Lifting As We Rise: Megan Lane on Resilience, Representation, and Real Impact

International Women’s Day is more than a celebration; it’s a moment to reflect on progress, acknowledge persistent gaps, and recommit to building a more inclusive future.

For professionals navigating industries where women remain underrepresented, this reflection becomes even more meaningful.

In this employee spotlight, Megan Lane shares her perspective shaped by over two decades in technology sales and account management. Her journey offers an honest look at resilience, leadership, and the responsibility to uplift others along the way.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? Why is it important?

It’s a day that makes me stop and reflect. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and lose sight of how far women have come. I’ve been working in technology sales and account management for 20 years, and I’ve witnessed real progress, but let’s be honest, there is still so much further to go.

Working in healthcare IT, where women remain underrepresented at the leadership level, this day is a good reminder to be intentional about lifting others, not just advancing myself. It’s important to ask: who am I sponsoring and who am I opening doors for this week, quarter, or year?

Why do you support women’s empowerment and gender equality?

Because I’ve lived it – the good, the bad, and the ugly. I know what it feels like to be the only woman in a room and work twice as hard to be taken seriously. I also know what it feels like when someone believes in you, gives you feedback that helps you grow, and opens a door. I want to be that person for others.

Beyond the personal motivation, it just makes great business sense. Teams with diverse voices make smarter decisions. End of story.

What makes you a strong woman, and how do you empower the women around you?

My strength comes from resilience, persistence, and genuinely caring about people, in both my personal and professional life. I’ve had to push through a lot of rejections in sales, and I’ve learned not to take it personally and to just keep going. Sometimes that also applies in networking and friendships; sometimes the timing is just not right, but be persistent in your outreach and communicate your intent on why you want to collaborate and connect.

As for empowering others, you have to be authentic. Not everyone will like you for who you are, and that’s their choice, not a reflection of your worth. I don’t share just the highlight reel. I’ll tell you about the deals I lost and what I learned, because that’s actually useful. I’ve also had to bring a male colleague into conversations to navigate unconscious bias, and rather than resenting it (like I have in the past), we used it as a combined team strength for our clients.

I try to open doors wherever I can: make the introduction, say the good word, give credit where it’s due. Ultimately, knowing yourself and using that as your foundation is your greatest asset in building relationships and a lasting career. That intent and energy will come back to you.

Who are your favorite female role models and why?

Honestly, I find my deepest inspiration in the women I work with every day, my clients, colleagues, and leaders navigating complex organizations and difficult challenges. I don’t have a famous name I quote. What I do have is a remarkable network of women from different ages, backgrounds, and parts of the world that I talk about, and that is a collective, genuine superpower. This wisdom I have access to through those relationships, when I need it most, is what it’s really all about.

In healthcare specifically, I admire women who are pushing digital transformation forward, not waiting for permission to innovate when the need for an increased level of patient care is on the line.

How will you empower women for the future?

By showing up, doing great work, and being unapologetically myself, because visibility matters. Do what you say…

I can’t claim to fully understand what a young woman is experiencing today, but I can be intentional about encouraging women who are earlier in their careers, especially in technology sales and account management, which can still feel like a tough space to break into. I’ll be honest about my own journey, so others know they’re not alone.

And my practical advice: make the effort to connect with the women in your professional network, even if it’s just once a quarter. Offer to help. Don’t be shy about asking for help yourself. That reciprocity, that give and take of wisdom, will be your greatest competitive advantage. Then take it further and do the same with the women in your personal network.

What is one thing you gave to someone that helped them grow — and what did you gain from it?

I’ve given a lot of candid feedback over the years, the kind where you’re a little nervous to say it, but you know it needs to be said. What I’ve gotten back is trust. Real trust. When people know you’ll be straight with them, they come back to you. That’s one of the most valuable things you can build in a career.

I’d also add –  be willing to show your vulnerability. It’s not a weakness; it can be your most powerful signal that you genuinely care. Show it through actions, not just words.

What kind of support do women need more of today to grow personally and professionally?

Sponsors, not just mentors. There’s a meaningful difference: a mentor gives you advice, but a sponsor puts their name on the line for you when you’re not in the room. That’s what actually moves the needle.

We also need workplaces to be genuinely flexible, structurally, not just on paper. And we need far more transparency around how people get promoted and what leadership is actually looking for, because too many women are playing a game without knowing all the rules.

Megan Lane’s story is a reminder that true progress is not just about individual success, but about how many others we help along the way.

Empowerment is ongoing. It shows up in small actions: making introductions, offering feedback, advocating for others, and leading with authenticity.

This International Women’s Day, her message is clear:

Lift others. Be real. Build trust. And show up consistently.

Because when women support each other, they don’t just grow individually, they create lasting impact across teams, organizations, and industries.