Looking forward to Grace Hopper Celebration 2024

The upcoming Grace Hopper Celebration 2024 (GHC24) provides a unique platform for networking and learning. With its theme “ME + WE,” GHC24 emphasizes the collective impact of the tech community, fostering collaboration and innovation. This event offers opportunities to engage with industry leaders, explore pioneering technologies, and join a vibrant community dedicated to diversity and inclusion in tech. I’m excited to attend GHC24, because it will help me expand my resources, connect with others globally, and gain valuable insights, which will enhance my ability to lead and grow the virtual Women in Technology (WIT) community at NetApp. 

As a CloudOps technical customer success manager with over a decade of experience in a male-dominated industry, I’ve learned to navigate the complexities of a strictly linear- thinking community while balancing a rewarding remote career with the demands of being a mom of three. My journey has not always been easy. That’s why I want to share how my experiences have shaped my career and led me to a new opportunity with WIT, through which I’ll be representing NetApp^® at GHC24.

Balancing motherhood with a remote career has presented its fair share of challenges—about 60% of the time—and offered rewarding experiences the other 40%. The flexibility of remote work has enabled me to be there for my children while actively pursuing my professional aspirations. This journey has underscored the critical importance of time management and efficiency in my life. I’ve developed the ability to prioritize tasks and maximize the value of every conversation, which has significantly propelled my career forward. 

As I navigate my responsibilities, I often ask myself: Is my question direct? Have I conducted thorough research? What value will my customer or colleague gain from my insights? Have I identified a genuine issue or bug in our product, and do I possess the data necessary to persuade internal teams to take my findings seriously? My ultimate goal is to deliver exceptional customer experiences while ensuring that I am fully present for my family as I log off at the end of each day.

In my position at NetApp, I’ve cultivated a profound appreciation for our customers’ time and unique needs. Understanding their specific challenges is essential for achieving exceptional results. My methodology emphasizes active listening, strategic analysis, and clear communication. I am willing to challenge internal teams on behalf of our customers, provided I have the necessary data to support my case. This dedication to advocacy has enabled me to forge strong relationships with both colleagues and clients, while also enhancing our products and delivering the features that our customers request.

Feedback from developers and product teams has highlighted the value I bring to cross-functional collaboration. My ability to bridge gaps between teams has led to significant improvements in our products and customer satisfaction. Colleagues have noted that my “signal-to-noise” approach—focusing on what truly matters—has changed our product development from an outside-in perspective. This recognition is not just a personal achievement; it reflects the power of teamwork and collaboration in driving success.

Having learned to navigate the successes and challenges of remote work in tech, I aspired to create a community for sharing such experiences, so that others wouldn’t have to start from scratch. The result is NetApp’s virtual WIT community, which I’m excited to lead along with several other amazing colleagues. With my tech background and metaverse experience, this role is ideal. Our aim is to foster a vibrant, inclusive community that empowers individuals by offering the resources and support necessary for their success. 

NetApp has a rich history with the GHC24. We’re proud to send 42 participants, including three speakers, from departments such as sales, marketing, products, technical customer success, and engineering. This diverse group will showcase the incredible talent and innovation within our organization. We’re excited to see how our collective efforts can contribute to the broader tech community.

Letters Across Time: Bridging the Past, Present, and Future Self

Elisa Hu and LaLecha Watkins

This will be an engaging and thought-provoking workshop, with some hands-on practice in the end: Ever wished you could have a chat with your past or future self? In this fun and inspiring talk, I want to lead you and dive into the world of 'Letters from the Past'. Think of them as messages in a bottle, tossed into the sea of time from your past self, washing up on the shores of your present.

Cheat Codes: What Recruiters Want to Hear

Kimly Mathis

This session aims to provide job seekers with insights on what stands out to recruiters currently canvasing for future leaders and innovators in tech. To achieve this, attendees will be presented with direct quotes from one-on-one conversations had with recruiters and HR personnel where they were asked specific questions pertaining to "look fors" when seeking early in career talent.

My approach to customer success is defined by persistence, creativity with data, and a passion for continual learning in open-source technology and innovation. I thrive in fast-paced environments and always seek new challenges that allow me to grow and make a meaningful long-term impact. Whether it’s diving into new code or exploring innovative savings through cloud optimization solutions, I am committed to staying ahead of the curve.

As I prepare for the upcoming Grace Hopper event, I’m filled with anticipation and excitement. I look forward to connecting with fellow leaders in tech, sharing insights, and learning from their experiences. Together, we can inspire and empower one another to break barriers and redefine what’s possible in our industry.

It’s important to embrace your unique journey in this industry, whether you’re a parent, an individual in tech, or navigating a male-dominated field. Your perspective is invaluable, and your contributions can make a significant difference. 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, and I can’t wait to see you all at the GHC24.