A Special Anniversary Edition

This month, as we commemorate the anniversary of Command Shift, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we have embarked on. We owe so much of our progress to enter and advance women of color in the tech industry to the unwavering support of our esteemed coalition members. 

Their dedication and collaboration have propelled us forward, and we extend our deepest gratitude to them and all the invaluable community stakeholders who tirelessly champion our mission.

Dive into some of the milestones we have achieved since 2021 below: 

“For women breaking into tech: Stay open-minded and embrace unexpected opportunities. Don't limit yourself or pigeonhole your abilities. Even if a role isn't your ideal starting point, it can unlock unexpected doors. The tech world offers diverse disciplines and ever-evolving landscapes brimming with new possibilities. Highlight your transferable skills and how they bring value to any role. Embrace the journey, embrace change, and let your potential shine” -Yinette Fernandez

Yinette Fernandez 

Senior Business Solutions Lead,  Ategrity Specialty Insurance Company

NPower Alumni & Command Shift Alumni Council Member

Yinette Fernandez is a fearless trailblazer igniting the world of IT, a relentless champion of personal and professional growth, and an unstoppable catalyst driving transformative change. 

Yinette's career journey is a testament to her determination and growth. After earning a Bachelor's Degree in International Political Economy/Business Administration from Fordham University, she dove into the tech world through NPower's Tech Fundamentals program. This kickstarted her career as an IT Business Analyst at UBS Investment Bank. Later, she thrived as the Broker Portfolio Manager at Hiscox, handling IT projects and system changes within a $3 Million Change Portfolio while earning her Master of Science in Business Management & Leadership. 

Yinette then ventured into Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing, driven by her thirst for knowledge. She embarked on NPower's Cybersecurity Program and later completed the Cloud Computing Program, expanding her IT expertise. Over the past three years, she has excelled in various IT Risk and Compliance roles, including her recent tenure at Wells Fargo. Yinette's unwavering project management skills have been the cornerstone of her success throughout her journey.

Beyond her professional achievements, Yinette is an inspiration in her personal pursuits. She manages 7ABLOOM.com, an organic skincare e-commerce platform, while providing consulting services to aspiring entrepreneurs. 

As the Assistant Technical Instructor for NPower's Cloud Computing program, she mentors and empowers fellow NPower alums, embodying the spirit of giving back. With two young daughters, Yinette is determined to pave the way for others and positively impact their lives.

 Employer Spotlight: Guardian Life

Guardian Life’s commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion is central to the way the company conducts business and to its purpose to inspire well-being. Guardian thrives when the communities it serves thrive. As an inaugural member of the Command Shift Coalition, Guardian supports NPower’s goal to promote upward mobility and wealth building in underserved communities.

“Through our collaboration, Guardian is working alongside NPower and the Command Shift Coalition to advance young women in tech by investing in their educational and career aspirations with a goal of doubling representation in the tech force by 2030,” said Francine Chew, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Guardian.

In addition to providing thought leadership, Guardian also participates in NPowerMatch, mentoring NPower trainees and alumni at various points along their career trajectories. “We foster a culture that values volunteerism and empowers colleagues to be active participants in our philanthropic endeavors,” said Francine.

Women of Color in Tech Day 2023 - NPower Michigan

The celebration for women of color in tech continued in Detroit, during NPower Michigan's recent Women of Color in Tech Day event, How to Enter, Persist + Thrive in Tech presented by Accenture. There were rich conversations to support employers seeking to diversify and amplify their talent needs and expert advice given to women of color who asked the important questions on how to gain entry, pivot, navigate, and succeed in their careers in tech.

The event featured an engaging keynote panel dialogue with NPower Michigan graduate, Dawn Stanford | State of Michigan, Gabrielle B. | United Wholesale Mortgage, Command Shift Steering Committee member, Coriel Taylor | Accenture, Wanda R. Hudson, EdD | Wayne County Community College District, Bill Bradley, Ed.D | OneTen, Candice L. Dixon | Command Shift, and Jose Reyes | NPower Michigan.

Innovating for Diversity by Bertina Ceccarelli and Sussanne Tedrick - Available Now!

"When it comes to DEI, saying the right thing is easier than doing the right thing. Through eye-opening stories and data, this book specifies the mindsets, metrics, and methods to realize growth pathways for people and businesses of all sizes. The authors provide perceptive questions to discern root causes of deleterious fixed practices and principles. Equally important, they illustrate the leadership behaviors plus organizational tools which create conditions for the maximum number of diverse people to flourish and collectively accelerate innovation."-Roselinde Torres, Leadership Expert and TED Speaker

☁️ Susanne Tedrick, "Women of Color in Tech" Author and Command Shift Coalition Member, along with ☀️Bertina Ceccarelli, NPower CEO recently released "Innovating for Diversity". This book is centered around how the principles of innovation can be applied to build sustainable diversity, equity, and inclusion practices embraced at all levels across organizations.

Learn More Today!

NPower and Command Shift in Action: SIM Women Leadership Summit

Thank you SIM Foundation for hosting the Command Shift team during the 2023 SIM Women Leadership Summit. This year’s theme, “Question Everything!” focused on efforts to exemplify, empower and educate. It was an incredible convening for professional development, networking, and thought leadership.

Globant Women That Build Awards - Call for Nominations

NPower and Command Shift are excited to support Globant’s Women That Build Awards and encourage our community to elevate tomorrow’s leaders. We believe that by recognizing game changers in STEAM and working towards a more equitable industry, we can create a future where everyone can thrive. 

Nominate a woman that builds, inspires, and is creating change in tech.

Learn more and nominate/vote today