Welcome to another episode of From a Woman to a Leader! In this week’s podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Elle Ramel, Chief of Staff and head of Inclusive Partnerships at World Business Chicago. Elle has dedicated her career to promoting gender equity in tech and supporting women and non-binary individuals in their professional journeys. Her expertise spans economic development, strategic partnerships, and building inclusive ecosystems in male-dominated industries.
In our conversation, Elle shared some powerful strategies on navigating tough investor questions, building a strong network, and continuously negotiating for career success. This blog post highlights some of her key insights and provides actionable tips for women in tech who are looking to break through barriers, secure funding, and lead with confidence.
1. The Challenge: Why Is It Harder for Women to Raise Capital?
One of the most striking points Elle made is the disparity in venture capital funding. Globally, women receive only a fraction of the total funding compared to their male counterparts—often as low as 2% of the available capital. 😮 Why? It’s not because women lack talent or innovative ideas; rather, it’s about investor biases and the way women are perceived in the business world.
When pitching to investors, women are often asked questions around risk mitigation, like “How are you going to make sure you don’t lose all our money?” On the other hand, men are asked growth-oriented questions like, “When will we see a return on investment?” This unconscious bias can make it much harder for women to secure the funding they need to scale.
2. Overcoming Investor Biases
So, how do you turn these biases around? Elle’s advice is to pivot the conversation. If the focus is on risk, highlight your track record of success and projected growth. Always bring the conversation back to the potential, not the problems.
Another great strategy Elle recommends is to practice tough conversations in advance. GET Cities partnered with law firms and local incubators to offer negotiation simulations for women founders. Practicing these scenarios helps founders refine their responses and build confidence before stepping into the room with real investors.
3. Building a Network of Champions
Having a strong network of mentors, champions, and allies is crucial for any woman looking to break through in tech. Elle emphasized that successful fundraising often happens outside of formal pitch settings. Imagine this: men are discussing deals on golf courses or over casual dinners, while women are perfecting pitch decks. Instead of just focusing on the traditional “pitch stage,” look for opportunities to build relationships in informal settings.
💡 Tip: Leverage your network to create social proof. Elle suggests involving your champions—whether they’re male allies, mentors, or corporate partners—early on in your journey. Their endorsement can be a powerful validator when it comes to securing funding.
4. Continuous Negotiation: Why It’s Key to Career Success
One of Elle’s biggest takeaways is that negotiation is not a one-time event. Whether you’re an employee or an entrepreneur, always leave the door open for future conversations. If you agreed to a salary and realize it was too low, set a timeline to revisit it. If you didn’t get the promotion, follow up in a few months with a clear plan of milestones to reach. Keep the dialogue open and show that you’re committed to growth.
5. The Power of Mentorship and Sponsorship
Mentorship is one of the most effective ways to support marginalized groups in tech, yet it’s often overlooked. Elle mentioned a study that found 1 in 3 women and non-binary technologists had no one to strategize a promotion with. 😔 Without guidance, these individuals often feel stuck and unsure about their next steps.
If you’re in this situation, seek out mentors and sponsors—people who will not only guide you but advocate for your growth and success. And if you’re in a position to mentor others, consider how you can make a difference in someone’s career journey.
6. Takeaways: Advocate for Yourself and Think Big
The biggest takeaway from my conversation with Elle? Don’t wait for permission to ask for what you deserve. Whether it’s in a funding round, a salary negotiation, or career growth, always think bigger and advocate for yourself. 🎤💥
💡 If you’re a woman in tech looking to break through barriers, secure funding, or just gain confidence in your leadership abilities, this episode is a must-listen!
🎧 Listen to the full episode now: limorbergman.com/podcast
Closing Thoughts:
I hope Elle’s insights inspire you to reframe the way you approach negotiations and to build a strong network of supporters to champion your growth. Don’t forget to share this post if you found it helpful, and let me know what negotiation strategies have worked for you!
About Elle
Elle Ramel is the Chief of Staff and Inclusive Partnerships at World Business Chicago and heads up their new Gender Equity Office.
Prior to this role, she was the Chicago Director for GET Cities, a city-based initiative to advance women/non-binary individuals in the Chicago tech economy.
Before GET Cities, she project managed the redevelopment of the Michael Reese Hospital site for Farpoint Development and worked on the Economic Development team for the Mayor Rahm Emanuel Administration. She completed her bachelor’s at Yale University in Urban Studies and a master’s degree at Cambridge University in Land Economics/Town Planning.
Follow Elle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elleramel/
Learn more about her work: https://worldbusinesschicago.com/
