271: Leaning In: Navigating Leadership, Authenticity, and Growth as Women in Tech with Leila Kassner

What does it really take to rise to senior leadership as a woman in tech—without burning out, compromising who you are, or constantly second-guessing your worth?

In this episode of Leading Women in Tech, I’m joined by Leila Kassner, COO at Boku, to explore the power of authentic leadership, how to lean in without losing yourself, and what it means to build a career that blends impact, inclusion, and integrity.

We cover:

• Her career journey from entry-level to executive
• The challenge of being heard in male-dominated rooms
• How to self-advocate without overworking
• Lessons in balancing ambition with wellbeing
• Why emotional intelligence is a leadership superpower
• The DEI strategies making a real difference at Boku
• How to speak up, create cultural change, and mentor the next generation

Whether you're climbing the career ladder, managing self-doubt, or trying to build a more inclusive culture from the inside—you’ll find both inspiration and practical insight in this conversation.

Connect with Leila: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-kassner-3a2b4a19/ 

Leila’s current read: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

👇 Book a free strategy call to explore how executive coaching can help you lead with clarity, confidence, and authenticity: https://tonicollis.com/lets-chat

This episode was sponsored by Boku. Thank you Leila and Boku for helping to bring Leading Women in Tech to this community!