TECHNOLOGY/AI
AI as a Career Accelerator for Women Harnessing Technology to Propel Leadership and Growth
By Judith Platz AI is changing how businesses operate, and for women in leadership, it presents both opportunities and challenges. Leaders like Julie Baxter-Rudd, VP of Global Customer Support at Elastic, and Chitra Madhwacharyula, Director of Partner and Customer Success Operations at Nvidia, demonstrate how AI can be a powerful tool for women to grow their careers, lead with impact, and drive innovation. This article highlights some lessons from conversations we’ve had on my show, “15 Minutes with Judi.” AI as a Force Multiplier for Women Leaders Baxter-Rudd has navigated a career spanning nearly 30 years in the support industry. From her early days as a support engineer to leading global teams, her journey highlights how AI can empower leaders to operate more effectively. “AI makes our engineers’ jobs easier and more efficient. It’s about giving them the space to think, create, and connect with our customers,” Baxter-Rudd says. For women leaders, this means less time spent on manual tasks and more opportunities to focus on strategy, mentorship, and innovation. AI-driven insights provide clarity, helping leaders make data-backed decisions and advocate
for resources that drive growth. Embracing Experimentation and Innovation Madhwacharyula describes herself as a “focused experimenter,” a mindset that has guided her through roles at LinkedIn, HPE, and now Nvidia. Her approach to leveraging AI is rooted in experimentation and continuous learning. “AI is a tool, like the internet or the smartphone,” she explains. “It’s about understanding its capabilities and applying them to solve real-world problems. The sooner we embrace it, the better equipped we are to lead.” For women looking to accelerate their careers, this means leaning into opportunities to experiment with AI technologies. From automating workflows to enhancing customer insights, AI can serve as a catalyst for career advancement. Building a Culture of Sponsorship and Mentorship Both leaders emphasize the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in advancing women’s careers. Baxter-Rudd shares how leaders like Rob McCabe and Dayton Suber championed her growth, giving her the confidence and support to step into larger roles. “I try to pay that forward by creating developmental roles and opportunities for my team. Seeing others grow is one of the most rewarding parts of leadership,” she notes. Madhwacharyula also believes AI can play a role in creating more equitable opportunities. AI-powered analytics can surface high-potential employees, reducing bias and ensuring women are considered for leadership roles.
WWW.CUSTOMERCONTACTWOMEN.COM | OCTOBER 2025
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