Nancy Ridge ─ co-founding a women's IT channel group to advance careers and leadership roles for women...
November 17, 2020 • 3 Minute Read
Nancy Ridge
Founder & President
Ridge Innovative
& Co-founder
Alliance of Channel Women
The growth of women leaders in the IT industry is progressing at a glacial pace and even slower in key IT channel leadership roles. Enter an energetic leader who turned the tables and co-founded an IT channel women's group ─ Nancy Ridge.
Nancy is the co-founder of the Alliance of Channel Women. Currently, she is the president of Ridge Innovative, helping clients achieve business outcomes through technology and ecosystems. Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™, Nancy Ridge!
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
I graduated high school at age 16 and became an emancipated minor.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
Approximately 7,000 – 8,000 miles.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
Alligator – in Las Vegas.
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
At 17, I was fortunate enough to get a job working as a secretary at Honeywell for the team that sold mainframe computers to the big automotive companies. This propelled me directly into the high-tech world where multi-million dollars deals were made and innovation was happening. I was hired because I had exceptional secretarial skills, despite my age. I was openly ambitious and I had a passion for tech and for learning new things.
During a low point in my career, rather than leaving my job I decided to create something new, which was born out of many years of being either the only woman at the board room table or one of the few women in the room. I founded and served as the first President of a non-profit group for women in technology, “Alliance of Channel Women” (ACW). I wanted to create a group where women leaders and women in revenue generating roles in a male dominated industry could meet, network, and support each other, as well as mentor young women and each other. The ACW has been a resounding success and continues to grow.
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
Early in my career, I worked for a woman who was a Regional VP for a chip manufacturer. She was a mentor and role model to me. She was highly respected, hard-working, smart, successful and feminine. She dressed and looked pretty, she had a husband, step children, and she always encouraged me to keep learning, and not to hold back.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Take the time to get that college degree. Invest in yourself and see yourself as a leader. Don’t be in such a hurry.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
I am a big advocate of mentorship. Through ACW, I’ve created mentoring programs. I have also created additional mentoring opportunities through my on-going public speaking and social media. I have found great pleasure watching my daughter grow and develop professionally, while being there for her every step of the way, as well as her friends.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
After an entire career of building businesses from the ground up based on the vision of others, I’m finally building a business based on my vision, Ridge Innovative. Being an entrepreneur means wearing all the hats: visionary, leader, finance, marketing, sales, legal, administrative, human resources, customer service – across the board. I couldn’t be more grateful or happier and although some might say the timing is difficult, I’d say it’s the best ever in terms of innovative technologies and digital transformation. The disruption brought about by COVID-19 has accelerated adoption of new ways of doing things through technology faster than ever before.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
I’m continuing to refine my skills in the area of building internal and external ecosystems through the use of platforms and software. Accenture says that 76% of business leaders claim their business models will be unrecognizable in 5 years and ecosystems will be the frontier for driving digital transformation. Ridge Innovative is positioned to be the premier source to enterprises for building ecosystems.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
My greatest business challenge is remaining focused on a daily basis. There are so many distractions; both real and virtual. As I continue to grow and expand, I must stay disciplined in staying the course and not losing sight of the big picture—being of service to God, myself, my employees, my customers, the business community and the world. Oh, and let’s remember to have fun!
