Ellie Najewicz

I attribute my success to persistence. I’ve always believed that being great is really about being consistently good over time. Showing up, following through, and steadily improving compounds in ways people often underestimate. I focus less on perfection and more on progress and reliability. Along the way, I’ve learned the importance of owning my ideas and advocating for them, even when it feels uncomfortable. When you stand behind your work with confidence, it inspires others to trust your judgment and opens doors to new opportunities. Over time, that combination of persistence and ownership builds trust, expertise, and lasting impact.

The best career advice I’ve received is to be part of the solution, not the problem. I’ve also learned not to be afraid of breaking things or being wrong, because meaningful progress usually requires some level of risk. If something doesn’t work, I adjust, fix it, and move forward. Taking action (even imperfect action) creates learning and momentum. I’ve found that advocating for your ideas, even when they challenge the status quo, is critical to driving change. Those who are willing to try, iterate, and speak up will always outpace those who stay still. Growth comes from doing, learning, and confidently owning your contributions.

I would tell young women to believe there is nothing they can’t learn or figure out. Many technical subjects can feel intimidating at first, but confidence grows through exposure and practice. You don’t need to know everything on day one; you just need the willingness to learn. Ask questions, stay curious, and trust your ability to connect the dots. Equally important is owning your ideas and advocating for them—you deserve to have your voice heard in shaping solutions. Strong problem-solving skills matter more than having all the answers. Confidence follows action, advocacy, and persistence, not the other way around.

In the data space, there is always more data being generated from more systems at increasing speed. One of the biggest challenges is integrating these systems in a way that is scalable, secure, and usable. At the same time, this creates enormous opportunity to unlock new insights and capabilities. Organizations that can effectively connect and govern their data are better positioned to innovate with AI and advanced analytics. The real differentiator is not just collecting data, but making it trustworthy, actionable, and aligned to business needs. I’ve learned that owning your ideas and advocating for solutions, especially around integration and data strategy, can accelerate both personal and organizational impact. Those who embrace complexity, take initiative, and confidently push their ideas forward will lead the next wave of transformation.

Creativity is the value I prioritize most in both my work and personal life. I love finding new ways to solve complex problems and approaching challenges with fresh perspectives. At work, creativity allows me to design innovative data solutions, streamline processes, and uncover insights that others might miss. In my personal life, it helps me stay curious, try new things, and find joy in everyday experiences. I also value persistence and adaptability, which complement creativity by turning ideas into meaningful outcomes. For me, the combination of creativity and action is what drives both fulfillment and impact.