Her Story
About Kristina
Kristina RichardsColon serves as an IT Advisor at Improvex Technologies, a consulting firm that contracts with the United States Department of State. Based in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, she began her career in the technology industry in 2021 as a technical specialist at a no-code, low-code startup after transitioning from event sales and marketing. She graduated from St. John's University in 2014 with a degree in business management and a minor in marketing. Kristina recently earned her PMP credential in April and is preparing for a promotion that will involve leading AI initiatives at the Department of State to support the organization's FY2027 mission. Her work centers on technical advisory, project management, solution design, customer engagement, and team development. She credits her professional growth to time and patience, recalling how she worked until 3 or 4 AM during her first pregnancy to demonstrate her capabilities in a new field. Mentors Gina and Thomas played key roles in her development by encouraging her to challenge herself, understand her strengths, advocate for herself, and pursue opportunities in customer success rather than pure engineering roles she found less fulfilling. Kristina advises young women entering tech to advocate for themselves, enter rooms as learners, and build confidence while recognizing their growing expertise, drawing from her experiences as often the only woman and only Black woman on teams with white male managers.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kristina
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to time and patience. In 2021 I was starting over in a brand new field and realized I just needed to put in the time, be patient, and be willing to go above and beyond. I remember working until 3 or 4 AM during my first pregnancy because I was so hungry to show what I could do.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My mentors Gina and Thomas taught me to challenge myself, understand my strengths, advocate for myself, and pursue opportunities that align with the impact I wanted to make. Thomas recognized my talent for reaching out for help and putting in long hours, while Gina helped me see I could use my talents in customer success rather than engineering work I didn't enjoy.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Young women shouldn't be afraid to grow or be quiet in the tech space. Be okay advocating for yourself, enter the room as a learner, recognize you're growing into an expert, and have the confidence in yourself. I was sometimes the only woman and only Black woman on teams, with white male managers, but I expressed that I wanted more and was willing to work for it.
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