WITI Women Survey Questions and Responses:

1. What was your first job in technology?
My first job in technology was as a COBOL programmer at Andersen Consulting. I had a degree in finance, went through Andersen's training program, and started my career in technology!

2. Who has been your most significant mentor? Why?
I have been lucky that lots of people have mentored me in various areas throughout my career. I'm not afraid to ask people questions about things I don't know or understand.

3. What has been your greatest challenge and what strategies did you use to overcome obstacles?
The most difficult challenge has been knowing what I want to do. I enjoy different parts of the technology industry. When I started my own business, I had to decide what I wanted to focus on. I built a spreadsheet (nerd!), listed out my skills, assessed my level of competency in each, and then highlighted the things that I really enjoyed. That is how I realized I have a passion for project management. The ongoing challenge is staying focused on what I enjoy instead of following trends. I try to find projects that use my strengths and manage my skills development carefully.

Lisa-Ann Barnes 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 couldn't do what you are doing now, what profession would you choose?
4. What is your definition of success?