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

Judy Mines is a Director of eDiscovery Sales at Consilio and has spent the past 15 years in the litigation support eDiscovery industry. She is committed to finding the most cost-effective, defensible solutions for her clients. Building relationships and customer service are on the top of her list. Judy has a passion for forensics and cyber security and is currently on the Pace Cyber Advisory board and is pursuing an enterprise cyber security certificate.

How did you get into this industry?

My path to technology was not a straight one. I am a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America (careful not to say CIA, based on our work) and worked as a pastry chef and various other food industry aspects. It was not until sometime after I achieved my Bachelor’s degree from the NY Institute of Technology that I ended up in technology. A friend that owned a web technology company asked me to join them. In 2006 I was looking for a new opportunity and met Vinnie Brunetti of RVM playing softball. I was looking for a new opportunity, and Vinnie was looking for someone that knew how to network and build relationships. The rest, as they say, is history.

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

My culinary career taught me that the customer is always right, and the best thing I ever learned was that people do business with people they know, like, and trust.

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

I am used to being the only woman in the room. I grew up with 3 older brothers, was the only girl on the boy’s track team in junior high, and went to Culinary School where there were less than 25% women.

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

Be yourself, speak up, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask for a mentor, someone at the company who has been where you are.

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

Start early, with outreach to girls in grade school, middle school, high school, and college, letting them know how rewarding a career in technology can be.