Shalini
Sunkara
Engineering Project Leader at Lutron Electronics
" Why High-Performing Women Don’t Get Promoted and How to Position Yourself for the Next Level"
" Why High-Performing Women Don’t Get Promoted and How to Position Yourself for the Next Level"
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Session: Why High-Performing Women Don’t Get Promoted and How to Position Yourself for the Next Level
Many of the most capable, hardworking women in tech do everything right, they deliver results, take ownership, and consistently exceed expectations, yet still find themselves overlooked for promotions.This talk challenges the deeply ingrained belief that excellence alone leads to advancement.
Drawing from real-world leadership experience and patterns observed across high-performing technical teams, this session explores the hidden dynamics behind promotion decisions, what actually happens in rooms you’re not in, long before roles are posted or decisions are announced.
Attendees will learn:
Why being “exceptional” can sometimes stall career growth rather than accelerate it
The difference between doing great work and being positioned for the next level
The subtle signals leaders look for when assessing readiness for promotion
How women unintentionally enter the “no-promotion zone” and how to exit it strategically
Practical, actionable steps to advocate for yourself without burning out, overperforming, or waiting to be noticed
This is not a talk about working harder. It’s about working intentionally.
Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how promotions really work, language they can use to have more effective career conversations, and a framework to move from invisible excellence to visible leadership.
For women who are tired of being told to “just keep doing great work,” this talk offers clarity, strategy, and a clear action plan to advance their careers.
Key Takeaways
- Why being “exceptional” can sometimes stall career growth rather than accelerate it
- The difference between doing great work and being positioned for the next level
- The subtle signals leaders look for when assessing readiness for promotion
- How women unintentionally enter the “no-promotion zone”—and how to exit it strategically
- Practical, actionable steps to advocate for yourself without burning out, overperforming, or waiting to be noticed
Bio
Shalini Sunkara is a passionate electrical engineer with a Master’s in Electrical Engineering and 15+ years of experience in engineering and product design. She is an Engineering Project Leader at Lutron Electronics, a global leader in lighting and automated shading technologies, and previously built her technical foundation at GE. Shalini has deep expertise in hardware and firmware product development, cross-functional program management, and launching high-impact projects, translating complex engineering challenges into scalable, high-quality products while fostering inclusive, high-performing teams.She is also deeply committed to empowering women in STEM, mentoring engineers at her company and through communities such as the Society of Women Engineers and Influential Women, helping them navigate career growth, leadership, and visibility in technical fields.
