Women who lead: Balancing innovation, careers, and growth

Multiple authors
December 3, 2024
... min read

In a world marked by rapid technological growth, societal shifts, and an ever-changing business landscape, building a career is no small feat. Add to that the challenges of holding a leadership role while balancing personal and professional responsibilities, and the hurdles grow even higher.

At Infermedica, we are proud to support women's professional growth across all levels, from entry-level positions to leadership roles. Today, 50% of low and mid-level leadership positions in our company are held by women, and 27% of our executive team is female. These numbers reflect our ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace.

Previously, we shared stories of career growth and personal development from some of our female leaders at Infermedica. You can read the full article, here: Diversity in action! Now, we’re highlighting women who joined our team with valuable experience and are helping to shape our organization. They offer practical advice and insights, showing what’s possible when workplaces support equity and value every voice.

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Learn from innovative women who are shaping the future of Infermedica. Illustration by Aneta Wojtunik

Shaping the power 

Working in a startup environment is a constant challenge. Rapid changes, a dynamic approach, flexibility, and the responsibility of making key decisions can feel overwhelming. For women balancing well-established careers and personal lives, the challenge can be even greater. It demands adaptability, prioritization, and a willingness to accept imperfection - qualities exemplified by Dominika Michalska-Najbert in her role as VP of Finance at Infermedica.

Dominika joined the company in early 2024, taking charge of its financial strategy while also managing a team. We asked her how she strikes a balance between her professional and personal life. What’s her secret to balancing both personal life and professional responsibilities?

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I'll be honest—it's not always easy. For me, the key is knowing my priorities, both at work and at home, and accepting that not everything needs to be perfect (and that's okay). With time and experience, you learn to recognize when a "good enough" solution works for less critical tasks, and that helps maintain a healthier balance.

Dominika Michalska-Najbert

VP of Finance

Managing a team and being a people leader in a multicultural environment is never easy. Amanda Bury, Infermedica’s CCO, is responsible for driving the sales strategy while also leading a team of professionals spread across different parts of the world. Amanda joined the organization about two and a half years ago, bringing valuable expertise that she shares with her team. What’s her key to success in such a fast-paced environment?

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If I had to choose one essential quality for leadership, it would be clarity. In today’s virtual work environment, spanning multiple cultures and time zones, providing clarity to both internal and external teams is crucial for operational excellence. As the business landscape grows more complex, clear communication becomes the foundation for offering the right support and guidance. It’s through this clarity that leaders can navigate challenges and ensure their teams are aligned, empowered, and working efficiently.

Amanda L. Bury, MS

Chief Commercial Officer

Finance and Sales are crucial to any profit-driven organization, forming the backbone of business strategy and supporting each stage of growth. Shaping these areas can be a major milestone in one’s career.

What about career paths that are less obvious? Why choose a challenging environment when clearer opportunities are within reach? Meet Aleksandra Castro-Podgórska, who leads Infermedica’s Legal Department. She joined the company over five years ago as Head of Legal and now holds the position of General Counsel. Aleksandra decided to change her career path and fell into the MedTech industry. Her decision to transition into the world of MedTech was driven by a desire to break free from the traditional path of a legal career. Reflecting on her journey, she shared:

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I have a somewhat unconventional approach to career planning, and the traditional path of a law firm career didn’t really align with my personality. I have pursued this path and I was doing pretty good, but I started to feel that it may not be the most fulfilling option for me in the long run. I was drawn to the dynamic and rapidly evolving world of new technologies, and that was it! I decided to expand my knowledge and graduated from university in the UK with a focus on internet aspects of law. MedTech was another, higher step in this path. This industry is a unique blend of innovation, technology, and healthcare, providing a constant stream of legal challenges and opportunities that require lawyers to be technologically aware, agile, and constantly learning—an environment that is ideal for someone with a hunger for challenge.

Aleksandra Castro-Podgórska

General Counsel

From advice to actionwisdom that leads to success!

Building a leadership career in tech requires resilience, learning, and support. We asked our leaders to share some of the best advice they’ve received - and their insights are both practical and inspiring.

Amanda credits her mom for one of the most valuable lessons she’s learned:

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Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with some truly remarkable leaders, but one of the best pieces of leadership advice came from my mom. She always told me to lead by example and, most importantly, to never burn bridges. She’d remind me that while some people may not resonate with your style or personality, the business world is small, and maintaining relationships matters. As it turns out, there’s real truth in the saying, "Mom always knows best."

Amanda L. Bury, MS

Chief Commercial Officer

A supportive environment can be an important aspect of career success. It’s worth listening carefully to the advice your managers give you and not being afraid to ask for help. In that way, you can draw on the experience of other respected leaders. Here’s some advice that Dominika, our VP of Finance, received from her past manager and found very helpful in pursuing her leadership career. 

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It was a few years ago, just as I was starting a major transition project. He told me, ‘You need to manage your ambition level’. When you're stepping into a new role or a project—especially if you're competitive—it’s easy to take on too much. For me, staying focused and clear about the direction has been essential to leading projects and teams successfully.

Dominika Michalska-Najbert

VP of Finance

Typically, addressing challenges like the gender gap requires more than just personal effort. While your attitude, vision, and goals are crucial, the environment that surrounds you also plays a significant role in supporting your success. Aleksandra, our General Counsel, believes that workplaces must actively foster an environment that supports female leaders to help them thrive.

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Recognize the power and skills of women—not simply by meeting quotas, but by truly embracing their leadership potential. There are countless talented women out there, and my first piece of advice is: let them lead. Too many leadership roles are still predominantly held by men, and the gender gap in these positions remains an issue that must be addressed.

My second piece of advice is to implement flexible maternity and paternity leave policies. For many women, managing both career and family life can feel like a second full-time job. While men's roles in family life have evolved in recent years, it is often women who shoulder the bulk of household and caregiving responsibilities. This makes it essential to foster an inclusive workplace that acknowledges and supports the unique challenges women face in balancing work and family. By offering proper support and flexibility, companies can enable women to thrive in their careers while meeting their parental responsibilities

Aleksandra Castro-Podgórska

General Counsel

Thriving for the future

The journeys of these three leaders - Dominika, Amanda, and Aleksandra - remind us that leadership is not about perfection but about adaptability, resilience, and the ability to grow through challenges. Mistakes are part of the process, and every setback is an opportunity to learn, improve, and emerge stronger.

By sharing their stories, we aim to underscore the critical role of creating inclusive workplaces, where diverse perspectives are valued, and women are empowered to lead. True progress happens when organizations actively support equity, encourage innovation, and foster environments where all voices can contribute to growth. 

At Infermedica, we’re committed to continuing this mission and celebrating the remarkable women shaping our future.