Women in Leadership: Turning Gender Bias into Leadership in Adversity

Why Being Overlooked Made Me a Stronger Leader – Adversity in Leadership

Badass Leaders Podcast Highlight | Episode 015 with Sherry Farrugia

Even after earning two engineering awards from Georgia Tech, I still encountered gender bias in the workplace. On more than one occasion, people assumed my ex-husband was the alum.

Unfortunately, women in leadership face these assumptions more often than we admit. Being overlooked, underestimated, or dismissed remains a common experience for female executives, engineers, and founders. These moments were frustrating—but they also strengthened my leadership in adversity.

Adversity brings clarity. It sharpened my leadership philosophy and reinforced my commitment to inclusive leadership. I became intentional about amplifying women’s voices, mentoring emerging female leaders, and coaching male executives to recognize and address unconscious bias in the workplace.

In this episode highlight, we examine how gender bias, workplace assumptions, and professional setbacks can become catalysts for leadership resilience and long-term growth. Instead of shrinking in those moments, I chose to lead with courage, accountability, and cultural awareness.

True leadership goes beyond personal achievement. It requires leading through adversity and building workplace cultures where talent is recognized, diversity is valued, and every voice has the opportunity to contribute.

Watch the full episode here!