Meet Carly O’Brien

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carly O’Brien a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Carly, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience isn’t just a personal trait; it’s a practice forged in the face of my family’s health battles and my own journey as a “fertility warrior.” These experiences have taught me that strength is found not in avoiding challenges, but in confronting them with an open heart and a willingness to share. This philosophy extends beyond my personal life and into my professional world, where I’ve dedicated myself to advocating for other women in tech.

Early in my tech career, I was often one of the few women in the room. It was a space that, while exciting, could also feel isolating. I quickly learned that while I was building my own career as a product manager, I also had a responsibility to build a stronger foundation for the women who would come after me. I co-founded Carolina Women in Tech, where I helped to create programs and mentorship opportunities that provided a much-needed support system. Witnessing the collective strength of these women—how they lifted each other up, shared knowledge, and celebrated victories both big and small—solidified my belief that true resilience is a shared experience. My journey, from facing personal health struggles to championing women in a male-dominated field, has shown me that our greatest strengths are often revealed not just in our own triumphs, but in our ability to empower others to find their own.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My career as a product manager has been shaped by the dynamic challenges of balancing product releases for major companies like Kroger, CarMax, Ibotta, Finish Line, and Home Depot. Simultaneously, I’ve devoted my energy to building strong communities, most notably by founding the Carolina Women in Tech (CWIT) organization. What started as a single chapter in Charlotte has now expanded to four across the Carolinas, creating a robust network that advocates for equality and empowers women in the tech industry. This work is deeply meaningful to me, as I believe it lays the groundwork for a more inclusive and equitable future for my children and the next generation.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Balancing a demanding career with my passion for community building has been a defining aspect of my journey. The ability to manage significant commitments—from product releases at major corporations to founding and expanding Carolina Women in Tech—has been a crucial skill for my sustained success, both professionally and personally.

Advice: For those early in their journey, focus on intentional time management. Use tools and techniques to help you separate your critical priorities from less important tasks. Recognize that achieving work-life harmony isn’t about doing everything at once, but about making conscious choices on where to invest your energy.

Community Building: Bringing people together and creating a shared sense of purpose is a skill I am deeply proud of. My ability to listen and connect with others has been instrumental in building and scaling communities like Carolina Women in Tech, and it’s a skill that has proven invaluable in every aspect of my life.

Advice: Start small. Find a problem or a passion point that resonates with you and a few others. Organize a simple gathering, like a coffee chat or a virtual meetup. Focus on creating a welcoming and inclusive space where people feel heard, and the community will grow organically from there.

Strategic Vision: Developing a strategic vision is a passion of mine. Recognizing the need for greater equality and actively working to build a robust network to address it is one of my proudest achievements. The ability to see long-term goals and create a scalable plan to achieve them is a muscle I will continue to build throughout my life.

Advice: Think beyond your current role. What problem in your industry are you passionate about solving? Take time to research the landscape, identify gaps, and then develop a small, actionable plan. It doesn’t have to be a major undertaking at first; a strategic vision can begin with a single, well-thought-out step.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes, I’m always looking for opportunities to partner and collaborate. My work with Carolina Women in Tech is driven by a belief in the power of community, and that extends to every part of my professional life.

I am particularly interested in collaborating with people who share a passion for empowering women in technology, whether through mentorship, speaking opportunities, or new initiatives. I’m also open to partnering with individuals or organizations focused on innovation, community-building, or creating a positive social impact.

The best way to connect with me is through Linkedin, where you can share a bit about yourself and what you’re interested in collaborating on. I’m excited to hear from you and explore how we can work together to make a difference.

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