Alexandra Deweerd

I would say the most impactful factor in my success has been the experience I've gained and learning from those around me. Although I earned my MBA and feel like I learned some business aspects in grad school, I really have learned from the people around me - I've had great mentors throughout my career in different areas, some technical and some in project or program management, depending on where I was in my career and where I needed additional support or advice. I think my experience has really been where I've succeeded. The challenging situations in everyday work life have helped me grow, particularly dealing with different situations, conflict resolution, and escalation management. When I think about my biggest accomplishment, though, it's not a professional milestone - it's successfully navigating a career alongside raising a family, twins in particular, which was not always the easiest in the early years. I'm very proud that they're well-rounded, smart, kind, beautiful girls who are 13 now. That experience of building a career while raising twins shaped how I lead, how I prioritize, and how I define success.

I would say it's important to understand the industry and the product from a software perspective, and to understand project management principles. There is a certification, obviously, the PMP, which can be helpful. But I think at the end of the day, there's something to be said for experience. So I would recommend finding someone or aligning with someone who can provide mentorship, someone who is familiar with the product, the technology, and the space. Throughout my own career, I've had different mentors depending on where I was - some were more technical, some were more focused on project or program management - but having mentors in different areas depending on where I needed additional support or advice has been invaluable.

The biggest challenge I think right now is the number of layoffs and changes amongst the software industry, not necessarily specific to call center technology, but in light of AI and how it's integrated more in our workspace. That said, I don't know if AI is necessarily the culprit. I do believe that AI isn't meant to replace a workforce - it's meant to improve a current workforce. So I don't think it's entirely to blame for the higher number of layoffs, especially in the software world. If nothing else, there's actually a greater need for individuals that have AI experience. I think it's still a very male-dominated field, though I've seen a shift and an increased number of females in technology, which I think is important.

When I think about what's most important to me, it's the balance between building a meaningful career and being present for my family. My most notable achievement isn't a professional milestone - it's successfully navigating a career alongside raising twins, which was not always the easiest in the early years. I'm very proud that my girls, who are 13 now, are well-rounded, smart, kind, and beautiful. That experience of balancing career and motherhood has shaped how I lead, how I prioritize, and how I define success. It required resilience and constant adjustment, and those skills have translated directly into my professional life. I also value giving back and showing my daughters how we can contribute to our community, whether that's through volunteering with Feeding Tampa Bay or serving on my homeowners association board. And professionally, I believe in supporting other women in technology - it's still a male-dominated field, and anything I can do to help support others, I'd like to be able to offer that.