About the Women of the Year Awards

The Women of the Year Awards, hosted annually by Women In Technology (WIT), celebrates exceptional women across Georgia who are making a significant impact in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). Now in its 24th year, the WIT Awards honor leaders, innovators, and advocates who pave the way for future women in STEAM.

Can you share your career journey and what led you to your current role in the tech/STEAM field?

“Like many people and families, I moved out of my residential state during the pandemic to seek more balance and opportunities. Picking up and starting over is never an easy feat, especially when you’re the sole parent of two small children. I left NYC and settled for a short while in Augusta before moving to Atlanta. Before my move, I was establishing my wellness business and networking extensively. Uprooting was terrifying, but I acquired a remote role in the tech space. I wore many hats on the UI side of things before the startup lost funding, and I had to look for more work. A couple of years later, I enrolled in an accelerated IT & Cybersecurity program, and the rest is history. In short, I worked hard, applied to job after job, and interviewed about twice a month before receiving an offer from Cox Enterprises. Today, I am one of the newest members of the Intelligent Automation Team. As a Jr. Intelligent Automation Engineer, I automate processes using robots.”

What inspired you to pursue a career in tech/STEAM, and who has been your most significant influence?

“My inspiration for tech/STEAM has been its growth, dependency, and availability. My son is now 11 years old and, since his first year, he had a strong interest in ‘how things work.’ I realized I’d often liked taking things apart and reassembling them. My son Alexander gravitated toward gears, and then computers. He is my inspiration.”

What challenges have you faced as a woman/girl in STEAM, and how did you overcome them?

“To be honest, not being a stereotype is a challenge. As wild as it may sound, I don’t want to “be that girl”. I want to make my mark for other reasons. I truly try to overcome getting out of my own way. I utilized my resources and practiced asking for help.”

Can you share a moment or project you are particularly proud of in your career?  

“With my most recent career, I am most proud of updating automations that were no longer compatible with new software and fixing their dependencies.”

What excites you most about the future of technology/your field?

“Oh wow, what excites me most about the technology in my field is a loaded question! There are so many possibilities with RPA development. I think that solving pain points and helping humans do their job is what most excites me.”

How have you contributed to innovation or change in your organization or community?

“In the workplace, I ask a lot of questions. Oftentimes questions lead to more than answers, like discovering the ‘why’ behind processes. In my community, I am consistently advocating for better and more efficient ways to operate.”

How do you use your position to empower or mentor other women/girls in STEAM?

“Thus far, I’ve inspired women from my old stomping grounds to lean into tech. I’ve been asked what programs, classes, and tech avenues to explore. I use my position to show ‘yes, you can!’ I’ve also sought entry-level roles where other women may have an opportunity to get into tech.”

Can you give us an example of how you’ve supported diversity, equity, and inclusion in your work?

“At Cox we have many opportunities to give back to the community. I’ve volunteered with Inspiredu which was an amazing experience.”

What are your goals for the future, and how do you hope to continue making an impact in STEAM?

“My goals for the future in tech would be to manage. I love working closely with people and assisting them in how to do their job. I’d like to have experience in what they’re doing or trying to accomplish so that I can effectively provide insight and help. A dream would be to apply the concept ‘each one – teach one’ for women and girls in STEAM. Diversity in the workplace is essential to success. I envision the future of women in tech as strong and supportive.”

How do you envision the future of women in technology, and what changes would you like to see? 

“I envision a future where women in technology not only have equal representation but also hold influential leadership positions across the industry. I’d like to see more companies adopt policies that foster diversity and inclusion, creating spaces where women feel confident expressing their unique perspectives and leading initiatives. It’s important that we can bring our authentic selves into the workplace without it being seen as unprofessional or incapable. I also hope to see increased investment in programs that provide mentorship and resources specifically for women and girls in STEAM, nurturing a robust pipeline of talent that drives innovation and progress in the tech field.”

Why is WIT’s mission essential and how do you see the organization influencing the personal and career growth of those involved?

“As an ambassador, I’ve attended events such as Google’s Tech Equity Collective, which aims to accelerate the number of Black and brown people in tech by 2030. It was an INCREDIBLE event that left me inspired and opened new fields of employment. In March, I enjoyed The Buckhead Club’s International Women’s Day celebration, where female guest speakers from various elite professions, including tech, shared their career paths. I had the opportunity to share my WIT-SMP experience and help fund the program. I was proud to volunteer at my first WIT fundraiser at Top Golf in May! These opportunities are fundamental to success. Through WIT, important introductions and relationships are born, which are major parts of growth personally and professionally.”

What does selection as a finalist for the WIT Awards mean to you, and how do you feel this recognition can inspire others?

“Being a SMP WIT finalist means that the work I’ve done has been noticed. It means a lot to be seen and this is very encouraging. I think that this recognition means more to my fellow cohort than it does to friends and family members who don’t know how difficult the program was. It is inspiring to those who are still looking for work or their way in the big world of tech. In my program there are so many talented and smart women who couldn’t always rise to the occasion for personal reasons. This recognition is for all of us who gave it 110% and went unnoticed. We did it and I am so very proud.”