Episode 21

full
Published on:

18th Nov 2025

Breaking Barriers and Opening Doors for Women in Technology; with MonicaPemberton

In this episode, Aveline Clarke welcomes Monica Pemberton, a pioneering leader with 30 years of experience in technology, who has dedicated her career to advocating for women and underrepresented groups in the tech space. Monica shares her journey from being the only Black woman in tech to mentoring the next generation, the power of mentorship, and overcoming workplace challenges with integrity and resilience. Tune in for inspiring stories, practical lessons on leadership, and Monica’s commitment to empowering young adults and women to thrive in technology and beyond.

Here’s a summary of what they discussed:

04:17 A chance elevator conversation sparked Monica’s tech journey.

10:14 The lack of diversity in professional associations—and how to change it.

15:31 The importance of owning your mistakes while leading others.

25:07 Dealing with adversity and “not nice people” in the workplace.

46:46 Monica’s vision: mentoring youth, writing a book, and inspiring the next generation.

…and much more.


enjoy!


YouTube episode: https://youtu.be/Xekl-lfC26w


Here's some information about our guest, Monica:


Monica Pemberton

VP, Educator, Mentor, Technology Leader


Monica Pemberton’s story is one of resilience, leadership, and purpose. As Vice President and CIO at the American Council on Education, she leverages technology to drive innovation and success. Beyond her career, Monica is a dedicated mentor, advocate for women in tech, and champion of strong leadership.

Looking ahead, Monica is driven by a vision to expand her impact in IT operations and technology. She is committed to writing a book on leadership to inspire and guide young adults and professionals as they navigate their careers. She also aims to promote technology careers as a viable and accessible pathway for economic empowerment, particularly in these ever-changing times.

Monica inspires others to dream big, work hard, and lead with impact and humanity.


Here’s how you can connect with Monica:

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicapemberton/

W: https://www.acenet.edu



The purpose of the Mission Activated podcast is to inspire people with the stories of those who are activated on their mission and living a life of purpose, passion, and alignment. Being in business is not just about money—it’s about bringing our genius and gifts to the world to impact others.


If you'd like to get in touch, please contact us at contact@6starleaders.com

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About the Podcast

Mission Activated
Conversations and reflections on living your purpose and leading from alignment
Mission Activated is a podcast about living with purpose and leading from alignment.
Hosted by Aveline Clarke, founder of 6 Star Leaders, the show moves between two kinds of episodes: conversations with people doing meaningful work in their own way, and solo reflections drawn from her work coaching conscious leaders through what gets in the way and what's possible on the other side.
This isn't a podcast about hustle, performance, or scale at all costs. It's about the inner work that makes the outer work matter. Self-trust. Clean communication. Owning your part. Becoming someone others can safely navigate by.
If you're tired of leadership content that's loud and shallow, and you're looking for something quieter, more honest, and more useful, this is for you.
New episodes fortnightly. Stay aligned.