Welcome back to Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD!
In this episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, host David Mendes welcomes Kae Kronthaler-Williams — a senior tech marketing executive and author of Not Made for You
— a powerful, practical guide for women navigating gender bias in male-dominated fields.
With over 30 years of experience — rising from a college telemarketing job to the C-suite in global software companies — Kae shares tools that helped her thrive in spaces that weren’t built with her in mind. She unpacks recurring patterns of bias, how she broke through them, and what others can do to build fulfilling, empowered careers.
Kae Kronthaler-Williams is a senior marketing executive, leadership mentor, and the author of Not Made for You: Navigating Careers in Spaces That Weren’t Built for You. Over the course of three decades, Kae rose from an entry-level role in telemarketing to executive leadership positions in global tech companies — all while breaking through systemic barriers and challenging deeply rooted gender norms in male-dominated industries.
Driven by a passion to help others thrive in environments that often overlook or underestimate them, Kae now mentors emerging leaders — especially women — to grow their careers with confidence and purpose. Her work centers around practical strategies for making your impact visible, navigating bias with clarity, and leading authentically.
In her book, Not Made for You, Kae blends personal stories, research, and real-world advice to equip women with the language and tools they need to advance — without compromising who they are. Today, she continues to speak, write, and mentor on the topics of gender equity, inclusive leadership, and professional empowerment.
🔍 In this episode
- How to tie your work to company goals and make your impact visible
- What holds women back from speaking up — and how to reframe self-doubt
- Ways to recognize subtle bias and respond without backing down
- Why naming bias is the first step toward changing the system
This episode’s resources:
Thank you, Kae Kronthaler-Williams!
If you enjoyed this conversation with Kae, let her know by clicking the link below and leaving her a message on Linkedin:
Send Kae Kronthaler-Williams a thank you message on Linkedin!
Click here to share your key take-away from this interview with David!
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