The Richmond Technology Council - rvatech/ 13th annual Women in Technology conference was a remarkable experience for me. Speaking as a keynote for the first time to an audience of around 500 attendees was both nerve-wracking and rewarding. Despite some initial anxiety and speech hiccups, the applause at the end was truly heartening. Thank you to Emily Mercer and Mary Lynne Staib for the invitation!

It was a challenge gauging the audience's reception in the quiet room, but the post-conference interactions were incredibly fulfilling. Many women approached me, expressing gratitude and sharing how they felt inspired to cultivate their board of directors (mentors) and develop their personal brands.

The overwhelming positive response, with numerous women reaching out to me post-event, solidified my decision to share my insights and experiences through speaking engagements. Reflecting on my journey, I realized the impact of mentorship and the importance of personal branding in the tech industry.

One memorable encounter was with a woman unsure about branding herself as a 'technologist' due to her involvement in agile development transformation and project management activities. I reassured her that being a technologist isn't limited to a technical degree; it's about embracing technology and the essential processes behind its creation and functionality.

To further share my learnings, I plan to condense my teachings into three insightful blog posts: Mentorship, Personal Branding, and Getting Noticed. Stay tuned for more nuggets of wisdom and inspiration! 😊