For Women of Color Navigating the Corporate IT World, Mentors Matter

Editor's Note: This article is part of a series featuring working women who've had a big impact on the tech industry, developed in partnership with multinational tech services company HCL Technologies. Read about other inspiring Red Ladder Honorees.

When Neelu Sethi moved to the U.S. 23 years ago, she came with one suitcase and no clue about the American culture. She spent all these years working her way up the corporate ladder. She worked in many industries, including pharmaceutical, consumer goods, textile and hospitality to become the CIO at Reddy Ice in Dallas/Fort Wort, TX. She credits what she calls her “existence” in the corporate world to a long string of mentors. It’s an experience that has driven her to help others—especially girls in STEM and emerging technology leaders—as a way of paying it all. As the skill one needs is going to keep changing, so building a network of mentors is the key enabler for success.”