Kim Cumming is a staff program manager for Blackbaud,Inc., a cloud software company that connects and empowers large agencies and corporations as well as small non-profit organizations. There she manages web and web application development and has spent over 20 years helping numerous customers. Kim has been key to the planning and implementation of Latinitas’ upcoming Design Chica conference as co-chair of the UX design workshop committee, and we are so excited to have her on our team!
“Good design isn’t just colors which make us feel good; it’s a full experience we want to provide.”
What got you interested in helping with the planning of Design Chica?
I love watching girls realize that they have value in the technology industries… this is especially cool when they realize their creativity compliments technology! We need more girls in all aspects of technology; they have such powerful brains!
Tell us about a challenge you’ve faced in your career and what you learned from it.
One challenge I faced and learned a long time ago from was ensuring you give the honest answer and status to things happening as quickly as you can. No one likes to be the bearer of bad news, but getting accurate information to the right people when it’s needed is key to the whole team to making decisions. Bad news happens, but it’s easier to manage as a team than by yourself.
What do you like the most about your job?
Learning something new every day… EVERY DAY…Technology moves so quickly and I feel so fortunate to be around brilliant people to learn from.
What would you tell your 18-year-old self?
There is nothing you can’t do — anything is possible and doable. It takes desire and drive — and that’s a commitment you have to make to yourself. You should make yourself a priority always.
Tell us about someone who motivated you to pursue this career path.
I didn’t start out in technology when I went to college, but back then, my manager Megan gave me a job in the computer lab and I realized I was useful and that it was fun helping people in technology. I had a knack for translating what people wanted into solutions that needed to happen.
Latinitas’ Design Chica Conference is Saturday, April 15, 2017, at ACC Eastview Campus. Throughout the day, girls ages 9–18 of all backgrounds will learn design thinking and work with user experience designers to create their very own website. The day will also include some demonstrations of virtual reality technology. During lunch, girls will meet professionals in various roles in the tech sector.
For more information, or to sign up to volunteer, visit DesignChica.com.
