Meet the Speaker — Nakera Lee
Nakera Lee is a Digital Campaign Specialist at Fearless. She is on a panel at WITS Northeast discussing the path to leadership entitled, Want a seat at the table? Bring your own chair.
Why is speaking at the WITS important to you?
● Speaking at the Women in Tech Summit 2023 is important to me because it allows me to show representation in the tech space. In a male-dominated industry, it’s important to show other women who look like me and who come from similar backgrounds and experiences I do, that there is room for them at the table.
● More importantly, speaking at the WITS Northeast will allow me to share with other women my journey to leadership in a non-technical role. As a Digital Campaign Specialist working at one of the leading tech companies in Baltimore, Fearless, I’ve had to use my skills and experiences to set myself apart from others in the industry.
● Prior to entering my role in tech, I never knew certain roles existed in the space for people like me, and I want to use my experiences and knowledge to help elevate the next generation of women leaders in tech.
What or who inspires you?
● My family inspires me daily. I want to create a legacy for my siblings and future children that surpasses their wildest dreams.
● Each day, I’m inspired by my family to push the boundaries of possibility and to stand for what’s right, not what’s popular. I look at my siblings growing up in today’s climate, and I want them to know they can be ANYTHING they want to be. And with the right amount of determination, perseverance, love, and grit, they, too, can change the world for the better.
● I work hard to show my family that circumstances and right-nows do not determine their tomorrow and that there is space at all tables for them.
What was the most useful article you read last month?
● The most useful article I’ve read in the last month was titled Finding your voice and leaving imposter syndrome behind by Scrum Master, Anneliese LaTempa.
● As women in tech, many of us often question or doubt our skills, talents, or accomplishments. We run the mill about whether we know enough to sit amongst our peers or fear that we aren’t as knowledgeable or competent in areas as others appear to be.
● Imposter syndrome has a way of creeping up into our minds and creating a false dynamic of who we preserve ourselves to be. When we are able to dismantle those beliefs, walk in our truths, and wield our authentic voice, we show and prove that we deserve to be in the space.
When you were a kid, what was your dream job?
● Now that I think about it, I was never one of those kids who knew exactly what they wanted to be when they grew up. At one point in my life, I thought I wanted to be a teacher; however, my love for music always trumped that. I loved to sing, dance, and watch music videos. My mom would teach my siblings, and I dance routines at home, and we loved making those memories together.
● Throughout elementary school, I played the clarinet and the flute and even took chorus for 2 years. I loved performing. As I grew older, my love for music and entertainment continued to grow. When I applied for college, I majored in Entertainment Management with a concentration in Music at Coppin State University in Baltimore, MD. From there, I ventured off into Marketing and Communications, and that is where I really started to thrive. Marketing has become the catalyst for how I create impact and connect with others.
● Finding a career as a marketing and campaign professional in tech has allowed me to tell compelling stories, drive impact, and connect my work to a greater purpose, helping others — and I wouldn’t trade that for the world.
Tell us something about your session
● During the Women in Tech Summit 2023, I will be moderating the panel discussion “Want a Seat at the Table? Bring Your Own Chair.” The path to leadership can often seem unreachable. During this panel discussion, attendees will hear from Fearless women leaders who have not waited on an invitation but crafted their road to leadership.
● Panelists will include:
○ Nichole Weems, Fearless Portfolio Director in the Health & Sciences Portfolio, Amy Rogers, Fearless Recruitment Manager, Parissa Eggleston, Fearless Engineer Tech Lead in the Health & Sciences Portfolio, and LaToya Staten, Fearless Director of Impact
● During the panel, we’ll share:
○ How tech is being used as the catalyst for women igniting change across the organization and the world
○ Inspiring stories of women showing up in the space and creating change
○ Reasons for the trend and why are women becoming more involved in the tech industry
What other sessions or speakers are you most excited to see?
I am most excited to sit and listen in on the Fairness in the Future of Work panel, CTL-ATL-DELETE: Strategies for Women in Tech to Overcome the Imposter Phenomenon panel, and the Phenomenal Women: How We Succeed in Robotics & AI panel.
This year’s summit will be inspiring, empowering, and overall game-changing.
Register to attend WITS Northeast to hear from Nakera and the other women leaders on her panel, as well as the other speakers here.
