How to Scale and be Valuable in the Competitive Industry of Technology?

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I have faced unimaginable challenges as a female minority Engineer, Inventor, and Small Business Owner, but maintained the right attitude and stayed-the-course that led me to victory. I have been ignored, rejected, and pushed into the rubble of non-existence, but I maintained an exhilarating presence in the community as I continued to polish my skills and expertise, to remain relevant to the new trends of technology. My inspiration ignited during the 2020 Microsoft Inspire Conference as I attentively listened to the motivational presentation of Gavriella Schuster.  I was truly inspired to learn how she faced her challenges and embraced her victories.  I immediately connected with Gavriella Schuster through the online portal, after her presentation, of which she in-turn introduced me to Chaitra Vedullapalli and the Women In Cloud community. Since my membership with Women In Cloud, I have been extremely elated to be among such an elite group of women in tech.

The Women in Cloud community opened the door wide open for me to participate, collaborate, and contribute to the growth of women in the technology industry. With this opportunity, I hope to make the following achievements:

  1. I desire to break down the barriers that many Women in Cloud may experience with regards to rejection; non-inclusiveness; prejudging their ability to deliver robust solutions; and not receiving adequate resources to deliver exceptional products and services that would validate their value and worth. While this problem is bad among many women in tech, statistics prove that the problem is worse among female minorities in tech.
  2. I hope to show the Women In Cloud how they can remain valuable, even when faced with fierce opposition.
  3. I desire to empower and inspire our youth to embrace innovation, along with obtaining a heart and passion that is needed to maintain value and competitive advantage.
  4. I desire to partner with Women in Cloud to make a notable investment in the less fortunate communities that hold great value. Talented and smart women have been buried by the system due to lack of resources, opportunities, and the prejudging of their ability to deliver exceptional products and services. I hope to change the image with how many women in tech are seen and embraced as second class citizens, to being embraced as valuable, profitable,  and key players to the team. 

Furthermore, I would like to collaborate with Women in Cloud and push for policy advancement in the following directions; 

  1. Representation: A policy that would yield percentages in lieu of ratios, meaning that a percentage of women are required to occupy various roles and leadership positions within organizations.
  2. Equal Access: A policy that would ensure that women receive the same resources as men to build their businesses and products.
  3. Mentorship: A policy that would encourage men and women of great power and leadership to mentor at least one woman per quarter, allowing them to sit on boards of successful companies, to learn how to operate a successful business.

I think every single person needs to be given a fair chance to explore technology. Collective Power means to unify different skills, abilities, and resources, to achieve that common goal; inclusion and economic opportunity.  But how do you stay at the top of your game?

I invite you to attend my talk at the Women in Cloud Digital Summit 2021 if you can identify any of the following:

  • Rejection
  • Your contribution to the team/project was not taken seriously
  • You were talked over / You were not heard
  • Your suggestion/recommendation was not considered
  • You were made to feel like you didn’t belong to the group or department
  • A male team member took your idea and made it seem as though he conceived the idea
  • You were given the menial work rather than the tech work 
  • You like being a woman, but you are a beast (force to be reckoned with) when it comes to tech
  • How to achieve your goal(s) when surrounded by male chauvinist men
  • How to be great in tech  and not make the men feel inferior to you
  • How to deliver an exceptional product/service as a collective team
  • Haven’t experienced any of the items that are listed, but would like to sit in my session to hear what I have to say

Through this talk, I want to educate and help women navigate the roadblocks to increase their value and worth. The three key takeaways would be;

  • Learn how to embrace the culture, without losing your identity
  • Learn to deliver greatness, without intimidating your peers with your abilities
  • Learn ways to be a team player and recognize the team for their contributions

While many women have faced horrific challenges, we are also women who will embrace great victories. This session will help you get one step closer to your victory.

“Soon after the completion of Disney World, someone said, ‘Isn’t it too bad that Walt Disney did not live to see this?’ Mike Vance, Creative Director of Disney Studios replied, ‘He did see it. That’s why it’s here’. Vision is seeing the invisible” – Johnathan Swift

Your vision will drive you. Come join me at the Women in Cloud Digital Summit 2021; bring your vision and unlock access to achieve that vision through collective power. 

Book Your Spot today with a 15% discount, and get on board to witness the Collective Power of Women in the technology industry from around the world! 

I highly recommend the following Interactive Experiences for you to participate in and expand your network: 

  1. 28 January: Learn about Tech Industry at their opening plenary with Former Prime Minister of Canada, Rt Honorable Kim Campbell and Corporate Vice President Gavriella Schuster 
  2. 28 January: Explore Cloud Jobs at #CloudJobs Fair & Recruitment Lounge
  3. 28 January: Meet Black Founders
  4. 29 January: Master your pitch at #RockYourPitch Experience
  5. 29 January: Get access to mentorship from Cloud Industry leaders
  6. 30 January: Get your kids to participate in Youth Mentorship Circle
  7. 30 January: Make New Friends at Scavenger Hunt 

Also, join WIC Digital Network to be part of the global economic access movement.

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The Future of Technology Depends on the Safety of Today’s Kids

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“Safety for kids is like drinking water and having fun is giving them their daily nutrition.”

I created B’zT (Beacon Zone Technology) to help parents keep track of their young or special needs children utilizing our tech-enhanced apparel and smartphone App. Speaking from personal experience, I wanted to do my part to help reduce the risk of lost and missing children. Before I joined Women in Cloud, I viewed my t-shirts, patches, accessories, and app as helpful products that can be sold directly to consumers or through other outlets. After participating and winning in the #CloudInnovateHERxDigital Pitch Challenge my perception radically changed. Women in Cloud widened my perspective and showed me the deeper value of our IoT solution. Our specialized apparel and app generate valuable consumer data that can be utilized by hyper-scalers to market additional products and services to their customer segment. I quickly learned that Women in Cloud is dedicated to female inclusiveness, collaboration, and empowerment. I found a nurturing and attentive environment that would allow me to take my start-up and my ideas to the next level.

I also believe that Women in Cloud provides an environment for leaders and entrepreneurs to talk about policy advancements in the industry. With my continued partnership with Women in Cloud, I dream to build partnerships with the public, private, and non-profit sectors to bring female students, entrepreneurs, and professionals into the technology sector. Female tech-economic access starts with more funding for STEM education in our public schools. There should be an emphasis on internships, collaborative learning, and mentorships throughout a young woman’s academic journey. 

I believe tomorrow starts with today’s children. Focussing on that, I will also be presenting a session at the Women in Cloud Digital Summit 2021 about the lack of reliability and durability the current smart wear apparel and how we can bring accessible high-tech smart wear to the mass market benefitting especially the young but also old alike.  

The Women In Cloud has offered me unmatched companionship and support to strategize how to handle the new phase of my entrepreneurial journey especially throughout the pandemic. Being surrounded by women who want to leverage technology to scale their businesses has literally transformed my own entrepreneurial vision. The community has also inspired me to think holistically. The question that now runs through my head all day is, How can we further serve the needs of children? 

Join me at the Women in Cloud Digital Summit 2021, and help me seek an answer to the question above, and let us collectively create safety, inclusivity, and accessibility for our kids to take over technology! 

Book Your Spot today with a 15% discount, and get on board to witness the Collective Power of Women in the technology industry from around the world! 

I highly recommend the following Interactive Experiences for you to participate in and expand your network: 

  1. 28 January: Learn about Tech Industry at their opening plenary with Former Prime Minister of Canada, Rt Honorable Kim Campbell and Corporate Vice President Gavriella Schuster 
  2. 28 January: Explore Cloud Jobs at #CloudJobs Fair & Recruitment Lounge
  3. 28 January: Meet Black Founders
  4. 29 January: Master your pitch at #RockYourPitch Experience
  5. 29 January: Get access to mentorship from Cloud Industry leaders
  6. 30 January: Get your kids to participate in Youth Mentorship Circle
  7. 30 January: Make New Friends at Scavenger Hunt 

Also, join WIC Digital Network to be part of the global economic access movement.

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How Storytelling and Public Space can Bridge Cultural Divides

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Hailing from a traditionally non-tech background, I always encourage women from storytelling, content creation, and creative industries to incorporate technology and not dismiss it. Technology can be a powerful tool when utilized to diversify projects and develop careers even in non-tech streams. Communities like Women in Cloud are employing technology to ensure underrepresented voices are heard and women get a seat at the business table. As a CEO not only am I trying to create a moment, I want to uplift the movements of groups like Women in Cloud, Back Stage Capital, or Female Founders Fund, to ensure collaborative effort leading to tangible results. 

I am incredibly passionate about how we can increase empathy, particularly through storytelling that touches the real world. Hence, it is only natural that at the Women in Cloud Digital Summit 2021, I will be talking about how storytelling and public space have the power to bridge cultural divides. My talk will focus on utilizing creative elements in conjunction with technology; with some key takeaways on how different industries can use new interactive storytelling formats and tools to build their local economies, increase engagement in their stories, brand, or movement, and convert empathy into action for the causes they champion.

I think it is incredibly crucial to bring women into technological and non-technical conversations to increase inclusive economic impact. For that effort, I am actively collaborating with Women in Cloud and other organizations (perhaps even you?) to fund technological platforms that will activate large passion economy pools, that give women who do not want to work full-time in corporations a way to make a decent living/career while also being able to spend time with their families. If we start introducing policies and companies like that enable this, the ripple effect is inevitable. 

Stepping into 2021, we must pledge to partner on actions and not just words. Pooling our resources and building partnerships that offer physical, tangible tools that allow for inclusion beyond the social-economic situation you come from is what collective power means. It’s time to take collective action today! Remember, “You can’t wait to be picked, you have to create your own opportunities.”

Join me at the Women in Cloud Digital Summit 2021, this January and let us collectively take action to combine storytelling and technology to create an empathetic world. 

Book Your Spot today with a 15% discount, and get on board to witness the Collective Power of Women in the technology industry from around the world! 

I highly recommend the following Interactive Experiences for you to participate and expand your network: 

  1. 28 January: Learn about Tech Industry at their opening plenary with Former Prime Minister of Canada, Rt Honorable Kim Campbell and Corporate Vice President Gavriella Schuster 
  2. 28 January: Explore Cloud Jobs at #CloudJobs Fair & Recruitment Lounge
  3. 28 January: Meet Black Founders
  4. 29 January: Master your pitch at #RockYourPitch Experience
  5. 29 January: Get access to mentorship from Cloud Industry leaders
  6. 30 January: Get your kids to participate in Youth Mentorship Circle
  7. 30 January: Make New Friends at Scavenger Hunt 

Also, join WIC Digital Network to be part of the global economic access movement.

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Changing Your Narrative Changes Everything: Advocacy is the Key to Collective Growth

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“Confidence is not something you are born with. You learn it and earn it with time and practice.” – Jenna Lange

After decades in the industry as an executive communications consultant, I am acutely aware of the gender imbalance in the C-suite. In the technology industry especially, it’s hard for women to find role models and advocates to help them advance their careers. Without this network of supporters, you can feel stuck. You know you work hard, deliver results, and add value to your company, so where are the opportunities for promotion? Who’s got your back? My purpose is to help women understand the value they bring, advocate for themselves and elevate each other, seek opportunities in technology, and then have the confidence to stay in these roles.

As a proud member of the Women in Cloud community, I will be speaking at the Women in Cloud Digital Summit 2021 about new challenges women are facing at work and at home. The industry and the world have undergone a transformational shift and it’s more important than ever to lean into your gifts and talent. To be successful, organizations need women. We know that. It’s time to take charge of our narrative and spotlight our value so we can stay in the game and thrive. In this session, we will remind ourselves how we got here and that we deserve to be here.

  • “I am worthy.” Learn how to set boundaries at work and beyond.
  • “I will advocate for myself.” Learn how to build a strong narrative to showcase your value and ask for what you want and need.
  • “I will advocate for others.” Learn how to network; gain and leverage the power of building others up to elevate women across your organization.

There is strength in collective action. This years’ Summit theme, ‘Collective Power’ aligns perfectly with my passion for lifting up other women and helping them reach their professional goals. We are better together! Carrie Francey inspired me to onboard Women in Cloud in 2019. For years, she has been an ally and an advocate, inspiring me to achieve more. It’s a pleasure to share these values with the Women in Cloud community; I’m energized by the commitment and intention of this group to support other women AND keep them engaged in the technology field. 

A new California law mandates at least one woman reside on every corporate board. How close are we to requiring at least 50% female representation on these boards? In working with Women in Cloud, my goal is to help grow the number of women in leadership roles at technology companies. With this session and my continued alliance with Women in Cloud, I hope to create a long-lasting impact in the industry. 

Join me at the Women in Cloud Digital Summit 2021 and let’s discover opportunities and possibilities, and advocate for women in the technology industry. 

Book Your Spot today with a 15% discount, and get on board to witness the Collective Power of Women in the technology industry from around the world! 

I highly recommend the following Interactive Experiences for you to participate in and expand your network: 

  1. 28 January: Learn about Tech Industry at their opening plenary with Former Prime Minister of Canada, Rt Honorable Kim Campbell and Corporate Vice President Gavriella Schuster 
  2. 28 January: Explore Cloud Jobs at #CloudJobs Fair & Recruitment Lounge
  3. 28 January: Meet Black Founders
  4. 29 January: Master your pitch at #RockYourPitch Experience
  5. 29 January: Get access to mentorship from Cloud Industry leaders
  6. 30 January: Get your kids to participate in Youth Mentorship Circle
  7. 30 January: Make New Friends at Scavenger Hunt 

Also, join WIC Digital Network to be part of the global economic access movement.

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#CloudJobs Recruitment Lounge at Women in Cloud Digital Summit 2021

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The Women in Cloud Digital Summit 2021 will host the #CloudJobs Recruitment Lounge on 28 January 2021 from 1.00 PM – 3.00 PM (PST). 

The #CloudJobs Recruitment Lounge at Women in Cloud Digital Summit 2021 is a two-hour digital job fair offering a meet and greet experience, where women in technology can meet with companies actively seeking and recruiting talent, benefitting both the company and the job seeker by aligning talent with opportunities to put more women into tech leadership roles. Connecting corporate companies to potential women technologists for all leadership, business, and tech-focused opportunities is the main goal of establishing #CloudJobs Recruitment Lounge.

As a job seeker, the #CloudJobs Recruitment Lounge offers a place where you can go and talk to recruiters from some of the top companies in the world, get advice from career coaches on what’s next for your career, or talk to a resume expert and fine-tune your resume for your next job. Each of these opportunities is geared towards helping you upskill for your next job, improving your competencies when it comes to the job search process as well as getting you in front of recruiters who are looking to hire women in technology/cloud roles. Whether you’re looking for that next career move or need help finding a job–the #CloudJobs Recruitment Lounge is the place to be during the 2021 Women in Cloud Summit.  Checkout Opportunities

As a recruiter, the #CloudJobs Recruitment Lounge offers a place unlike no other. With COVID-19 shifting everything from in-person to online this event is a great chance for you to promote open opportunities, chat with job seekers, and increase your pipe of job seekers who are looking for an exciting new career. Listing your open jobs is free to everyone and you can submit up to three jobs, but in order to partake in the 1:1 conversations with job seekers, we’re asking that you purchase a single ticket (cost $149) here. We expect over 2000 attendees at the Women in Cloud Summit. If you would like to have a bigger presence at the event please email us at [email protected].

You have the opportunity to join me at the Women in Cloud Digital Summit 2021 in January to find your partner-in-growth, and take collective action to build the future of women in technology and otherwise. 

Book Your Spot!

Get on board to witness the Collective Power of Women in the technology industry from around the world! We recommend highly recommend the following Interactive Experiences for you to participate and expand your network: 

  1. 28 January: Learn about Tech Industry at their opening plenary with Former Prime Minister of Canada, Rt Honorable Kim Campbell and Corporate Vice President Gavriella Schuster 
  2. 28 January: Explore Cloud Jobs at #CloudJobs Fair & Recruitment Lounge
  3. 28 January: Meet Black Founders
  4. 29 January: Master your pitch at #RockYourPitch Experience
  5. 29 January: Get access to mentorship from Cloud Industry leaders
  6. 30 January: Get your kids to participate in Youth Mentorship Circle
  7. 30 January: Make New Friends at Scavenger Hunt 

Also, join WIC Digital Network to be part of the global economic access movement.


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