By Laura Klebanow & Joanne O’Gorman
Last week, we had the privilege of attending the Women of Government IT event, a gathering that felt both timely and timeless. Surrounded by leaders, builders, and change-makers, we walked away with more than just takeaways, we walked away with new energy.
One session in particular stayed with us: a keynote from Denise Sangster, President & CEO of Global Touch. With a career spanning 35+ years, 100+ countries, and 600+ advisory councils, Denise has built a global legacy. And yet, what resonated most wasn’t just her resume — it was her clarity and candor.
“I was often the only woman at the table,” she said,
“but I rarely had to speak up to be heard—because when I spoke, I came prepared.”
And when asked how we can measure whether our industry is making real progress? Just look at the line for the women’s restroom at any event.
Sharp. Unapologetic. And deeply resonant.
Denise reminded us that progress is visible, not theoretical and that presence only matters if it leads to impact.
Not Just in the Room—Driving Outcomes
Denise didn’t sugarcoat the path, she described her career as a “Lombard Street” journey: full of twists, unexpected turns, and learn-as-you-go moments. That metaphor felt familiar. Most women we know in government, tech, and beyond didn’t arrive via a straight line. But that’s part of what makes our contributions so valuable. We’re not just participating. We’re shaping outcomes.
Her reminder:
“Our value isn’t about representation—it’s about results.”
Emotional Intelligence is a Leadership Strategy
One of the most validating takeaways was how Denise framed emotional intelligence, not as a nice-to-have, but as a critical skill for navigating today’s complex, high-stakes work. Empathy, collaborative leadership, and an ability to read the room are competitive advantages, especially in government IT environments where cross-functional alignment is everything.
DEI Isn’t a Checkbox—It’s a Performance Strategy
Denise reinforced what we’ve seen in our own work: the most effective teams aren’t just diverse in background, they’re diverse in perspective. When DEI is treated as a strategic imperative rather than a compliance measure, organizations unlock better ideas, faster decisions, and stronger innovation.
A Playbook That Resonates
Denise left us with a framework we’re still thinking about:
- Prepare ×3: Be the most prepared person in the room.
- Treat every client like a lifelong relationship.
- Mentor up, down, and sideways.
- Follow the quiet moves….people moves often signal strategy shifts.
- Create opportunities in informal spaces.
- Network like a woman, not a guy—it’s very different. Focus on authenticity, trust, and mutual support.
- Add unique value to your network constantly. Don’t just collect connections. Cultivate them.
There’s power in simplicity, but also in intention. Denise’s advice wasn’t just tactical, it was deeply human. And it challenged us to not just show up, but to show up with purpose.
Where Purpose Meets Practice: Denise’s Five Favorite Things
What truly stuck with us was how Denise described the work that lights her up, the things she loves to do, even after three decades in the field:
- Future-proofing life cycle engagements
- Leading complex listening projects
- Using data to surface emerging patterns
- Orchestrating customer and partner councils
- Commercializing insights to create market advantage
What struck us is how closely these passions align with the work we do every day at Show & Tell. Whether we’re helping clients shape strategies, build narratives from data, or develop customer communities that lead to real-world outcomes, this is where we thrive, too.
This was a reminder that when you stay close to what drives you, the work gets deeper, the results get sharper, and the legacy gets longer.
Giving Back is Part of the Job
Denise’s career is a masterclass in making success count for more than just yourself. She’s mentored over 50 interns, spotlighted 200+ women in her blog series, and serves on multiple nonprofit and startup boards. Her consulting work is rooted in knowledge transfer, not gatekeeping because, as she so powerfully reminds us:
“Give back by letting those who will follow you stand on your shoulders.”
It’s not just mentorship, it’s momentum. And it’s a reminder that legacy isn’t what you leave behind. It’s what you lift forward.
This is the first in a short series of reflections we’ll be sharing from the event because the conversations we had, the stories we heard, and the people we met deserve more than a single post.
And if you were wondering: yes, we both took notes furiously and texted each other mid-session things like “Did you catch that???” and “We’re quoting this forever.”
Here’s to paving paths—together.