The Emblazers Podcast, Ep. 16: Breaking the Glass Ceiling One Skip-Level at a Time with Kristen Twining

So, I just had the most eye-opening chat with Kristen Twining, SVP of Sales for the Americas at FireMon, and let me tell you: This woman is the definition of a powerhouse.  

We dove deep into the wild disparity of women in tech sales leadership (no surprises here, but it’s worse than you thought) and how we can actually move beyond just talking about diversity to making real change happen.

Here’s the reality check we all need: while women make up about 25-30 percent of tech sales roles, that number plummets to a measly 12 percent when you look at leadership positions. Twelve percent, people. In 2025. I’ll give you a moment to pick your jaw up off the floor.

T-T-T-Takeaways, Y’all

• Bold ambition pays off: Kristen approached her VP on day two of her first post-college job and asked what it would take to get his role—a move that shocked him but set the tone for her career trajectory.
• Traditional sales playbooks need updating: Emotional intelligence, especially empathy and active listening, remains undervalued despite research showing women typically steal the show in these areas.
• Leadership philosophy worth stealing: “Don’t lead from the top, lead from the front.” Making time for skip-level meetings and intentional connections with emerging talent helps close the gender gap.

The most powerful takeaway for me? As Kristen put it: “Fall seven times, get back up eight.” Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder or building your own empire, resilience remains the not-so-secret ingredient to success. 

Watch the Episode

 

Nobody’s Stopping You from Listening Twice!

• Spotify 
• Apple 
• YouTube 

If this episode lit a fire under you, do the thing—subscribe, leave a review, or better yet, reach out to a woman in your organization who might benefit from your mentorship. The stats won’t change themselves, folks.