There’s a serious lack of diversity in the technology industry. ITequality strives to take a stand at every opportunity to represent the voices of underrepresented groups in technology. As a company, ITequality is committed to diversity, and it’s own staff sets a high bar for what a diverse organization should look like. Collectively, ITequality is 50% people of color, 67% LGB, 67% TGNC. Unlike the tech industry in general, ITequality is less than 25% white male.
Remember, please don’t label people based on assumptions, stereotypes, looks, style of clothing, hair color, the presence of tattoos and/or piercings, etc. We are all human, and have a right to be our own authentic selves at all times.
And now, without further delay, let’s meet Stephan Cardenas, Account Executive with ITEquality.
What were you doing before you joined ITequality?
Before joining ITequality I was working at Carl’s Junior as a crew member. I had a smattering of other jobs before that, and sometimes alongside that, but fast food was the job I jived with the most. It was a very direct line of customer service, a direct delivery of something someone wanted/needed. And that’s extremely appealing to me. I have also worked as a plumber’s assistant, a phone center operator, an executive assistant, and even an English Tutor.
How did you learn about ITequality?
I learned about it through my friend Alice Wooden, who I met through her temporary stint as a Carl’s Junior employee. Alice was a hard worker who continued to work at Carl’s for several months after getting a new job because the manager asked her to. Alice and I were friends outside of work because of our mutual hobbies. She introduced me to Ashley Allen, the founder of ITequality. I later spent three hours interviewing with Ashley in a Jollibee’s getting a thorough feel for ITequality and their culture. The interview was originally for a Salesforce Consultant position, but when it turned out ITequality needed an Account Executive, something I’m much more suited for, I was quickly brought on board!
What have you learned since joining ITequality?
I would say the two biggest lessons I have learned at ITequality are that you miss one-hundred percent of the shots you do not take, and that you should not hesitate to work together if you can. I have an inclination toward some amount of shyness, so I can be hesitant to just insert myself in people’s conversations or introduce myself to people I have never spoken to. Ultimately both are part of the job as an account executive. Cold connections and deals that I would not have dreamed possible are possible. You simply must have the courage to impose yourself on other people and ask. Often, you will find people are happy to be imposed on!
Ultimately, nobody can do it all. I have found that often, when I am at a loss for some aspect of CPQ or Salesforce, I can easily rely on my co-workers and friends to help me get a sharper, accurate understanding of the system. This allows me to better help guide potential clients to their best implementation. Likewise, I often find myself helping my co-workers with drumming up new SoWs to keep a project going, or occasionally with wording emails and giving them feedback! We all sink or swim together, so it’s important that we help each other succeed by sharing our strengths and supporting each others’ weaknesses.
What does being a member of the ITequality team mean to you?
It means a chance at helping people I care about succeed. This is probably the first time I have worked at a job where I genuinely like everyone who works there. The crew at ITequality is filled with wonderful people and when I succeed, I feel like I am helping everyone succeed. It is fiercely motivating, Ashley’s ambitions are ambitions I can feel proud to push forward and support, along with the ambitions of all my wonderful co-workers.
Stephan is just one of the amazing and diverse members of the ITequality team. Pushing the statistics of diversity in technology, and moving the needle of inclusivity. Watch for more team member introductions coming soon.
