From "Too Bold" to “Catalyst': How one CRO builds the next generation of women leaders

Early in my career, I heard the same feedback repeatedly: "too bold," "too ambitious," "not political enough." Each time, I wondered if I should soften my approach, blend in better, play the game differently. Instead, I decided to lean into those labels and build something bigger.

Today, as Chief Revenue Officer at Miovision, the leader in intelligent mobility solutions, I've helped drive 348% growth over three years and led the integration of six strategic acquisitions. The work I'm most proud of isn't captured in revenue metrics. It's the women I mentor, the panels I lead on leadership equity, and the simple fact that I'm no longer "the only one in the room."

Building Revenue Leadership in a Male-Dominated Industry

As a Francophone woman navigating predominantly Anglophone corporate environments, I learned early that waiting for the world to adapt wasn't an option. My background as a trained lawyer taught me to approach problems from multiple angles, with calm logic and analytical precision. These skills became essential when I joined Miovision in 2021.

The mobility tech industry operates at a fascinating intersection where traditional transportation meets cutting-edge AI, where government agencies collaborate with private innovators, and where safety decisions impact millions of daily commutes. Leading revenue strategy in this space means understanding not just technology, but policy, infrastructure planning, and the complex decision-making processes of municipal governments across 60-plus countries.

This complexity becomes even more challenging when you consider the representation gap. In a country where women make up just 29% of C-Suite roles, which means every strategic decision, every acquisition integration, every customer relationship becomes an opportunity to demonstrate a different kind of leadership. One that values consultation over politics, long-term thinking over quick wins, and building bridges over building barriers.

The Mentorship Imperative: From "Only One" to "Never Alone"

My personal commitment stems from lived experience, knowing what it feels like to be "the only one in the room." This experience drives my active mentorship of women within Miovision and my participation in industry organizations, where I lead panels on leadership equity for women in tech and sales. These aren't checkbox activities but strategic investments in changing our industry's future.

I tell the women I mentor that being called "too ambitious" isn't criticism. Ambition drives innovation. It pushes us to think 12-18 months ahead, to build innovative infrastructure before the market demands it, to integrate acquisitions seamlessly while others struggle with cultural alignment.

The ripple effect happens when mentorship multiplies. Each woman who advances creates space for others, changes the conversation in boardrooms, and demonstrates that success comes in different forms. We're not just building individual careers but rebuilding the ecosystem itself.

Practical Leadership Lessons: What I Teach

The advice I share connects directly to this mentorship philosophy. Plan 12-18 months ahead, not just for your current role but for the role you want next. Build credibility through results, not politics. Let your work speak before you do.

Being seen as "too ambitious" becomes an asset when you pair it with execution. At Miovision, we've transformed our go-to-market architecture, aligned Marketing, Sales, and Customer Experience teams, and positioned ourselves as the leader in intelligent mobility. This didn't happen through playing small or waiting for permission.

I encourage women to embrace the analytical approach, to bring lawyer-like precision to business challenges, remain calm under pressure, and translate ambiguity into action. These aren't traditionally "feminine" traits, but they're leadership essentials that happen to come naturally to many women who've learned to navigate challenging environments.

The Road Forward: Building Systems for Change

Individual success without systemic change creates isolated examples instead of lasting transformation. This connection between personal achievement and broader impact drives everything we do at Miovision, where we're building technology that makes streets safer, cleaner, and smarter for communities worldwide.

The mobility sector faces complex challenges, including aging infrastructure, climate demands, urbanization pressures, and autonomous vehicle integration. Solving these problems requires diverse thinking, long-term vision, and leaders who aren't afraid to challenge conventional approaches.

My vision for the next generation involves women who won't hear "too bold" as criticism because bold leadership will be recognized as exactly what our industry needs. This mission demands leadership that reflects the communities we serve and includes women who've been told they're "too bold" and decided that's exactly the right amount of bold for the work ahead.