The 2020 Women Leaders in Technology: Christina Churchill

"I have a passion for making a difference, and helping our clients solve complex, real-world challenges feeds into this passion. I find it exciting to help our clients learn more about technology and how leveraging technology can improve their business operations, not just for the short term but also for the long term," she says. "Helping our clients leverage technology solutions is like the cake. The icing on the cake is getting a phone call from the client after the project has been completed to either get your expert opinion or to ask for your help in solving a different challenge." 

That means not only did she do her job well, but she has become a trusted advisor who is viewed as invested in their success. "Nothing is better than cake with lots of icing," she says.  

Given the current global changes everyone is experiencing, there's a resurgence in new technologies being developed and utilized. "As we look more to remote workforces, the need for collaboration and connectivity tools makes it an exciting time to be a technologist."  

As the lead of the Women's Advisory Council at RSM, she helps develop a path for the next generation of female leaders. Asked if she's ever experienced unique challenges being a woman consultant in the technology field, Churchill says "aside from being the only woman in the room, learning to have a voice and earning respect among peers was a challenge earlier in my career. I have been fortunate to have wonderful advocates throughout my career, and those advocates have helped me find my voice." 

Learning to use her voice has in turn helped her gain respect from her peers. "If you are the only woman in the room in such a male-dominated field, you need to have a voice or you will go unnoticed. As women in technology, we need to create a path to encourage more women to enter the field and help them find their voice, so no one goes unnoticed or feels undervalued."  

What does winning Consulting's Women Leaders in Technology award mean to you?

Churchill: "I feel honored to have won such an award. I really love what I do. I am passionate about technology, helping our clients and building a sense of community. This recognition affirms I am focused on the right things and that I am making a difference in a field I love so much. It is my hope that the young woman who is starting her career in technology, reading this article, sees an aspect of herself in me and knows that she too can have a long-term career in technology and become the recipient of such an award. There are so many talented women in technology and I hope this award continues to shine a light on all the great contributions women are making in the field of technology."