Turning Experience into Opportunity with Katie Fortunato

Turning Experience into Opportunity with Katie Fortunato

From Smart Women Talk by Smart Women Talk

April 12, 2026 · 30 min

About this episode

Katie Fortunato discusses how to leverage experience and connections to unlock new career opportunities.

What if the experience and connections you’ve built over a lifetime are actually the key to unlocking your next opportunity? In a world where job boards feel like a black hole and AI is changing the rules overnight, it’s easy to wonder where you fit—and how to move forward with confidence. In this episode of Smart Women Talk, Katana sits down with Katie Fortunato, co-founder of Higher Innovations, to cut through the noise and reveal what’s really driving opportunity today—and how you can use it to your advantage. You’ll discover: Why most jobs are never posted—and how to access the hidden market How your network can open doors faster than any résumé ever will The real role of mentorship—and how to step into it at any stage What AI actually means for your career (and how to stay relevant) Simple ways to turn your experience into meaningful work and income This isn’t about starting over. It’s about building forward—with everything you already have. Tune in now and start seeing your next chapter in a whole new way. Katie Fortunato is Co-founder and EVP of Platform Innovation and Strategy at Hire Innovations, a global leader in human-centered AI talent technologies. She drives…

People in this episode

Host: Katana

Guest: Katie Fortunato

Topics covered

  • career development
  • networking
  • mentorship
  • AI in the workplace
  • job market

Keywords

  • career opportunities
  • hidden job market
  • networking
  • mentorship
  • AI impact

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Higher Innovations

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