Michelle Lynn Chesnut

I attribute my success to the consistency of effort I put in when no one is watching. I measure success not only by how far I’ve grown from where I started, but how far others have grown because of me. My main goal is to always strive to be better and to leave a positive impact on everything I encounter while pursuing that goal. By surrounding myself with positive hearts that lift me up, I am able to succeed in whatever I set out to accomplish.

The best career advice I have ever received is to remember that there will always be someone smarter, faster, or more experienced than you. Rather than allowing that to discourage me, I have learned to use it as motivation to keep improving, continue learning, and never stop growing.

I believe there is always something new to learn and always another way to grow. Instead of comparing myself to others, I focus on becoming better than I was yesterday and sharing what I learn with those around me. Some of the greatest growth in my career has come not only from learning from people who know more than I do, but from passing that knowledge on and helping others grow as well.

Technology has historically been a male-dominated field, but that should never discourage women from pursuing a career that interests them. My advice to women, young and old, is simple: if there is something you truly want to pursue, go for it.

I believe one of the worst things a person can do to themselves is spend their life wanting to do something but never take the first step toward achieving it. Fear of failure can keep us from trying, but I would rather try and fail than always wonder what might have happened if I had tried.

Research the field, seek out the resources available to you, find mentors and communities that support your goals, and surround yourself with people who encourage your growth. Learn everything you can, ask questions, and do not be afraid to begin simply because you do not have everything figured out yet.

At 47, I am pursuing a new direction in technology myself. I am proof that you do not have to follow someone else's timeline for success. You can learn something new, change direction, and set new goals at any stage of your life.

If you have a dream, believe that it is worth pursuing and be willing to put in the work to make it happen. Do not let fear, age, or the expectations of others keep you from going after the life and career you want. It is never too late to achieve your dreams.

Although the gender gap is narrowing, I believe one of the biggest challenges for women in Information Technology continues to be underrepresentation, particularly as they advance into more technical and leadership positions. Women are just as capable of succeeding in technology as men, but access to mentorship, professional networks, educational resources, and opportunities for advancement can make a significant difference in who enters the field and who stays.

At the same time, I believe this is an incredibly exciting time for women to enter technology. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies is creating new career paths and opportunities for people with a wide variety of backgrounds and expertise. As technology becomes integrated into fields such as healthcare, there is also a growing need for professionals who can bring knowledge from other industries into the technology space.

I believe stronger teams are created when people with different experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives work together. Women have an important role to play in the future of technology, not simply by increasing our presence in the field, but by contributing our skills, ideas, and perspectives to the technologies that will shape the future.

In both my work and personal life, I value honesty and trust above all else. I believe strong relationships, whether personal or professional, are built on the ability to be honest with one another and to trust that people will do what they say they will do.

I also value personal growth. I am naturally curious and always eager to learn something new. I believe the more knowledge you gain, the easier it becomes to adapt, understand different perspectives, and continue growing.

Compassion is equally important to me. I believe in showing empathy and care toward others, taking the time to understand where they are coming from, and making an effort to see things from their point of view.

Finally, I highly value accountability. To me, accountability means taking ownership of your actions, decisions, and the results. Mistakes are inevitable, but what matters is being willing to acknowledge them, learn from them, and do what you can to make them right.