Celebrating Women’s History Month: Spotlighting Autodesk Mavens

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March is Women's History Month and it’s an opportunity to celebrate and honor the contributions of women, both in the past and in the present. As a board member of Autodesk’s Women’s Network (AWN), an employee resource group, I’ve decided to write this piece in recognition of the awesome contributions that women at Autodesk make each day. AWN’s mission is to empower women, at all levels of Autodesk, to develop and realize their full leadership potential. I’m thrilled to highlight six extraordinary women from across the globe who inspire, support and lift others.

Last year, I wrote a similar blog where I highlighted women in engineering roles. This year, I’ve decided to go broader – including women in information architecture, customer operations and corporate counsel. For this blog, I’m featuring the following mavens… Andrea Fajardo Valerio, experience design architect…Sapna Bhargava, engineering manager…Christina Marcet, information architect…Ramona Biehn, senior manager in Global Customer Operations …Mona Jalilzadeh, senior engineering manager…and Erin Wong, senior manager and senior corporate counsel. I asked each of them the same following questions and it was really cool to learn from them.

• What do you enjoy about your role at Autodesk?
• Thinking through your career journey, what advice would you give someone who is at university and is thinking about a career in tech or someone who is making a switch to work in tech?
• What does Women’s History Month mean to you?

As you read through each person’s response, I hope it inspires you to share stories about women in your life who inspire you. Happy Women’s History Month!

Let’s start with Andrea Fajardo Valerio.

Hi, I’m Andrea Fajardo Valerio (yes that’s two last names). I am an experience design architect and communications lead at ALN, Autodesk LatinX Network, an employee resource group. In Experience Architecture, we need to really understand the problem landscape, narrow it down to strategic areas, set a vision and then help teams create a plan to tackle the problem. Often, we need to coordinate and align many stakeholders, and get customer feedback along the way. I love that messy process.

Originally from Costa Rica, it just struck me that I've survived 10 winters in Boston! Currently, I'm perfecting my third language, Italian, and hope to keep learning more in the future. Outside of work, I’m always finding an excuse to travel. Especially spontaneous trips with little to no-planning. I enjoy everything about it: packing, the airports, that first ride in a new city, seeing how people live, dress, drive and eat. I also like imagining what would it be to retire there.

Thinking through your career journey, what advice would you give someone who is at university and is thinking about a career in tech or someone who is making a switch to work in tech?  Tech is incredibly diverse; today you could be in Fintech, tomorrow designing hardware and devices. Hone those transferable skills that will help you grab exciting opportunities. Also, identify the problems you're naturally drawn to—it's easier to get better when you're passionate about something. Finally, Latinas, seek sponsors and allies who can advocate on your behalf. Tech is still a challenging industry for women of color but find ways to use that as a differentiator.

What does Women’s History Month mean to you? In recent years, we've seen that some leaders still want to hold back women's progress toward equality. 2024 is especially important because more than 60 countries have elections. Apathy, indifference, and inaction is not an option and Women’s History Month creates that space to look back at what we have achieved, what’s at risk, and discuss what should we be doing next. 

Next up is Christina Marcet.

Hello. I’m Christina Marcet, information architect at Autodesk who specializes in the structure, functionality and discoverability of our internal wiki documentation. There’s so much to love about what I do – all the problem-solving, creativity, variety, impact, and the continuous learning opportunities, all in the service of elevating our internal docs. Autodesk’s technologists rely on the knowledge we share about our various systems, platforms, data, and products, but in general, internal documentation doesn’t always get the same thoughtful planning, structuring, and maintenance as externally facing documentation does.  It’s especially amazing to be able to transform a team’s longtime wiki space into a more functional working area.  My role at Autodesk is my dream job come true.

I reside in San Francisco and I have a fun fact. Music is my thing – I play guitar, piano, and I’m a classically trained singer who can also sing rock and R&B! Also, I’m learning how to horseback ride in my late forties! I’m also teaching myself Japanese every day through interactive apps. Travel and seeing the world is also lovely – I especially enjoy going to various desert regions in the US like Sedona or Joshua Tree to reset my head.

Thinking through your career journey, what advice would you give someone who is thinking about a career in tech or making a switch to work in tech?

I would certainly be thrilled for anyone who wants to be involved in tech, as it’s a broad, exciting, and evolving field. I’d let them know that it’s a great idea, and that there’s opportunities even if you’re getting started at the ground level – you don’t need an engineering degree or programming experience (although those skills never hurt to learn, if you’re inclined). If you have talents as a writer and enjoy tinkering with apps and keeping up with evolving tech, you could be a technical writer and have a huge impact that increases productivity of engineers and users, for instance. Project management is another great starting point in tech, as so is sales, marketing, proposal writing. I would also recommend that even if your work and studies are steeped in tech, make sure you also take tech breaks. You need time in nature, time with animals, time with family and friends and away from screens!

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?

Women's History Month honors the resilience, innovation, and resourcefulness of women who have profoundly shaped our society. Icons like Susan B. Anthony and Marsha P. Johnson (and many more) have laid the groundwork for our progress to date, inspiring the ongoing global advancement of women.

This month, I reflect on the strides towards equality I've seen in my lifetime, acknowledging the struggles of past generations whose opportunities were limited. Their fierce advocacy led to crucial changes, giving us the freedoms and recognition, we value today. We must never take their sacrifices for granted.

As we look ahead, the pursuit of truly intersectional equality continues. We must stay vigilant against subtle but enduring threats to our autonomy and actively counter them. Our actions can motivate and empower future generations. Now is the time to act, to set an example, to learn from the past, and to embrace this chance to forge a legacy of strength, perseverance, and equality for those who will follow in our footsteps.

Let’s learn a bit about Erin Wong.

Hello, I’m Erin Wong, senior manager and senior corporate counsel, intellectual property on the Legal, Government Affairs, and Public Policy team and based in San Francisco, CA. I oversee IP strategy relating to patents and trade secrets, and the protection of confidential information such as Autodesk source code. I love working with different teams across the business and hearing different perspectives. Disagreement at Autodesk is healthy and respected, and everyone is looking out for the best interests of Autodesk. I love working with smart and passionate people. It keeps the job fun and interesting.

A hobby of mine is traveling to different baseball stadiums around the U.S. (and world) to see baseball games. I’ve lost count how many I’ve been to because new ones keep being built! I love to hike, travel, and eat good food. I hope to do all of these things on my upcoming sabbatical this year!

Thinking through your career journey, what advice would you give someone who is thinking about a career in tech or making a switch to work in tech?

I would advise not to chase the “shiniest” tech companies. Each company treats their employees, business, and risk profiles differently. A tech company can (and should) have integrity. To the extent this matters to someone looking to get in tech, be sure to be discriminatory about where you’re looking to work. You should be able to feel proud about working for that company and the work that they are doing.

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?

Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate women and what we can achieve and have achieved. On the other hand, it is a time for allies to understand women’s struggles and find ways that they can support and elevate women and their accomplishments. I hope, together, we can be the change towards a more equitable future.

Let’s get to know Mona Jalilzadeh.

Hello, I'm Mona Jalilzadeh.  I’m Senior Engineering Manager at Autodesk and recently, I relocated from Massachusetts to the state of Washington. There’s so much I enjoy about my role. But if I had to highlight one thing, it would be the impact I get to have on my team's career and personal growth. It's a responsibility I take to heart. Helping my team become even more awesome than they already are is what drives me every day. Whether it's giving someone their first break in the industry, helping them explore different career paths, or just being there to offer support and inspiration, it's incredibly rewarding. Of course, there are many other aspects of my role that I love too, but this one really stands out to me.

Apart from my professional life, I enjoy woodworking and crafting, as well as activities like deep-sea fishing, camping, traveling, and spending quality time with friends and family. Also, I'm quite adventurous when it comes to trying new foods.

Thinking through your career journey, what advice would you give someone who is thinking about a career in tech or making a switch to work in tech?

For those considering a career in tech or transitioning, it's vital to adapt and grow. Tech evolves rapidly, so embracing continuous learning and adaptation is essential. Remember, rejection is part of the process; don't let it discourage you. Lastly, Companies have diverse cultural values, and managers often uphold distinct values for their teams. If you encounter a negative experience, don't lose heart. Seek out teams or companies where your values align for a more fulfilling journey.

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?

I believe Women's History Month serves as a reminder of the contribution women have made throughout history. Their stories that are inspiring to me and many others, and hopefully, an awakening for some.

However, I strive for a society in which recognition and celebration of women's achievements are ingrained.

Now, let’s meet Ramona Biehn.

Hi. My name is Ramona Biehn. My pronouns are she/her. I am a senior manager in Global Customer Operations, leading a team of client services specialists. I am based out of Barcelona, Spain and come originally from Germany. I am also the Global Lead of the Autodesk Women’s Network (AWN), which I have been leading for about a year now.

My favourite colour is pink and I like traditional German music called “Schlager”.

I am a very active person and like to do many different things. The only time where I fully disconnect without doing anything is when I am sunbathing at the beach, this is my happy moment. I like running and have the goal to run my first half-marathon this year and I am also the organizational captain of the Barcelona Autdoesk Women’s football team, playing as a goalie. I spend my free time mostly together with my Italian wife and our friends. We like to travel and explore new cultures and destinations together. This always implies trying local food. We are both food and wine lovers and she is a very good cook. 

I am passionate leader and people manager. I love seeing my team grow and making a contribution to their development and journeys. In my role as the AWN Global Lead, I have the opportunity to meet and connect with incredible women of different functions which I would have never met otherwise. My AWN Board is extremely strong and talented, and I am so inspired by their work, creativity and accountability. We are all doing this work voluntarily on top of our day jobs and are extremely passionate about our vision for Autodesk to become the model workplace for women.

Thinking through your career journey, what advice would you give someone who is thinking about a career in tech or making a switch to work in tech?

I believe there is a misperception out there of what it means to work in tech and that you have to be extremely “techy” to be able to work in Tech. There is many different roles and opportunities in the tech sector. My recommendation is to talk to people already working in Tech to build your network and understand what the option out there are and then decide on the direction you would like to take. I have learnt a lot from our AWN Women in Tech lead – Aliza Carpio – who is a tech evangelist, a function that I didn’t even know it existed prior to meeting her.

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?

Women’s History Month to me is both a moment of celebration and reflection. It is a moment to celebrate women both in history as well as today. And it is a moment to reflect on what we have achieved but also what lies ahead of us. I like to emphasize that depending on the country and region, women’s rights are in very different stages. Any actions should not only happen in Women’s History month but continue throughout the entire year, only with continuity can we really make a long-term impact and drive change.

Our final spotlight is Sapna Bhargava. Let’s take a moment to get to know her.

Hello, I’m Sapna Bhargava, an Engineering Manager at Autodesk. What I enjoy about my role is that I get to talk to people, understand what drives them, and help them explore opportunities to give their best is what I like most about my role.  

I'm based out of Pune, India. I moved to Pune in 2021, after spending two decades in different cities and states across India. Here, in Pune, I already feel at home. I’m extremely adaptable to new cultures, people, and food. I like to create things – it could be a Lego, a painting, a DIY craft idea, or a new recipe. I also love spending time with my family and close friends.

Thinking through your career journey, what advice would you give someone who is thinking about a career in tech or making a switch to work in tech?

Being curious is extremely important in tech. Asking questions relentlessly until you understand the concepts will go a long way in building confidence. Let people know your ambitions and back them up with continuous learning.

What does Women’s History Month mean to you?

It’s a celebration of the countless women who fought courageously and tirelessly to give us the freedom and opportunities we enjoy today. It’s also a reminder to contribute back to the cause for future generations.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to get to know these remarkable Autodesk women. I hope their stories inspired you. Do you have someone you would like to recognize during Women’s History Month? If so, please share in the Comments section.

Also, if you would like to learn more about Autodesk Women’s Network, just click HERE