Erin’s Bio
My career has been a choose your own adventure novel and I’ve learned so much from that approach. I’ve always loved helping people and solving problems. My first love was pharmacy, and after college I became an editor of drug studies being translated from Japanese to English for big pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer Japan. I went on to become a data analyst, and then a data engineer and then a software engineer. What I love most about technology is how it can be such a great tool to help people live better lives. As I grew in my career I realized I could be even more impactful by leading large groups of people and helping them grow and develop so they can help others as well. Most recently I’ve been the CTO of Marco Polo, the VP and CIO of Chipper Cash Financial, and VP of Engineering at Greenlight Financial. What makes me different is what sets me apart, and that is what I’d hope the next generation would take away from my story. Authenticity is everything.
WITH GROUPS CREATING PROGRAMS TO ENCOURAGE FEMALES TO CONSIDER STEM, WHAT IS THE BIGGEST BARRIER TO ENTRY THAT IS STILL PREVALENT TODAY?
The same as it ever was, and yet there is improvement and that’s worth celebrating. There is still bias and misogyny in the tech industry. While we have many programs to encourage girls to consider STEM, and some programs to help reduce bias in the interview process, the hardest work lies in keeping those girls and women in those roles. Company culture can drive women and girls out of the industry, and keep them from growing and progressing. It’s not enough to get a girl into STEM, we have to ensure the roles they step into are not immediately trying to force them back out the door.
WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU?
My daughter. My journey through technology wasn’t often easy, but I know as more of us enter STEM fields and persist, if we commit to creating change, it will get better for the generations after us. Her future and the future of other women and girls like her, is why I continue to show up and push for a different kind of world.
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT/ACCOMPLISHMENT?
My proudest moments have been when my direct reports have flourished and become successful in their goals. I’ve been able to help grow a number of staff and principal engineers, VPs and CTOs, and founders of start-ups, in my career. Growing the next generation of leadership, the kind of leadership we need in the world, is my proudest accomplishment. Once you become a leader of other people, it’s not really about you anymore. Your biggest contributions are how you impact and raise up the contributions of others. I find a lot of joy and satisfaction in that.