A Conversation with Tanya
What is your current job? Please list the title and briefly describe what it involves.
I am a Systems Innovation Manager with Procter & Gamble in their Global Business Service business unit. In my current role I work to understand the people who are at the heart of the financial services and systems being used across the company. I investigate the challenges they face relative to the systems in use. I stay connected to emerging technologies and industry developments in order to identify solutions with the potential to simplify work. When a new solution is found, I design the configurations to integrate it seamlessly into the company’s existing infrastructure.
What made you want to pursue a career in engineering?
I pursued engineering because it was very clear to me that technology would impact every field and industry in the future. I wanted to ensure I was equipped with the knowledge to understand the source of science and technologies that would be guiding the changes.
What’s your favourite part of your job?
I absolutely love bringing order to chaos. No matter the technology or system I’m working with, in the beginning it can feel very ambiguous and volatile because there are often many moving pieces. What I’ve found to be true is that a solution always exists – and I allow that to guide my thinking. Once I begin diving in, the best route and solution eventually becomes clear.
How do you celebrate National Engineering Month?
In the past, I’ve attended conferences to see emerging technologies and have recruited young students to join the discipline by explaining the merits and purpose of engineering. I absolutely love connecting with engineers from various companies, industries, and streams to hear about what’s coming next. I’m curious by nature and enjoy finding ways to combine solutions.
What advice do you have for young women who hope to pursue a career in your field?
It’s an extremely rewarding field and I want you young women to be passionate, and even empowered by how much is enabled by this world of technology. While studying, I recommend doing an internship, participating in hands on competitions, and building something that will either improve your life or that of someone you know. It is incredibly rewarding when youstart to understand you have the ability to impact massive change. There are a gazillion solutions waiting to be discovered. Finally make sure that you speak up. Don’t allow intimidation to keep you silent, share your opinion and how you think – because that’s the only way anyone will really know that you are present.
Tanya’s Biography
Tanya is a Systems Innovation Manager with Procter & Gamble Inc. and works in their Global Business Services division. She explores new technologies and potential innovations that could address existing or emerging business need. She then designs the transformation required for the specific business and defines the integration models.
Born and raised in Montreal, Tanya graduated from Concordia University with a Bachelors degree in Computer Engineering specializing in Hardware Systems Design. This has served her well in the age of rapid technological advancement. Tanya has excelled in the design and implementation of digital infrastructures. She has used her keen understanding of people, processes and technologies to create business models that make use of the newest digital advances. Working on major Fortune 100 businesses she travelled throughout North America and Latin America to implement various aspects of digital innovation and operations. She relocated to Asia to lead the implementation of a new digital platform for P&G’s Baby Care category in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Passionate about her community and the ability to infuse it with fervor for technology, Tanya worked alongside the City of Toronto, Toronto Tourism, and the National Society of Black Engineers, designing the marketing and promotional strategy for the “Engineering a Global Impact” convention in 2010. This event attracted 10, 000 participants which included global engineering students, multi-national recruiters, and world-renowned speakers- a first of it’s kind in Canada. She continues to engage with the community through organizing or hosting events, consulting, and giving technology-focused talks. She believes that anyone can thrive and be successful once equipped with the right tools, resources and environment. She infuses this thinking into everything she does, and applies it to every platform to help transform lives and businesses.
Contact Tanya at: [email protected]
