Alana Karen: Mentorship, Leadership, and Breaking Barriers as a Google Tech Leader

We are thrilled to introduce Alana Karen, an award-winning tech leader, author, and speaker who has been with Google for over two decades. Alana serves as the Director of Search Platforms at Google, where her work has impacted countless daily interactions with technology, including Google Search, Ads, Fiber, and more. She is also the author of The Adventures of Women in Tech: How We Got Here and Why We Stay, a book that highlights the stories of women navigating the tech world. In this conversation with Dr.Chandra Vadhana, Managing Editor of She Sight, Alana opens up about her non-linear career path, the importance of skill-building, the leadership qualities that helped her succeed, and her advocacy for women in tech. She also reflects on the potential of emerging technologies like AI, her thoughts on unconscious bias in the workplace, and the stories behind her book.

Dr. Chandra: Alana, you studied history in college, which isn’t the usual route into tech. Could you tell us about how you made that leap?

Alana Karen: Absolutely! I often joke that when I was in college, I had no clue how I would make money with a history degree. I was studying creative writing, and it didn’t seem like the path to a lucrative career. But this was the late 90s, and the internet was emerging as a new frontier for information and communication. I got hooked on how you could build webpages and change their appearance with a few simple keystrokes. That curiosity led me to teach myself HTML, and from there, I stumbled into a tech career, starting as a webmaster at my university.

Dr. Chandra: That’s a fascinating start. After your role as a webmaster, how did you transition to Google?

Alana Karen: After university, I worked two jobs before joining Google, both of which were entry-level and involved a lot of grunt work. Even though “webmaster” sounds prestigious, I was mainly revamping outdated websites. What I learned, though, was how to combine technical skills with understanding what stakeholders needed. That experience helped me when I moved to the Bay Area and joined a dot-com startup. After that, I joined Google in an entry-level customer service role. At the time, Google had fewer than 300 employees, so it was a very different place from what it is now.

Dr. Chandra: To think Google was once that small! Now it’s one of the biggest companies in the world. How has it been, watching Google grow from a startup to the giant it is today?

Alana Karen: It’s been an incredible journey. Often, you’re so focused on the work that you don’t realize how much growth is happening. But there were moments when I’d stop and think, “Wow, look at what we’ve built.” What I found most interesting was how the company adapted at each growth stage—from a startup to a global corporation. It’s not something everyone enjoys; some people leave because they prefer a different pace. But for me, it was fascinating, almost like an anthropological study of how organizations evolve.

Dr. Chandra: Speaking of evolution, leadership in such a fast-paced and ever-changing environment must come with its challenges. What do you think are the key competencies needed to succeed in that kind of setting?

Alana Karen: The most important thing is having a clear North Star, a core mission you’re always driving towards. Change is constant, but if you know your goal, it helps anchor your team. Communication is another key—constantly contextualizing the changes for your team helps keep them focused. And of course, talent is everything. Hiring smart and investing in people’s growth is critical. When you have the right people who are aligned with your vision, it makes navigating challenges much smoother.

Dr. Chandra: Great points. Now, as a woman in leadership, have you ever faced challenges due to unconscious bias, and how did you deal with those?

Alana Karen: Yes, absolutely. Unconscious bias is something many women face, including myself. Being a relatively petite woman in a technical company, I’ve had moments where I had to work harder to prove myself. In some meetings, I’d leave feeling like I wasn’t listened to, only to realize later that it was probably more of a cultural issue than something I did wrong. That said, I was fortunate to work in a meritocratic company like Google, where I got into leadership roles early in my career. Still, biases can make the journey more difficult, especially for women in technical spaces.

Dr. Chandra: You’ve also mentioned in your book how having strong female leaders and mentors, like Sheryl Sandberg, played a significant role in your career. Can you tell us more about that?

Alana Karen: Having female role models early on made a huge difference for me. Working under Sheryl Sandberg and other strong women helped me see that leadership was possible for someone like me. I never thought I’d be “the next Sheryl,” but seeing women in power made me realize that I could lead and manage teams. It was incredibly impactful, and those relationships helped me envision my own potential. Now, I aim to do the same for other women by being a mentor and advocate for their growth.

Dr. Chandra: That’s wonderful. Let’s talk about your book The Adventures of Women in Tech. What motivated you to write it, and what message do you hope readers take away?

Alana Karen: Frustration was the driving force behind the book. In 2018, I kept seeing headlines about whether women could “survive” in tech. It was so irritating because I knew so many women who were thriving in their careers. Yes, there are challenges, but I didn’t want young women to be dissuaded by these negative stories. So, I decided to write a book sharing real stories of women in tech—stories that represent different backgrounds, paths, and experiences. I hope that women reading the book will see themselves in these stories and realize there’s a place for them in the industry.

Dr. Chandra: It’s an inspiring book! You also talk about navigating issues like “bro culture” and the likability factor in the workplace. What advice would you give women dealing with these challenges?

Alana Karen: The likability problem is very real. Women are often held to a higher standard when it comes to being likable, and if we’re too direct, we’re labelled as harsh. My advice is to be mindful of it, but don’t let it hold you back. Leadership isn’t about being likable all the time—it’s about being effective. If you find yourself in a “bro culture,” find allies and build a support network. Changing a culture isn’t easy, but with a strong support system, you can find ways to navigate it successfully.

Dr. Chandra: Finally, what are your thoughts on the future of technology, especially with the rapid developments in AI and other emerging trends? Are you optimistic?

Alana Karen: I’m cautiously optimistic. I think a lot of fears about AI are overblown. While AI has the potential to revolutionize industries, like healthcare, it still requires human effort to train and develop. I see AI making a positive impact, like helping detect diseases more accurately and quickly. The challenge will be in balancing innovation with regulation, ensuring that technological advancements benefit society while keeping people protected.

As we conclude, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Alana for sharing her story and offering practical advice with us. Alana’s thoughts on leadership, overcoming challenges, and supporting others are sure to resonate with many women aiming to grow in the tech world. We appreciate her time and thoughtful conversation, and we’re excited to see how she continues to support and inspire women in the industry.

-Staff Reporter