Gail Burgos: How Bold Leaders Build Communities, Not Just Careers

Send us Fan MailAbout This EpisodeIn this episode, Dr. Gail Burgos, CEO of PayTech Women, reframes boldness as a mindset, one grounded in intentional choices, self-awareness, and the courage to lead with vulnerability. She shares her insights on the power of community and the importance of women supporting one another, especially in male-dominated industries like FinTech. Gail clarifies the distinction between mentorship and sponsorship, explaining how sponsors advocate for you even when you’re not in the room. She describes her philosophy to start with your gifts, align your actions, and build a network around them. Her approach has not only transformed her own path but fueled the explosive growth of the PayTech Women community, making this episode a must-listen for anyone ready to lead boldly. About Gail BurgosDr. Gail Burgos is the former Senior Diversity and Inclusion Officer for TSYS and Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at 1st Sentry. After retiring from TSYS with 25 years of service, she founded Burgos Consulting Group, Inc., where she currently serves as CEO. Prior to retirement, she led Global Payments’ global inclusion and diversity strategy and supported all areas of information technology as Senior Advisor to the CIO at legacy TSYS. With deep knowledge of corporate culture and an impeccable leadership record, Burgos has remained committed to advancing equity for children, women, and underrepresented groups. She holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Columbus State University, an M.S. in Human Resource Management from Troy State University, and a Doctorate in Organizational Theory and Leadership from the University of Phoenix. She has served as an adjunct professor and on multiple educational and community boards.Burgos is a former CEO of Girls Inc. of Columbus, an organization supporting girls ages 6–18, and served on the boards of Hope Harbour and PayTech Women, where she is now CEO. She is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. While at TSYS, she founded Project Cookie Jar, a financial literacy initiative for Girls Inc. participants, and chaired the TSYS IT Education Council to boost STEM awareness in regional schools. Through her consulting work, she continues to guide organizations in building inclusive cultures, launching DEI programs, and embedding diversity into recruitment, retention, and succession planning. Her leadership and community service have earned her numerous awards and speaking engagements. Additional ResourcesLearn More About PayTech Women: paytechwomen.org LinkedIn: @GailBurgosSupport the show--------Stay Connected www.leighburgess.comWatch the episodes on YouTube Follow Leigh on Instagram: @theleighaburgessFollow Leigh on LinkedIn: @LeighBurgessSign up for Leigh’s bold newsletter