Dana: Because there are fewer women in technology, what we do, whether good or bad, is seen through magnifying glass—making it that much more impactful. Being successful (thanks for that, by the way) can influence so many people. Whether it’s naysayers who start to realize that women can be top performers in this field or other women who see it as inspiration, it is an opportunity to pay it forward in hopes that the next woman's path will be a little less rocky.

Dana: The most significant way I've grown is building an openness to ideas and opinions outside of my own. The reality is, I'm not always right and I don't always consider all the factors. Hardest of all is acknowledging that I missed something. I've always said I'd rather get it right than be right. In the end, holding that ideal has been what helps me every day, because it is a daily struggle to maintain openness to other ideas.

Dana: I haven't really had a single mentor. Instead, I've had a host of managers and co-workers who have passed along moments of clarity that were turning points for me professionally. They have taught me to always look for solutions to problems, to have confidence in my critical-thinking abilities, and how to break things down into manageable pieces.

Dana: Know yourself and your abilities. If they're not where you want them to be, work on getting them there and own them. If you assess yourself and your abilities fairly, then don't let doubt or anyone else allow you to back off of that for one second. How you present yourself will determine how others perceive you.