Leslie Lorenz, Head of Retail, Americas at Snowflake, reflects on a career shaped by countless small moments rather than a single defining event. These moments - ranging from navigating challenging roles to learning the art of communication - have taught her the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the power of persistence. Lorenz highlights the significance of women supporting one another in the business world and the value of learning from every experience, whether a success or a setback. Her journey underscores the importance of building a network of strong, supportive relationships that drive collective success...

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

For some, there’s a big moment in one’s life that happens that defines it all - career, life, personal. For me, it has always been the many compounded small micro moments, that in time culminated into a “one career defining moment.”  Throughout my career, I’ve had micro moments of bad and great roles, bosses, culture fits, types of work and personal successes and challenges. These micro moments knew no timeline or linearity, but taught me the invaluable lesson of flexibility, resilience, and adaptability.

I made sure to pay close attention to who I wanted to be and what I wanted to learn (as well, who I didn’t want to be) as I set out on the path of my own business journey. As I have grown in my career, the interests and experiences have grown with me as has my network of amazingly strong women that I learn from, and that I share my experiences with. Now, some of the most impactful moments that I have are influenced by the people that I mentor, coach and advise throughout their career and life journeys. I have the immense opportunity to learn and grow from their stories, their challenges, and their life stories just as much as they learn and grow from mine.

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

One of the areas where I have had the largest challenges as a woman in business (especially early in my career) were in challenges around perception and communication. I have in the past been deemed “mean”, “aggressive”, or “to direct” by not sugar coating risk, hardship, or failure in business. I have, throughout my career, moved into learning mode to deeply study the art of conversation and communication. This has allowed me to understand how to read a room, meet people where they are at conversationally, and ultimately drive impactful communication and teaming even if they are “tough conversations” to have.

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

Be unforgivingly persistent towards what you dream of becoming and what you want to achieve. Learn as much as you can throughout the journey from both successes and failures. Show up and do your best everyday. You are the only person who has to live with how you show up every single day so be proud of that person and the rest of your career path will form the way it is meant to.

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

I think women continuing to generate awareness of different ways/organizations that support the growth of other women is going to be a massive accelerator in gender equality. Females in leadership positions, especially in technology, have not only the challenge of their jobs but also an awesome opportunity and responsibility of supporting the women around them to rise with them. To do this, we need to continue to invest in conversation and awareness with both our female counterparts as well as our male colleagues to move towards equality.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Time is a precious commodity and life is very short. Take a step back and think of who and what in your life gets a seat at your table (and who/what does not) and invest your time and energy in what and who is going to be worth said investment.

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

Balance in life is key both in your personal life as well as in your workplace culture. Find a workplace environment that will be supportive of what you need in terms of balance, set healthy boundaries for yourself, and hold yourself and those around you accountable to those boundaries.  

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

I think historically women have faced a scenario in business of feast of famine. There were only so many “female” jobs to go around so we are going to fight tooth and nail to get them for ourselves. Historically, women are often the first to judge other women, play the queen bee or worse, put other women down at the expense of their path forward.

We are in an awesome place right now where a general sentiment towards self authenticity, emotional vulnerability and recognizing the power of a team has allowed for the conversation to drastically change. It is now more important than ever to rise together and show up with the self responsibility to bring the women in our lives and workplaces with us as we rise. In my experience, this includes females mentoring other females, being advisors and supporters to each other, being vulnerable and sharing our experiences, working towards more women on boards and more women in leadership roles etc. The goal bring that if we rise together, we will change the nature of the conversation as a whole.

Finally, which woman in business inspires you or has pulled out the seat for you?

One of the women that sits on my board of directors and admittedly one of my closest friends is Erin Burchfield - Global Leader, Microsoft Philanthropies. She is one of the most fearless and intelligent female leaders that I know, is a constant inspiration in terms of how she handles her own growth journey at work and in life, and is a mentor/advisor to me as I continue on my own career journey.

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