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Redefining Women Leadership in Tech: The Story of Eva Kuehnert, Head of Product at BrightFi
Oct 21st, 2022
Eva Kuehnert’s journey is a testament to the power of empathy, purposeful leadership, and the importance of inclusion in the tech industry. From her early career in banking to her time at Google and now as the Head of Product at BrightFi, Eva’s mission has always been to serve others and bring a human touch to the world of technology. In her appearance on the Elephant in the Room podcast, Eva shared her inspiring story and lessons about leadership, empathy, and breaking barriers for women in tech.
A Non-Tech Path to Google
Eva’s path to Google wasn’t a typical one. She started her career in banking in Germany, quickly becoming disillusioned with the growing emphasis on sales over customer care. After six years, she left banking and pursued a master’s degree in economics, which led her to a transformative moment—attending a Google event. Inspired by the company’s culture and how they treated their employees, Eva applied for a role at Google and joined in 2005 as an account manager.
Her time at Google was filled with learning and growth, especially since the company was still developing and refining its flagship product, AdWords. Eva transitioned into a product role within a year, helping American and global product managers understand the European market. As she describes it, her job was “being the little elf of the product manager,” working end-to-end on product launches. This on-the-job training ultimately led to her becoming a product manager without a traditional tech background—a testament to Google’s forward-thinking culture and Eva’s adaptability.
Key Lessons from Google: The Power of “Yet”
Eva’s time at Google instilled in her some invaluable lessons, the most significant of which was the power of adding “yet” to any limitation. “Don’t accept ‘we cannot do that,’” she says. “There’s always a ‘yet’ behind it.” For Eva, nothing was impossible if people came together, set aside their egos, and embraced the freedom to ideate without judgment. This openness to collaboration and the courage to experiment is something she carried throughout her career, reinforcing her belief in the power of empathy in tech.
Empathy: The Key to Innovation
Tech and empathy aren’t always synonymous, but Eva has made it her mission to change that. Drawing from her banking experience, where she learned to listen and ask the right questions, Eva brought a customer-first mindset to her work at Google. “I’m always going back to: Who are we building this for? Is this going to help?” she shares. In an industry often dominated by efficiency and logic, Eva’s empathetic approach allowed her to deliver products that worked and genuinely served the people using them.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Tech
Despite her success, Eva struggled with imposter syndrome, especially when she transitioned to product management at Google without the formal credentials typically expected. Surrounded by brilliant engineers and tech experts, Eva often questioned her competence. But she soon learned that she wasn’t alone. “I found out there was an email group at Google called ‘Imposters at Google,’ and it was one of the most popular ones,” she recalls.
Eva sought coaching, studied neuroscience, and earned a coaching license to overcome this self-doubt. Through meditation and continuous self-reflection, she learned to live with imposter syndrome rather than be controlled by it. “You’re your own worst critic,” she says. “But we all know best what we need or want to do. Sometimes, you need someone to listen.”
Reducing Barriers to Entry in Tech
As someone who entered tech from a non-technical background, Eva is passionate about making the industry more inclusive. Her work with Girls in Tech, a global nonprofit organization focused on empowering women in technology, reflects this mission. “I want to reduce the barriers of entry—whether real or perceived—for anyone who thinks they cannot work in technology,” Eva says. She believes diversity brings better ideas and more comprehensive products, allowing for a wider range of perspectives during product development.
Eva also advocates for more compassionate and human-centered hiring processes. In her hiring practices, she focuses on creating a comfortable environment for candidates so she can see the natural person rather than the “interview persona.” Her approach includes giving candidates opportunities to learn and grow, even if they aren’t selected for a role. In one instance, Eva took the time to give feedback to a candidate who didn’t get hired. A few months later, that candidate landed a product management role elsewhere—a testament to the power of mentorship and empathy in tech.
The BrightFi Mission: Serving Underserved Communities
Today, Eva is the Head of Product at BrightFi, a fintech company with a solid mission to provide affordable banking solutions to underserved communities. BrightFi’s no-fee, low-barrier bank accounts are designed to help people who may not have access to traditional financial services. “It’s an affordable bank account,” Eva explains. “No credit check, just basic account functions.” The company aims to make banking accessible to everyone, particularly in high-risk, high-cost customer segments that larger banks often overlook.
BrightFi’s mission aligns perfectly with Eva’s purpose: to reduce pain and suffering worldwide. This purpose-driven approach keeps her motivated and allows her to rally her team behind a shared vision. “When the going gets tough, I remind them why we’re here, and it makes everything easier,” she says.
The Importance of Purpose-Driven Work
For Eva, purpose is everything. After leaving Google, she realized she needed to work in a role where she could make a meaningful impact. “I have a written-down purpose, which is to reduce pain and suffering in this world,” she shares. This guiding principle keeps her focused and helps her inspire others within her team and beyond.
Eva’s advice to those considering a career leap? “If you’re clear on your purpose, something will happen. Trust that the universe will take care of you.” Her journey is proof that when you follow your purpose, the right opportunities will come your way.
Building a Compassionate Future in Tech
Eva Kuehnert’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, diversity, and purpose-driven leadership in the tech industry. As she continues her work at BrightFi, serving underserved communities and creating inclusive products, Eva is changing the face of fintech and showing that success in tech doesn’t have to come at the expense of compassion. Her journey from banking to Google to BrightFi inspires anyone looking to break into tech and make a meaningful impact.
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