VEST Her Podcast: Embracing Change and Leading Through Uncertainty
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Change can feel like the ground shifting beneath your feet, even when it's a promotion, a new opportunity, or a long-awaited next step. New leadership responsibilities, organizational change, caregiving, entrepreneurship, or a job market transformed by AI can all trigger the same instinct: work harder, push through, and put yourself last.
In this episode, we sit down with Ashwini Balasubramanian, Vice President of Research & Development for 3M's Transportation and Energy business and author of the forthcoming book Map Your Ascent: Embracing Change as Your Leadership Superpower. Moderated by VEST member Srijita Ghosh, the conversation explores how to transform uncertainty from something to fear into one of your greatest leadership advantages.
Ashwini explains why change feels so difficult, even for high performers, unpacking the fear of losing control, competence, and confidence. She shares practical frameworks for shifting your mindset from focusing on what you might lose to asking who you can become. Together, they explore her Map Your Ascent framework, including how your beliefs shape your leadership, why your perspective evolves through change, and how to cultivate a presence that inspires confidence even in uncertain moments.
The conversation also tackles one of the biggest challenges facing ambitious women today: distinguishing between perseverance and self-sacrifice.
Ashwini shares the weekly reflection practice she uses to stay grounded, the "curiosity versus coasting" test that signals when it's time for a change, and practical strategies for navigating career transitions with intention. She also offers actionable advice on building sponsors, identifying transferable skills, creating an opportunity filter for major career decisions, and advocating for yourself in an increasingly uncertain world.
Whether you're navigating a career transition, leading through organizational change, considering your next big move, or simply trying to thrive through a demanding season without defaulting to depletion, this episode will leave you with practical tools and a renewed perspective on how change can become your greatest catalyst for growth.
Guest Bios
Ashwini Balasubramanian is Vice President of Research & Development at 3M, where she leads global innovation for the company's Transportation & Electronics Business Group. Over the course of her career, she has held leadership roles at organizations including Harley-Davidson, Bosch, Toyota, ZF, and Martinrea, helping teams navigate change, drive innovation, and deliver meaningful results. She was named an Automotive News "Rising Star" in 2019 and was recognized as the University of Michigan-Dearborn College of Engineering's Alumna of the Year in 2025. Beyond her corporate leadership, Ashwini is passionate about developing the next generation of leaders. She serves as President of the Automotive Women's Alliance Foundation and is the author of Map Your Ascent: Embracing Change as Your Leadership Superpower. Drawing from her own leadership journey, her work explores how embracing change can become a catalyst for growth, resilience, and more intentional leadership. Connect with Ashwini on LinkedIn
Srijita Ghosh is an entrepreneurship and economic development professional with nearly a decade of experience helping founders grow their businesses, access capital, and navigate the startup ecosystem. As Venture Advisor & Business Development Director at i2E, she advises startups on business growth and investment readiness, having supported founders in raising more than $4 million in early-stage capital while delivering accelerator programs and mentorship across a range of industries. Previously, Srijita served as Ada's first Entrepreneurship Specialist at the Ada Jobs Foundation, where she helped build the city's innovation ecosystem, launched the city's first pitch competition and helped secure a $1.2 million EDA Build to Scale grant that funded the Ada Technology Startup Initiative. Srijita holds a B.S. in Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude, from East Central University, where she was also a member of the women's tennis team. Srijita is an active leader in Oklahoma's entrepreneurial ecosystem and has been recognized with East Central University's Rising Distinguished Alumni Award and 405 Magazine's HER Award. Connect with Srijita on Linkedin
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