Looking back to leap forward

Last year, I attended the Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC), the world's largest gathering of women in tech. Founded in 1994 by Dr. Anita Borg and Dr. Telle Whitney, GHC honors computing pioneer Grace Hopper and promotes the research, career growth, and impact of women in tech. Representing NetApp as a Customer Success Manager and community builder for Women in Technology, I shared my hopes and anticipation.

What I didn’t expect was how profoundly the experience would shape the year that followed.

This year, GHC25 is both a celebration and a call to rise. And Chicago, with its bold spirit and rich culture, is the perfect stage. I’m returning not just to learn, but to build. To share stories. To listen deeply. To ask better questions. And to keep walking the unmarked trails that lead to real change.

GHC24 wasn’t just a conference, it was a catalyst. I returned with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to build something lasting.

Since then, our NetApp^® virtual WIT community has grown to over 100 engaged members globally. We’ve hosted trivia nights, donation drives, wellness challenges, mentorship programs, sponsorships, and volunteer opportunities. But more than that, we’ve created a space where women in tech who are working remotely from all over the world are seen, heard, connected, and celebrated.

This work is personal. It’s about trust, connection, and making sure that no one feels like they’re navigating this industry alone on an island.

One evening, my daughter asked, “Who inspires you most in your career?”

I thought of the trailblazers, those who led with vision and resilience. But I also thought of someone closer to home: my current manager. For the first time in my career, I feel truly supported by a leader who embodies John Maxwell’s words: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

Her leadership reminds me that being seen, supported, and challenged can change everything. It’s not just about guidance; it’s about trust, advocacy, and shared purpose.

In Customer Success, we work closely with customers to understand:

• Their goals
• Their challenges
• Their capabilities
• Their journey

This perspective has shaped how I lead and how I built a virtual community. It’s not about one-size-fits-all solutions, it’s about listening deeply and helping people move forward with clarity and confidence.

1. Psychological safety is a performance strategy

   When people feel safe speaking, ideas get bolder and decisions get made faster. “Expect debate but do it with kindness” is now a guiding principle in how I lead. 

2. Break the silos

   Customer Success sits at the intersection of product, engineering, and sales. The most impactful work happens when we operate as permeable teams sharing context, aligning goals, and delivering outcomes together. 

3. Mentorship, community, and giving back matter more than ever

   The most meaningful growth I’ve experienced this year came from investing in others. Giving back isn’t a side project, it’s a leadership practice. 

What I’d tell my younger self

“Resilience used to mean survival. Today, it is the strategy that separates those who stumble from those who soar.” – Cesar Cernuda, President of NetApp

If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be this:

Stop giving your time away like it’s endless. Take it. Claim it. Use it as the finite resource it is.

Make decisions that multiply it.

Clarity will carry you further than effort ever could.

As I look ahead to GHC25, I’m filled with gratitude for the journey, the community, and the opportunity to keep building what’s next.

Whether you’re a parent, an individual in tech, or navigating a challenge—your perspective is invaluable. Let’s continue to support each other and celebrate our successes as we pave the way for future generations in technology.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I can’t wait to see you at GHC25.