The Women of Solution Street

March 29th, 2020

In celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, get to know the women of Solution Street.

 

Katie Schuman
HR Manager and Director of Finance

“My first position was in technical documentation and QA and at that time those roles were almost solely filled by women. A couple of years later I moved over to development and was working as one of the few females in development positions on a large project. I love that there are so many women working in the technology industry today and I hope this trend continues. I am so proud to work for a company that employees a large number of women. I love the support of management in maintaining a work/life balance while raising 3 kids.”

 

Dianne Bungay
Software Consultant

“I was once told that I’m at a disadvantage in my career because I was young and a woman. I say, ‘Bring it on!’ With the support of my colleagues, and women’s groups everywhere, I’ve never felt more empowered to be myself. And I have since made it my passion to make sure other women feel empowered too. From time to time, especially when attending meetups, I still find myself being the only woman in a room full of software engineers. My mission is to change that.”

 

Susan Culler
Consultant

“When I started my career in technology, I would find myself as the sole woman in so many situations, today the world is, I am happy to say, totally different but still needs more women in STEM.  My first 20 years in IT and the diversity of experience led me to 10 years leading fundraising for The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Today I enjoy consulting in both worlds, staying active in technology while also helping non-profits achieve their missions.”

 

Lerrie Garcia
Software Consultant

“It excites me to see fellow women working in an IT company. To be honest, it is hard not to feel intimidated being the only woman in a room full of software engineers in a meeting or a conference but it doesn’t bother me at all. I love programming and I enjoy doing it. It’s like my small world where I am not afraid to express myself and be myself. I learned and got support from people (men and women) in my field to get to where I am now and I am very grateful. Actually, it was my sister who encouraged me to take computer science back then, my best decision ever. One of my goals is to support the next generations, men and preferably more women in their IT journey. I would love to see more women in the next IT conference I attend.”

 

Margaret Frankel
Content Manager

“I am fortunate to have spent years working in both the public and private sectors as an analyst, writer, and editor. I have witnessed changes over the decades in both environments seeing more and more women in leadership positions, remembering the days at the start of my career of often being the only woman in a meeting. Currently, I have the rather unique experience of working as a writer and editor in the tech industry, a job that I love. It has been enlightening to be part of this ever-growing industry and to see the continuous need for skilled developers as well as business analysts, project managers, and more. I am optimistic and confident that both my daughter and my son will have ample opportunities to grow and succeed in their chosen fields as they enter the workforce.”

 

Sandy Jones
Software Consultant

“When I was in college for an applied math degree, there were very few women, I actually had one class where I was the only woman.  The first company I worked for out of college hired many women and I had many examples of successful women in IT. Now, many years later, I am proud that my two teenage daughters are also planning on going into STEM careers.”

 

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Sreelatha Kandi
Software Consultant

“As a mechanical engineering student, I was one of a handful of girls in college. That didn’t change when I took my first job as a software engineer. Although in the recent years I see many more women come into the IT world, I hope to see an uptrend in it. I love my job and the flexibility it accords me. My daughter is too young to talk about career choices yet but when she’s ready I hope she does not rule out STEM because she thinks she can’t but because she loves something else more than STEM. And if she does choose STEM, I’d be all the more happy for her and for women in general.”

 

Olga Lorenz
Software Consultant

“In the early 2000s, computer science in Kazakhstan was traditionally a male only profession, with a few exceptions of brave young ladies who were referred to as ‘bridge trolls’ by their male counterparts for the lack of apparent femininity. Scared off by a stereotype and having been actively recruited by my family into an accounting major (traditionally, a ‘woman job’) – I never would have imagined gaining enough confidence to pursue this field again. But here I am, a graduate of GMU, embarking on my software engineer journey with Solution Street. It’s exciting and empowering – knowing that at Solution Street, we welcome anyone willing to present their personality, background, and expertise regardless of gender or any other stereotypes.”

 

Jayeeta Mitra
Software Consultant

“My passion for finding solutions to problems by applying technical strategies is what drove me to study computer science and pursue a career as a software engineer. My experience as a woman in a technology industry has been quite positive. I have had the opportunity to work on challenging projects and lead teams. The flexibility that my company provides has helped me to have a work/life balance which is of immense importance to me. There is still a dearth of women in technical industry and I hope to see more young girls pursue STEM careers.”

 

Kelly Nylund
Software Tester

“Nearly 29 years ago, I was one of just two female engineers in the engineering department.  Both of us were hired at the same time into a company that had not had a female engineer in many years.  Later I moved into project management at a company that only had a handful of female engineers. As the mother of two teenage girls, I am so glad that times have changed, and that women in STEM are no longer the exception to the rule.  I want my daughters to know they can pursue ANY career that interests them!”

 

Cherry Tapley
Hiring Manager/ Software Consultant

“I started my career right out of college as a business analyst. I was fortunate to have begun my career with a progressive company that had many women in leadership positions, so I always felt like I had no limitations. I recently stepped back into the corporate world after taking almost two decades off to raise my kids. I am incredibly fortunate that Solution Street saw value in my experience and work ethic and gave me the opportunity to come back in and get up to speed with the changes in technology.”

 

Things have come a long way for women in technology, but there is still more to be done. How, you ask? Here are some of many ways:

 

 

“Here’s to strong women.

May we know them.

May we be them.

May we raise them.“

– Anonymous

 

#WomensHistoryMonth     #InternationalWomensDay     #WomenInTech