Mimi Young
EVP – Experience Design, Orion Behavior Design Studios
20+ Years at Orion
“In any role, confidence, determination, and true depth of knowledge are all important qualities for women, but especially in technology.”
What do you love most about working at Orion?
My favorite thing about Orion is the diversity of expertise that Orion brings together in one company. Our ability to come together in different ways to solve problems and create innovative solutions is unique. You can think of Orion as LEGO pieces that can stand alone or fit together to form something new and interesting.
What advice would you give to other women in technology roles?
In any role, confidence, determination, and a true depth of knowledge are important qualities for women, but especially in technology. The reality is that women do have to stand out from the crowd more so than their male counterparts. Building trust in working relationships through the quality and integrity of your work also goes a long way.
What do you love most about the technology industry?
What is most rewarding about the technology industry is that new paradigms are constantly developing or being discovered at a rapid pace, which means rules can and should be broken. This allows us to think bigger than we normally would in comparison to other industries. The solution is out there; it just may not have been invented as of yet, which leaves things wide open for all of us.
What is the secret to your success?
What keeps me going is that there is always something to improve on, solve, or rethink. Never stop learning and challenging what you think you know.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve overcome?
One of the biggest challenges I have personally overcome is growing up a fairly shy person. Over time, I learned to express myself and speak my mind with confidence. This is a key attribute for anyone in their career. The ability to speak to others and convey ideas is important to success.
Who are some of your female role models or women you look up to?
I admire women leaders that can be themselves, that retain a friendly and non-authoritarian approach to their leadership. It’s a tough balance but certainly doable. The unspoken truth is that women are most often juggling multiple responsibilities in their careers and their life, and doing it with grace is something to strive for.
Meet more of our Women in Tech here.