WITI Women Survey Questions and Responses:
1. What was your first job in technology?
Divisional controller for Ralston-Purina, automating all accounting and
measurement-of-process systems. I later worked in sales for Computer
Sciences Corporation (CSC).
2. Who has been your most significant mentor? Why?
Senior Vice President James Jackson at Cigna. When Cigna acquired my
technology company, Hamilton-Taft of San Francisco, in 1984, I was the
only woman CEO within Cigna, a $50 billion insurance conglomerate. He
helped smooth the way through the old-boy network, and developed my
leadership and team-building skills.
3. What has been your greatest challenge and what strategies did you use to overcome obstacles?
In my career my greatest challenge has been dealing with a male-dominated
corporate environment. My strategy to overcome obstacles has been to know my
talent and then go do what needs to be done. You have to focus on your
strengths and not be distracted by other things.
Fran Bartlett answers these questions:
1. What was your first job in technology?
2. Who has been your most significant mentor? Why?
3. What has been your greatest challenge and what strategies
did you use to overcome obstacles?
4. Who has been the most influential person in your life?
Why?
5. What lessons have you learned that would be valuable to
women beginning their careers in technology?
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?
On the lighter side:
1. If you could have dinner with any 2 people (living or not),
who would they be?
2. What was the last book you read? What books do you love to recommend?
3. If you were to choose a different profession, what would it be?
4. What is your definition of success?
