LinkedIn WIT Newsletter: June 2024

Hey there ?? We are LinkedIn WIT (Women In Tech), an employee-led effort to promote gender balance in technical roles and inspire other companies to do the same.

Welcome to our newsletter! Join us to learn about our feature of the month, discover some posts you may have missed, and catch a sneak peek of our upcoming content for the next quarter!

Featured ?? ??

Happy Mother's day to all the wonderful moms out there!

On Mother's Day, LinkedIn WIT extends heartfelt wishes to all the incredible moms out there, recognizing their immeasurable contributions both at home and in the professional world. We honor their strength, resilience, and unwavering support, which inspire us all. Thank you for everything you do, today and every day!

Here’s What You Missed ????

Spotlight: Natasha Michel

Our spotlight this quarter highlights the journey of Natasha Michel, who is a trailblazer in Information Security Risk and Compliance, known for her resilience and dedication.

Starting her career at Ernst & Young in IT Risk Management, she pursued a Masters in Accountancy focused on Information Systems, solidifying her expertise. Natasha thrived in Silicon Valley, specializing in security risk management for high-tech sectors and advocating for diversity in cybersecurity.

Her achievements include spearheading cross-functional initiatives at LinkedIn and championing mindfulness in tech culture. Natasha's journey from Boston to Silicon Valley underscores her commitment to empowering underrepresented voices in technology, making her a beacon of inspiration in the field.

Career Chats:

Nadya Dorofeev

Nadya's career journey began with a bold move to the United States, armed with determination and minimal resources.

After overcoming initial challenges like language barriers and financial constraints, she pursued a Master's in Finance while navigating a competitive job market. Her persistence led to roles in wealth management and later as a successful risk analyst at GE. Inspired to transition into software engineering, she pursued further education while balancing full-time work, eventually securing a tech role at a startup acquired by GE.

Despite initial setbacks in Silicon Valley interviews, she persevered, even during pregnancy, and found a supportive environment at LinkedIn, where she has thrived for three years. Beyond her professional achievements, Nadya has ventured into coffee roasting with her business, LiftUp Roast, driven by passion and positive feedback from customers.

Tam Nguyen

Tam's journey began in Vietnam, where her dream of studying in the US led to scholarships at the College of Wooster. Despite initial doubts about pursuing Computer Science, she persisted and found inspiration at the Grace Hopper Conference in 2018, landing an internship at Bank of America.

Graduating in 2020, she worked at Nordstrom before joining LinkedIn's Validation Engineering team, where she thrived in a supportive environment. Tam cherishes opportunities to enhance safety and reliability in LinkedIn's infrastructure, driven by a passion to empower women in tech globally. Beyond work, she findd joy in arts and fashion, appreciating how colors and details evoke emotion!

Varsha Bhanushali

As a Senior Software Engineer specializing in Information Security at LinkedIn, Varsha has crafted a dynamic career path shaped by experiences across diverse sectors and geographies. Beginning in India, her journey unfolded with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and advanced with a Master's from Northeastern University. Her contributions spanned critical roles at PayPal, enhancing security features for the Venmo app, and leadership positions at CarGurus within the e-commerce landscape. At LinkedIn, she now innovates in backend solutions to bolster defenses against cyber threats, while also finding personal fulfillment in dance, a pursuit that embodies growth through discipline and collaboration.

Upcoming ?? ??

We have some very exciting articles lined up for the next quarter including Humans of Engineering, interesting career chats and of course the spotlight series!