Finding Unexpected Value in Women’s Leadership Development

When Mei Mei Ngai was first given the opportunity to enroll in the NC State Executive Education’s Women in Technical Leadership program, she was excited for a new chance to learn. But, with over 20 years of experience in web development and digital operations, including roles in Silicon Valley startups and large corporations, she wasn’t seeking the traditional career advancement that leadership programs often promise.

“I was at a different stage,” reflects Mei Mei, Associate Director of Web and Digital Operations at NC State’s Poole College of Management. “I wasn’t focused solely on career advancement. I was contemplating work-life balance and what my next chapter might look like.”

What she discovered during her three days in the program was a pleasant surprise.

A Community of Diverse Perspectives

The program brought together women across various career and life stages—from emerging leaders eager to climb the corporate ladder to seasoned professionals seeking new ways to contribute and grow. This diversity proved to be one of the program’s greatest strengths.

“It was interesting to see all sorts of women,” Mei Mei shared. “We’re all trying to balance and do our best.”

Finding Unexpected Value

While Mei Mei initially wondered how much she would engage with the material, she found herself particularly drawn to the session on design thinking. The concepts introduced in this session resonated with her, sparking her interest in learning more. She appreciated gaining an introduction to these principles and has since been seeking additional opportunities to deepen her understanding of how to apply them in her work and life.

The program’s structure, which includes two hours of post-program executive coaching, provided another unexpected benefit. Mei Mei shared that the coaching sessions offered wisdom and perspective that helped her “break through” some challenges she was working through at the time.

A Fresh Perspective

Perhaps most valuable was the opportunity to step away from daily responsibilities and gain fresh perspective. “Being pulled away from the environment gave me room to think about how I could make my work more organized and strategic,” Mei Mei reflects. She added that, while some concepts weren’t new to her, being reminded of effective approaches was incredibly valuable.

Worth the Investment

For professionals questioning whether a leadership program makes sense at their career stage, Mei Mei’s experience offers insight. 

Throughout the three days, Mei Mei observed how the program served women at different life stages—from those focused intensely on career advancement to those, like herself, seeking new ways to balance their contributions at work with other priorities.

When asked if she would participate again, her answer was clear: “Yes, definitely.”

Learn more about NC State Executive Education’s Women in Technical Leadership program at execed.poole.ncsu.edu, or contact us at [email protected].