Celebrating women at the Girl Geek Dinner

Hi my fellow Women Making Move(rs)! It's been a while since I've attended a networking event, work and school have kept me busy, but on April 27 I made sure to attend the Girl Geek Dinner in NYC. Girl Geek Dinners originated across the pond in Europe and now take place throughout the U.S. The NYC organizers, Melissa Bailey, Jennifer Drue and Emily Huang, pulled together a great event. The topic for the evening was: 'New York Top Laws Firms' CIOs working with Technology." Speakers included Karen Levy, Director of Global Technology at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP; Marsha Stein, CIO at Ropes & Gray; and the lone Guy Geek on the panel, Tony Cordeiro, CIO at White & Case LLP. You may be wondering if Tony was the only male there, thankfully for him he wasn't. Males can attend the dinners if invited by a Girl Geek.

The panelists were open about their roles as women in the tech field. The work/life balance question came up and everyone agreed it can be difficult to jungle both. Panelist Karen Levy shared that she took three years off after her last child was born. She didn't regret her decision, but Karen pointed out it took her five years to return to the professional level she held prior to her time away from the workplace. This may have been a set back for some, but Karen has climbed higher up the corporate ladder and never lets her gender determine her success. Tony also shared that he's adjusted his schedule to be home in the evenings to spend with his children.

Each panelist shared valuable information, but Marsha made a statement that stood out. Marsha shared that she doesn't have the traditional technology background one would expect of a Chief Information Officer. She credits her degree, a Master's in Library Science, as the foundation for her role as CIO. This is an eye opener for other women who may feel they don't have the skills to work in the technology field. Consider hands-on-learning by shadowing someone in the job you want, return to school and complete a certificate program or use the vast resources on the web to learn a skill you're not trained in, but have a passion for. I always leave energized after a Girl Geek Dinner. The best part of the dinner was reconnecting with Funky Brown Chick Twanna. We haven't seen one another in ages. The next dinner is scheduled for June 2010. Visit the Girl Geek Dinner NYC website for more information closer to the event date.

Women, start making your Moves today!