Inspiring Conversations with Alenka Žnidaršič of Colabrie Organizational Learning

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alenka Žnidaršič.

Hi Alenka, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As a woman engineer who has been in the tech industry for over two decades, I have experienced firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with being a female in a male-dominated field.

From an early age, I found myself drawn to the worlds of science and mathematics, while also harboring a genuine love for people and creating spaces and opportunities for them to learn.

This duality continued throughout my school years, where I excelled in subjects like math and physics, all while embracing roles that allowed me to mentor, teach, and lead. Externally, I projected an image of resolute determination, driven by an inner fire for knowledge and exploration. Internally, I wrestled with the shadows of insecurity and kept this part of myself hidden.

Because I was good at math and science in high school, wanted interesting, well-paid professional opportunities, and wanted to work on solving major problems that would make a difference in people’s lives, I chose to pursue an academic career in computer engineering. It was an excellent fit for me, but I didn’t realize it would cause me to lose access to a big part of myself.

Whether you’re in the tech industry or not, we’ve all been exposed to the stereotypes and misconceptions that surround women in technology. Computer science is for geniuses with no friends, right? It is a male-dominated analytical world, where traits such as structure, action, risk-taking, competitiveness, protectiveness, and assertiveness were highly rewarded.

To succeed in this environment, I felt the need to adopt more masculine qualities, even disowning my own innate but undervalued feminine capacities. I believed that to be strong and powerful as a woman, I had to embody masculine attributes and get things done.

So I went all in on my achievements, earning a PhD and moving up the leadership ladder. I achieved success academically and socially while also taking on increasingly responsible roles. Behind the scenes, I continued to push through my inner struggles alone, adapting unhealthy coping mechanisms. I hid my feminine qualities to prove my technical excellence, which led to unhealthy interactions and internal conflict. When times got tough and professional demands seemed impossible, I pushed myself even harder.

Finally, I experienced burnout. When I changed jobs, it felt like a breath of fresh air. At the same time, we started a family. I was beginning to feel alive and whole again. Yet it came at a cost: I was sidelined from career opportunities. Then, when we decided to move from Europe to Colorado for my husband’s work, my career came to a complete standstill. On one hand, I was committed to finding balance and putting family first. But would I have to sacrifice my career in the process?

As it turned out, leaving behind my career as I knew it opened up the space for me to find my true purpose. Stress, rather than being an obstacle, motivated me to confront my inner struggles and embark on a path of self-discovery. I seized the opportunity to commit to inner work, build personal awareness, and learn and acquire new skills (such as leadership coaching and facilitation).

This pivotal moment began a profound journey of integrating my whole self and embracing my masculine and my feminine qualities in all the work I do. I didn’t have to give up a career in tech to experience balance. Instead, I could bring that balance to my career in tech by bringing my whole self into my work with tech organizations.

Recognizing the intrinsic value of both masculine achievement and feminine compassion, I began to infuse my tech coaching and consulting work with a more holistic approach. I reframed “asking for help” as an essential stage of learning. My definition of success as a woman in tech transformed from a pendulum swinging constantly between two poles to integration—a balance that felt genuinely authentic.

Today, I choose to work in technology because of my passion, know-how, and experiences. And I am choosing to bring more humanity into tech by sharing my learnings and reinventing definitions of success at work. My passion and purpose is to bridge the gap between people and technology, and model the truth that you can bring your whole self to work and thrive.

My unwavering passion and determination fuel my commitment to redefine how engineers think, act, and are perceived within tech organizations and society. I endeavor to shatter the stereotypes enveloping engineering culture, placing engineers at the forefront of technology, not lurking behind the scenes.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. But I’ve learned that the road doesn’t need to be smooth to lead somewhere meaningful.
Looking back, the real question I keep returning to is: What parts of ourselves do we push aside to succeed, and at what cost?
In the early years, I believed I had to prove myself by being tough, capable, and always “on.” I leaned hard into my technical skills and pushed down the parts of me that didn’t seem to fit the mold. It got me far: PhD, leadership roles, recognition. But underneath, I was burning out and slowly disconnecting from who I really was.
The turning point came when life forced me to stop – becoming a parent, moving countries and cultures, starting over. What I thought was a career setback became space to breathe, reflect, and begin again – this time on my own terms.
Now, I don’t just support engineers in growing as leaders – I support them in becoming more whole. Because technical brilliance matters, but so does the human behind it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Colabrie Organizational Learning?
I help tech organizations turn their engineers into the kind of leaders people want to follow—so they can keep great talent, align their teams, and lead through the changes AI is bringing.

With a PhD in Electrical Engineering, 20+ years in tech, and deep experience across product development, R&D, and leadership, I understand engineering culture from the inside. I’ve been the engineer asked to lead without a playbook—and I’ve seen how often technical experts are promoted without the support to grow as people leaders.

That’s where I come in.

Through a blend of consulting, leadership coaching, and XCHANGE-facilitated learning, I help engineering organizations:

– Develop self-aware, adaptive leaders—from technical expert to team leader

– Build cultures of trust through Conversations Worth Having

– Align people, processes, and systems to lead effectively through AI-driven change

I bring together:

-Technical credibility and leadership insight from inside the tech industry

– Certification as an iPEC Professional Coach, Energy Leadership™ practitioner, Certified xchange Guide, and Conversations Worth Having Practitioner.

– A people-centered approach to leadership, grounded in systems thinking and active learning

This is the heart of the Colabrie Approach: evolving people and ecosystems together, with clarity, intention, and measurable impact.

Based in Denver | Serving clients across the U.S. and Europe | Available for speaking, consulting, coaching, facilitation

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t see luck as random – it tends to show up when curiosity and courage meet.
I’m originally from Slovenia, now living in Colorado with my Dutch husband, and my life has been shaped by tech, adventure, and a deep love for connecting people and ideas. I’ve always asked questions, followed my instincts, and said yes to new paths – even when they were uncertain or uncomfortable.
Change has been a constant for me. And I’ve learned the most through travel, nature, and stepping into the unknown. What some might call luck, I often experience as moments of synchronicity – those quiet signals that show up when I’m present, paying attention, and open to what’s next.
That’s what has shaped both my personal and professional journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://co-labrie.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alenka-znidarsic-phd-72a9844/