What inspired you to pursue a career in IT?

Like many people in our industry, I backed into my career in technology via Higher Education. As the Deputy Director of Enrollment Management at Fordham University, I was the liaison between our Enrollment division and the Information Technology group that supported our efforts. Cambridge Technology Partners, a business consulting organization, came looking for leaders in the higher education space, to join their team of consultants focusing on ERP implementations in the higher education market space. That was my entrance into the world of technology, cloud and cyber solutions. The rest is history…

What is the most challenging part about being a woman in IT?

The fact that there are so few female leaders in our industry is alarming. The industry, unfortunately, doesn’t foster an environment where women can flourish. The lack of representation for women in tech can hinder a woman’s ability to succeed in the industry. We have very few mentors and sponsors available for women to grow and thrive within their roles. It can be even more isolating as a female leader/executive in the world of Big Tech because unfortunately the “Bro Culture” is pervasive. The biggest challenge is finding the right network and identifying opportunities to promote each other.

Why is diversity in business important to you?

The collective intelligence of a meeting increases 40% when you add diverse perspectives to the conversation.

What advice would you give an aspiring female IT leader?

Don’t be afraid to self-advocate.

Want to tell us anything else?

Thank you BlackHawk Data for recognizing IT women in the channel!