To My Ed Tech Friends: You Are Not Alone

This month, I had the profound honor of participating in the record-breaking ATLIS 2024 Annual Conference in Reno, Nevada.

It was a whirlwind—events, connections, and enlightening sessions that left me, and many others, deeply inspired.

What I love most about this conference is that it serves as more than a meeting of wonderful “ed tech” minds. It is a vibrant celebration of the unique paths we all have traveled to become leaders in technology within independent schools.

As I interacted with attendees (including my oldest son turned newly employed data analyst who shared a special moment on stage with me), I was struck by our diversity and our shared dedication to bettering educational technology.

It was a powerful moment and compelling reminder that we are a force for good in education—and no matter where you work, or what your role is, you are not alone.

In keeping with this theme, I want to give a special shoutout to the visionary founders of ATLIS—Kelsey Vrooman, Gabriel Lucas, and Stuart Posin—who recognized a gap in our community and filled it with possibility. Their foresight has created a space for meaningful exchanges and mutual support that continues to empower technology leaders across the country and internationally.

Becoming #WonderWoman

One of the most memorable moments for me was taking the stage—not just to welcome everyone in my last year as ATLIS’ board chair, but also to embody courage and fun.

Acknowledging the intimidation of speaking before over 500 esteemed peers, I chose to use that nervous energy as fuel. By stepping out and doing the #WonderWoman, a power pose featured in the book “Presence” I featured in January, I hoped to resonate especially with the women in tech and first-time presenters, showing that vulnerability can be a powerful form of strength.

(“Thank you” to Ally Wenzel who reminded me about this the night before I went on stage in front of the hundreds of attendees.)

This gesture sparked conversations and a sense of solidarity that overflowed into the Women in Tech Power Hour session I hosted, making it a highlight of the conference. It was exhilarating to see so many ready to support and uplift each other.

From Sinking to Thriving

Another of my favorite moments from the conference was the chance to help tech professionals discover their own path to thriving in tech. One of the ways I like to do this is by inviting people to take my T.H.R.I.V.E. quiz, based on my T.H.R.I.V.E. Operating System™.

It’s a tool I developed to help tech leaders gauge their current state in navigating the challenges and opportunities of their roles. And its questions about how you see yourself, your leadership, and your value, offers a good baseline for what you might need to find fulfillment in your personal and professional life.

But what really struck me was when I sat down to dig into the quiz results from the conference. Alarmingly, 80% of those who took it indicated they are either just surviving or outright sinking.

This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a clear indication that many of us are facing significant pressures that could be hindering our ability to lead effectively and with fulfillment. So, I repeat: You are NOT alone!

This result underscores the urgent need for supportive frameworks that empower leaders not just to manage but to excel. It’s clear that there is much work to be done in providing the necessary tools and support systems that can transform these experiences from struggling to thriving.

We’re Here for You

As I look reflect back on all the conversations and interactions I had at ATLIS, I’m struck most by what we need to do to lift each other and move our industry forward.

That’s a powerful driver behind the reason I launched Tech & Thrive. And it’s why I continue to grow it—with a new website that better reflects our evolving services and the expansion of team building retreats and workshops focused on empowering technology teams to thrive.

It’s also the reason I authored a chapter in ATLIS’ new Leadership Principles book on the ways that we can and should empower diverse voices to rise in the ranks of our profession.

This is a call to all technology leaders feeling the weight of their roles—you are not alone. We are part of a vibrant community that values seeing, hearing, and understanding each other, no matter our background or how daunting the task may seem.

Let’s continue to lean on and learn from each other, flying toward our goals with the courage of superheroes. Together, we have enormous power—to not only support each other but to also transform our challenges into opportunities for growth and impact.