Heidi Barnett, President at isolved (Sandy, UT) discusses with SheTech - TechBuzz media interns Danitza Sarmiento and Nova Jordan how she navigated a winding path to tech, balancing college, motherhood, and leadership.
Sandy, Utah — February 9, 2026
Heidi Barnett: Finding Her Place in Tech Through Experience, Resilience, and Leadership
Heidi Barnett, President of isolved Talent Acquisition (formerly ApplicantPro), didn’t follow a traditional path into technology. In fact, she didn’t realize tech was the right field for her until she was already working in it. Through a winding college journey, motherhood, and years of on-the-job learning, Barnett built a successful career in tech and leadership, eventually becoming a CEO. We sat down with her to learn how she found her place in the industry and what advice she has for students interested in tech.
Barnett was a 2025 Women Tech Award Finalist.
A Winding College Journey
Barnett’s path began far from technology. She started college as a psychology major, switched to accounting, and eventually landed in marketing. Along the way, she got married, took time off from school, and later returned to finish her degree at Utah State University.
By the time she graduated, Barnett was already a mom. She walked at graduation with a three-month-old baby, describing her college experience as a “wandering journey.” While she wouldn’t necessarily recommend that exact path, she emphasized that every step taught her valuable lessons that later shaped her career.
“I learned a lot along the way,” she shared. “Every experience added something.”
Discovering Tech Through Experience
Unlike many people in tech, Barnett didn’t grow up dreaming of the industry. She realized her passion only after accepting her first tech-related job. During her senior year, she asked a professor to let her know if any work-from-home opportunities arose. That connection led her to a university tech spin-off that was hiring its first marketer.
At first, the job was just a way to support her family. But once she started working in tech, something clicked.
“It was fast-paced, chaotic, and constantly changing,” Barnett said. “And I loved that.”
Through hands-on experience, problem-solving, and mentorship, she realized tech was where she belonged.
Growing Into Leadership
Barnett joined ApplicantPro as one of the company’s earliest hires and steadily advanced within the organization. She moved from marketing to sales, then into executive leadership, eventually becoming Chief Revenue Officer and later CEO. She led the company for nearly three years, overseeing around 300 employees and $40 million in revenue before the company was acquired.
While she loved leadership, being a CEO came with unexpected challenges.
“It was surprisingly lonely,” she explained. “You don’t always get to share challenges with your team.”
Still, the experience strengthened her as a leader and helped her grow in ways she hadn’t anticipated.
Facing Challenges as a Woman in Tech
Barnett acknowledged that being a woman in tech sometimes meant being underestimated. She recalled attending a networking event shortly after becoming CEO where she was the only woman in the room and was dismissed during conversations. At her first board meeting, she was initially introduced as someone who would “just take one quick minute.”
Instead of shrinking back, Barnett prepared thoroughly and delivered with confidence. Her presentation sparked strong engagement, proving her value in the room. Her approach to overcoming these moments has been simple but powerful: preparation and boldness.
Motherhood and Redefining Balance
Barnett has spent nearly her entire tech career as a mother. While balancing work and family hasn’t always been easy, she believes it has made her a better leader. She emphasized that balance isn’t about a perfect 50/50 split but something that shifts over time.
“Some weeks it’s 90/10, some weeks it’s 75/25,” she said. “Balance doesn’t happen every day, it happens over time.”
She also credits supportive family, community, and flexible work environments for helping her succeed. Barnett integrates her family into her work life whenever possible, bringing her kids to speaking events and helping them understand what she does.
Advice for Students Interested in Tech
For girls who feel intimidated by tech, Barnett offered three main tips: find parallels between what you already know and new challenges, ask “Why not me?” when self-doubt arises, and seek out mentors.
She emphasized that mentorship is more accessible than students might think—through LinkedIn, school events, or even a simple message.
“There’s plenty of space for women in tech,” Barnett said.
Heidi Barnett’s story proves that success in tech doesn’t require a perfect plan or early certainty. Through resilience, curiosity, and trusting herself, she built a meaningful career and hopes to inspire others to do the same.
Learn more at isolvedhcm.com.
Danitza Sarmiento Pettingill is a senior at Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy who enjoys business and design. She hopes to pursue a blend of creativity and entrepreneurship after graduation.
Nova Jordan is an IB senior at Ogden High School in the Ogden School District. She hopes to pursue biomedical engineering on a pre-law track and later attend law school.
Danitza and Nova will be joining thousands of young women at SheTech Explorer Day 2026 on February 24, a hands-on STEM conference for Utah high school girls, offering workshops, mentors, role models, career pathways, and collaborative tech challenges in an engaging, supportive environment.