Gali Zisman, VP Product at JFrog, shares her journey from R&D to product management, breaking into the field when it was still uncharted. She talks about navigating bias with confidence, owning your space, and pushing for more women in tech leadership.

Her advice? Stop apologizing, plan your career with intention, and lift other women up. She’s all about early STEM exposure for girls, avoiding burnout by focusing on wins, and proving that success and balance can go hand in hand. Gali also gives a shoutout to powerhouse women in tech who are changing the game...

What has been your career defining moment as a woman in business?

The most defining moment in my career was stepping into my first product management role. It was around 2004-2005, a time when product management was just beginning to establish itself as a recognized profession. I was fortunate to be given this opportunity, which allowed me to transition from R&D into a field that would ultimately shape the second chapter of my career.

This move not only broadened my perspective on technology and business but also reinforced the importance of seizing opportunities—even when they take you into uncharted territory. It was a pivotal step that set the foundation for everything that followed.

Were there any obstacles you had to overcome as a woman in business?

I’ve been fortunate in my career to work for managers and companies that valued my contributions based on merit rather than gender. However, like many women, I’ve encountered unconscious bias and diminishing remarks—often from people who don’t even realize the impact of their words.

"The key is to stay focused, prove our value, and not let external voices define our worth."

I’ve heard comments like, ‘You sound like my wife, telling me what to do,’ or ‘You’re being too emotional.’ Over time, I’ve learned to navigate these situations with confidence—sometimes responding with a smile, but always standing my ground.

As women, we often have to work harder to earn the same level of respect, but the key is to stay focused, prove our value, and not let external voices define our worth.

What advice would you give to a younger woman looking to join your industry?

Find your own voice, work hard, and strive for excellence. True equality comes when we demonstrate—through our skills, contributions, and leadership—that women are just as capable as any man. My advice to young women is to stop apologizing and own their space.

When you walk into a room, believe that you belong there—because you do. Confidence is contagious, and when you see yourself as equal, others will too.

If you could do one thing to accelerate the pace of change for gender equality, what would it be?

If I could do one thing to accelerate gender equality in high-tech, it would be to invest in early exposure for young girls to math, computer science, and engineering.

"We can break down stereotypes and build confidence."

Too often, girls don’t see themselves in these fields because they lack relatable role models. By introducing them to coding, problem-solving, and female tech leaders during their teenage years, we can break down stereotypes and build confidence.

When young women see successful female engineers, entrepreneurs, and executives, they realize that these careers are not just possible but also exciting and rewarding.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Own and actively manage your career—don’t just let it happen. One of the biggest lessons I learned is that balancing career growth with parenting requires intention. When I was younger, I naively believed that I could simply continue on my career path without major adjustments after having children.

The reality is that if you want to thrive in both, you need to plan for it. That means choosing the right partner, being comfortable leaning on paid help at home, and working for companies that truly support working parents.

With the right mindset and support system, it’s absolutely possible to succeed in both.

What’s your go-to advice for preventing burnout?

"You can’t control everything, but you can control how you respond to challenges."

Focus on the positives and stay optimistic. Burnout often comes from feeling overwhelmed, so it’s important to celebrate small wins and acknowledge progress along the way. You can’t control everything, but you can control how you respond to challenges.

By shifting your mindset, setting boundaries, and prioritizing what truly matters, you can maintain energy and motivation even in high-pressure environments.

Why do you think it’s important for women to help other women win?

Women supporting other women is key to driving real change. Throughout my career, I’ve seen how much representation matters—when women see other women leading in tech, product management, and DevOps, it expands their sense of what’s possible. But success doesn’t happen in isolation.

"It’s about making sure the next generation has fewer barriers and more opportunities to thrive."

We need to mentor, advocate, and open doors for each other because the more women we bring into leadership, the more we shift the industry’s culture. True equality isn’t just about individual success—it’s about making sure the next generation has fewer barriers and more opportunities to thrive.

What compelled you to attend a Panelle event?

DevOps has traditionally been a male-dominated space, and that’s evident at industry conferences where the presence of women is still limited. That’s why whenever there’s an opportunity to represent and amplify women’s leadership in this field, I make it a priority to be there.

Visibility matters—when women see other women in leadership roles, it helps change the narrative and encourages more to step into the space.

Finally, please put the spotlight on another woman in business who either inspires you or has pulled out the seat for you.

I’ve been fortunate to work alongside strong, capable, and inspiring women throughout my career. Two that immediately come to mind are:

Tali Notman, our CRO at JFrog, who leads the sales organization in a male-dominated environment and continuously proves that women can not only excel but outperform. Her contribution to JFrog’s success is undeniable, and she does it all while embracing her authentic presence as a woman in leadership.

"Being a powerful leader doesn’t mean losing your femininity - it’s about owning it."

Rania Succar, Intuit Mailchimp’s GM and SVP, was my manager when I worked at Intuit QuickBooks Capital, where we built the alternative lending business from the ground up. She is an incredible role model—someone who balances strength and bold decision-making with kindness and grace.

She showed me that being a powerful leader doesn’t mean losing your femininity—it’s about owning it.

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