Angela
Byers
Senior Director, GTM, Microsoft Security
"From Ladder to Constellation: Reimagining Success Through a Portfolio Career"
"From Ladder to Constellation: Reimagining Success Through a Portfolio Career"
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Session: From Ladder to Constellation: Reimagining Success Through a Portfolio Career
For senior women in tech, the traditional career ladder often stops delivering what it promises. Advancement becomes less about merit and more about politics, timing, and factors outside our control—while the personal cost keeps rising.This session reframes success from a single climb to a constellation of impact, inspired by Portfolio Life. Rather than tying identity, influence, and fulfillment to one role or title, a portfolio career distributes purpose across multiple arenas—inside and beyond the day job.
A panel of accomplished women leaders will share how they’ve built different portfolio shapes while remaining deeply engaged in tech: combining executive leadership with advising, board service, investing, teaching, writing, community leadership, or creative work. Together, they’ll show how portfolio thinking isn’t about opting out—it’s about regaining agency, sustainability, and joy in a demanding industry.
The conversation will also look ahead. Drawing on The Second Mountain, the speaker will discuss how portfolio pursuits can quietly lay the groundwork for a future chapter—long before anyone is ready (or willing) to step away from their primary role.
This session offers language, models, and permission to redefine success—on your own terms.
Key Takeaways
- Real-world examples of portfolio careers that enhance executive impact
- Personal OKRs – a way to clarify what truly matters across work, health, relationships, and impact
- The Personal Kitchen Cabinet – a trusted circle of advisors to support career decisions, energy management, and long-term vision
Bio
I am a senior marketing leader with over 20 years of experience building and growing technology and SaaS businesses, including more than a decade in senior leadership roles at Microsoft. My work has focused on leading global marketing organizations, shaping new categories, and helping teams drive sustainable growth in complex, fast-moving environments.Alongside my corporate leadership role, I guest-teach at local universities and serve on advisory boards, where I enjoy sharing perspective and supporting the development of future leaders. I also work selectively as an executive coach, partnering with leaders who want to expand their impact while maintaining clarity, energy, and authenticity.
I’m deeply committed to a portfolio approach to life—one that integrates leadership, learning, and creative craft. Outside of work, that includes perfecting my cooking and practicing landscape sketching, pursuits that help me recharge, stay grounded, and bring greater presence to how I lead.
