TubbTalk 147: One Woman in Tech’s Remarkable Journey from MSP to Community Manager

In this episode, Richard speaks to Nancy Henriquez, Head of Community at SuperOps. They offer an AI-powered PSA-RMM solution for MSPs of all sizes. Nancy shares her story as a woman in tech – from MSP owner to community leader.

An Interview With Nancy HenriquezThe Importance of MSP Communities

As the new Head of Community at SuperOps, Nancy sees it as her role to bring together all of the MSP communities out there. “I understand that each one has its own strengths and uniqueness.”

So by bringing them together, we can grow the collective knowledge and understanding of the channel and elevate everyone. It’s a way for people to get to know each other, find support and ultimately, bring the MSP world a little closer.

Nancy’s Pick of the Latest SuperOps Tools

SuperOps are constantly working on new tools to help make life easier for MSP owners. But while there’s plenty to choose from, Nancy says she’s most excited about ‘Smarter Tracker.’

“When I was an MSP myself, the biggest problem I had was making sure that my techs were keeping and tracking time accurately. It can be so frustrating for them to do this when they’re trying to do their jobs at the same time.

“So for me, this is one of our best features right now. Because not only can your techs start to track time on jobs, it tracks things like travel time. And those little things where they lose time. It all ties into reports, too.”

The Contribution a Woman in Tech can Make

In the tech space, diversity is important. But, Nancy says, not just the obvious areas like gender, but also in methodologies and experiences. “What women add is an experience that only other women can understand.

“Our experiences create a unique way for us to see the world. Things like empathy and nurture contribute to the way we approach working in tech. So for me, growing up in this industry and running an MSP has had an impact on my approach.

“But we’ve all experienced things. So if we tap into those, it will be beneficial. It will help each of us to grow and support our peers. It leads to a more collaborative environment and community, which we all need to survive.”

The Evolution of the Role of a Woman in Tech

When asked what she sees for the future of women in tech, Nancy immediately says she’d like to see more in leadership roles. “In fact, it’s one of my missions to make sure that women are talked about and championed as much as the men.

“Every stage should be diverse. So women in middle management as well as right at the top. And a lot more women-owned MSPs, too. I can’t tell you the pride I feel knowing how many of these there are today compared to when I started out.”

The Biggest Barriers for a Woman in the Tech Sector

One challenge that women face more than men is childcare, especially if they’re single parents. Often, Nancy says, women have to work far harder to climb the career ladder.

“Even if you have a partner, the home responsibilities often fall to women. So until things change within cultures, there will always be a gap where women will have to either push harder to make up for or fall back.

“Post-covid, there has been a huge gap created, because women had to stay at home or work fewer hours to manage the house. So everyone in the tech space needs to be aware of that and support women, both in MSPs and in SMBs in general.

“They may not have the same time and resources, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have the same drive. But what’s missing is giving women the same vantage point as their male colleagues.”

The Organisations Working to Bring About Change

Nancy says there are a lot of organisations working for diversity, equality and inclusion in the IT space. She highlights Nerdy Girl Success, who encourage girls to take an interest in STEM.

And alongside that, larger organisations such as Channel Futures and CompTIA have a DE&I policy. There’s also Women in Tech, a global group supporting women in STEAM roles.

How to Connect With Nancy HenriquezSuperOpsFollow SuperOps on TwitterLike SuperOps on FacebookFollow SuperOps on LinkedInConnect with Nancy on LinkedInHow to Connect With MeSubscribe to TubbTalk RSS feedSubscribe, rate, and review TubbTalk on iTunesSubscribe and rate TubbTalk on SpotifyFollow TubbTalk on iHeartRadioFollow @tubblog on TwitterMentioned in This EpisodePodcast: Richard’s previous interview with NancyBook: Bob Burg: The Go-GiverPeer group: CompTIAPeer group: The Tech TribeYoung women in STEM group: Nerdy Girl SuccessBusiness strategy: Channel FuturesWomen’s STEAM organisation: Women in TechChannel marketer: Kris BlackmonCEO of Proda Technology: Marissa MaldonadoEchelon Computer Technologies: Justine AndersonLionguard CEO: Michelle AccardiChannel chief: Michelle Ragusa-McBainCEO of 3rd Element Consulting: Dawn SizerFounder of Bluebird Leaders: Rebecca WoodsSales Development Representative at SuperOps: Nicole JamesWomen in Tech ebookYou Might Also be Interested inPodcast: AI-Based Intelligent Alerting for MSPsCelebrating Five Amazing Women in Tech for International Women’s DayPodcast: How to Break Down Barriers so Women in IT Succeed

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