Celebrating Women’s History Month: 5 Minutes with a Tech Exec | Jenny Lam, Senior Vice President

In honor of Women's History Month, we're proud to present our blog series, "5 Minutes with a Tech Exec." We've engaged in insightful conversations with tech executives and chief technology officers to give you the unique opportunity to gain wisdom and career advice from experienced technologists. 

Uncover personal and professional journeys, from career inspiration to overcoming challenges on the path to executive leadership. These articles, adapted from personal interviews, offer insights into mentorship, leadership styles, and the future of women in tech. Join us as we amplify the voices of women in tech, celebrating their achievements and inspiring inclusion. 

Jenny Lam is leading the charge for women in the industry. As the Senior Vice President of UX Design at Oracle, Jenny's journey is one of resilience, authenticity, and the transformative power of mentorship and community.

Reflecting on her entry into tech, Jenny recalled how she "fell into it," much like many designers in the field. It was the year 2000 when she found herself at a crossroads in her career, torn between a traditional design path and one infused with technology. "The discomfort I was feeling in technology and all the amazing innovations that were happening made me want to go down that direction to learn more," Jenny shared.

For Jenny, mentorship, sponsorship, and community have played pivotal roles in shaping her trajectory. She recognizes the immense value of these support systems in navigating the complexities of the tech industry. "The community is really amazing, and I'm so impressed by how we're growing women in technology by sponsoring them to look at different paths," Jenny said.

Authenticity remains a cornerstone challenge on Jenny's journey to executive leadership. She acknowledges the pressure to assimilate and blend in, especially when one stands out in their field. "It's easy to wanna fit in and blend in, but I think the power of being your authentic self provides that diversity and a unique point of view that technology really needs," she said. "Technology needs all those different unique viewpoints to innovate... Women deserve to be part of that design process, designing for other women and everyone."

Looking ahead, Jenny envisions a future where computational design takes center stage, driven by the convergence of AI and ethics. "I think we're headed in a direction of computational design," she predicted. "Designing the ethics, the guardrails, the prompts, everything surrounding that and computational design is the next stage of technology."

In discussing the role of women in this future landscape, Jenny underscores their indispensable contributions: "Women have a huge role in providing that voice, those use cases, and scenarios that they require. They use technology more than anyone else in the household, and they have a role in shaping its future."

When asked about tangible steps to invest in women in tech and inspire inclusion, Jenny offered a simple yet powerful solution: "Put women in leadership positions." She emphasized the importance of continuous sponsorship and mentorship throughout women's career arcs. "Just because they've made it to a certain level doesn't mean that they stop growing," Jenny shared. "There's that continued mentorship and partnership, and then that cycle begins again with the sponsorship of younger folks entering the field."

Pro-Tips for Diverse Technologists Inspired by Jenny

• Advocate for Women in Leadership Positions: Support initiatives that promote gender diversity in leadership roles. Mentor and sponsor women throughout their career trajectories. By supporting women's leadership, you contribute to fostering a more inclusive and diverse tech industry.
• Be Authentic: Avoid conforming to stereotypes or societal expectations, especially for professional women. Cultivate a work environment where individuals feel empowered to express their true selves. Authenticity fosters creativity, innovation, and collaboration, driving positive change in the tech community. 
• Find a Career Sponsor: Identify a senior leader in your organization who can support your career advancement. A sponsor can provide valuable guidance, advocate for opportunities, and help navigate challenges, accelerating your professional growth and success.

​​💝 Invest in Women in Tech and Support Women Who Code: You can empower the vital work we do to help diverse women excel and thrive in their tech careers. Give to help us raise $30,000 during Women's History Month and inspire inclusion in tech. Donate now.