INTHE
When it comes to winning Consulting’s Women Leaders in Technology award, Slalom’s Carrie
Steyer likes to tell a story to illus-
trate why the award matters, she
says. “Recently her daughter Jazzy
had a day in her STEM class where
parents were invited to participate.
Her partner, another little girl, said
that she was going to invite her dad
‘because I think he’ll understand
STEM more than my mom.’
Steyer was already planning on
joining—but, after hearing that, she
made a point of joining. After the
class, Jazzy looked up at her and
said, ‘Huh, Mama, you’re pretty
good at this. Maybe you should do
this for a living!’
“Two things from that story hit
me: First, that the other little girl
believed that STEM was all about
her dad and men. Second that,
because I was there in the room,
Jazzy saw different possibilities
for herself and for others—she saw
that a woman can do this, too,”
Steyer says. “We need everyone to
know that they can have a career in
technology.”
Has she experienced unique
challenges being a woman con-
sultant in the technology field?
Yes, of course, she says.
“Being where I am now as a
leader, I’m in a place where it’s
my responsibility to help take
down those barriers for others
who face them, regardless of their
gender or any other demographic
that might make technology feel
like a less accessible space,”
Steyer says. “Knowing that the
challenges continue to exist is
something that has inspired me to
do more, rather than sit back and
let that be a reality.”
Today, Steyer is General Man-
ager, Slalom Chicago and a leader
in the fields of artificial intel-
ligence, analytics, information
management, and strategy align-
ment with over 25 years of expe-
rience. She is known for helping
clients successfully address in-
frastructure challenges, develop
strategies for implementation, and
promote business development.
“I love solving problems, right?
Technology is one critical piece of
the puzzle to almost any problem,”
she says. “But you also need to
layer in data, people, and processes
when you’re looking at that puzzle.
Once you have those four things to-
gether, you can create a solution to
any challenge that’s out there.”
“I look forward to how Slalom
will help lead in local communi-
ties and continue to help clients
navigate complex challenges,”
Steyer says. “I’m also anchor-
ing back on Slalom’s vision for
everyone to love their work,
their life, and their future. That’s
where I’m spending my time as a
leader—focusing on how to make
that possible for Slalom and our
clients. I help folks open doors
that they didn’t think were avail-
able to them.”
What would you consider your greatest personal or professional
achievement?
STEYER: “My favorite milestones are when I see people who I have
helped developed do amazing things. There’s so much joy when
you see someone you’ve supported reach their personal goals, or
be celebrated for their leadership, or meet achievements that they
never thought they would meet.” Q &
A
CARRIE STEYER
SLALOMEXCELLENCE INLEADERSHIP
