Breaking Barriers: Leadership Lessons with CEO Joanna Pinkerton

Through the Looking Glass

(Video Episode) Are you an ambitious female professional aspiring to be a BOSS? You need to meet Joanna Pinkerton, the CEO of the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA). Joanna shares her remarkable journey from an engineering background to becoming CEO. In our candid conversation, she reflects on her first job in a medical office, shedding light on the early experiences that shaped her perspective on systems and problem-solving. Our discussion delves into the challenges of negotiating salary and the importance of advocating for oneself, especially in addressing gender and race pay gaps. Joanna shares personal experiences and insights on determining one's worth during salary negotiations, emphasizing the significance of allyship and transparent conversations. Our conversation touches on the intersection of technology, leadership, and emotional intelligence, highlighting the role of curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning in building successful careers. Joanna provides valuable advice on when it might be the right time to leave a job and navigating the challenges of public speaking as a woman in a male-dominated field. Our discussion concludes with a focus on empathetic leadership and the human aspect of engineering challenges, reminding us that every problem is, at its core, a human engineering problem. Get ready for a thought-provoking discussion on authenticity, mentorship, and the evolving landscape of technology in the digital age. Get to know me better on Instagram: ⁠⁠Lavanya | Podcast Host (@lavanyauthaman) | Instagram profile⁠⁠ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ttlg_podcast

Connect with Joanna: (5) Joanna M. Pinkerton, PE | LinkedIn