Thriving In an IT Environment as a Woman with Lori Crooks

We can only control ourselves - we cannot control how someone responds to us.

Lori Crooks, CEO of CADRA, began her working life crunching numbers and auditing in accounting, before life as an IT auditor and working with companies to ensure that they comply with security standards and apply best practices. Many businesses are simply overwhelmed and unsure where to turn; Lori ensures that companies have the guidance they need to comply and for their IT environments to be secure.  Lori encourages women to achieve appropriate education, but also to create a connection with men. The IT industry is a male-dominated one, however, connections are important and can be forged through conversation, having a sense of humor, and perhaps sometimes via sarcasm. Lori teaches that women need to believe in themselves when they sit at a table where they are the only female and remind themselves that they deserve to be there as much as any male. Never forget to have an open mind, and to seek out different opinions.

SHOW NOTES:
😊 Lori began her career as an IT auditor: ensuring IT environments are built securely. 2:08
⚠️ Small businesses are more vulnerable to sensitive information. 5:03
🤓 Lori’s team makes sure companies comply with security standards and are applying best practices. 6:56
👠 How Lori has been able to fit in to this typically male-dominated industry. 8:06
👉 The hardest thing about developing your own business is finding the right clients. 12:23
🤩 Jennifer’s experience with both corporate and entrepreneur software work. 13:32
🎯 Lori’s advice for women is to get the appropriate education, but to also create a connection with men. 18:54
🎯 If coworkers can provoke a strong emotional reaction in you, it may indicate there is a certain issue you need to work on. 21:20

LINKS:
Website: https://www.cadra.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-crooks

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