Her Story
About Gigi
Gigi Sizer serves as Senior Vice President of Financial Operations at Conterra Networks in Charlotte, North Carolina. She brings 13 years of experience in telecommunications to the role, which she assumed about two years ago after advancing from controller and vice president of information systems positions at the company. Prior to joining Conterra, Sizer spent 18 years in Washington, D.C., holding progressive finance roles including controller at TrizecHahn Office Properties, Director of Operations at DaVita, and CFO at the National Trust Community Investment Corporation. She earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and became a CPA after passing the exam 12 years after graduation. Sizer is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the AICPA, and the Maryland Association of CPAs. She attributes her success to mentors including her great grandmother and her husband of 31 years, and she is a staunch advocate for autism and ableism.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Gigi
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the example of mentors like my great grandmother who was a janitor at the university I graduated from and other women in power, as well as my husband who has been a great motivational spirit and wouldn't let me quit after failing the CPA exam the first time. We've been married 31 years and he's been by my side.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice is from Yoda in Star Wars: 'Do or do not. There is no try.' Also, the concept that if you see her, you can be her, especially important as one of few black women executives in telecom.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
We have to be role models for each other. As the only woman on the executive team, I conduct myself so other women can see that they can be on the executive team and excel.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is that telecom technology is continually evolving from microwave to fiber to satellites, and medium-sized companies like Conterra need capital to invest and keep up without the billions like larger competitors. The opportunity is finding niches and specialties to optimize and advance in our space.
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