Meet Linda Calvin | Tech thought leader, advocate for equity and change agent

We had the good fortune of connecting with Linda Calvin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Linda, what do you attribute your success to?
First, I’ll share it took a long time for me to consider that I am a success. Impostor syndrome is real and creates doubt and instability in confidence. No matter what I achieved, I was always questioning, and still do, whether I was good enough or deserving of accolades. There is no easy solution, it takes time and intention to squash those voices that undermine confidence. I have a personal board of directors, mentors and a girl tribe that supports and sustains me. Not that external validation is the only way to celebrate personal success, but it helps you in your journey to self realization and acceptance of your awesomeness.

I believe the most important factors in my success are connection and commitment. I have been called a master connector by many in my network. I continuously seek out new connections through my networks and LinkedIn. I made it a point to establish at least one new connection a week. Sometimes I’ll read a post or article, highlighting a successful leader, speaker or trailblazer. I then get onto LinkedIn and send a connection request with a note. Sometimes that person is from my industry, other times, it’s just someone doing great work. We build success for ourselves by understanding the journeys of others. I don’t limit myself by geography, I’ll talk with people around the world. In turn, when it makes sense, I connect others to others. This is powerful and contributes to success as you begin to establish thought leadership. You create your own center of expertise in networking.

Commitment to my personal belief systems is essential. I write articles and posts, join boards, speak on panels that directly reflect my commitment to social impact. I think to create success you must ensure your brand is aligned. At times, people take on board membership without intention. This dilutes your brand and can give the impression you’re scattered or are joining boards for your CV. I am committed to equity in education and tech, so my commitment to boards aligns accordingly. When I speak on panels or as a keynote, I weave in the key messages for my brand and speak on topics that are aligned to my goals. I think this is critical to success – commitment and alignment to your personal brand.

Finally, accolades are fantastic evidence of success. But it’s not the only bar. In my journey, I see others getting awards or recognition, and I have sometime felt I must not be as successful because I didn’t get this or that recognition. It’s not the way to measure success. That measurement comes from results and accomplishments. It’s great to get recognition, and if you are nominated for something,you should celebrate! A nod alone is great. But if you don’t win, don’t let that cloud your perception of success.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career was shaped by this question from my sister when I was 21, “So, what are you doing with your life?” In my mind, I was kind of doing it. I worked as an office manager for a glass company and we drank beer on Fridays! She told me that was not a plan and shared I should come to work as a computer operations specialist in her department at a hospital. I was trained on the technology and that set my career in motion.

The second catalyst in my career was the attainment of my job at DowElanco. The skills I earned at the hospital prepared me for the job on the DowElanco helpdesk. And it was that job that truly launched my career. I navigated the Dow Ag business to various roles in R&D, Manufacturing and Public Affairs, always with a technology flavor. I used tuition assistance to earn my undergrad in Journalism from an excellent college, Butler University, and armed with that education, became the global digital leader for the Ag business. As I worked in regulated environment, I began to explore furthering my education in law as data privacy and policy became a large part of my role. I earned my Juris Doctor in 2008, passing the Indiana bar in 2009. I left Dow in 2013 and took on a role with the City of Indianapolis as assistant corporation counsel, enforcing ordinances for the city. It was interesting work and while in the role, I continued to establish thought leadership in leveraging digital solutions in highly regulated environments. I left the City to return to the private sector and tech. Since leaving, I’ve held a number of tech-adjacent or tech roles, from a tech company to a Fortune 500 company. My last role I serves as Vice President of the School of IT at Ivy Tech Community College. It was a fantastic role as I was able to help design tech education credentials to answer market demand, partner with employers and industry to create opportunities for students and lean in to addressing issues of inequity in tech. Truly rewarding work! Now I’m starting my next chapter, searching for an opportunity in an organization to lead and give tech and innovation a conscience. While I search for the next, I’m following guidance from my mentor to become, in her words, the Oprah of Tech!

My journey has not been easy. As a black woman, you have to work harder to establish credibility. There’s a target on your back. The decisions you make as a leader will always be questioned, no matter how much analysts and research you do. I’ve been a target of scorched earth tactics by those who question my worth. I’ve endured a number of diversity issues that have been ignored or acknowledged as ‘my problem.’ I’ve heard those words, ‘chip on your shoulder’ even in light of major accomplishments. But I keep going. I’m passionate about what I do and that passion is fuel for my tenacity!

At times I stumble, on obstacles put before me or of my own creation. I’m an ‘only’ in my personal life, as I’m the only black person in a 5-sibling family> I’m regularly an ‘only’ in the conference room or on the Zoom. I’ve had to overcome a lot of barriers and trauma. And I still struggle at times. But it’s important that we make sure our passion and the impact we have on others is fuel to keep going. Thus, I may stumble or fail, but I learn, get up, shake it off and keep going! And wow! I always feel better on the other side.

What keeps me going is this phrase “When you see us, you can be us!” I want teen girls and women, especially teens and women of color, to see that you can become a leader. You can be a tech Jedi! You can do this. It won’t be sunshine and rainbows every day, but that’s part of becoming a leader, weathering the bad and channeling that good for fuel to keep going. So many women and girls have grit, tenacity and talent, but don’t have a network to remind them that they are indeed awesome. I believe as women we must speak up, out and be seen so we can inspire others.

Finally it’s so important to give back and be engaged in meaningful work in the community. I encourage everyone to map their passion to a social cause. Don’t join boards just for the sake of a resume. Join because you want to give back, because that cause matters to you. Lean in because it aligns to your passion. I started the Transcending Boundaries Scholarship https://impact.ivytech.edu/project/25050 to enable black and Latin residents of Indy to pursue tech credentials from Ivy Tech. Passion and commitment drives me to roll up my sleeves and help usher in change. Any success you have is amplified by commitment to community.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Upon a visit to Indy, we would explore food, art and culture.

* A visit to Newfields to explore art and the beautiful grounds, stopping in the Biergarden for a beverage and conversation about art. A visit to the Eiteljorg in White River State Park is also a necessity.
* A tour of downtown Indy. We’d visit the new Coca Cola Bottling District and eat at the Garage then do some duckpin bowling. We’d walk around the circle and grab a Starbucks and people watch.
* We’d visit the Circle City Industrial park to sample beers, mead and visit Fountain Square to enjoy a delicious and eclectic menu at Milktooth. We’d do a peddle tavern tour of cool neighborhoods in Indy.
* We would visit a number of local artists studios to enjoy art. Faith Blackwell, Satch Artist, Laura LaForge, H Ward Miles.
* No visit to Indy would be complete without a tour of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, for a certainty.
* if in summer, I’d host a picnic with friends and family at Symphony on the Prairie at Conner Prairie, perhaps an ABBA or Journey cover band! Just add lawn chairs and Roasted chicken, cheeses, wine and cold beer!
* A walk down the Monon in Carmel and in Broad Ripple must happen, to people watch, to stop for snacks or drinks at Books and Brews or the Cake Bake Shop.
* Saturdays require a visit to one of many Farmers Markets to buy fresh produce or enjoy a delicious pupusa from the 3 and 1 Restaurant booth.
* I would have to host a cook out and roast corn from My Dad’s (that we pick up from the Carmel Farmers Market) the absolute best sweet corn in Indiana, incredible! We’d also grill some Katzenburgers from Goose the Market and eat locally grown heirloom tomatoes. The burgers are made from prime cuts of beef and are crazy good. This meal must also feature cold beer from the Bier Brewery!
* We’d definitely have to go to Tapperz Barcade and play pinball and old school videos Ames while enjoying local craft brews and hang out and people watch at Sun King Brewery in Carmel. It is the place to be seen, especially after a July 4 visit to Carmelfest
* A visit to Victory Field to watch the Indianapolis Indians is a great activity as it’s right downtown and it’s a gorgeous field.

Outside of Indy are a number of state parks to visit. And why not drive up to West Lafayette and Purdue or IU Bloomington to explore the campus grounds and rub elbows with the next generation of leaders.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mentor Teresa Conroy-Roth deserves props for sure. I met her years ago and she became a beacon of strength and light for me. In a former role, I was really suffering. It was a hostile environment and no matter how hard I worked, results I delivered, I was always in someone’s cross hairs. Being female in tech is not easy, but being black and female is exponentially harder. I became depressed and began withdrawing from friends and networks. I reached out to her, just to talk. She first started our conversation interviewing me. I was non-plussed, as, after all, she knew my background, why ask me all of these questions. But after a few minutes, the answer became clear. “Linda, you are clearly qualified for your job, more than qualified. This is not about you and your skills. This is about them.” She then counseled me on engagement on community, building out my network and gave me great advice on when to exit. But for her counsel, I may not have landed my last role which opened doors for me and definitely architected my strong personal brand.

My husband is also my biggest fan! He’s stood by me as I zigged and zagged in my career.. He’s been patient as I pursued two degrees, being there to make me hot tea and sliced apples when I was stressed between work and briefing cases. He supported me when I stumbled. He even agreed to sell our house and move when I needed to relocate to satisfy a statute for a new job. Never once did he complain, or lament, but was behind me and beside me. I’ve had to make hard career decisions and he didn’t blame or chastise me, but hugged me tight and encouraged me to keep going. I’ve never had such unconditional love and support. I’m a better person and leader because of my husband,

Finally big shout out to my girltribe! We keep a running text message, sharing encouragement, joy, anger, despair and accomplishment. I’m so privileged to have this awesome group of women beside me and behind me. My life is richer for it! Marcy, Tonya, Angel, Detra, Kimberly, Rebecca, Angela, Dawn, Sue, Sonal, Andrea, Sonya, Angelia(s), Thresette, Violet, Shondria, Sherry! These women are wind beneath my wings!

Website: https://lindacalvin.Wordpress.com

Instagram: @lindathegirlygirl

Linkedin: www.LinkedIn.com/in/lindacalvin

Twitter: @lcalvin65

Image Credits
Faith Blackwell Photography