What does it take to turn technical expertise into transformational leadership?
In this episode, you’ll meet Judy Toland, Vice President of Global Audience Marketing at Meta, whose journey from chemical engineer to executive leader proves that blending STEM smarts with people-first leadership is a powerful formula for success.
Judy opens up about her unconventional career path, sharing how curiosity, intentional reflection, and goal-setting helped her pivot across five industries — from automotive to finance to tech. Along the way, she’s faced big risks, taken up space in rooms where she was often the only one like her, and stayed grounded in her mission to lead with empathy and conviction.
Tune in to discover how to navigate career inflection points, balance ambition with authenticity, and engineer a career that aligns with your purpose.
Key Takeaways:
- How to use self-reflection and goal setting to guide career pivots
- The power of servant leadership and building diverse, high-performing teams
- Why taking up space — especially as an underrepresented leader — matters
- How risk and resilience fuel transformational career growth
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Highlights
The key moments in this episode are:
[00:00] Introduction to Beyond Barriers Podcast
[02:34] Judy's Early Life and Influences
[03:58] From Engineering to Marketing: Career Transitions
[09:54] The Importance of Sports and Resilience
[12:41] Navigating Career Pivots and Mentorship
[16:16] Balancing Personal and Professional Life
[22:53] Early Morning Routine and Focus
[23:39] Balancing Work and Personal Life
[25:40] Overcoming Big Challenges
[26:14] Taking Risks and Career Moves
[33:55] Importance of Community and Support
[36:24] Lightning Round and Final Thoughts -
Lightning Round
Q: What book has greatly influenced you?
A: What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day by Pearl Cleage
Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley
Lovely One by Justice Ketanji Brown JacksonQ: What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying?
A: Much is given, much is expectedQ: What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself?
A: Let’s go, Judy. You got this!Q: What is one change you've implemented that made your life better?
A: Stop worrying about what other people think. And stop comparing myself to others.Q: What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage?
A: They Not Like Us - Kendrick Lamar
Golden Time of Day - Maze ft.Frankie Beverly -
Quotes
Comparison is the theft of joy. If I leave anyone with anything, just like you're on your own journey and you're doing great, keep at it and don't compare yourself to others because you're good enough the way that you are.
Judy Toland
Life is busy. It's a crazy town out there these days, right? And if you don't take the time to be introspective, to figure out what you want to do for yourself and your family, this world will consume you. Your health will deteriorate your mental health.
Judy Toland
I always tell people, don't ever suffer in silence. So, if you're going through a challenge, you are having a roadblock put in front of you. Please speak up and speak up early. And that's a life lesson for all of us, right? Like reaching out to those for help. And so that's a saying I use a ton.
Judy Toland
Collaboration is really the only way you can get stuff done, in my opinion. Be collaborative. Be a leader, be strong, have conviction.
Judy Toland
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About
Judy (Statum) Toland is an award winning, transformational CMO, with an engineering foundation. In May of 2023, she was appointed the role of Vice President, Global Audience Marketing. This role is responsible for large advertiser, agency, partner, and developer audience marketing, product marketing, strategy, activation and execution across all Meta business brands, globally. She has served as Head of the Meta Chicago office since August 2020. The Meta Chicago office was named a Top Workplace for midsize companies in 2021 and 2022 by the Chicago Tribune.
Judy has 30 years of experience across five industries (Tech, Chemicals, Automotive, Financial Services, and Health and Wellness) and five Fortune 500 companies (Facebook/Meta, Monsanto, Ford Motor Company, General Electric, & Wells Fargo). She joined Facebook in July 2019, with prior roles as Vice President, Scaled Solutions and Vice President, Global Customer Marketing, both with global marketing remit across our Meta business brands. Prior to joining Meta, she held VP/SVP & Chief Marketing Officer roles with GE Capital, Wells Fargo, and Life Fitness. In these prior roles, she held responsibility for all aspects of marketing from product strategy, product and customer marketing, digital marketing, brand, martech, events/ partnerships, customer facing education, and an in-house creative agency.
Judy has a BS in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Michigan- Dearborn. In 2023, she was recognized as one of the Top 50 Women we Admire in Marketing, as Distinguished Alumnus of the Year by the University of Michigan Dearborn, and as a Private Company Director to Watch by Private Company Director Magazine. In 2021, she was recognized as a Top Black Executive in Chicago by Crain's. She served as an Independent Board Director for Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC from 2021 to 2023. In addition, she is a 2020 Daniel Burnham Fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago and a member of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, World Business Chicago and Goodman Theatre nonprofit boards. She is also a member of the Chicago Network, Economic Club of Chicago, Commercial Club, and the University of Michigan-Dearborn National Advisory Council.
Judy is passionate about DEI having served on Diversity Councils at both GE Capital, Wells Fargo, and Meta. She is also a past Co-Chairperson of the GE Capital, African American Network. She is now leading DEI efforts across Meta as the executive sponsor of Woman@ (Meta's largest employee resource group), Meta Elevate & Meta Prosper.