From Code to C-Suite: Resilience, Real Leadership, and Accelerating Women’s Rise with Lori Lalonde

What does it really take to lead with authenticity in high-stakes corporate environments?In this episode of the Inside Out Engineering Podcast, Nikki Maginn sits down with Lori Lalonde — CEO and Founder of Her Executive Ascent — for a deeply honest conversation about leadership, resilience, and the realities women face as they rise through complex organizations.Lori’s journey is anything but linear. From an early pivot out of university to becoming a software developer, to leading large-scale digital transformation across Microsoft’s partner ecosystem and Manulife, Lori built a nearly 30-year career in tech before stepping away from corporate life to create the leadership program she wished existed earlier in her journey.Together, Nikki and Lori explore the human side of leadership — the stories behind the titles, the setbacks that shape resilience, and the emotional intelligence required to lead people, not just projects.This conversation goes beyond theory. It’s real, reflective, and at times spicy — covering everything from career pivots and motherhood to therapy, identity, workplace culture, and the invisible labor many women carry in leadership roles.You’ll hear insights on:• Finding clarity and purpose after unexpected life changes• Building resilience through therapy, self-awareness, and community• The hidden “caretaker” expectations placed on women in leadership• Why tactical leadership training often disappears as you move up• How emotional intelligence rebuilds trust in modern workplaces• The tension between corporate systems and human-centered leadership• Designing leadership development that is practical, strategic, and accessibleLori also shares the vision behind Her Executive Ascent — a program built by women, for women, focused on giving senior leaders the strategic and financial skills they need to lead with confidence and authenticity.At its core, this episode is a reminder that leadership is never just about outcomes. It’s about people, connection, and the courage to lead in alignment with your values.Connect with Lori Lalonde:🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorilalonde/🔗 Her Executive Ascent: https://www.herexecutiveascent.com/en-ca/homeConnect with Nikki / Inside Out Engineering:🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-maginn/🔗 Learn more about Inside Out Engineering: www.insideoutengineering.comIf this conversation resonated with you, share it with a leader, colleague, or friend who’s navigating their own leadership journey.And if you’re an engineer, technical professional, or people leader who believes leadership starts from the inside out — you’re in the right place.