Becky Paxton

I attribute my success to resilience, determination, and an unwavering belief that no matter how difficult the circumstances, I can find a way forward.

Throughout my life and career, I have experienced my share of highs and lows. One of the most defining periods came during COVID. I had recently given birth to my daughter while balancing a demanding sales career, and at the same time my son had been diagnosed with autism. Like many families, we were navigating uncertainty, homeschooling, therapy appointments, and a world that seemed to change every day.

Professionally, the pressure was intense. There were many moments when it felt impossible to manage everything competing for my attention. Yet despite those challenges, I finished the year in the top 10% of my company, earned President’s Club, and achieved the highest level of success I had reached in my career.

Looking back, I realize those experiences taught me something important: resilience isn’t about avoiding adversity—it’s about continuing to move forward when adversity shows up. I’ve always had a fire in my belly, a drive to succeed, and a belief that setbacks are temporary. No matter how difficult the season, I’ve never stopped pushing forward.

My divorce four years ago was another chapter that tested me deeply. Raising two children as a single mother while continuing to build my career required strength, perseverance, and faith in myself. Advocating for my son as he navigates autism has also taught me patience, empathy, persistence, and the importance of celebrating progress rather than perfection.

When I think about the foundation of my success, it isn’t a title, a promotion, or a sales achievement. It’s the ability to get back up after life’s challenges and keep moving forward. Every setback, every difficult season, and every obstacle has shaped me into a stronger leader, a better mother, and a more compassionate person.

I believe success is not determined by what happens to us, but by how we respond. My greatest successes have often come after my greatest challenges, and those experiences have given me the confidence to face whatever comes next.

The best career advice I ever received came from a complete stranger on an airplane.

I was flying to Chicago for an interview with CDW, nervous and hopeful about an opportunity that could change my life. The man sitting next to me struck up a conversation and mentioned that he interviewed candidates all the time. As we talked, he shared a few simple but powerful interview tips about confidence, preparation, and being authentic.

I took his advice to heart, walked into that interview better prepared, and ultimately landed the job. That opportunity launched what has now become a 22-year career in technology.

I was listening to Mel Robbins recently talk about how luck often comes from being open to opportunities and connections, and it immediately reminded me of that flight. Looking back, that conversation was a perfect example of luck meeting preparation. A stranger took a few minutes to share his wisdom, I was willing to listen, and that small interaction changed the course of my career.

It taught me that opportunities often show up when you least expect them, and that one conversation can truly change your life.

The advice I would give young women is simple: invest in relationships, stay curious, and never be afraid to ask for help.

One of my favorite examples comes from a young woman named Darby who helped care for my children after my divorce. She was incredibly caring, hardworking, and resourceful, and over time she became part of our family. One day, while listening to a group of my coworkers talk about their careers, she started asking thoughtful questions about the technology industry and how she could break into it.

After graduating from Florida State University with a business degree, she reached out to me for guidance. I leveraged my network, posted on LinkedIn about her character and work ethic, and connected her with people in the industry. She ultimately landed an inside sales role at a tech company.

I was honored that she looked at my career and thought, “I want to do that.” But more importantly, it reinforced something I’ve learned throughout my own journey: careers are built on relationships. Skills and experience matter, but people remember how you make them feel, how hard you work, and whether they can trust you.

My advice to young women is to be resourceful, show genuine passion, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to reach out to people you admire. Most successful people got where they are because someone took a chance on them. When you’re authentic, willing to learn, and committed to working hard, you’ll be surprised how many doors open—and how many people are willing to help you walk through them.

One of the biggest challenges in technology is the pace of innovation. New technologies are constantly emerging, and what is cutting-edge today may be outdated tomorrow. Whether it’s artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud transformation, automation, or data analytics, staying informed and understanding how these technologies can create real business value is critical. In my role, I have to continuously learn, adapt, and anticipate what’s coming next so I can help my clients make informed decisions in an ever-changing landscape.

At the same time, this rapid evolution creates tremendous opportunities—particularly in healthcare, where organizations are embracing digital transformation, cybersecurity modernization, cloud adoption, and AI-driven solutions. Helping healthcare providers leverage technology to improve patient care, strengthen security, and increase operational efficiency is one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.

On a personal level, one of my greatest challenges has been balancing a travel-intensive sales career with raising two children as a single mother. While there are certainly days when the demands compete with one another, that experience has also become one of my greatest strengths. It has taught me resilience, time management, empathy, and the ability to lead through uncertainty—qualities that have benefited both my family and my career.

I view challenges and opportunities as two sides of the same coin. The very experiences that stretch us the most often become the foundation for our greatest growth and impact.

One of the values that is most important to me, both professionally and personally, is authenticity. I believe that when you’re willing to be yourself, be vulnerable, and show people who you truly are, you create deeper and more meaningful relationships than you ever could by trying to be perfect.

One of the best examples of this is my relationship with a mentor named Al. When I moved to Chicago to begin my career at CDW, I was away from my family and knew very few people. Al took me under his wing and became like a father to me. He picked me up from the bus stop, welcomed me into his home, shared family meals with me, and became a trusted sounding board as I navigated my career and life. Over time, our relationship became much more than a work connection—it became family.

Like any authentic relationship, we didn’t always agree. There was even a period when we lost touch because he disagreed with my decision to marry my ex-husband. But because our relationship was built on honesty and genuine care, we eventually reconnected after my divorce, and he remains one of the people I trust most today. When I recently took my children to Chicago, he bought Cubs tickets for all of us and spent time with my family. Watching him with my children felt like watching a grandfather with his grandkids.

That experience taught me that the most meaningful relationships in life and business are built when people are willing to be real with one another. Authenticity creates trust, trust creates connection, and connection creates opportunities to support and uplift others.

Today, I strive to pay that forward by mentoring others, including a young woman at BlueAlly whom I helped recruit and continue to meet with regularly. While she often comes to me for guidance, I find that I learn just as much from her as she does from me.

At the end of the day, success is important, but the relationships we build along the way are what truly matter. Being genuine, showing up for people, and helping others grow are values that guide both my career and my life