Influential Woman · Accessibility

Maria Liana Mutia

Paralympic Athlete Representative, USA Judo

Philadelphia, PA 19106

5Awards received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Cert Certified Artificial Intelligence Scientist (in progress) Member United States Artificial Intelligence Institute

Her Story

About Maria

I'm an accessibility web consultant and software consultant with about 10 years of cumulative experience in the accessibility industry. My journey began when I used to teach blind and visually impaired children and adults, which naturally led me into this field. I am blind myself, which gives me unique insight into the work I do. Basically, I go in and ensure legal compliance for web accessibility. I used to be a full-stack software developer, but I pivoted to become more niche in my specialization. Even outside of work, I still love to play around with software development to make sure that my skills never get rusty. Currently, I'm preparing to become a certified artificial intelligence scientist under the United States Artificial Intelligence Institute (USAII), and I'm planning to get that certification in the summer. The emergence of artificial intelligence has definitely thrown a wrench into many things in my industry, so I'm learning this new skill set to stay ahead. Beyond my consulting work, I'm a two-time Paralympian and took silver in judo at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games in the under 57 kilograms category.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Maria

01What do you attribute your success to?

I would attribute my success to my unwavering faith in myself. Above all else, above everything else, I trust myself, and I trust my own abilities.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I ever received came when I was pivoting from being a full-stack developer to becoming more niche. I was saying things like, 'Oh man, I see all these things for this niche software developer, for this niche software thing, but I don't know if I can do it, you know, like, I don't think I have enough experience, I don't have the skills, blah blah blah.' Someone told me, 'Why aren't you doing that then?' They said, you know, even if you don't believe in yourself, why not at least try to do whatever it is - at least confirm to yourself that you can't do what it is that you think you can't do. That was the best advice I ever received.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would tell them: Don't think about it too hard, just do it. Just try it.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

Honestly, I would say anything to do with artificial intelligence is one of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my industry. It actually falls into both categories. In software consulting in general, artificial intelligence is developing and evolving so quickly, and at this point, you have to get on the ride before it kicks you off. The emergence of artificial intelligence has definitely thrown a wrench into so many things - I can't even mention how many things.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

I would definitely say independence and efficiency. Independence is important just because I like to think I'm pretty introspective. I spend a lot of time by myself, just because software consulting requires a lot of thinking by myself in general. I don't really make anything, I have to come up with solutions. And then efficiency, just because it's better to be efficient than to waste a bunch of time looking for whatever it is I might be looking for.

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