Women in Tech: Inspirational Insights to Grow Your Career

Industry leader spotlight series with Microsoft

Celebrating Women’s History Month and beyond, in an eight-part series every week from March through April, we are spotlighting the unique experiences and advice of key leaders across multiple industries. Effective leadership is not limited by categorizations, and influence is not about proving who is commanding, committed, or ambitious enough to wield it. When systems encourage and reward authenticity and meaningful impact, businesses thrive, communities thrive, society thrives – and that’s the kind of history we want to create.

To celebrate those making history now, we are highlighting the outstanding work of women across multiple industries including government, education, financial services, retail, healthcare, and many more. We sat down with each person for an interview about their career progression, key challenges, and industry impacts. Our interviewees are all leaders in their respective industries, and we are honored to have each of them share their unique perspectives and stories.

Read each of their insightful and compelling stories in this inspirational spotlight series.

Spotlight:

Theodora Lau

Founder: Unconventional Ventures

This first story in a new industry leader spotlight series entitled Women in Tech: Inspirational Insights to Grow Your Career features Theodora Lau.

Lau is the co-author of Beyond Good, host of the fintech podcast One Vision, and founder of Unconventional Ventures. As a key opinion leader in AI and financial services industry, Lau has applied what she has learned about leadership and how to define success at work. She believes leadership hinges on not only extending kindness to others but to oneself.

Lau’s career journey wasn’t linear; early in her career, she saw how important incorporating empathy is in her professional and daily work. A company she worked for was downsizing. Unbeknownst to her, her manager at the time told the CEO, “I know you need to cut people. You can cut me. Don’t cut Theo. She doesn’t have a lot of experience, and it’s going to be harder for her to find something else.” His actions showed her he wasn’t just a typical “boss” there to manage her work, but a true leader, mentor, and ally who looked out for and cared about people. “Whatever you choose to do, make sure you ask yourself what you are looking for, what you want to accomplish, and be very clear about it. Give yourself a time box to get there; then listen and keep asking questions. Keep observing people around you and what they do, be honest with yourself, and always value human connections.”

As her career in financial services has progressed over the years, Lau has tried to follow her own advice. She feels fortunate that she’s been able to build up an ecosystem of inclusive-minded thinkers, “I want to use that for good, to elevate the voices of people who are doing wonderful things for our society and whose stories need to be heard.”

Lau adds she makes it a priority to share her work with her nine-year-old daughter and help build her daughter’s confidence in herself, just as she’s done during her career. Her daughter has her own piece of advice she wants her mom to pass on to women everywhere. “Make sure that you say this: ‘Be fearless and do not give up and keep challenging yourself, even if it seems hard.’”

When we keep challenging ourselves, it opens up unlimited possibilities to pursue what we want to achieve. Those who stay fearless and curious while also leading with respect and honesty are more likely to thrive and create teams that reflect the same qualities.

To learn more from Theodora Lau, watch the first episode of Top Trends in Financial Services 2022 with Microsoft featuring Lau. Stay tuned for our next featured story in this spotlight series and learn inspiration career insights from other industry leaders.

Spotlight:

Anne Mezzenga

Co-CEO of Omni Talk

In a new industry leader spotlight series entitled “Women in Tech: Inspirational Insights to Grow Your Career,” this second story features Anne Mezzenga, co-host of the retail podcast Omni Talk. As a leading voice in retail for the past twenty years, Mezzenga has gained unique insights into her career.

“It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in,” Mezzenga insists. “Your curiosity about being a human being and wanting to constantly learn means there’s a role for you in technology.”

In retail, technology’s impact on both consumers and retailers has been noticeable: from virtual fitting rooms to AI-driven demand forecasting; the potential is endless. Even so, putting new ideas into action requires a willingness to listen and the drive to tackle problems from alternative points of view.

“I think that I am where I am today because I wasn’t just challenging people, but I was asking questions,” Mezzenga recalls. “I think that the best thing that you can do is to be passionate about the work that you’re doing, and unless you’re challenging yourself and the people around you to be better and to think differently, I don’t know that you’ll find that passion.”

Mezzenga often credits her former manager, Chris Walton, for her proactive approach toward innovation. “He was the first one to encourage me to challenge the status quo,” she recalls. He soon became Mezzenga’s mentor, encouraging her to apply lessons from each experience to work more effectively. The evolution of their professional relationship also illustrates how a mentor’s role can evolve. Today, Walton and Mezzenga are business partners as co-hosts of the podcast Omni Talk.

Mezzenga believes the industry has a long way to go despite opportunities for growth. For example, Mezzenga points out that the retail industry is overwhelmingly female until you reach the C-suite. Yet she has seen firsthand how hiring diverse voices, promoting their ideas, and providing media training can help make end products more compelling, allowing everyone to thrive. “The only way we do that,” she points out, “is by bringing more people to the table.”

To learn more from Anne Mezzenga, listen to her podcast, Omni Talk. Stay tuned for our next featured story in this Microsoft spotlight series for more inspirational career insights from industry leaders.

Spotlight:

Peggy Smedley

President and Editorial Director of Specialty Publishing Media

This third story in a new industry leader spotlight series entitled Women in Tech: Inspirational Insights to Grow Your Career features Peggy Smedley, an award-winning journalist, author, and entrepreneur.

Peggy Smedley has spent more than 25 years immersed in IoT and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, but that wasn’t her initial career plan.

While growing up, her goal was to become an entertainment journalist, and she was a sports reporter for years before writing for an upstream marketing magazine. It was there that Peggy honed her skill for distilling complex technical subjects into something readers could understand. This skill caught the attention of a recruiter, who suggested Smedley meet with the vice president of a media company that managed a manufacturing-focused magazine.

During their extended conversation, Smedley realized her previous experience could help the company’s magazine appeal to a wider tech audience. In that job, she learned all about automation, “and that’s how I got into the tech space,” she says.

That fortuitous career switch is an example of how the most obvious, direct path doesn’t always lead to the best result, Smedley says, adding that she believes in the value of risk-taking. Many of us do our best work when we move outside of our comfort zones and let go of our perceived limitations, she says. Just because careers can take unpredictable paths doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be proactively setting goals. “Make a list and work that list for what you want. Don’t be afraid to have that list,” she says. “Sometimes you’ll have to move that target. Having a goal is essential for hitting the deadlines that you’re seeking.”

While learning about automation and other technical subjects led to her tech-connected career, Smedley says a number of other skills are vital to succeeding in the manufacturing industry. Designing or building new solutions that have no precedent in the real world requires quick-thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity. Additionally, working in the industry requires proficiency and precision, and she’s focused on developing areas of subject matter expertise so she can give and receive valuable advice.

As she continues to help businesses understand how innovative technology can help them remain competitive, Smedley talks more about the Fourth Industrial Revolution, sustainability, and related topics on her podcast, The Peggy Smedley Show.

Stay tuned for our next featured story in this Microsoft spotlight series for more inspirational career insights from other industry leaders.

Spotlight:

Dr. Nicol Turner Lee

Senior Fellow in Governance Studies, Director of the Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution

The fourth story in this spotlight series features Dr. Nicol Turner Lee, a Senior Fellow in Governance Studies and the Director of the Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution. She brings a unique perspective as a sociologist with knowledge of both public policy and digital technology, and her work actively intersects technology, race, and social justice.

Digital policies impact everyone who engages existing and emerging technologies. Dr. Turner Lee knows that and, in her work, stresses the importance of inclusive and equitable technologies that include people from diverse backgrounds during development and deployment. “It’s important for women, particularly women of color, to be a part of the tech industry, because they bring their lived experiences to these new technologies.”

Tapping into the lived experiences of diverse populations is what drives Dr. Turner Lee as a thought leader in public policy. She is always quick to emphasize that different perspectives create more inclusive technology. “I attend panels as a sociologist, as a Black woman, mother, and a person who has lived in and traveled to many diverse places. I bring those perspectives with me to conversations about digital spaces, especially when it comes to closing the digital divide.” These experiences have shaped her perspective and emboldens her unique perspectives on technology policies. As a result, she brings depth to the conversations among her peers, and young women just starting out.

To any woman starting a career in tech, Dr. Turner Lee’s advice is to assert your voice and permit yourself to be authentic. She believes that women should not hesitate to get involved and advocate for their views. Technology and technology policy change constantly, she shared. ”Always keep learning and asking questions to inform your perspective. And find mentors, and other people to help you to succeed. They matter in your career.”

Dr. Turner Lee knows the value of women supporting other women in the technology industry to achieve their professional goals. She credits a female mentor, Dr. Rhonda Levine, for helping her pursue a graduate degree in sociology. Dr. Levine was her college professor and urged her to pursue her doctorate more than 30 years ago. This mentorship gave Dr. Turner Lee the confidence and encouragement to rise to the challenge. The relationship has also been the foundation of a long-standing friendship. Dr. Levine continues to offer support as Dr. Turner Lee finishes her first book on the U.S. digital divide.

“A great mentor helps you see your potential to accomplish things you wouldn’t otherwise realize you can,” Dr. Turner Lee shared. She also tries to mentor others in the same way she learned through Levine. “Building a strong community around mentorship and allyship helps us all thrive.”

See Dr. Nicol Turner Lee speak at the upcoming Women in Public Sector event. Her new book, Digitally Invisible: How the Internet is Creating the New Underclass will be available through Brookings Press in late 2022.

Spotlight:

Valerie Truesdale

Assistant Executive Director of the School Superintendent Association

The fifth story in our spotlight series features Valerie Truesdale, Assistant Executive Director of the School Superintendent Association (AASA). Truesdale is a former teacher and district superintendent who advocates for digital equity.

Truesdale has spent her career working to ensure that all students have the tools they need to succeed. She says improving digital access for all must be rooted in empathy. Her mentor, Aretha Pigford, taught her to create opportunities for the people who face the greatest challenges. “She taught me to always walk in the shoes of the people I serve,” Truesdale says.

Pigford also saw Truesdale’s potential early in her career. Her mentor urged Truesdale to pause her teaching work to finish her doctorate and be a graduate assistant. When Truesdale worried about getting a job after earning her degree, Pigford assured her that those who follow their passion will find opportunities. Listening to that advice helped Truesdale trust the path that turned her into an educational leader.

As Truesdale advanced and eventually became a superintendent, she found she often was one of the very few women in rooms of educational leaders. To encourage more representation in public school leadership, she now mentors other women who share the same aspirations. She advises women starting their careers to be courageous and ask questions to learn more.

Truesdale has seen how mentorship creates success among people from all backgrounds. Seek out mentors who offer reflective feedback, she says. That feedback is especially valuable when it’s constructive and offered with care. “A mentor is an advocate for you and a champion for your interests. They challenge you to think differently and explore different perspectives.”

Learn more about Truesdale’s work promoting digital equity and see her speak at the Empowering Women in the Public Sector event. She will focus her talk on “Finding—and Being—the Best Mentor.”

Visit this page again for more inspirational career insights from other women in technology across industries.

Spotlight:

Dr. Seraphine Kapsandoy-Jones

Vice President of Population Health and Clinical Operations at Centene Corp

The sixth story in our new industry leader spotlight series, Women in Tech: Inspirational Insights to Grow Your Career, features Dr. Seraphine Kapsandoy-Jones, Ph.D. RN, Vice President of Population Health and Clinical Operations at Centene Corp.

Dr. Kapsandoy-Jones’s willingness to explore what is possible led her to become an innovator in the health-tech space. Her mentors provided advice and encouragement as she looked for new ways to improve patient care.

Her interest in health-tech services started with a desire to expand healthcare access beyond the hospital for her pediatric patients and their families. As she pursued her doctorate, she combined her clinical background with technology to address patients’ needs.

She grew up in Kenya, where her mother—a nurse—taught Dr. Kapsandoy-Jones about the importance of empathy and embracing opportunities. When Dr. Kapsandoy-Jones started as a nurse at LDS hospital in Utah, she felt uncertain as a newcomer to the medical field. Her manager, Kenna Johnston, helped build her confidence. Ultimately, Dr. Kapsandoy-Jones followed her interest in using technology.

“We can really change healthcare if we leverage more technology and start to think differently around how we provide care, increasing access to every single individual,” she says.

Dr. Kapsandoy-Jones approached a tough problem with a growth mindset and channeled her passion for healthcare into a technology career. She says her professional journey shows why it’s important for leaders to encourage authenticity and curiosity. Good leaders, she adds, also recognize people’s strengths and help unlock new opportunities for women.

At Centene Corp., Dr. Kapsandoy-Jones continues to focus on better access to quality care. She still surrounds herself with allies and mentors, including Sue Robel and Kim Henrichsen, who are close confidants, advisors, and sponsors.

To learn more from Dr. Seraphine Kapsandoy-Jones, Ph.D. RN, download and watch the Microsoft Envision Healthcare Summit. Stay tuned for our next featured story in this spotlight series and learn inspirational career insights from other industry leaders.

Spotlight:

Dr. Efi Pylarinou

Global Influencer | Fintech and Disruptive Tech

The seventh story in our spotlight series is Dr. Efi Pylarinou, Ph.D., one of the world’s top financial services influencers and an ex-Wall Street seasoned professional. She has built valuable expertise in fintech and is recognized as a futurist.

Dr. Pylarinou’s commitment to growth and collaborative, open learning led her to a more unique and fulfilling entrepreneurial path in innovation in financial services – fintech. During her successful Wall Street career, she invested in working with coaches who encouraged her to explore her natural curiosity as a guide for her personal and professional life. This exploration helped her find her unique voice and leadership style.

This also helped her re-invent herself after marrying a diplomat, having a family of two children (now in their early 20s), and moving countries every three to four years. She wrote finance books, taught part-time at universities, worked as a consultant in asset management, and eventually chose to become an independent thought leader, content creator, and advisor in the burgeoning world of fintech, blockchain, and the advanced technologies of the 4IR.

Now Dr. Pylarinou uses her global reach and influence in financial services to inspire women and people of all backgrounds to understand and participate in the unstoppable digitalization era. She says increasing diversity and inclusion always leads to higher quality innovations and solutions that serve more people. “It’s not just about how important diverse perspectives are, but also how important diverse collaboration is. We want to brainstorm together towards collaboratively creating solutions that leave no one behind.” Every business leader’s success is unlimited when they prioritize the value of bringing diverse perspectives to their teams and their work.

To learn more about Dr. Pylarinou’s work, read her blog on Microsoft Cloud for Financial Services, or follow Efi on LinkedIn and her Youtube channel for insights on fintech and disruptive technologies.  Check this blog again for the next story in our spotlight series about how women are becoming tech leaders across several different industries, in Women in Tech: Inspirational Career Insights to Grow Your Career” with Microsoft.

Spotlight:

Mitra Azizirad

Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Vice President for the Microsoft Strategic Missions and Technologies organization

Mitra Azizirad is the Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Vice President for the Microsoft Strategic Missions and Technologies organization. Her career has been marked by firsts – starting as one of Microsoft’s first female systems engineers and later becoming the company’s first female chief technology officer. She now focuses on transformative technologies in quantum, space, federal, and telecommunications.

Azizirad’s path to technology was fueled by a curiosity that was sparked during childhood visits to the Smithsonian, where her mother worked for forty years. After getting a behind-the-scenes look at researchers carbon-dating ancient artifacts, the nine-year-old Azizirad was convinced she had a future in archaeology.

“I never did become an archeologist, but what I gained as a young girl was the belief that ANY of these professions I’d seen – archaeologists, botanists, marine biologists – all were possible for me. Once those early seeds were planted, I never lost my love of science and technology.”

That curiosity, coupled with a healthy dose of fear, has propelled Azizirad’s career. She admits that she’s never had a five-year plan. Instead, she’s been driven by unplanned opportunities, intentionally taking on only challenging roles in which she can learn and grow.

“If I’m too sure that I can rock the next job, it’s probably not for me,” Azizirad says. “Embracing fear means embracing growth, and I learned early in my career that growth is never possible without some level of discomfort.”

Now, Azizirad leads with the same curiosity and authenticity, encouraging her teams to push boundaries and challenge the status quo by constantly asking the question, “What if?” She values divergent thinking and risk-taking as key drivers of innovation, advising others to think, learn, and grow beyond their comfort zone every day.

While Azizirad did not have the benefit of having a mentor when she was coming up in the tech world, she feels passionate about helping others – particularly women – navigate their own path to success. To her, this means going a step beyond mentorship and providing sponsorship – investing in long-term career development by opening doors and truly supporting each mentee’s goals, challenges, and growth.

Her best advice? Be prepared for new opportunities, get energized by the word “No,” and keep bouncing back to fight another day.

“Resilience and perseverance are the two most important traits to master if you want to play the long game,” Azizirad says. “Whenever you’re learning something new, there are bound to be fits and starts, blockers and stressors, failures. That’s how you learn. Resilience is being able to bounce back. Perseverance is having the ability to do that repeatedly.”

Azizirad and other leaders featured in this spotlight series, Women in Tech: Inspirational Insights to Grow Your Career, have given examples of how allies and mentors can open opportunities to talented women in the industry. These leaders also talked about how allyship has motivated them and how they’re helping other women in the industry. We invite you to read all the stories, reflect on career insights, and think about how you can be an ally and mentor to the next generation advancing in technology.