Julia Abate, executive director of The Ergonomics Center, sought enrolled practical strategies to effectively lead her team through organizational transformation.
When Julia Abate enrolled in NC State Executive Education’s Women in Technical Leadership professional leadership program, her team was navigating significant organizational change. With over 25 years of experience in ergonomics, she wasn’t searching for generic leadership principles—she needed practical strategies to lead teams effectively through transformation.
“The topics were timely and helped me be more aware of the ways in which the team collaborated and communicated,” reflected Julia, a Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE) who serves as executive director of The Ergonomics Center. “It also helped me be a more effective leader in listening to and guiding the team through the changes.”
Filling In the Knowledge Gaps
Despite her mechanical and industrial operations engineering background, Julia recognized that even seasoned leaders have blind spots. The program validated her existing leadership instincts while revealing new dimensions of organizational change management.
“Organizational change management is a topic that all leaders should learn about and understand. The training confirmed the steps I already knew to take were right, but filled in the gaps I didn’t know were there.”
What she also discovered was the personal application of these insights. “I also realized that I could take the same approach in my personal goals and with my family.”
Professional and Personal Balance
A crucial component of the Women in Technical Leadership program is post-program executive coaching—a feature Julia describes as “a great bonus.” Through these sessions, she tackled a persistent leadership challenge: balancing work, family, and personal well-being.
“One of my struggles is balancing work and family responsibilities, leaving little time for myself,” she said. “My coach helped me see that if I don’t take the time to take care of myself, then I can’t properly take care of others. While it’s still a journey, I am getting better at balancing. I don’t feel guilty for saying no and being more deliberate about how I spend my time.”
These lessons reshaped her leadership philosophy, reinforcing that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential.
Finding Inspiration in Community
Beyond coursework and coaching, Julia found the peer network invaluable. Engaging with other leaders across IT, analytics, manufacturing, biotechnology, research, and engineering provided diverse perspectives and mutual inspiration. This sense of community extended beyond the program, fostering ongoing mentorship and collaboration.
“It was truly inspiring to hear stories from other women leaders on the paths they took to get to where they are now, how they balanced work and home, and how they are giving back to help others on their journeys.”
Why Women in Technical Leadership Matters
The NC State Women in Technical Leadership experience is not just for women—it’s designed for all early-to-mid-career professionals in technical fields seeking greater leadership impact.
The program’s three-day intensive curriculum covers:
Organizational Change Leadership
Strategic Thinking & Decision-Making
Emotional Intelligence & Communication
Career Development Strategies
Work-Life Integration & Executive Coaching
Participants walk away with actionable leadership frameworks, expanded professional networks, and practical tools to navigate complex workplace challenges.
