Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Kilby.
Nicole, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m honored to be here today to discuss my journey in hopes to encourage others to navigate a career in Tech. So my background in a snapshot… Native Atlantan. I literally live across the street from where I was born (Crawford Long- Emory). I’m a product of the Atlanta Public School system and graduate of the esteemed Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA. My love for technology began at the age of four with an IBM mainframe computer. As a product of an entrepreneur, I quickly became acquainted with how to adapt and use technology to my advantage. My mother helped cultivate my interest with giving me task like installing software, writing disk and troubleshooting her business software. By the age of 11, I knew I wanted to be an Software-Computer Engineer and started to focus on the inputs I needed to achieve my “X” which was a career in technology. Fast forward to 8th Grade, I applied and was accepted into Frederick Douglass High School’s School of Excellence, Center of Engineering and Applied Technology.
For four years, I went through a rigorous curriculum that spanned from physics to coding to statistics to robotics that prepared me for my College. I entered Agnes Scott College Summer of 2001 bright-eyed and bushy-tailed just knowing what I was majoring in and what job I was going to obtain post-graduation. Little did I know I was in for a rude awakening; March 2002 was a pivotal moment in my life. I received my first “C” in College and it was in my favorite subject at the time, Statistics. In red, my professor critiqued my work, commenting “My answers were correct but I failed to answer the Why?” thus only receiving partial credit. Those 11 words haunted me over Spring Break. I returned from Break and scheduled a meeting with my Professor that turned into a skills assessment that basically told me, “I would be bored as an engineer and to consider other options” and to change my major. By Fall 2002, I moved from my Dual Degree Engineering program to a self-designed Business – Economics Major, which was one of the best decisions of my life. That decision catapulted me into the person I am today. It’s the reason I’m a great consultant. The ability to approach everything with “Finding the Why” will make you an analytical thinker and lifetime student.
By May 2005, I graduated from Agnes Scott College with a BA in Business and Economics. I landed a job working for an Engineering Company as a Business Analyst focused on FP&A. (Still found my way amongst engineers). During my tenure, I was afforded the opportunity to travel to Seoul, Korea to implement financial management tools as well obtained certification in Oracle, SAP, and CRM on my employer. Although I was performing well, I neglected my motto, “to always have a student mentality,” and became complacent with just doing my one job. By May 2014, I was laid off due to the economic downturn. From 2014 – 2016 I traveled, re-discovered my why, created a career roadmap (which became a prototype for my business) and re-invented my personal brand. I accepted contract jobs as a freelance consultant to explore different career paths before deciding to put all my eggs in one basket. After three months of intentionally submitting resumes, I landed my “Dream Job” and tripled by last salary.
For the last six years, I’ve enjoyed shaping the world through technology by providing innovative future-proof solutions to clients. Prior to COVID, I would travel to client sites around the US, Monday – Thursday most week of the year. I’ve been able to establish myself as an innovator, sound leader and have used my influence to improve the experience of junior staff and underrepresented groups. I am now one of the most influential Black Women in my company. As I’m aware of how I intersect across racial and gender disparities in this industry, I’m on a mission to use my influence that I’ve garnered through my track record to create my own table to amplify voices for others; fostering inclusion by improving representation and development of Black talent.
There are several takeaway from this conversation I would like the reader to have. 1.) Diversity and technology go hand in hand. The more diverse the industry is, the better the inventions and technological advances for the world 2.) There are more opportunities than those just requiring math and engineering skills in Tech. I think a lot of people don’t understand what tech is; a good starting point is just getting a lay of the land of what is considered technology and all of the different careers that exist, as well as the different industry touchpoints. 3.) There are several paths that can lead you to the same destination. Discover your why and work you way to the “X.”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We can talk about the discouraging factors until we are blue in the face; however, I would not be the person I am today if the road was smooth. Chadwick Boseman eloquently said, “The struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose.” And I totally agree.
The best advice I can give is… Creating a Sense of Community. Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships. Assess what your team looks like. Identify a career champion, advocate, mentor, and accountability partner.
Self advocate for yourself. Don’t wait for things to happen to you. The last for me is extremely important. Building up others helps you develop into a great leader. I think of the lyrics from a Beyoncé “Bigger” from the lion king soundtrack. She sings…
I’ll be the roots, you be the tree.
Pass on the fruit that was given to me.
Legacy, ah, we’re part of something way bigger.
What do you specialize in?
In ATLien dialect I would be considered the plug, but I’ve coined the title “People Broker” to capture my keen ability to broker solutions between people and companies in laymen terms.
What are you known for?
In the corporate world I’m a techno-functional Principal Consultant for a Management Consulting and Technology firm where I implement large scale innovative future proof solutions and process improvements projects for Fortune 100/500 companies and Government agencies. In the past ten years I’ve been able to establish my brand as a Who’s Who in the tech space, directly impacting $15B in client revenue as well as consistently shifting the corporate culture to the desired state for BIPOC and women techies.
As a Serial Entrepreneur, I am on a mission to help individuals manifest their business and career goals through design-thinking/roadmapping, provide cultural experiences and create digital marketing strategy for business. I own four diverse business:
Black Ring Mafia – Lifestyle Apparel Company for Agnes Scott College.
CK Signatures – Brand Consulting and Design, help build personal and small business brands and digital footprint.
Broker the People – Consulting and Speaker, career/lifestyle design-thinking, roadmaps and consulting.
TechNOIRlogy – Technology Advocacy Platform.
What are you most proud of?
In 2020 I founded my employers Black Employee Resource Group as well as curated a candid conversations series around Eradicating Racism and Bias in Employment, entitled “eRACE” which was launched on the commemorative date of the Dr. Martin Luther King Speech. https://www.infosys.com/about/diversity-inclusion/e-race.html
One of my highlights thus far for 2021 is the launching of “TechNOIRlogy”. TechNOIRlogy is a platform to empower Black techies and consultants to find their purpose, identify and reach their career goals, solidify future plans, gain employment/prepare for professional life and provide advice on navigating the industry! We have many programs launching in Q4 2021 to improve hiring, representation, equity, and experience of Black Techies in the industry.
Additionally in 2021 I was able to add International Keynote Speaker to my resume. I was a keynote speaker for the Seedery 2021 Conference. https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6770065213581471745/
What sets you apart from others?
As a product of a lineage of entrepreneurs I have mastered adaptability. Because entrepreneurs have to wear many hats, I am able to adapt in many environments with little to no learning curve. I naturally approach everyday task with an entrepreneur spirit. I’ve combined my entrepreneur spirit with the business acumen from working in a corporate environment; resulting in my ability to provide my clients with the cheat code. I’m able to implement the same innovative, future proof solutions and scale them to personal brands and small business at a fraction of the cost. I am also using my platform to amplify the voice of underrepresented groups.
I’m also well traveled. Traveling opens up your perspective in all aspects of life. With a great appreciation for the beauty and diversity of culture, I aspire to travel to all 194 UN recognized countries. To date I have traveled to 5 continents and 37 countries.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The characteristic that has made me most successful would be my motto to always have a student mentality and my ability to build relationships. Having a student mentality is the key to unlocking the door to continued success! Not only does having a student mentality breeds success it constantly pushes personal development and evolution. This concept encourages active listening, it keeps you humble, it forces you to probe and challenge the ordinary, it keeps you opened minded and makes you a better leader.
Additionally, maintaining relationships and building upon them is very important in becoming who you want to be. It’s impossible for you to be in the right place at the right time all the time so connecting with the right people or mentoring can increase your brand. The more people you have speaking about you in rooms you can’t access is one of the best forms of free PR. You can’t avoid building your communication skills if you want to be successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: brokerthepeople.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/technoirlogy
instagram.com/according2kilbs - Twitter: twitter.com/brokerthepeople
Image Credits
@ChattieMattie – Mattison Davis
