Breaking Barriers and Building Wealth
Aug 26, 2025
What does it really take for a woman to rise through the ranks in a male-dominated industry—and build financial confidence along the way?
In this episode of The Empowered Money Girl Podcast, I sit down with Melissa Jurkoic, a powerhouse executive, engineer, and passionate advocate for women in tech. Melissa’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and leadership. She opens up about her journey from engineering to executive leadership—and what she’s learned about navigating bias, advocating for herself, and creating space for other women to thrive.
We also dive into the deeper side of success—the part that isn’t just about titles or paychecks, but about understanding your money story and defining financial independence on your own terms. Melissa shares her hard-won wisdom on why knowing your worth (and asking for it!) matters just as much as knowing your numbers.
If you’re a woman early in your career—or in the middle of a reinvention—you’ll love Melissa’s advice on aligning passion with purpose, taking bold career steps, and creating a life that reflects both your values and your value.
🎧 Listen now to hear:
- How Melissa broke barriers and built confidence in the tech world
- The mindset shifts that helped her advocate for her worth
- Why every woman should understand her personal money story
- Simple, actionable tips to build financial independence and career clarity
💬 I loved this conversation because it highlights what I believe at my core: money confidence is leadership confidence. When women understand their worth, they lead differently—in boardrooms, communities, and families.
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— Josette Mandela and The Empowered Money Girl team
