Jul 2, 2021
There are stories you hear and you’re inspired!
There are stories you hear and you’re inspired, there are stories that you hear that gets you up on your feet screaming, “No way, shut up!” Not because they are not true, but because against all odds, the end isn’t what you’d expect.
One of such stories is that of Tracy Maleeff, a librarian turned information security expert.
No, it is not normal.
You don’t just up and switch from a non-technical role to one, making full transition into the tech industry by reading a lot of books and practicing. But I guess you do, a proof of that is Tracy.
Tracy is an information security expert working with the NY TIMES, the full details of her work are undisclosed because of security reasons, (you get it right?). She is also a wentor with Wentors and has been an active member of our community.
She easily stands out because of he dedication to work, football and food, hey, I write what I see. But above all she has a passion to see more women in technology, this she has shown countless times across her many conversations in the industry and in also choosing to mentor two amazing ladies in our recently concluded mentorship cohort; we-Discover.
I wanted to do a compilation of all the comments made about Tracy, but I’d just highlight a few, especially those made by her wentees. Because you can’t hear Tracy speak and not be fired up to do better and break out of the box.
At the end of the cohort, Joy Kathure, one of Tracy’s mentee described her as a fairy godmother.
“Tracy has made me challenge my self on how i think and guided me on how to better my knowledge, no words can truly explain my gratitude for she is indeed a fairy godmother.”
If you know the Cinderella story, you get a picture of how a fairy godmother is.
That’s even not the all.
Doreen Koome described her experience with Tracy in two words, eye opening and impactful.
I got to hear Tracy share her story is our deep dive session. A webinar dedicated to answering industry related question. The breakout room where she spoke really broke out when she mentioned she was a librarian for this long before deciding to move into tech. I was immediately drawn in and I reached out to her to ask if we could share her story.
You can guess her reply.
Hint: You are reading this now.
Again, you don’t just wake up and read books and become an #infosec expert, but here is Tracy, showing us it’s possible.
And you know, that’s what we are about at Wentors. We want to see more women occupy roles in technology irrespective of your background and how we’ve chosen to do that is providing a platform where they can be mentored by women in the industry.
Stories like Tracy’s make us aware that, we only need to want to, all the resources are available and what even makes it super better, you have Wentors, a community that would nurture you as a woman in technology.
