How Elena Gomez became one of the most powerful women in tech

Julia Boorstin speaks with Elena Gomez, president and CFO of Toast, about her path from the daughter of immigrants from El Salvador to one of the most influential women in tech and finance. Gomez reflects on the work ethic her parents modeled, the career risks that helped her grow, and the leadership principles that guided her through roles at Charles Schwab, Visa, Salesforce, Zendesk, and Toast.

They discuss what it takes to become a CFO, why women still face major barriers in corporate leadership, and how mentorship, self-awareness, and team-building can help ambitious professionals step into bigger roles. Gomez also explains how Toast is using AI to help restaurant operators make faster decisions, improve efficiency, and deliver more personalized guest experiences.

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