Dr. Behar Molad is a widely recognized industry expert and principal in her own consulting company, originally founded in 1997. CBM Consulting conducts proprietary consulting and market research nationally and internationally and delivers workshops and seminars based on client needs. Behar Molad has conducted numerous consulting and market research projects on such topics as electronic commerce, supply chain management, strategic planning and Internet use. The scope of these projects has spanned areas from management overviews of significant factors in technology or application areas to strategic positioning, competitive analysis, market analysis, and futuring.

Behar Molad is a published author and has appeared on numerous radio shows as guest expert. She is also an internationally recognized speaker and seminar leader. Her clients have included leading and new entrant companies in the technology areas of e-commerce, manufacturing, distribution and retail as well as government agencies in many parts of the world.

Behar Molad is the recipient of the 1999 Top 20 Houston Women in Technology award. She has the founder and chairperson of the Houston Mayor's Women in Technology 2000 Event. She has recently initiated the creation of the Houston Executive Women in Technology Forum. She holds a doctoral degree in global business management from the Union Institute and an MA in communications from the University of North Texas.

1. What was your first job in technology?
My first job was as a computer-cased training developer for an industrial manufacturing company's training department.

2. Who has been your most significant mentor?
My first boss encouraged me to learn all about CB, when it was still in its infancy (late 70's) and paid for my training too.

3. What has been your greatest challenge and what strategies did you use to overcome obstacles?
My greatest challenge has been overcoming the fact that I do not have an engineering or computer science degree. I continuously had to prove that I can be as effective as the degreed people. Even after I got my Ph.D. in business management specializing in e-commerce, I had to justify working in an equal position with the "true" techies.

4. Who has been the most influential person in your life?
My mother has always encouraged me to be aggressive and never give up. My kids keep reinforcing this message every time I feel discouraged. But many women along my careers served as an inspiration from afar for me. Especially those that have made a real contribution to women's advancements like Dr. Anita Borg.

5. What lessons have you learned that would be valuable to women beginning their careers in technology?
That women should never give permission to others to intimidate them just become their "official" background differs or their career path has been "nontraditional." They should always remember that working in technology is fun and exciting and not forget their creative side while applying their analytical skills.

6. What new technology do you believe will have the most positive impact on the world in the next 20 years? The most negative impact?
The Internet will have both the most positive and negative impact on the world. It will help women reach further than they were ever able to, but also increase the gap between the have's and have-not's.

On a lighter note ...

1. If you could have dinner with any two people (living or not) who would they be?
Hillary Rodham Clinton and Gloria Stenheim

2. What was the last book you read? What books do you love to recommend?
The last book I read was Futurize Your Enterprise by David Seigel. I want to recommend my new book: Women Weaving Webs: Will Women Rule the Internet?

3. If you were to choose a different profession, what would it be?
An explorer/writer

4. What is your definition of success?
Success is striving to always make your dream come true while being content with who you are today.