This year’s host of CloudNOW’s Top 10 Women in Cloud Innovation awards has leveraged decades of success stories to empower the next generation of female technologists. In fact, she started her career in technology more than 40 years ago as a developer for the Department of Defense before transitioning to integrative financial services.

“I had an affinity for [computing]. So I leveraged that,” said Becky Wanta (pictured), president and chief executive officer of RSW1C Consulting, a technology consulting firm. Following her time with the DoD, she “took over running all of tech for The Money Store. And then that got acquired by Wells Fargo First Union, so I took over as their Global CTO for Wells Fargo.”

Over the span of her career, Wanta has led tech efforts for the likes of MGM Resorts International, PepsiCo, Wells Fargo, Best Buy and other companies. Wanta spoke with Lisa Martin (@Luccazara), host of theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s mobile livestreaming studio, during the CloudNOW Top 10 Women in Cloud Innovation Awards held on the Google Campus in Mountain View, California. They talked about Wanta’s career in technology and the impact she is having on the future generation.

Guiding the next generation

Since founding RSW1C, Wanta has worked with some of the largest companies in the world helping them navigate their digital transformation. She explained that she often assumes the role of chief information officer because digital transformation requires executive sponsorship.

“When I get brought into these companies, I get brought in to transform them. … I take that very seriously, because I know technology is that gateway to keep that competitive advantage,” Wanta said.

As one of the early success stories for women in technology, Wanta is excited to empower the next generation of female technologist with opportunities she didn’t have. Progress in technology often centers around a culture of mentorship, but Wanta explained she never had a mentoring figure in her career.

“I never did. Because when I started in the industry, there wasn’t a lot of women. And, obviously, technology was fairly new, which is why one of my passions is around helping the next generation be hugely successful,” Wanta concluded.

Watch the complete video interview below, and be sure to check out more of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE’s coverage of the CloudNOW 6th Annual Top 10 Women in Cloud Innovation Awards.

Photo: SiliconANGLE