The 2021 Women Leaders in Technology: Ida Quamina

Her career has fostered numerous accomplishments, but she says being the first woman and woman of color to become a managing director in her practice provided her with a platform and a responsibility to pay it forward to open the door for more future leaders. "To see talent in our young people at the start of their career and then helping them nurture, grow and develop is my greatest achievement because someone once did that for me."

She does note that the successes have not come without their challenges. "When I grew up, my grandmother was a nurse and was defined by my grandfather. My mother worked all my life and was not afforded the same advantages as my generation. Though I had it a little easier than my mother and grandmother, I still faced challenges.  Being in a very male-dominated field I had to work twice as hard to gain the same level of respect as my male counterparts.  The question always seemed to be 'she is a woman, what could she know about technology?'  With each generation, women continue to make strides and break down barriers. We are on the path of shifting the mindset to believe that gender does not determine greatness in technology. As younger generations see women in leadership positions, they know anything is possible."

Q&A: What would you say is the best advice (consulting or otherwise) you've ever received?

"Find your voice. Be comfortable and proud of who you are. That will give you the confidence to speak up for yourself and for others, so people know, see and hear your value. It took me over 30 years to find my voice and be confident in my expertise. I want our future women leaders to find their voice when they are young and spend the time early in their careers honing and nurturing it."