Women shaping what's next: Trisha Pascale
This Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting some of the incredible women leaders across Orchestra and inviting them to reflect on the influences and experiences that have shaped their careers.
First up is Trisha Pascale, who leads our Strategy & Insights team. Her work focuses on interpreting complex data and cultural signals, turning those insights into clear direction for clients.
We asked Trisha about the career advice that’s stayed with her, the women she’s learned from along the way and what her younger self might think about the path she has built today.
Q: If you could have dinner with any woman from history, who would it be? What would you ask her?
Trisha Pascale: This may sound cliché, but I would love to have dinner with Ruth Bader Ginsburg. (I even have her action figure in my office.) What I admire most is that she didn’t just argue for equality; she carefully built the legal foundation for it case by case, thinking like a true strategist.
I’d love to ask how she decided which battles to fight first. As part of insights and strategy, so much of the work is figuring out how today’s decisions create the conditions for bigger change later. I’d be fascinated to hear how she approached that kind of long-term thinking while navigating situations that weren’t always built to change.
Q: What’s one piece of advice from a woman in your life that you’ll never forget?
TP: Early in my career, an incredible female mentor told me: “Don’t wait for permission to lead.”
Particularly in the business world, there will be moments where you might be the only woman in a meeting or where leadership isn’t representative of you. When that happens, it’s easy to wait until someone formally hands you authority. But those are often the moments to step forward.
Leadership can start long before a title does. It’s about asking thoughtful questions, bringing forward insights that shift thinking or helping move a conversation from observations to strategy. My mentor’s advice helped me realize that influence isn’t always offered, but it’s something you can build through how you show up and contribute.
Q: Tell us about a woman you’ve loved working with during your time at Orchestra.
TP: It’s hard for me to name just one, because so many of the women I’ve worked with across Orchestra have shaped my experience here in meaningful ways.
Often it’s the small things that make the biggest impact: how someone approaches a conversation, challenges a way of thinking or creates space for others to contribute. Those moments build the kind of environment where people feel confident sharing ideas and pushing the work forward.
Q: What is something younger you would be proud of about your career today?
TP: I think younger me would be proud that I’ve built a career path that wasn’t necessarily obvious or predefined, following my interests and curiosity. That willingness to try something new has shaped a career that sits at the intersection of strategy, insights and research.
I think she’d also be proud that I’ve stayed true to the kind of leader I want to be. Helping people feel supported, inspired and empowered to bring creative ideas forward — with a style that is authentic to me — has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
Q: What advice would you give to women just starting out in their careers?
TP: One piece of advice I’d give is to stay curious — not just about the work you’re doing, but about the people around you and how they think. Some of the most valuable learning comes from understanding different perspectives and approaches to problem-solving.
I’d also encourage people to seek out thought partners, not just traditional mentors and senior leaders. Look for colleagues and collaborators who bring unique experiences or viewpoints and who challenge you to think differently. Over time, building a community allows you to continue learning, growing and reaching new goals.
