WISE: A Year of Growth, Connection, and Empowerment

As we look out at 2026, I’m thrilled to reflect on the growth of WISE (Women Igniting Success and Empowerment) throughout 2025, the women’s resource group I founded with a simple but powerful goal: to create space for connection, learning, and advocacy for women across our organization. What began as an idea has evolved into a vibrant community—one that sparks meaningful conversation, builds confidence, and strengthens relationships across teams and locations.

Learning from Inspiring Leaders

One of the most impactful elements of WISE this year was our Q&A speaker series, which allowed members to hear unique perspectives from accomplished leaders.

In February, we welcomed Stephanie Dedmon, CIO at the State of Tennessee. Her candid conversation with us reinforced some powerful truths about professional growth. She emphasized the critical importance of asking for help and raising issues when they arise—a reminder that vulnerability and transparency are strengths, not weaknesses. One moment that particularly resonated with the group was when she shared how a male ally tapped her to be his successor. It was a beautiful example of how meaningful allyship and mentorship can open doors and create opportunities for women in leadership.

In June, we turned the spotlight inward and hosted our own Susan Frank, CFO here at UDig. Susan’s insights on leadership were both practical and inspiring. She spoke about the value of surrounding yourself with smart people and building a strong team, which enables effective delegation and time management. She also shared a personal note about maintaining work-life boundaries—she makes a conscious effort to limit work talk at home, especially important since she works alongside her husband, UDig’s founder and CEO. These real-world strategies gave our members actionable takeaways they could apply immediately.

Building Community Beyond the Conference Room

While professional development is a cornerstone of WISE, we also believe in the power of connection and fun. This year, we hosted several social events designed to help women across our company build relationships and unwind.

In April, we celebrated International Girls in ICT Day with a trivia event that brought out everyone’s competitive spirit while highlighting women’s contributions to technology. In May and November, we hosted virtual paint parties that allowed women across our three office locations to connect, get creative, and simply enjoy each other’s company. These events proved that community-building doesn’t always need an agenda—sometimes it just needs paint, canvas, and good conversation.

Growing Our Team

I’m also proud to share that we welcomed nine new female hires to our company this year. While WISE isn’t solely responsible for recruitment, we’re committed to fostering an environment where women can thrive, and we’re excited to support these new team members as they begin their journeys with us.

Looking Ahead to 2026

The momentum we’ve built this year is just the beginning. We have exciting plans for 2026 that will expand our reach and deepen our impact.

We’re targeting a couple of leaders at client organizations to participate in Q&A events, which will give our members exposure to different perspectives and industries. We’ll continue hosting virtual events to ensure women across all our offices can connect and build relationships. And we’re especially excited to plan an in-person Richmond event, bringing together members who’ve been connecting virtually for meaningful face-to-face engagement.

A Community That Keeps Growing

WISE has become more than a resource group—it’s a community where women support, challenge, and celebrate each other. As we look foward in 2026, I’m energized by the potential of what we can accomplish together. Here’s to another year of igniting success and empowerment.