Just recently, I had the opportunity to go to lunch with Ann Lansinger and hear more about her experience as Executive Director of the Emerging Technology Centers (ETC) in Baltimore, MD. The purpose of our meeting was an interview, but it turned out to be more of a delightful conversation. Regrettably, Ann will be retiring from her position with the ETC in 2012. Some highlights of our talk are below:
GOW: How long have you held the position of Executive Director at the ETC?
AL: I came on board in 1999 when the ETC first opened its doors.
GOW: What was it about the ETC that intrigued you enough to want to jump on board?
AL: It was a good opportunity. There was so much promise in opening a center at the beginning of the dotcom boom. I’d worked with other incubators before and it was exciting to join an organization that had such an expansive program.
GOW: What do you like best about your job?
AL: Interacting with the various companies. I am inspired by the entrepreneurship I witness around here. It’s wonderful to watch these start-up companies blossom, grow and become successful businesses. A number of them become quite successful over time.
GOW: What advice do you have for women who wish to pursue a career in technology?
AL: There is tremendous opportunity out there and I wish more women would pursue it. There are not enough women enrolled in STEM (Science, Technology, Education, Math) programs. Once they have a basic STEM education, there is no limit to what they can accomplish.
GOW: Who are your role models?
AL: There are many women I admire in the technology community, but my ideal role model is not a particular person but a combination of attributes I have admired in numerous women — someone who is honorable, lives a good life and has a desire to contribute to society. This woman would exhibit class, intellect, sensitivity and family values. She would also work diligently to help other women succeed as she has.
GOW: What is your vision for the future of the ETC?
AL: I would like to see the ETC become a true technology hub. It should continue new venture creation activities while expanding its programs and resources. Ideally, there would be more satellite facilities focused on specific technical areas such as IT and medical devices.
GOW: We will all miss you around here! What are your plans for retirement?
AL: I would like to spend more time with my family, continue to contribute professionally on a more limited basis, take classes at the local community college and volunteer.
I hope this interview with Ann encourages more women to pursue careers in technology. It’s a rewarding and challenging field. Anything is possible and if you take that first step, you could end up at a company as awesome as Teltek 😀