Jamie Domenici on Elevating Women in Tech and Leading with Empathy, Resilience, and Voice

Who is a woman who has inspired or mentored you, and what lessons from her influence have stayed with you?

My mom, who transitioned from being a stay-at-home parent to the single breadwinner for our family in her 40s. Her resilience taught me how to adapt and thrive in any situation.

Betty Hung, the first female C-suite executive I worked with, showed me that women can be both strong and powerful in the boardroom.

Brene Brown’s philosophy of “The Story I’m Telling Myself” is one I live by. But seeing her command a room with such confidence and vulnerability was truly impressive.

Lastly, Amy Weaver, who went from Chief Legal Officer to CFO at Salesforce, is not only an incredible leader but also a genuinely kind person—her balance of strength and empathy left a lasting impact on me.

These women have shaped my view of leadership and the power of resilience, authenticity, and empathy.

What is the legacy you hope to leave behind as a changemaker and leader in your industry?

When I first started in tech in the early 2000s, I’d ride the elevator up to the office in San Francisco, and it would be filled with all men—and me. I’d look around and, though it was a little uncomfortable, I’d say out loud, “This has to change.” The legacy I want to leave for women is two-fold: first, to open the door so more women can get in the elevator; and second, to show women just starting out that it’s okay to use your voice. You have to. Sometimes, we have to be a little louder to be heard.