Her Story
About Morgan
Morgan Torian is a professional with 12 years of experience in her field, including three years in her current role in the tech sector. She previously spent eight years in higher education, where she focused on civic engagement and community-based work, along with training and development in diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as employee development. In her current position, Torian works with a global employee base creating and leading trainings and e-learning on topics such as compliance and leadership development. She holds a master's degree in international and multicultural education from the University of San Francisco, which she completed in 2020, and a bachelor's degree from Western New England University, completed in 2014. Torian also maintains her SHRM certification and is qualified to administer leadership and assessment tools including Instinctive Drives, the Intercultural Development Inventory, and the Conflict Dynamics Profile. Based in Austin, Texas, she is a member of the Junior League and volunteers with the Girls Empowerment Network. Torian attributes her success to community support and her network of mentors, and she values authenticity, transparency, and honoring the whole self at work.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Morgan
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to community support and my network. I've been fortunate to have great leaders and mentors, like my work-study supervisor from college who I still connect with, and my first manager in higher education who taught me program management and strategy through tough but valuable lessons like reading California labor law. My best friends, dogs, and partners at every company have also been key supports.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice is not to be afraid, just jump in, say yes, and figure it out as you go. My mentor encouraged me during a big career jump from entry level to a major role, saying we didn't think you'd get it but you did it with no fear, and it worked out. If you can't figure it out, ask for support.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Ask for help! People are willing to help, even for a 10- or 15-minute conversation. The best way we can learn is in community. Don't be afraid, try new things, ask questions, give yourself exposure. Community is the way forward.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is AI adoption from an internal perspective, getting employees to use AI due to fears of replacement, and externally as I work for an AI company with rebranding and new product rollouts. The opportunity is huge: adopting AI makes you far more attractive to employers, and getting really good at it can make you indispensable as a program manager of AI in your area.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Community and relationships are really important, along with being authentic, vulnerable, and open to support each other and grow. Transparency is huge, even if I lean too much into it. Ambition with a bias toward action, not sitting too long in review or planning but getting started. Honoring the whole self at work and modeling integration of personal and professional life.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.