Content strategy for high-achieving women

Dear Board-Ready Female Executive, In my work with accomplished women like you, I’ve found that the number one issue that holds many back from positioning for board roles isn’t lack of experience or qualifications—it’s mindset. We feel unready. We question whether we’re truly board material. We see opportunities and think, I need to do more before I can step into that space. But here’s the truth: Board readiness isn’t just about skills—it’s about how you position yourself. The first step isn’t another qualification. It’s a mindset shift. Here are eight key mindsets that separate those who land board roles from those who wait on the sidelines: 1️⃣ The Mindset of Readiness Boards don’t come looking for you—you must be visible and ready when opportunities arise. That means crafting your thought leadership, refining your board bio, and positioning yourself as a board-level thinker before you even apply. 2️⃣ The Mindset of Experti Expertise Ownership Too many high-achieving women downplay their expertise. You don’t need one more qualification before you can serve on a board. You need to own the decades of experience, insights, and leadership you already have. 3️⃣ The Mindset of Strategic Positioning Board seats go to those who are seen as valuable at the highest level. If your industry peers and decision-makers don’t know you, it’s time to build visibility through LinkedIn, speaking engagements, and executive networking. 4️⃣ The Mindset of Continuous Professional Development The best board candidates are always learning. Whether it’s governance, ESG, cyber risk, or industry shifts, staying ahead makes you a more attractive board candidate. Boardroom conversations evolve—you should too. 5️⃣ The Mindset of High-Value Networking Right now there could be a few board roles floating around in your network. But you don’t know about them because you aren’t being strategic- engaging with decision-makers, attending the right events, and positioning yourself in the right rooms. 6️⃣ The Mindset of Strategic Foresight & Industry Contribution Boards aren’t just looking for operators; they need visionaries who can anticipate industry shifts and offer strategic guidance. How are you contributing to the thought leadership of your sector? What future trends are you helping shape? If you’re not actively engaging in industry discussions, you’re missing a key part of board-level influence. 7️⃣ The Mindset of Contribution, Not Just Achievement Boards don’t hire you for your resume—they want your insight, your strategic thinking, and your ability to navigate complexity. Shift from I’ve done this in my career to Here’s how I add value at a governance level. 8️⃣ The Mindset of Bold Advocacy Women often wait to be tapped for board roles. Stop waiting. Be proactive. Advocate for yourself, apply, reach out, and make your aspirations known. ✨ Which two of these mindsets will you be working on this year? Let me know in the comments.

A truth most mid-career women in STEM learn too late: Hard work alone doesn’t build leadership. You can deliver results, exceed expectations, and still feel invisible when it comes to promotion. The missing piece? Choosing the right strategy for the right moment. Here’s how to shift the story: For Deep Self-Awareness & Clarity ↳ Use Reflective Journaling when you feel stuck and need clarity on values, strengths, and leadership style. For Versatile Storytelling & Visibility ↳ Use a Personal Branding Framework when you want to craft your leadership narrative and be seen by decision-makers. For Fast Network Growth & Opportunities ↳ Use a Strategic Networking Plan when you want access to the hidden job market and executive-level sponsors. For Career Planning & Direction ↳ Use a Career Roadmap Builder when you’re mapping a 12–18 month plan to move from mid-level to senior leadership. For Recognition Without Self-Promotion ↳ Use an Advocacy System when you want your wins shared and celebrated without doing all the talking yourself. For Leadership Presence & Communication ↳ Use Leadership Communication Practice when preparing for high-stakes presentations or interviews. For Growth Through Feedback ↳ Use a Feedback Review System when you want to turn performance reviews into concrete action items. For Executive Readiness ↳ Use the Executive Presence Playbook when you’re ready to influence strategy and be seen as VP material. The truth is: You don’t just need more effort, you need the right tools at the right time. Because the difference between being overlooked and being promoted? It isn’t how hard you work. It’s how strategically you lead your career. ➕ Follow Prashha Dutra for strategies that help women in STEM rise into leadership with clarity, visibility, and confidence.

1M+ TED Talk views. $100M+ company valuation. Making literal food from air. Dr. Lisa Dyson, PhD has built something incredible with Air Protein. Some highlights: • PhD in Physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology • 1M+ views on her TED talk about NASA food tech • $100M+ valued company (Air Protein) • Named no.1 FoodTech Company by TIME in 2024 • Co-founded two breakthrough biotech companies • Former BCG strategy consultant ‘Made it’ in every way that matters. But she's leaving massive opportunities on the table with her LinkedIn presence. Let's break down her profile and content strategy. Profile upgrades: 1/ Lead with the "wow factor" in your headline. Instead of "Creating Resilient Supply Chains | Air Protein Founder & CEO," try something like "Making Protein from Air | $100M FoodTech CEO | 1M+ TED Views" People need to immediately understand WHY they should care. 2/ Add social proof to your banner. Use the TED stage photo, TIME no.1 FoodTech award, or NASA connection. Visual credibility beats text every time. 3/ Fix the featured section. Right now, it features two news posts from 4 years ago. Share your TED talk, major recent media appearances, and thought leadership pieces instead. Content upgrades: 1/ Post 2-3x per week. For someone quite literally changing our food production, not sharing your journey, highlights, and expertise is a shame. The science alone could fuel daily content. 2/ Share original content, not reposts. A year ago, there were a lot of reposts from media & events. Try sharing your unique PoV. Your content should feel like it comes from you, not the brand. 3/ Leverage the NASA connection. This is marketing gold. The space-to-earth technology story is fascinating but underutilized in content. 4/ Create educational content series. "How we make protein from air" could be a 10-part series. Break down complex science into digestible LinkedIn posts. 5/ Highlight your company culture. It’s increasingly more difficult to find quality talent who would stay with you long-term. By showing behind-the-scenes at Air Protein, you attract the right people faster. Finally, some high-level takeaways for other founders: 1 - Great ideas need great stories. Tell them. 2 - Not posting online is a business risk. 3 - It’s much easier to do than you think. 4 - Small changes = big difference. Lisa's built something incredible. With the right content strategy, she could become the definitive voice in sustainable food tech. — Liked this breakdown? I'm looking for one more LinkedIn client to take on starting next week. DM me for more info.