Christine Itwaru shares her insights on balancing career, motherhood, and empowering women in business...

Vitally's Head of Product and Design, Christine Itwaru, opens up about her journey as a woman in business, sharing the triumphs and challenges she’s faced along the way. From navigating a male-dominated industry to finding the delicate balance between work and life, she emphasizes the importance of supporting and empowering other women in the workplace. Christine also reflects on the power of mentorship and building diverse professional networks that can help accelerate gender equality.

Can you talk about a key moment that defined your career as a woman in business?

I always think back to my first return from maternity leave. I was nervous, worried I had missed too much and wouldn’t be able to contribute enough. It was June 6, 2013—I'll never forget the date. I worked at an investment bank on a tech team, and my boss, Ed, called me over to talk. My heart raced; I thought I was in trouble. But he quickly reassured me, saying it was nothing bad.

He wanted to offer me a promotion to manager. At the time, I was a product manager, still doing some product enablement, and I didn’t feel ready to take on more responsibility. On top of everything, Ed wanted me to manage three men in addition to my current role—all while adjusting to life as a new mom. I was overwhelmed and emotional, but when I shared my concerns with him, he said, "There's no one better for this than you. You’re seeing life and management in new ways, and this is the right time for you."

That conversation marked a defining moment in my career. It was how I started my management journey while continuing to work as a product manager, a role I loved. Ed’s belief in me helped me embrace change, and it set the course for my career growth.

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

When I was pregnant and working at an investment bank, everything changed. People started treating me differently, and it was really weird. It felt like the whole environment shifted, and I was left wondering what was happening. I talked to a lot of women after that, and it might have been the industry we were in, but I just got this strange vibe.

Then, there’s the whole thing about women being taught to compete because there’s supposedly not enough space for all of us. I don’t believe in that, but unfortunately, it’s still a reality today, just not as much. You and I have talked about how important it is to lift each other up and help coach others. That wasn’t the mentality when I started out, and I had to navigate through that. It felt weird because, on the one hand, the world was starting to push for support and collaboration, but there were still people operating from an old mindset. I avoided conflict because I didn’t want to deal with it, but sometimes that hurt me. And when I did confront it, my directness might have made it come off a little hard.

So, yeah, those are the two big things I’ve dealt with: navigating motherhood and trying to change the culture so women can empower each other.

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

Building off what I said earlier, I really want them to look out for each other. I've seen amazing things happen when talented women help each other succeed. Sharing different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences—whether it’s in building products, strategy, or coaching—is so important. I coach people, and I also get coaching myself. You’ve got to look out for each other.

"Don’t compete with others, compete with yourself."

I know it sounds idealistic, but don’t compete with others, compete with yourself. Focus on how you can improve. You’re usually not competing with your peers anyway, especially if you’re at the same company, which has the budget for both of you to grow. If they don’t, that’s something to think about in terms of whether you want to be there. Help each other out, share, and learn.

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

I have a great answer to this because I lived it. After I had both my kids, I was managing a team of 11 at my last company during a period of hyper-growth. Two of my team members were about to go on paternity leave at the same time, and I panicked because they managed two-thirds of the team. But then I asked myself, "What do I wish my boss had done for me when I went on maternity leave?" My bosses weren’t prepared, but I remembered a Harvard Business Review article and podcast about how managers can prepare their direct reports for leave, and I wished I had that resource.

So, I told them clearly that their time off was for figuring things out with their partners and helping them get back to a state of well-being. They laughed, saying they’d just do work around the house, but both came back later and told me they really tried to share the load 50/50. One even split his leave so that while he returned to work, his wife took a course to become an engineer.

"Helping men gain a new perspective"

This is exactly what I wanted—this is how we accelerate gender equality, by helping men gain a new perspective and balance the workload at home. Now, they look at their own teams and think about keeping the whole unit healthy, not just focusing on one partner or the other. That’s the mindset we need to have.

What compelled you to attend a Panelle event?

After talking with you, I really understood what Panelle is all about, and I immediately wanted to participate. We're working in a space that’s constantly evolving—post-sales, customer success, and adjacent teams have all been hit hard by the downturn. We’re all trying to figure out what that means for our customers and our business.

"Push for better ways to collaborate through diverse, shared experiences."

I think Panelle is focused on finding better ways to fuel customer success, especially amidst all this change. They're not just about improving customer satisfaction but also incorporating DEI as a core part of their strategy, which I strongly believe in. So I thought, why not? This is a great opportunity to build for a new world and push for better ways to collaborate through diverse, shared experiences.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Speak up more. Someone once told me, "I can't read your mind. If you’re not saying it, I won’t know it." There's truth to that—men tend to be more upfront about what they want or feel they deserve, while women often hold back. This goes back generations, where women were taught to stay quiet and "take their place."

"I don’t know what you're thinking if you don't share it."

I always tell my team, especially in a remote world, "I don’t know what you're thinking if you don't share it." So, I set the stage for openness in any relationship at work—be direct. We just brought on a new SVP of CS, and my advice to her was simple: if something bothers you or you have feedback, just tell me. Let's talk it out. That's it. Speak up.

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

Simply put, take your vacation. Whether you have 10 days or unlimited PTO, it's important to respect both your work and home life by taking that time off. People often ask how to balance being a working mom, leading product, etc., and I tell them it's more about blending. I'm okay with blending work and life, and I hope others find a career that brings them joy while allowing them to live fully.

"Take the time you're given, and if you need more, ask for it."

I just got back from vacation with my daughters, and while I checked in on my team, I didn’t feel guilty because I know my responsibilities, and I know one feeds the other. But along with that, mental health is crucial. Take the time you're given, and if you need more, ask for it. Most companies are willing to support you. Prioritize your mental health at home and at work.

This ties into speaking up—if you're not clear about what you need, you won’t get it. Create the space you need to thrive at work and in life.

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

I have something I call my "board of directors," which includes a group of women I've worked with, all now in different roles. We try to meet regularly, and each of them brings a unique perspective. Why is it important for women to help other women win? Because there have been times in each of our careers when we needed a fresh perspective to navigate a tough situation or understand a different side of the business—or even something personal.

"It's so important for women to help each other succeed."

The women in my "board" all come from diverse backgrounds, and that diversity is key. If you only surround yourself with people who share the same background or perspective, you're limiting yourself. This is why it's so important for women to help each other succeed. We all bring different experiences, and building a diverse "board of directors" is essential for growth.

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

This is a perfect last question. I have to mention Denise Tilles, a guru in product operations who recently released a book on the subject. I met her a few years ago while building out product ops and asked her for advice after meeting at a conference. Her energy and light were incredible, and I immediately felt comfortable reaching out to her.

People often ask how to find a mentor or sponsor, and the truth is, these relationships have to develop naturally. I’m so grateful Denise was open to getting to know me. She’s introduced me to opportunities, recommended me, and even included me in her book. She’s one of the most amazing women I’ve ever met—a working mom and businesswoman who’s always lifting others up. I’d highlight her any day. We need more people like Denise in the world.

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