The 2022 Women Leaders In Technology: Anelia Schmitt

Anelia Schmitt works at Centric Consulting as a program manager for the Chicago team. She has years of proven experience planning, building and delivering innovative technology solutions to solve her clients' problems. Anelia approaches her work with an analytical and people-first disposition toward listening, learning and delivering unmatched value.

Her areas of expertise include business planning, strategy deployment, executive communications, organizational change management, employee engagement, talent training and development, business process improvement, staff management and more. She loves the learning that comes from project variety in the consulting industry.

What has been the biggest factor in your success so far?

"I attribute my success to my liberal arts education generally and my psychology undergraduate training specifically. Early in my career, I learned that critical thinking acumen, growth mindset and emotional quotient are the generalizable skills I want to bring to all business and operations settings. I have adapted my approach to client environments and specific project situations however without exception I approach my work with an analytical and people-first disposition toward listening, learning and delivering unmatched value."

What do you enjoy most about your career in the consulting industry?

"While I love the learning that comes from project variety in the consulting industry, I most enjoy the people: I work alongside a diverse group of highly competent, effective, interesting, and kind consultants and clients. My worldview and I have grown tremendously both professionally and personally from the interactions I have 'on the job'. I credit my colleagues and my clients (past, present, and future) for helping me to become a better world citizen, a more inclusive leader, a better parent and friend…"

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

"My former SVP used to say "don't bring me problems, bring me solutions". I'll admit, I passed along the great feedback to my 6-year-old daughter last year but it didn't land well. For me, in my line of work, this direction really resonates. As an entrepreneurial project manager, I am trained to early escalate issues and risks… this advice underscores that the work merely begins at the risk or issue identification; it must continue with coordinating stakeholders to discuss potential solutions and/or mitigation plans. That's the creative work that I really enjoy!"