable to do something because I was a mom. I had to make choices and manage logistics. It was hard. 

But there have been amazing moments, too. I will never forget when I was at a conference in Amsterdam and I was Facetiming with my daughters, who were 10 and 12 years old at the time. I was in a room full of dark suits, mostly men. My oldest daughter saw that and asked, “Where are all the women?” I said that there weren’t that many there, and she replied “Then why are you talking to us Mama? You have work to do... go show them!” It was a moment I will never forget, because she was proud of me.   

So, there have been ups and downs. But several years ago, I decided to let go, to no longer strive to master it all. I was simply going to do my best, show up every day with 100% of me. Be the best mom, wife, leader, friend I could be.  

What has been the most challenging part of your career, and how did you navigate it?  

Finding work/life balance has been the most challenging.  I used to say yes to everything: I always wanted to volunteer, be the parent on class trips, and also grow my career and participate in events that I had to travel to. It took time to learn that I couldn’t do it all.  

I used to think that I was measured by how much I accomplished in a day. I would spend every free 15 min tackling one item on my list. I then learned through meditation that the ability to have silence in my mind was more powerful than completing any to do list. And in that silence, I can breathe, get centered and find my balance.   

I have put some key steps in place for the past several years to ensure there is time for me every day. I block every morning for my exercise and 30 minutes to have coffee alone, read the trades, and do my daily gratitude practice. It grounds me. Reminds me how lucky I am and that my greatest gift is to be present. 

What do you love about working at Budderfly? 

I absolutely love my job and feel so grateful to be here. I work with a phenomenal group of people from all over who all are contributing to our mission of reducing waste and carbon emissions.  

We have an incredible executive team that has worked together for years, creating remarkable synergy and camaraderie. They bring deep experience and leadership I continue to learn from. We have a supportive collaborative board and a culture where we are most importantly having fun together!  

I love working for Al, a visionary leader who is always several steps ahead of everyone. He’s encouraged me to pay attention to the subtleties, take risks, be bold, and own the outcome—even when things don’t go as planned. I’m also grateful to work with Rob, Tara, and Charlie, our Sales leadership team, and Megan and Nick, my Marketing leaders. We have been in sync since day one, and as a result, Sales and Marketing have been in lockstep, with shared goals and strong support for one another. We have a remote culture where teamwork and communication are key to our growth and success.  

We also have brilliant women across the company—from HVAC technicians to our legal team, from sales, billing, finance, marketing, operations, IT to human resources and beyond—who inspire me every day.  

Lastly, I love my marketing team. They are brilliant, talented, and endlessly supportive. We push each other to be better and genuinely have fun together—laughing, collaborating, and making every day more rewarding. They make me better every day, and I couldn’t ask for a better group to work with.