When International Women’s Day rolls around each year, I often think back to an experience I had a few years back. I had the fortunate opportunity to travel to X’ian, China, to see the incredible Terracotta Warriors. While trying to hold on for dear life during the bus ride, I managed to strike up a…

If you were asked to describe what someone working in the IT industry looked like, how would you describe them? What kind of background and expertise would they have? Are there specific qualities you would look for? Someone that’s tech savvy? Should it be someone who understands the evolution of the industry? Should it be…

At a recent IT conference, Cyber Security Chicago, more than 4,000 cybersecurity professionals sat in on presentations covering everything from cyberattacks in the Internet of Things era to third-party vulnerability assessments and DevSecOps. My job provides me the opportunity to attend many events like this one, and I always make it a point to seek…

I look around. It’s a typical meeting — I am one of maybe four women in a room filled with 40 men. I feel a familiar tinge of isolation as my gaze wanders across the room. Growing up, I knew many girls who were fascinated by technology. Additionally, there are plenty of well-known programs today…

When I first entered the world of information technology in 1993, the industry was growing by triple digits. “Women in IT” wasn’t really a thing. The issue of “women in IT” was likely born out of the fact that there were almost no women in this field in the early 90’s. Women were (and still…

“Be Greater than Average.” — NASA slogan In December 2002 I interviewed at CDW for an account manager position. I was so nervous I would be late that I took a cab from Union Station to the CDW offices, less than two blocks away. Chicago was gray, painted in unwelcoming wintry colors – but the…