Her Story
About Buffie
I've been in global technology for 11 to 12 years, with the last 4 years at Experian. I came from a technology company that Experian acquired, where I worked for 10 years. My background is really more in finance, but as finance and technology have evolved, they go hand in hand now. When we were acquired by Experian, I was very hesitant about joining such a big global company after coming from smaller companies throughout my career. But it has turned out to be the best decision I made to stay on with them because it has been very lucrative for me. I've just recently been promoted to a new position in a new business unit. As a leader, I like to be in the thick of things and get things done, but now I'm learning to delegate while still being involved. It's a different setting for me, and I'm working with a mentor here at Experian to learn different tips and tricks I need to evolve. It's a little nerve-wracking, but I'm up for the challenge. My days are packed with meetings from morning until 5 o'clock, and then I work later to get things aligned after all the meetings are done. Right now, I'm attending every meeting I can for at least the next 6 weeks because I need to understand every piece of the business unit. I originally started in this business unit but moved somewhere else and worked there for 3 years, and there have been a lot of changes, so I need to make sure I understand everything.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Buffie
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is you don't know everything.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give is be open to change, because technology is ever-evolving.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of my biggest challenges for me is gaining my footing right now. I've just recently been promoted to a new position in a new business unit. As a leader, I like to be in the thick of things and do all the doing. I'm more of a let's get it done type of person, and so when you escalate to a different leadership level, it's more about leading a team and delegating, but you're also still in the thick of it in a different way. It's just a different setting for me, and I'm trying to learn from my mentor here at Experian and get different tips and tricks that I need to evolve. It's a little nerve-wracking, but I'm up for the challenge, for sure.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I would say honesty and integrity are the biggest pieces for me. I am really big on collaborating at work. That's a piece that you need, collaboration with other teams and with other team members. I take pride in when others can rely on you to follow through and deliver results. So, I think that's the biggest thing for me, collaboration. It's funny, because people really don't care to collaborate, and I find it weird, because I'm thinking that's the best way to get things done, though, is you're truly collaborating.
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