Dataprise Women in Technology: Meet Colleen

This month for our Women in Technology, we are spotlighting Colleen, one of our FP&A Directors! Read about her story and how she started in technology.

Tell us your story on how you got into technology.

I stumbled into Tech early in my career as a Staff Accountant for a software company. I quickly learned that this was where I wanted to be. I loved the fast pace and constant evolution in the industry.

Did you always know that working in technology was what you wanted to do?

Not at all! I intended to work in Accounting and Finance but wanted to be in the hotel industry. I studied Hotel Administration in college.

How long have you been with Dataprise?

I have been with Dataprise for a year and a half.

Can you share a little bit about what it is that you do and what a typical day for you is like?

I am responsible for reporting and analyzing monthly results and developing forecasts and budgets. My team is working on building new processes for more accurate results and report automation. A typical day involves meetings with various colleagues to discuss financial results and to move our automation projects forward. Of course, every day in Finance also involves some number crunching in Excel. 😊

What advice would you give to women considering a career in the tech industry? What do you wish you had known?

One of the most important lessons I have learned in this industry is to be flexible. Priorities and teams will change. To be successful it is important to adapt quickly.

Why do you think it’s important for more women to join the tech industry? How can the broader community support women in tech?

Women bring a different perspective and approach to problem solving. Plus, more women in tech creates more diverse teams to foster innovation, which is the cornerstone of the industry. The best way for the broader community to support women in tech is to encourage STEM education for girls and provide mentorship opportunities to young women.

What is it that you enjoy most about your current job at Dataprise?

My favorite part about Dataprise is the people. I have a deep respect for my colleagues and truly enjoy working with them. A few of us have worked together in one or two prior companies.

What is the best professional advice you’ve ever received?

I once asked a female executive at a former tech company how she was able to accomplish so much in a day. She told me that she maintained a list of everything she wanted to accomplish and scheduled time every day to work a bit on each item. She made progress by chipping away at her goals. She also would not hesitate to ask for help, recognizing that often someone else had the expertise needed.

Where do you see yourself going from here?

I hope to continue adding value at Dataprise by improving our reporting and analysis. Change is inevitable in this industry, and I will be ready for whatever happens next!