What if the qualities that make you feel like an outsider are actually the reason you'll succeed?
I was a history major who accidentally built a career in technology. I had no computer science degree, no formal coding background, and no clear roadmap. Everything I learned came from on-the-job experience, online resources, and a relentless pursuit of certifications. For years, I carried the feeling that everyone else knew something I didn't.
Then I became a consultant. Suddenly, I was expected to walk into rooms as the expert, often before I felt ready to claim that title myself. The disconnect between how confident I looked and how uncertain I felt became a daily reality.
As the only woman in many of those rooms, that uncertainty was amplified. I often found myself presenting to audiences who instinctively directed their questions elsewhere or assumed the authority sat with someone else. Over time, I realized something important: confidence isn't the absence of self-doubt. It's learning to move forward despite it.
This session is for anyone who has ever wondered whether they're qualified enough, technical enough, or experienced enough. We'll talk about why nontraditional backgrounds are becoming some of the most valuable in tech, how curiosity can be more powerful than credentials, and how to confidently own your seat at the table, even when others don't immediately recognize it.