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In this episode, Amy Santee returns to the podcast, only this time, she’s in the interviewer seat as we flip the script and share more of my story. We talk through my winding career path (from biomedical photography to instructional design to product and research leadership), and the moments that forced me to get honest about what I value and what I can’t ignore anymore.
We also explore the tension many women feel between stability and fulfillment, how family messaging can shape our beliefs about work, and why layoffs and workplace trauma can become a wake-up call. I share what led me into coaching, why I’m now pursuing a mental health counseling degree, and how I’m thinking about building a more sustainable “portfolio career” that honors both my values and real-life needs.
Topics Discussed in This Episode
- Roberta’s early identity story (transracial adoptee) and how it shaped her relationship to work
- Career pivots from photography → instructional design → product → user research/VP leadership, and what each chapter taught her
- How family beliefs about stability vs. fulfillment created long-term internal conflict (and how she now checks that voice)
- Recognizing values misalignment at work, spotting “stated vs. lived” values, and trusting body-based red flags
- Layoffs, workplace boundaries, and why “work as the acceptable addiction” keeps women over-functioning
- What’s next: grad school for mental health counseling, integrating therapy + coaching, and building a sustainable portfolio career
About Amy Santee
Amy Santee is a Career Strategist and Coach for tech professionals who want to design their careers with intention and bring their good to the world. Since 2020, she has partnered with hundreds of individuals to implement a practice of self-research, self-advocacy, and strategy, so they can navigate the professional world with courage and confidence. Her passion for non-traditional career development, personal growth, and positive impact brought her to coaching after a decade of working in user experience.
Connect with Amy Santee
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysantee/
Website: https://www.amysantee.com
About Roberta Dombrowski
Roberta Dombrowski is Founder of Learn Mindfully and host of In Her Words. She has over a decade of experience spanning tech, non-profits, and academia. Her work has been featured by the Association of Talent Development, Learning Guild, and Product School.
She holds PCC accreditation through the International Coaching Federation, CPCC through Co-Active Training Institute. Her unique approach blends the wisdom of the head, heart, and body - guiding clients to rediscover joy, resilience, and connection in their work and lives. By fostering deeper self-awareness and authentic leadership, Roberta helps individuals reshape how they relate to their careers, themselves, and their teams. Her personal experience as a transracial adoptee and overfunctioning tech executive heavily influences her approach to business.
Connect with Roberta Dombrowski
LinkedIn:
Season 2 reflection exercises https://www.learnmindfully.co/store
Grab Consciously Crafting Your Career Path: https://www.learnmindfully.co/store
Connect with Roberta on LinkedIn
If this episode sparked new insight, please consider rating, following, or reviewing the show. It’s the best way to help more people find and benefit from these vital conversations. Thanks for listening!
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By Roberta DombrowskiSend a text
In this episode, Amy Santee returns to the podcast, only this time, she’s in the interviewer seat as we flip the script and share more of my story. We talk through my winding career path (from biomedical photography to instructional design to product and research leadership), and the moments that forced me to get honest about what I value and what I can’t ignore anymore.
We also explore the tension many women feel between stability and fulfillment, how family messaging can shape our beliefs about work, and why layoffs and workplace trauma can become a wake-up call. I share what led me into coaching, why I’m now pursuing a mental health counseling degree, and how I’m thinking about building a more sustainable “portfolio career” that honors both my values and real-life needs.
Topics Discussed in This Episode
- Roberta’s early identity story (transracial adoptee) and how it shaped her relationship to work
- Career pivots from photography → instructional design → product → user research/VP leadership, and what each chapter taught her
- How family beliefs about stability vs. fulfillment created long-term internal conflict (and how she now checks that voice)
- Recognizing values misalignment at work, spotting “stated vs. lived” values, and trusting body-based red flags
- Layoffs, workplace boundaries, and why “work as the acceptable addiction” keeps women over-functioning
- What’s next: grad school for mental health counseling, integrating therapy + coaching, and building a sustainable portfolio career
About Amy Santee
Amy Santee is a Career Strategist and Coach for tech professionals who want to design their careers with intention and bring their good to the world. Since 2020, she has partnered with hundreds of individuals to implement a practice of self-research, self-advocacy, and strategy, so they can navigate the professional world with courage and confidence. Her passion for non-traditional career development, personal growth, and positive impact brought her to coaching after a decade of working in user experience.
Connect with Amy Santee
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysantee/
Website: https://www.amysantee.com
About Roberta Dombrowski
Roberta Dombrowski is Founder of Learn Mindfully and host of In Her Words. She has over a decade of experience spanning tech, non-profits, and academia. Her work has been featured by the Association of Talent Development, Learning Guild, and Product School.
She holds PCC accreditation through the International Coaching Federation, CPCC through Co-Active Training Institute. Her unique approach blends the wisdom of the head, heart, and body - guiding clients to rediscover joy, resilience, and connection in their work and lives. By fostering deeper self-awareness and authentic leadership, Roberta helps individuals reshape how they relate to their careers, themselves, and their teams. Her personal experience as a transracial adoptee and overfunctioning tech executive heavily influences her approach to business.
Connect with Roberta Dombrowski
LinkedIn:
Season 2 reflection exercises https://www.learnmindfully.co/store
Grab Consciously Crafting Your Career Path: https://www.learnmindfully.co/store
Connect with Roberta on LinkedIn
If this episode sparked new insight, please consider rating, following, or reviewing the show. It’s the best way to help more people find and benefit from these vital conversations. Thanks for listening!