Amanda Ward, MIS, PMP

I attribute my success to hard work, perseverance, resilience, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Throughout my career, I have learned the importance of staying dedicated to my goals, embracing change, and adapting when challenges arise. Not every plan will unfold exactly as expected, but I believe success comes from maintaining an open mind, reassessing when necessary, and having the determination to keep moving forward.

By embracing technology, seeking new opportunities, and continuously expanding my knowledge and skills, I have been able to navigate challenges, evolve professionally, and pursue my goals with purpose. I believe that growth comes from being willing to step outside of my comfort zone, learn from every experience, and remain open to what comes next.

I’ve been fortunate to learn from many great leaders, mentors, and peers throughout my career, and I’ve received valuable advice from many of them. Here are three I’d like to highlight.

One noteworthy piece of advice came from Ron Gilmore at IBM. He encouraged me to continue my education and never stop learning. That advice led me to further my education, which has proven to be a valuable investment in myself and my future.

I also received valuable career advice from Henry Aguillon, who has worked with me at both IBM and Walmart Global Tech. During my career at IBM, he encouraged me to grow my expertise in advanced analytics through research and continuous learning. This guidance supported my professional growth and leadership opportunities, including building Analytics teams in the U.S. and India. More recently, he has encouraged me to explore how analytics can evolve alongside AI, creating new opportunities to apply my analytical experience in an increasingly technology-driven landscape.

The last piece of advice I’d like to highlight is valuable soft-skills career advice I received from Shihwin Ma of Walmart Global Tech. She encouraged me to understand my audience, tailor my message to their priorities, and communicate insights effectively.

I’m grateful for the guidance I’ve received throughout my career and for the people who have taken the time to share their knowledge and perspective with me. Their advice has helped shape how I approach my career, leadership, and continued growth.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to never wait until you feel perfectly ready. Confidence is built by taking the first step, embracing new challenges, and committing to continuous learning. Trust your unique perspective and recognize that your voice, ideas, and contributions have real value.

You won’t have all the answers at the beginning of your journey, and that’s okay. Growth comes through experience, curiosity, and perseverance. Embrace who you are, make the most of the tools and resources available to you, and leverage technologies such as artificial intelligence to expand your knowledge, strengthen your skills, and accelerate your professional development.

Most importantly, believe in your ability to learn, adapt, and grow. The technology industry is constantly evolving, and that creates opportunities for those who are willing to stay curious, embrace change, and keep moving forward.

One of the biggest challenges I foresee for any field is navigating a rapidly changing global business landscape shaped by advances in artificial intelligence, economic and geopolitical shifts, evolving governance and regulation, automation and robotics, and new ways of working. Success requires a willingness to adapt, embrace emerging technologies, and rethink traditional approaches to collaboration and problem-solving.

I view these changes as opportunities to innovate, continuously learn, and develop the skills needed to navigate what comes next. By staying curious, adaptable, and open to new possibilities, individuals and organizations can remain agile, competitive, and better prepared for an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

I believe perseverance, adaptability, accountability, and flexibility are the foundation of both professional and personal success. By approaching challenges with determination, resilience, and a willingness to embrace change, I have learned that even the most ambitious goals can be achieved. I strive to maintain a growth mindset, continuously learn from every experience, and remain open to new opportunities. I believe persistence and adaptability are essential not only to overcoming obstacles, but also to creating meaningful and lasting impact.

These values have become even more meaningful to me as I have progressed throughout my career and pursued my education. I want to lead by example not only for other professionals, but also for my family, including my daughters, Addison and Jami, who are teenagers now. I hope they see through my experiences that success is not simply about reaching a destination, but about having the perseverance to keep moving forward, the accountability to learn from our experiences, and the flexibility to embrace change along the way. These are values I want to carry with me throughout my personal and professional life and, ultimately, pass on to the next generation.