Stacy Patmon

I attribute my success to my background and my natural inclination toward servant leadership. I am highly inquisitive and driven to understand the “why” behind every detail, which allows me to fully engage with the work and stay deeply invested in its outcomes. I prioritize the needs of my stakeholders and immerse myself in their day-to-day realities to ensure solutions are practical, meaningful, and effective. By consistently putting myself in their position—especially in high-stakes environments like supporting firefighters—I am able to drive projects forward with a strong sense of purpose and accountability, leading to successful results.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is to “be comfortable being uncomfortable.” Early in my career at Dell, I was hesitant to explore new opportunities because I felt I lacked certain skills and struggled with networking, often experiencing imposter syndrome. I stayed in what felt safe, even though I knew I was limiting myself. Once I pushed through that discomfort—putting myself in unfamiliar situations, connecting with new people, and embracing the awkwardness—new opportunities began to open up. I realized that growth often requires sitting with discomfort and that we are frequently our own biggest obstacle. Learning to step outside of my comfort zone has been instrumental in both my lateral and vertical career growth, ultimately propelling my career forward.

If I could give advice to young women entering project management, especially in the technical and IT space, it would be to take up space confidently and intentionally. This is still a male-dominated field, and there may be times when your role is minimized or misunderstood—but you must recognize your value and ensure your presence is felt. You are not just a note-taker or recorder; you are a strategist, a risk manager, and a critical decision-maker at the table. If a seat isn’t offered, bring your own and claim it with confidence. Speak with clarity and purpose, not necessarily the loudest voice in the room, but one that is grounded in expertise and conviction. Most importantly, don’t let the dynamics of the industry intimidate you—your perspective matters, and greater representation of women in leadership and technical roles only strengthens the outcomes for everyone.

The biggest challenges in my field include leading without formal authority and navigating the continued male dominance in IT and technical roles, which can sometimes require additional effort to establish credibility and ensure your voice is heard. At the same time, there are significant opportunities, particularly in leveraging technology to solve real-world human problems—such as using AI for wildfire detection—and in expanding the scope of project management across diverse industries and business domains.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are servant leadership, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous learning. I strive to lead by serving others, staying inquisitive and open to understanding deeper context, and being willing to unlearn and relearn as needed to grow and adapt. I am also deeply committed to advocacy for education and early intervention, particularly in areas such as autism, where timely support can make a meaningful difference in long-term outcomes.