Women in Technology - Christina Cidade

This blog is part of our ongoing Women in Technology series.

Christina is a Director within the Strategic Client Solutions team at Consilio. She began her eDiscovery career in 1997 and has acted as a Project Manager, Product Launch Manager, and Account Manager before taking her current role as Director.

Christina has over 20 years of experience in the legal industry with a focus on litigation support and eDiscovery. Christina has served as the primary point of contact for clients on hundreds of eDiscovery engagements, and has guided them through the eDiscovery process, including initial project scoping, project size, and cost estimation.

How did you get into this industry?

In College, I was temping for Ibis Consulting (if you have been in eD for 20+ years, you remember it!) and it was supposed to be a just temporary. I majored in Legal Studies and worked at a law firm for a few years after graduation, but found my way back to Ibis. From there, the rest is history!

What were some pivotal moments in your career that helped to get you to where you are today?

Being comfortable with saying “no”. This can be really hard, especially for women. At the beginning of my career, I would be the “yes” person. I wanted to prove that I could take on everything and anything. However, saying “no” does not mean you don’t use your skills to multi-task or take on demanding projects – you have to focus on what projects are most pressing, and where you can learn and develop new skills.

Have you ever noticed a time in your career where your gender proved to differentiate you?

There have been times, yes. Sometimes positively and other times negatively. I have been very fortunate to have worked for and with some amazing male colleagues where there was (and is) a mutual respect.

What is your advice for someone working in a predominately male workplace?

Be Confident. Your position was earned through your knowledge, experience, and skills – you have earned your spot at the table and you belong there!

Be Vocal & Courageous. Don’t be afraid to speak up in a meeting and share your thoughts, and ideas. It takes courage to be vocal and make yourself seen in meetings, but over time, it will become natural.

Take a Gamble. Make the most of out of every opportunity that presents itself – whether it is going for a promotion, new job, lead on a project, etc. Be confident in your skills and take the leap. There is always a lesson to be learned when we take a gamble – always bet on yourself!

Build Relationships. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get to know your colleagues and clients. You can learn industry insights and at the same time find common interests. When you find common denominators, those “walls” come down.

What do you think companies could do to motivate more women to pursue careers in technology?

Female role models are crucial. It is essential that companies share and celebrate female successes through speaking engagements, publications, and media outlets which will attract candidates. It is important to not only share the successes, but to share the struggles of women; what drives them, scares them, and their support system at the company…this is what is real and empowering.

Having a team dedicated to diversity and inclusion, as we have at Consilio, is a huge step forward. It validates the company’s commitment to manage bias, measure progress, provide a network of support, and much more.