Lauren Wetzel on Leadership & Breaking Barriers for Women in Tech

For the debut episode of Beta Tested, Stacy Bohrer sits down with Lauren Wetzel, Global President of Data & Technology at WPP, for a candid conversation on leadership, sponsorship vs. mentorship, women in technology, AI innovation, career growth, and building diverse, high-performing teams. Lauren shares lessons from her leadership journey and practical advice for navigating change, advocating for yourself, and creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders. Takeaways: Leadership is about creating environments where others can do their best work. Sponsorship accelerates careers by advocating for talent when they're not in the room. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is often more important than IQ for effective leadership. Women tend to be over-mentored and under-sponsored in their careers. Constructive feedback is a skill that can be developed through repetition and self-awareness. Diverse leadership teams drive stronger business outcomes and innovation. Confidence comes from preparation, self-trust, and being comfortable with what you don't know. Authentic leadership requires balancing ambition with kindness toward yourself and your team. AI and automation are creating new opportunities for leaders to work smarter and focus on higher-value activities. Career growth often happens by already doing the work of the next role before receiving the title. Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Beta Tested 00:38 Lauren's Career Journey & Role at WPP 03:41 Women Leading Data & Technology 05:11 Why EQ Matters More Than IQ in Leadership 08:39 Early Career Ambitions & Learning Mindset 11:03 Becoming a Leader Through Impact 12:03 The Power of Sponsorship 12:44 Handling Feedback Without Letting It Hold You Back 18:50 Self-Advocacy, Promotions & Career Growth 23:50 Taking Ownership Before You Have the Title 24:52 Mentorship vs. Sponsorship Explained 29:44 Structural Barriers for Women in Leadership 34:20 Building Diverse Teams That Drive Results 38:44 Finding Courage When You're Afraid to Speak Up 40:55 Confidence Through Preparation & Self-Trust 44:47 Leadership, Kindness & Creating Space for Others 45:08 What Lauren is Beta Testing: AI, Automation & the Future of Work 47:00 Final Thoughts & Closing Remarks Takeaways