Women in Tech: From Programmer to CIO: Lessons in Leadership and Grit

In this inspiring episode of The Grit Mindset, host Matt Rosen sits down with Joan Kuehl, a trailblazing former CIO whose career has spanned technology, leadership, and mentorship. From growing up in a working-class family to leading global IT projects for major corporations like Sabre, Bank of America, and Travelers Insurance, Joan’s story is a powerful lesson in perseverance, adaptability, and courage.🌟 Highlights:From humble beginnings to the C-suite: Joan shares how her father’s example of hard work and integrity instilled the values that guided her career.Breaking barriers in tech: As one of the few women in computer science in the 1980s, Joan navigated a male-dominated field with grit and determination—eventually leading teams of thousands.Defining moments of leadership: She recounts overseeing the massive US Airways systems conversion project, which required coordination across 8,000 people and critical decision-making under pressure.Building resilience and community: Joan opens up about creating Women in Technology programs and leading Empowering Women Leaders (EWL)—a nonprofit providing mentorship and scholarships to women returning to college later in life.Real stories of grit: From a mother of 11 escaping abuse to women overcoming homelessness and addiction, Joan highlights the life-changing impact of EWL’s mentorship model.Lessons in courage and balance: Reflecting on her own journey, Joan shares the importance of saying yes to opportunities even when you feel unprepared—and the need to balance ambition with family and self-care.💡 Key Takeaway:Grit isn’t just about working harder—it’s about staying persistent, adapting when plans change, and helping others rise with you. Joan’s journey reminds us that courage and compassion can coexist at every stage of success.🎧 Tune in to hear how grit, mentorship, and purpose have shaped Joan's extraordinary path—and how you can apply those lessons to your own life.