Atlanta’s Most Powerful Business Leaders 2023: Penny Collins

Penny Collins
President and CEO
Women In Technology

As president and CEO of Women In Technology (WIT), Collins is responsible for the execution of WIT’s strategy which empowers girls and women to excel in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) from the classroom to the boardroom by providing female students in middle school, high school, and college with education, exposure, and experience. Collins joined WIT in 2019 from First Data Corporation, where she served as chief technology control officer, global lead for disaster recovery application development, and head of global cyber security and controls PMO (Project Management Office). Collins developed WIT’s Single Mothers Education Program, which enables single mothers to enroll in the Fundamentals of Cybersecurity and Information Security Continuing Education Program at Emory University. During the 12-week course, free transportation and childcare is provided. After completion of the course, participants are placed in high-tech jobs at companies including Equifax, Cox Automotive, Global Payments, Cisco, and Rollins Inc.

First Job: Dressing room clerk at Ross Dress For Less store
Hometown: Carlsbad, California