LJ Marinello is the Senior Director of Cloud Strategy & Customer Success at Microsoft. With over 24 years of experience, LJ brings a business-first mindset and a strong focus on empowering others to lead with authenticity and purpose. A passionate advocate for women in leadership, she is known for her servant leadership style, her ability to drive strategic outcomes, and her dedication to mentoring female leaders.

Outside of work, LJ is a proud mother of four, loves the Jersey shore, and would very much like to be best friends with Joanna Gaines.

Leading, Mothering, and Letting Go of Perfect

What does it really mean to “have it all”? In this candid and empowering talk, Lisajoy Marinello—tech leader, speaker, and mom of four—unpacks the messy, beautiful reality of being a working mother in today’s fast-paced world. With humor and honesty, she explores the myth of balance, the guilt we carry, and the silent strength it takes to lead at work and love at home. Drawing from personal stories and lessons learned in the boardroom and at the breakfast table, LJ offers a new perspective: that success isn’t about doing everything perfectly—it’s about being present, choosing what matters most, and learning to extend grace to ourselves. Whether you’re a parent, a professional, or both, this talk is a reminder that leadership isn’t just about climbing the ladder—it’s also about raising the next generation while staying true to who we are.

In this session, attendees will learn:

• How to redefine what “having it all” really means in today’s fast-paced, always-on world.
• Practical strategies for navigating guilt, burnout, and the pressure of perfection in both parenting and leadership.
• The importance of presence over perfection—how showing up authentically drives impact at home and at work.
• Ways to build a leadership style rooted in empathy, humor, and grace—without losing your edge or your sanity.
• How to lead with purpose while raising the next generation (whether that’s your team, your kids, or both).