Fired for Being 42, the Insane Age Discrimination Case No Lawyer Would Take, and Picking Up the Pieces with Over 40 Founder Emilia D'Anzica

It Gets Late Early: Career Tips for Tech Employees in Midlife and Beyond

Imagine hitting all your KPIs at work, only to be told you're out—because they want someone younger. Well, that’s exactly what happened to today’s guest, the incredible Emilia D’Anzica. And trust me, her comeback story is one for the books!

Emilia is the founder of Growth Molecules, an author, and an all-around powerhouse. She takes us through her nuts experience of being pushed out of a tech company despite knocking it out of the park for 13 quarters straight.

Emilia shares how she handled the blow (hint: with grace and a lot of courage), why fighting ageism in court is nearly impossible, and the advice she received from top lawyers. But this isn’t a downer episode! Emilia didn’t just take the hit – she flipped the script and used her MBA to launch her own successful consulting firm.

We also talk about the rampant ageism in tech, the gender and racial pay gap, and how recruiters are still weirdly biased about hiring older talent (hello, 57 is not “too old” to hire!) If you’re over 40 and feeling it in your job search or career, Emilia’s story will inspire you to keep pushing forward. She’s living proof that there’s life – and success – after even the most unfair corporate rejection.

So, don’t miss this conversation packed with insights and a story that will leave you both inspired and enraged.

“If you're a recruiter, you should have the courage to look past how that person looks. We shouldn't have to pay an 'age tax' to get a job.”

- Emilia D’Anzica

In This Episode:

-Emilia’s shocking story of being replaced by a younger colleague despite consistent success

-Why age discrimination is so hard to prove in court (and the advice Emilia got)

-How Emilia turned a tough experience into a thriving business

-Recruiter bias against older workers and why we need to fix it

-McKinsey research insights on gender pay gaps

-A peek into Emilia’s book Pressing On as a Tech Mom

And much more!

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

-Emilia D’Anzica’s book, Pressing On as a Tech Mom: https://www.amazon.com/Pressing-Tech-Mom-Industry-Boundaries/dp/1956955194

-Women in the Workplace 2024: The 10th-anniversary report: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplace

Connect with Emilia D’Anzica:

-Website: https://growthmolecules.com/

-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliadanzica

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emiliadanzica/

Connect with Maureen Clough:

-Instagram: @itgetslateearly - https://www.instagram.com/itgetslateearly/

-YouTube: @itgetslateearly - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGrHwk-y7ERaq7bCSjZYf1A?sub_confirmation=1

-Website: itgetslateearly.com - https://www.itgetslateearly.com/

-LinkedIn: @maureenwclough - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenwclough/

-Facebook: It Gets Late Early - https://www.facebook.com/people/It-gets-late-early/100088694515585/

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