HumanizeHer with Erica Lockheimer

In this episode, we welcome the legendary Pat Wadors - current Chief Human Resources Officer at Intuitive and former HR visionary at LinkedIn, ServiceNow, and Yahoo. Known for her transformative leadership and for coining the concept of DIBs (Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging), Pat dives deep into her journey of "stumbling" into HR and eventually becoming one of the most influential voices in the field. Episode Highlights: Overcoming Labels: Pat shares her personal story of being diagnosed with dyslexia at age 19, reframing a perceived disability into a "superpower" for pattern recognition and creative problem-solving. Goldilocks Framework: Pat introduces her signature decision-making tool - the "Goldilocks Framework" - designed to help professionals find their "just right" fit by mapping values, motivators, and superpowers. Leading with Humanity: From the "Mary Poppins" philosophy of going where you are needed to the importance of "slowing your roll" through breathwork, Pat provides actionable advice on managing with grace, even in difficult times like layoffs. The Power of Storytelling: Drawing from her book, "Unlock Your Leadership Story", Pat uses folk tales like "The Elephant and The Blind Men" to illustrate the necessity of curiosity and seeing the full ecosystem of a problem. This episode is a masterclass for anyone looking to lead with authenticity, navigate career pivots, and build high-performing, healthy organizations. Listen in and join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser.

In this insightful episode, Karen Catlin, former VP of Engineering at Adobe with over three decades in the tech industry, shares her evolution from a "declared computer science major who had never touched a computer" to now leadership coach and one of the most influential voices in workplace inclusion as an acclaimed author of the Better Allies book series. Highlights of the Conversation: "Golden Age" of Women in Tech: Karen reflects on graduating in 1985 - a peak era for gender diversity in the field, where 37.5% of computer science degrees in the U.S. went to women (compared to significantly lower percentages in the decades that followed). Birth of an Anonymous Movement: Discover the fascinating origin story of the @BetterAllies Twitter handle. Karen reveals why she spent five years posing as an anonymous man to share inclusion tips, believing the message of allyship would carry more weight if it appeared to come from a male voice. 50 Shades of Privilege: Karen discusses her research-backed "50 Ways You Might Have Privilege in the Workplace," a tool designed to help professionals recognize their inherent advantages - ranging from financial stability and elite education to the absence of caregiving responsibilities. 7 Archetypes of an Ally: Listeners are introduced to Karen's framework for action: the Sponsor, Champion, Amplifier, Advocate, Scholar, Confidant, and the most challenging role - the Upstander. "Archery" Analogy: Addressing the corporate pullback on DEI initiatives, Karen offers a powerful perspective; equity movements are currently like an arrow being pulled back on a bow - a necessary tension before it can fly forward with even greater force. Practical Tools for Inclusion: From "idea hijacking" in meetings to negotiating public speaking fees, Karen provides actionable advice for anyone looking to build a more meritocratic and inclusive workplace. Karen wraps up the episode by "paying it forward" with a curated list of must-read books on anti-ableism, LGBTQ+ allyship, and dismantling white dominant culture - reminding us that being a "better ally" is a modern leadership skill essential for every professional. Better Allies by Karen Catlin White Supremacy is All Around by Akilah Cadet The Anti-Ableist Manifesto by Tiffany Yu The Savvy Ally by Jeannie Gainsburg The Wake Up by Michelle Mijung Kim Listen in and join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser.

Margaret Abe-Koga (Santa Clara County Supervisor) joins the HumanizeHer Podcast to pull back the curtain on a life dedicated to public service, representation, and resilience. In this episode, Margaret shares the raw and inspiring narrative of an immigrant daughter who became the voice for those who feel voiceless. From an "anchor baby" born at Stanford Hospital to a seasoned policymaker managing a $13.5 billion budget, she discusses the grit required to navigate a career in politics as a self-described "stubborn introvert" and the personal sacrifices made behind the scenes. Key themes in this episode: Immigrant Experience: Margaret reflects on growing up as the translator for her Japanese-speaking parents and how witnessing her father being taken advantage of due to language barriers sparked a lifelong passion for ensuring everyone has a voice in government. "Political Mom": Discover how a chance encounter with Congresswoman Anna Eshoo during a high school "Youth in Government Day" set Margaret on a path to Harvard and eventually into the halls of local and regional power. Beating the Stigma of Illness: Margaret reveals the grueling journey of battling Stage 2 breast cancer while preparing for a political comeback. She discusses the excruciating process of "cold capping" to hide her hair loss, fearing that the public would judge a woman as "unfit for office" if she appeared sick. "Sandwich Generation" Struggle: A candid discussion on the reality of being a "caregiver-in-chief" - managing aging parents at home while simultaneously supporting family through mental health challenges and serving as Mayor during a global pandemic. What a Supervisor Actually Does: Margaret demystifies the role of the County Supervisor, explaining the $13.5B "social safety net" that manages everything from public hospitals to child protective services. Fighting for the Vulnerable: Margaret details Santa Clara County's bold stance against Federal immigration policies, including joining lawsuits to protect civil rights and resisting cuts to essential food and health programs. Redefining Leadership: Through a heartwarming story about a little boy mistaking her "Wonder Woman" costume for the Mayor, Margaret illustrates that leadership doesn't have a single mold and that quiet persistence is often the most effective tool in a policymaker's arsenal. Margaret concludes with a powerful call to action for women to find their passion and run for office: "We need more voices…we have a different way of doing things, and frankly, I think we are better at getting things done."

In this episode, we get to celebrate a massive milestone with Jody Mettler, the Chief Operating Officer of BitGo and their President of the Trust Company. As BitGo rings the bell on its recent IPO, Jody shares her journey from a 20-year career at Citi to leading the "backbone" of the digital asset industry. This episode serves as both a high-level masterclass in crypto infrastructure and a personal story of how traditional banking expertise is shaping the future of decentralized finance. Inside the Episode: Ultimate Career Pivot: Jody reflects on her transition from corporate accounting and digital transformation at Citi to the world of crypto. She shares the story of how a LinkedIn message led her to become the COO of one of the most respected tech companies in the crypto space. Bitcoin 101: Jody breaks down the digital asset world for beginners, explaining the difference between Bitcoin ("Digital Gold"), speculative alt-coins, and stablecoins (1:1 backed by fiat). "Backbone" of Crypto: Learn about BitGo's role as the institutional infrastructure that powers many of the exchanges we use today. Jody explains the "multisig" security and physical vaults that protect billions of dollars in assets. Reality of Going Public: Jody recounts the adrenaline-filled experience of BitGo's IPO - a first for her - and the rigor required to move a digital asset company into the traditional public market. Pioneering Regulation: A look at BitGo's achievement of a federal OCC Charter and how the company navigates global regulations in Germany, Dubai, Singapore (and more!) to meet clients where they are. Power of Sponsorship: Erica shares a full-circle moment with BitGo CEO Mike Belshe, who was her boss in her 20s. Discover how his early support of Erica's career led BitGo to become the inaugural sponsor of the HumanizeHer Podcast. Jody concludes with a heartfelt "pay-it-forward" to Karen Young, the mentor who changed her life, reminding us that even in high-tech finance, relationships and trust are the true currency. Listen in and join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser.

In this episode of the HumanizeHer Podcast, we sit down with Mauria Finley - a powerhouse entrepreneur, Stanford lecturer, and current Vice President at Google. Mauria shares a deeply personal and strategic look at a career that has oscillated between massive corporate scale and the high-stakes "grit and resilience" of the startup world. From building product spreadsheets in her living room to leading global teams, Mauria offers a masterclass in living a life driven by purpose, joy, and connection. Key themes in this episode include: The Entrepreneurial Leap: Mauria discusses founding Citrus Lane (acquired by Care.com) at age 35 while raising a toddler and an infant, debunking the myth that you have to start young to succeed. Pitching with Conviction: A candid look at the venture capital world. Mauria shares the hard lessons she learned raising Series A funding, including the "Tony Fadell" moment that forced her to fix her intro and why women must pitch the "big idea" rather than a "risk-adjusted plan." The "Beautiful Failure": Mauria reflects on her second startup - a fashion styling business for professional women - which was derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses the heavy burden of leading through layoffs and how this "failure" led her to a fulfilling new chapter at Google. Teaching the "Soft Skills" of Engineering: For nearly a decade, Mauria has co-taught a popular class at Stanford's Computer Science school. She reveals what elite students actually want to know: not how to code, but how to negotiate, grow in a job, and navigate the workplace. Perspective through Health Challenges: Mauria shares the jarring story of being diagnosed with breast cancer on the same day she received a text from Erica Lockheimer about a skin cancer diagnosis. She discusses how facing mortality shifted her focus from professional ego to a philosophy centered on joy and health. The Power of Reconnection: After 20 years of distance, Mauria and Erica reconnected, proving that professional relationships can be "reactivated" into deep, vulnerable friendships that provide essential support in midlife. Mauria concludes with a powerful reminder to women: "God only gave you one body - don't be so busy taking care of everyone else that you forget to take care of yourself." Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser.

From pioneering one of the world's most used digital platforms to taking her first-ever career break, Deb Liu (Former CEO of Ancestry and Former Product Exec at Facebook, PayPal, eBay) joins the HumanizeHer Podcast for a deeply vulnerable and strategic conversation about power, transitions, and the one thing that matters more than a resume: your health. In this episode, Deb shares the mental frameworks that helped her rise through the "PayPal Mafia," navigate life as the only mother in the Facebook product room, and lead a 40-year-old storied company like Ancestry through its next chapter. Inside the Episode: The "Other" in South Carolina: Deb reflects on her upbringing as the daughter of immigrants in a town where few looked like her, and how that sense of being a "foreigner" shaped her drive to find belonging in tech. The 7-Year Pitch for Facebook Marketplace: Deb recounts the persistence required to build Facebook Marketplace—an idea she pitched for years before it was finally greenlit, turning a "mom-group" observation into a global commerce powerhouse. The U-Shape Analogy: A masterclass in career growth. Deb explains why high-impact roles often lead to low learning, and why "hitting the reset button" to enter a new space is essential to avoid stagnation. The "Blank Name Tag Club": After working continuously since 2002, Deb discusses the identity crisis that comes with stepping away from a C-suite title and why she is spending her first-ever year off exploring who she is without a corporate role. A Life-Saving Birthday Request: Deb shares the jarring story of her recent breast cancer diagnosis, caught only because a friend insisted she get a mammogram for her birthday. Deb provides a stark look at the statistics: 13% of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and while catching it early leads to a 90% survival rate, waiting even one year can change the prognosis exponentially. Strategic Leadership: Learn about Deb's "30-60-90 Day Plan" and her "Magic Wand Dinners" - practical tools for building trust and synthesizing culture when entering a new organization as a leader. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the "messy middle" of a career while balancing the weights of the sandwich generation. Join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser.