It’s a tough time for anyone trying to build and grow a career in enterprise IT. While unemployment for IT pros remains low, growth in hiring seems to be largely stalled, according to CIO Dive. Nobody really knows what AI will do to the profession in even the short term, let alone over the course of a multi-decade career, which is what our youngest colleagues are looking at.
And if you’re a woman trying to move up in enterprise IT, the odds are still stacked against you. As I noted a few weeks ago, women represent just over a third of the IT workforce, and some two-thirds of tech recruiters acknowledge anti-woman bias in hiring for the sector.
None of us should accept these as immutable realities, which is why Enterprise Connect has been running its Women in Communications program for almost a decade, helping to foster women’s success in enterprise IT. And we’ve just announced the winners of our Spotlight Awards for women in communications for 2026. The professionals we’re recognizing for outstanding leadership and service are:
- Monica Deal, Sr. Vice President, Global Customer Operations, Lexis Nexis
- Lisa Diehl, Director, Customer Care, Freshpet
- Beth Linthicum, Executive Director, Call Quality, Analytics and CX, Aetna/CVS Health
- Millicent McIntyre, Senior Director, Buyer Services, IAA (Insurance Auto Auctions)
- Patrycja Sobrera SVP & GM for Digital Workplace Solutions, Unisys
I’m especially pleased to note that we’ve significantly strengthened our process for selecting these winners by building out the team that powers our Women in Communications program. Under the leadership of Erica Marois, senior manager for content and community for Enterprise Connect, a committee of outstanding enterprise executives volunteered to shape the process and make the selections. The EC team is grateful to Lori Wodrich of Amerisure Insurance; Betsy Collins of University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz; and independent consultant Renee Dorsch for sharing their time and expertise.
But that’s not all. In addition to the Spotlight award, Enterprise Connect is launching a Future Leaders program targeted at recognizing and nurturing young enterprise professionals looking to advance in collaboration/CX IT roles at enterprises. I’m pleased to announce our inaugural class of Future Leaders, who all happen to be women (though the program is open to all):
- Bethany Reedy, Manager of Integrated Systems & Customer Solutions, Black Rifle Coffee Company
- Hannah DalSoglio, IT Delivery Analyst III, Simplot Company
- Arlyne Pardo, Workforce Senior Manager, Dash BPO
- Casey Hendrickson, Manager, Business Operations, Dow Jones
I hope you’ll join me in congratulating our Spotlight Award winners and our Future Leaders. They’ll be recognized for these achievements at Enterprise Connect 2026, taking place March 10 – 12 at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. I hope you can join us for a great event as we work to strengthen our community!
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For over 35 years, Enterprise Connect has been the premier event where IT leaders, solution providers, and industry analysts come together to define the future of enterprise communications. As the most trusted conference in the industry, we deliver cutting-edge insights, world-class networking opportunities, and hands-on solutions that drive real business success.
Enterprise Connect is more than an event—it’s an experience that empowers enterprise communications leaders to reimagine the future of work. With elevated content, curated networking, and an engaging atmosphere, it remains the must-attend conference for professionals shaping the industry’s evolution.
Our mission is to equip you with the tools, strategies, and actionable insights needed to address your organization’s unique challenges. With industry transformation in mind, this year’s program introduces fresh new conference tracks, including:
- Legacy Unleashed: Optimizing Your Communications Backbone
- Workplace Reimagined: Engineering Tomorrow's Collaboration
- Tech Disruption Zone: Implementing Without Imploding
- Achieving Transformation: Architecting Your 3-5 Year Roadmap
- Future Shock: Communications Tech Beyond the Horizon
Featuring the most comprehensive program of objective content and an expansive vendor-neutral expo hall, Enterprise Connect is your ultimate resource for advancing collaboration, CX, and AV strategies. Join us to stay ahead, connect with industry trailblazers, and lead the transformation of enterprise communications.