New Year, New Decade, My First Blog!

Welcome to my FIRST blog! Over the past 2 years, I have been encouraged to blog about how I started in this industry, but it is so intimidating! What if no one reads it…and if they do, they don’t like it???!!!!! Well, it’s a new decade and I am wanting to put those inhibitions aside and get out of my “comfort zone” and BLOG!!!

Let’s start with recapping 2019…

There were so much goodness this year.  From vLadies making highlights at VMworld SF, sharing the stage with over 30 men and women from coast to coast, 7 different cities, to discuss conscious and unconscious bias and the effect on women in technology, Found my mugshot on a vAllStar card by Rubrik. Was a panelist, for the second year, for Opening Acts. AND, was an Ambassador for the vTrails Map for the Level Up Project. Did I mention that we gave away 100 vLadies T-shirts in less than 20 minutes at VMworld SF?  Seriously, pinch me…this was my 2019 with the vCommunity. Incredibly grateful…LOVED IT!

So how did all of this happen???

In 2017, my first VMworld, I stood up (still recovering from the parties the night before) at our VMUG Leadership luncheon. With my awesome Indy VMUG team behind, they literally pushed me to stand up to ask the question I have been asking at every VMUG event…where are all the women? In 2018, there were 410 VMUG leaders globally with ONLY 10 female leaders. Unacceptable. In January of 2018, vLadies was created and we are growing!

Around the same time, I was asked by VMUG leadership to start a webcast called "Hello From My Homelab". I have had the pleasure of talking to incredible individuals who are literally perfecting their craft through their homelabs to support the companies they work for, the communities they "play" in, and most importantly their own professional development. The inspirational stories that have transpired from this webcast are nothing short of amazing!

Since that moment I have not looked back…

My children, my boyfriend, my family, my friends, and my vCommunity I will carry into this new decade with more love than ever. There is so much to be thankful for. Always be a student of your craft and never stop learning.

I don’t know what 2020 has in store but I know it will be a new job, a solid relationship with God and my boyfriend, blending our families plus a new addition late summer, and continuing to grow support for vLadies, Diversity and Inclusion. My heart is full!

Thank you for reading…whew…I did it!