In reflecting on the goals I’ve set for myself, it has dawned on me how much my personal experiences, and the values instilled in me by my father, have influenced them. The world of technology, software engineering and cyber security is alluring, for me, but my ultimate goal is to arrive in a place where I can apply a leadership philosophy that stresses the growth and well-being of team members and that nurtures a work environment that is both collaborative and ethical. My father, who has played a great part in shaping my leadership beliefs, taught me that management and leadership are more about exemplified behaviors than they are about nice-sounding words.  I have come to believe deeply in the idea that the concept of service to others is a component of sound management and leadership; it isn’t merely an ethos, but a strategic framework that I yearn to integrate into the ethos of technology. This means lending a hand to platform teammates when they get stuck, ensuring that no one gets left behind on a project, meeting your project deadlines with product that is pristine, and coming into work thrilled to apply yourself to your platform.

Community service is also woven into the fabric of this leadership journey. In addition to being an example to my peers, the imagery on my vision board also tells the story of being a purpose-driven leader focused on community building. Success is tied to the type of legacy you leave in your community, and the picture I took of the food pantry with my peers reminds me of how we participated in community building efforts by helping others. The certificate in my board is symbolic of the external validation that also motivates me to lead as a servant. My vision board is dotted with images of people I care about who have taught me how to lead with an iron-will tempered by grace and dignity. I have learned to be relentless in the pursuit of knowledge, but to also find joy — this is captured in images of me playing lacrosse, and working out with friends. These spaces allow me a mental relief from the daily grind, but also work to develop me as a leader and as a competitor. Working at the food pantry has been transformational, teaching me that respect and kindness are fundamental to effective leadership and have a profound ripple effect within any community. These principles, deeply etched into my leadership approach, will be instrumental as I advance in the tech industry, ensuring that every team interaction filled empathy and mutual respect.

As I continue to march  closer toward my career goals, my vision board reminds me of where I come from, the values that I hold and the future that I am committed to creating. It’s a collection of images that encapsulate the essence of my inspiration, my ambition and the hereditary aspect of who I am. My leadership style is rooted in service – it will highlight everything I do every step of the way ensuring that as I move forward and grow personally, those around me grow as well, right there with me. This board may look like a bunch of images but it is a representation of so much more. It’s a collage of my identity, the things that I love and the person I strive to become.