Dora’S BIO
She is a keynote speaker on global stages, executive advisor, and coach who helps forward- thinking organizations and individuals navigate change, lead boldly, and achieve lasting impact. She is also the creator of SOAR with Confidence™, a flagship program that equips professionals to grow with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Arriving in the U.S. at 17 with limited English, Dora rose to executive leadership at companies including GE, Stryker, and Prudential. Over her 30-year corporate career, she has led large-scale transformations, guided leaders, and built a reputation for driving results with clarity and confidence.
Her work has been recognized with honors such as Global Data Power Woman, AI100 Innovation Leader, Top CX AI Leader, and Global Leadership Institute Awardee, and she has been featured in top publications, across 35+ leading podcasts, and on Times Square billboards.
Her story is a reminder that real success is not about where you start or meeting others' expectations—it’s built through clarity, resilience, and the determination to chart your own course.
WITH GROUPS CREATING PROGRAMS TO ENCOURAGE FEMALES TO CONSIDER STEM, WHAT IS THE BIGGEST BARRIER TO ENTRY THAT IS STILL PREVALENT TODAY?
The biggest barrier isn’t the lack of programs—it’s the stereotypes and expectations that shape girls from an early age. Those subtle messages compound over time, often leaving women with fewer role models and a sense of needing to meet others’ expectations. No surprise then, they evolve into unconscious bias—held by both men and women — which makes the challenge systemic and still very present in the workplace today.
WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU?
I’m most inspired by my mother. She never had a formal education or office career, yet her resilience, wisdom, and work ethic continue to guide me and many others—now in her 80s, she lives with curiosity, strength, and kindness.
She, and women like her, remind me that impact isn’t defined by titles but by how we show up and what we give back. That lesson fuels my advocacy for women in tech and leadership, and inspires me to be a role model for my own daughter, son, and future generations—while also being deeply grateful for the many men who stand as allies, championing fairness and inclusion. I shared more of her story here: Read my tribute (with photos) on LinkedIn.
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT/ACCOMPLISHMENT?
Over my career, what makes me most proud is hearing—even 25+ years later—that the work we did created lasting value, and that people remembered not only the results, but that we achieved them with positivity and kindness. That kind of legacy matters to me.
And just one year ago, I took one of the boldest steps of my life: leaving a secure executive role to start over–not only for more freedom over my schedule, but to help others SOAR as high as they can. Since then, I’ve successfully pivoted into advising and speaking globally on data & AI leadership, while launching SOAR with Confidence™, a career and leadership program that empowers Women in Tech and high-achieving professionals to lead with clarity, purpose, and confidence.
Nothing makes me prouder today than seeing this work tangibly boost momentum—whether it’s helping someone land a dream role, step into leadership, rediscover purpose, or guiding leaders and organizations to accelerate the success of their most critical initiatives. Knowing that my decision to embrace uncertainty is helping others shape their future with intention energizes me every single day.