Jennifer Massaro on curing imposter syndrome and leaving a good wake behind you
Our blog series highlighting female tech leaders (and sharing their wisdom) continues! This time, we had the privilege of connecting with Nutanix Vice President of Corporate Communications, Jennifer Massaro. Jennifer has charted an impressive, at times non-linear path through tech communications, shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to uplifting others.
In our conversation, she shares honest reflections on imposter syndrome, the power of mentorship, and how building a career while raising a family requires intention and adaptability. Read on for Jennifer’s insights, including how she’s helping shape a more inclusive future for women in tech.
What inspired you to pursue a career in tech?
I was passionate about communications and working at a PR agency in New York City. The agency I worked at was in the “shelter” industry and had clients who made wallpaper, paint, window shades, and things for the home. My husband and I decided to move back to California and decided on Silicon Valley. Tech was all the rage as the Internet (or the “world wide web” as it was called back then) was just coming into being—it was the late 1990s. It was exciting!
What challenges have you faced as a woman in tech, and how have you navigated them?
Imposter syndrome and a lack of confidence are a waste of time. Unfortunately, the only cure (for me) was experience. Know your worth but also put in the work, and try to put yourself in situations where you get the support you need to succeed. Find mentors and advocates, and build a group of friends who support you. Also—get a professional coach. My coach does not coddle me and that works well. I get support from my friends, but when I need a reality check I go to my coach. No one really improves with a pat on the back, sometimes you need to be told that you are making mistakes and need to fix them.
In addition, balancing being a parent and working can be hard. In my son’s formative years I spent a lot of time moving laterally into different areas (executive communications, internal communications, change management communications) to build on my media relations experience so that when my son got older I was able to merge them all together into one role and build on that. Your career trajectory isn’t always linear.
What is the most valuable lesson or piece of advice you’ve received from a female mentor and how did it impact your personal life and/or career?
Don’t be afraid to speak up. Smart, confident people will listen to you if you have an insightful point of view. Good leaders want to be challenged. I learned this from Kelly Kramer, the former CFO of Cisco. If you have a point of view and it’s not being heard, it’s time to move on!
How do you hope to inspire the next generation of women in your industry?
Women need to support other women. I was lucky enough to have an experience very early in my career where I learned that breaking down barriers for other women and shining the light on them when they do good work helps them AND you. It’s not a zero sum game. When we lift others up, we lift ourselves up too.
How do you foster inclusivity and empowerment within your organization?
Treat people like human beings. Surround yourself with smart people and listen to them. Care about them as people. And leave a good wake behind you. As Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”