¾ÅÉ«

Happy Women¡¯s History Month! What began as a weeklong celebration in 1982 has since become a full month dedicated to honoring women¡¯s numerous contributions to society, both past and present. At ¾ÅÉ«, we are proud of the many dedicated, innovative, and wise women who inhabit our offices around the globe. Get to know a few of them below! 

Angela Carrillo-Rodriguez, Human Resources Associate

¡°My mom has always been my role model. She is a true example of resilience and dedication.¡±

Tell us about yourself and your role at ¾ÅÉ«.

I am Angela Carrillo-Rodriguez, and I¡¯m a human resources associate for HR-Brazil based in Sao Paulo. Born in Mexico, I moved to the US when I was 13. I graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a degree in international business administration. I continued to study, and in 2023 I obtained my master?s degree in global business administration with a focus on strategic management from the University of Manchester. I speak four languages: Spanish, English, Italian, and Portuguese!  

Is there a woman you look up to? Why? 

My mom has always been my role model. She has always supported our development and has always encouraged my brothers and me to pursue our dreams. She is a true example of resilience and dedication¡ªshe left her career as a professor in Mexico and then worked through a GED and college in the US to become an accountant. She is a true example that it is never too late to achieve your goals! 

Within ¾ÅÉ«, I also have a deep admiration for Marina Yoffe. She has been my mentor for a year, and she¡¯s made a big impact on my life and career already. She has taught me that through hard work and persistence, goals and professional growth can be attained. Having meetings with Marina is always refreshing, and I am often incentivized to continue to grow and develop myself to further contribute to ¾ÅÉ«.  

What would you like to tell your younger self? 

Change, although difficult, can open the most unimaginable doors.    

What do you want people to know about you/your culture? 

Recently, I came to realize that I am very fortunate to live with the influence of three different cultures (Mexican, American, and Brazilian). It¡¯s amazing to see how because of this, I have obtained the ability to connect with and understand people on different levels. Cultures are beautiful, and having the ability and disposition to understand them truly can change the way we understand and interact with each other. 

Christina Chelliah, Corporate Counsel, Operations 

¡°We make so many decisions in our lives based on other people¡¯s expectations and preferences, and we often neglect what we really want or feel we want to do.¡±

Tell us about yourself and your role at ¾ÅÉ«. 

Hi, I¡¯m Christina Chelliah, and I¡¯m a corporate counsel at ¾ÅÉ«. I am an international attorney who started practicing law in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as a corporate mergers & acquisitions (M&A) attorney before moving to New York 10 years ago.  

What would you like to tell your younger self? 

Don¡¯t place so much emphasis on other people¡¯s opinions about you. We make so many decisions in our lives based on other people¡¯s expectations and preferences, and we often neglect what we really want or feel we want to do because we consider what everyone else needs except ourselves.  

What would you tell a woman just starting in this industry?  

I can only speak about the legal profession. Give yourself time to grow and learn, and don¡¯t be hard on yourself or set unrealistic expectations.  

What do you want people to know about you/your culture? 

Although I am from Malaysia, I am of Indian origin, and I¡¯m a Christian. People are never able to understand my cultural makeup, and I am usually the first Malaysian that a lot of people meet. Another personal fun fact: I am a former Miss Malaysia. 

Lily Cheng, Director, Production Training

¡°Try not to spend so much time and energy dwelling on things outside of your control.¡±

Tell us about yourself and your role at ¾ÅÉ«. 

I¡¯m Lily Cheng, Director of ¾ÅÉ« Production Training on the Global Learning & Development team based out of New York. I joined ¾ÅÉ« as a project coordinator back in 2010. I was fortunate enough to have relocated with ¾ÅÉ« to Asia, where I spent three years in Hong Kong and two years in Seoul.  

Is there a woman that you look up to? Why? 

My main personal role model would be my mother. I am grateful for the core values that she instilled in me. Life isn¡¯t always going to be smooth sailing, but with enough resilience, grit, hard work, and dedication, you will persevere.  

What would you like to tell your younger self? 

It¡¯s easier said than done, but try not to spend so much time and energy dwelling on things outside of your control. 

Lizzy Frost, Human Resources Manager

¡°We as women often meet many roadblocks in life, so it¡¯s important that we support each other in overcoming them.¡±

Tell us about yourself and your role at ¾ÅÉ«.

My name is Lizzy Frost, and I¡¯ve been with ¾ÅÉ« for five years. I studied psychology and Russian in college, and after I graduated, I moved to Moscow to translate and teach English. While living in Russia, I spent a lot of time traveling around the country and Europe as a whole. After moving back to the US, I chose to live in New York City and started my career as an HR assistant at a law firm. My interest in all aspects of HR grew quickly, and my love for NYC did the same! I¡¯ve now lived in NYC for nine years, eaten at countless restaurants, and found a role in HR that I love.  

Is there a woman you look up to? Why?

I¡¯ve surrounded myself with a group of fantastic women, both personally and professionally. The biggest thing I admire about them is their ability to wholeheartedly support other women. We as women often meet many roadblocks in life, so it¡¯s important that we support each other in overcoming them.  

What would you like to tell your younger self? 

If you think you¡¯d like something, try it! I¡¯ve always liked to be involved in many different things, but I also wish I had tried so much more. I¡¯m always looking for new hobbies and interests, and I think while you¡¯re young, trying new things is a great habit to instill in yourself.  

What would you tell a woman just starting in this industry?  

Along with my theme of trying new things, the best advice I have when it comes to working in HR is to get involved. A great way to learn is by doing, and by doing you meet new people who can teach you new skills and open new doors. Resources are all around you; it¡¯s important to utilize them.   

What do you want people to know about you/your culture?

I love getting to know people and developing relationships! The reason I chose to work in HR is because I love people, and I get excited every day when someone reaches out to me for help because of a relationship we have developed or a problem we¡¯ve solved together in the past. 

Gillian Gittens, Director, e-Clinical Strategy & ¾ÅÉ«, Trial Interactive 

"Hard work, experience, and ambition go a long way, as does having an inquiring and researching mind.¡±

Tell us about yourself and your role at ¾ÅÉ«. 

I¡¯m Gillian Gittens, Director of eClinical Strategy and ¾ÅÉ« with ¾ÅÉ« Life Sciences. A career trial master file (TMF) and eTMF subject matter expert with over 25 years of experience, I have worked with numerous global life sciences clients across a wide range of areas: operations, implementation, customer success, and marketing. I serve on the CDISC Advisory Board, am a member of the TMF Reference Model Steering Committee, and have worked with many initiatives including the DIA Framework for Paper Destruction and the TMF Plan template. In my private life, my family is my focus. I am now a proud grandmother with another grandchild on the way! 

Is there a woman you look up to? Why? 

I admire my mother enormously. She grew up in hard circumstances in Burma (now Myanmar) and moved to the UK in the 1960s. She brought up four children while being a working mother, but always with the support of my father. When he died 10 years ago, she was lost and broken but has forged an independent life and keeps her mind occupied. At 88 years young she is a master of internet banking! 

What would you like to tell your younger self? 

Travel and see the world before you have children. One of my only regrets is that I didn't do that, so I am trying to make up for it now. I encouraged my daughter to do this, and four years ago she traveled around the world in 12 months. 

What would you tell a woman just starting in this industry?  

Don't assume that leaving university with a life sciences degree will give you a long career in the industry. Hard work, experience, and ambition go a long way, as does having an inquiring and researching mind. I also have been lucky to have had the support of some great line managers. My current manager, Angela Cassidy, VP of Global Operations, is one of them. 

What do you want people to know about you/your culture? 

I am a mix of cultures. My parents were both part Burmese, part English¡ªand I have Portuguese and Welsh in there as well! I want people to know how wonderful Burmese food is, but restaurants, recipes, and cookbooks are few and far between. I also grew up being part of a close-knit community where family comes first, which is often the case in different cultures. This is something I stress to my own team here at ¾ÅÉ«. I want others to value family in the same way. 

Dani Hendry, eDiscovery Project Manager, ¾ÅÉ« Legal

¡°Look to the women in your workplace for support, mentorship, and career advice.¡±

Tell us about yourself and your role at ¾ÅÉ«.

My name is Dani Hendry, and I¡¯m an eDiscovery project manager in Vancouver, BC. I was a commercial litigation legal assistant/law clerk before coming to ¾ÅÉ« Legal. I am originally from Ontario; I moved to beautiful British Columbia to hike, surf, and rock climb.  

Is there a woman you look up to? Why? 

I look up to my aunt, Carolyn Wilkins. She was the first woman to hold the position of senior deputy governor at the Bank of Canada, the highest position ever held by a woman at the institution. 

Carolyn is down-to-earth, kind, and relatable while also being an influential and powerful businesswoman¡ªsomething I aspire to be.

What would you like to tell your younger self? 

Look to the women in your workplace for support, mentorship, and career advice¡ªthey will be your greatest champions and cheerleaders.

Kaitlyn MacKinnon, Implementation Manager, OneLink 

¡°Don¡¯t make yourself smaller to make others feel bigger. Your voice matters, and so do you.¡±

Tell us about yourself and your role at ¾ÅÉ«.

Hi, I¡¯m Kaitlyn MacKinnon, and I¡¯m an implementation manager on the OneLink team. I previously spent five years on the production side as a project manager. I have a bachelor¡¯s degree in communication studies and journalism, and a master¡¯s in communication and leadership. At home, I¡¯m a happy cat mom to two lovable little trash gremlins named Steven and Stewie. 

Is there a woman that you look up to in your life? Why?

The girls in my friendship circle are such amazing human beings. Seeing them not only fight their own battles but help the girls around them is so inspiring. Specifically, I really look up to three of my girls: Karlie, Kieran, and Jordan. These women have experienced a lot of loss and trauma, and they all have risen above those things. Even though they struggle from time to time, they have made beautiful lives for themselves while still uplifting the women around them. Additionally, they¡¯re just real boss women. They all own homes and businesses, and they speak up when it matters.   

What would like to tell your younger self? 

Don¡¯t make yourself smaller to make others feel bigger. Don¡¯t allow someone to make you feel uncomfortable because you¡¯re worried about making THEM uncomfortable or embarrassed. Your feelings and your boundaries are more important, and this doesn¡¯t make you ¡°difficult.¡± Advocating for yourself is an important skill to learn, and the longer you wait to do that and enforce boundaries, the more unnecessary battles you¡¯ll fight (and sometimes lose). Your voice matters, and so do you. Not everyone is going to understand you, and that¡¯s OK. 

What would you tell a woman just starting in this industry?  

Put in the work to learn the industry well. Make the effort to absorb all the knowledge you can and don¡¯t be afraid to ask questions. Be confident and speak up when something is unclear to you. I think it¡¯s important to challenge decisions that don¡¯t make sense to you, and push for alternative resolutions that make better sense. I¡¯d also like to say that in an industry like this, it¡¯s important to consider that you work with people of all cultures and backgrounds from all around the world because communication can sometimes be difficult and misconstrued between those cultures, but it¡¯s important to put in the work to overcome that instead of shutting down. 

What do you want people to know about you/your culture? 

I¡¯m a silly goose, but I take things seriously. I think it¡¯s important to laugh as much as you can and spread love as far as you can, and I do that as much as I can, every single day. I could be having the worst day ever but I¡¯ll still be cracking jokes. Mental health is extremely important to me, so part of my own personal culture is spreading awareness of that, too. I try to advocate not only for myself but for those who can¡¯t advocate for themselves. 

Natalya Madeira, Senior Project Manager 

¡°Embrace opportunities that are presented to you, even if you are scared.¡±

Tell us about yourself and your role at ¾ÅÉ«

My name is Natalya Madeira, and I¡¯m a senior project manager. I¡¯m a Brazilian American New Yorker. 

Is there a woman you look up to? Why? 

My mother's journey is a source of inspiration for me. Growing up in Brazil with dirt floors, from the age of 12 she had a dream of coming to the US. Having to drop out of middle school to help make ends meet at home, she moved to S?o Paulo alone to work as a house cleaner all through her late teens. Her unwavering work ethic convinced her boss to sponsor a student visa for her to the US, and so at 20, she immigrated to New York alone, where she soon met my father. Overcoming language barriers, she applied for a green card, which was a less bureaucratic process in the 90s, and helped my father and their friends do the same. In addition to all that, while working in her own jobs, she has also helped my father manage two businesses and raise my brother and me. Today, against all odds, she stands as a testament to perseverance and determination: fluent in English, with a GED and college courses under her belt, she¡¯s also purchased three homes in her lifetime. I strive in my own career to honor her story of resilience and achievement. 

What would you like to tell your younger self? 

Embrace opportunities that are presented to you, even if you are scared. It's natural to feel apprehensive, but pushing past your fears leads to growth. However, it's also crucial to recognize your limitations; don't overextend yourself by taking on too many projects. By focusing on a manageable workload, you'll have the capacity to deliver quality work and minimize errors. 

What would you tell a woman just starting in this industry?  

Make sure to share your ideas with your team, your manager, and the teams you work with¡ªand also listen to their ideas. Harnessing resourcefulness and creativity is the key to driving progress. And remember: seeking help is a strength, not a weakness. Prioritize problem-solving independently, but don't hesitate to reach out for support once you've exhausted your own resources. 

What do you want people to know about you/your culture? 

I wish people knew more about our music and food. There are so many fun and unique rhythms, and Brazil has way more to offer beyond its renowned steakhouses! 

Eva McGovern, Vice President, Client Services 

¡°No is a complete sentence.¡±

Tell us about yourself and your role at ¾ÅÉ«. 

I¡¯m Eva McGovern, VP of Client Services. My team manages relationships for clients who have localization and digital marketing needs. I joined the company in a sales role, but after about a year I learned that my heart was in the ongoing management of complex work, and I made the shift to client services. My first ¡°real¡± job was for an internet startup that was based at 1234 Broadway, across the street from Nomad Tower. I have three girls, ages 10 and 8 (twins!), and my husband is an educator in Hoboken, New Jersey. 

Is there a woman that you look up to in your life? Why?

Too many to name! Mostly my late grandmother, who left everything behind to come to the US, managed an important career, had five kids, and still had time for hobbies. She is without a doubt my greatest inspiration, and my oldest daughter (Amanda) is named after her. Also, my best friend, who in addition to doing high-level professional work that she loves, is a long-term volunteer at a nonprofit, has four kids whom she finds time to do fun stuff with, and also reads multiple books a month for pleasure. And she still finds time for me.   

What would you like to tell your younger self? 

¡°No is a complete sentence.¡± I¡¯m not sure who wrote this originally; it¡¯s been attributed to a bunch of different writers. But it speaks to me. I am naturally accommodating, sometimes too much so, which definitely led me to become overstretched and burnt out. Personally and professionally, no one can do everything. 

Hajar Rahioui, eDiscovery Project Coordinator, ¾ÅÉ« Legal  

¡°If you set yourself up to be open and learn, you will be more than capable of succeeding.¡±

Tell us about yourself and your role at ¾ÅÉ«. 

My name is Hajar Rahioui, and I am an eDiscovery project coordinator. I am originally from Chicago but moved to Houston during college and have loved this city since day one. My parents immigrated to the US from Morocco, and the highlights of my childhood were always when we would take family trips every couple of years to go back to Morocco and visit my extended family. My professional and educational background is in science/medicine, but life always has other plans. I¡¯ve enjoyed my transition into eDiscovery and couldn¡¯t be more grateful for the team I have at ¾ÅÉ«.  

Is there a woman that you look up? Why? 

The woman I look up to in my life every day is my mom. For as long as I can remember, she has supported me and encouraged me to be the best woman I can be. Having to move to a whole new country and start a family can¡¯t be easy on anybody, but she never failed to be a great mom, wife, and daughter. Every day I see her working hard, being caring and selfless toward us, and it makes me want to be the same for my family and kids one day.  

What would you like to tell your younger self? 

I would tell her not to stress about the future too much¡ªjust enjoy being young, and take on life one day at a time. Eventually, everything falls into place, and there is no need to overly stress about every minor inconvenience. My favorite quote I live by now and wish I could tell my younger self is: ¡°It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.¡± ¡ªEpictetus 

What would you tell a woman just starting in this industry?  

This industry is very overwhelming, especially when just starting. There is a lot of important information to take in. However, with practice and time, it all starts to make sense. Having a supportive team helps make the transition so much easier as well. If you set yourself up to be open and learn, you will be more than capable of succeeding.  

What do you want people to know about you/your culture? 

My culture is so deeply rich and filled with amazing people, traditions, and food, of course. The cultural diversity found within Morocco is so cool to experience in person. French and Spanish influences are seen throughout cities, including architecture and language. My background has shaped who I am and makes me enjoy all the diversity our world has to offer. 

Heather Schultes, Director, Global Learning & Development 

¡°Be fearless. Be assertive. Go after what you want.¡±

Tell us about yourself and your role at ¾ÅÉ«.

My name is Heather Schultes. I'm the Director of Global Learning & Development, and I've been at ¾ÅÉ« for over 17 years. My biggest passion in life is racing sailboats. After that, it's travel. I've been incredibly fortunate to travel for work throughout my career. Finding a career I love that I can tie in with my passions allowed me to race in locales I otherwise wouldn¡¯t have thought of. 

Is there a woman that you look up to in your life? Why?  

Definitely my mom. She was pregnant with me and unmarried when she graduated high school, so she started at a bit of a disadvantage. Nevertheless, it didn't prevent her from living her best life. She put herself through college and grad school, became an executive, and retired early so she could be a full-time grandma. She did this while raising a family of very strong-willed people. Nothing was impossible or couldn't be done. She did it all with grace and never complained. When times get tough, I think of her and what she struggled through, and know I can get through anything.  

What would you like to tell your younger self? 

Spend more quality time with family and friends. Living a life with no regrets¡ªbeing fearless, traveling, learning, and exploring as much of the world as possible¡ªit's a dream come true. But it's not everything you need in life. Nothing replaces the time, memories, and experiences you could have had with those loved ones who are no longer around. By living with no regrets, I created the biggest one of all.  

What would you tell a woman just starting in this industry?  

You¡¯re the only one responsible for your career. You are your biggest advocate and cheerleader. Be fearless. Be assertive. Go after what you want. Be tenacious about it, and don't give up.  

What do you want people to know about you/your culture? 

The US is still an incredible melting pot of diverse people and cultures. Those who come from the same background and culture as I do can have completely different values from me. It's important to experience, learn about, and embrace not only the diversity of all of our cultures but more importantly, to know and understand the people.   

Silviya Stanislavova, Quality Assurance Director

¡°Don't be afraid to speak up and advocate for yourself in the workplace.¡±

Tell us about yourself and your role at ¾ÅÉ«.

My name is Silviya Stanislavova. I¡¯m a quality assurance director at ¾ÅÉ« and a mother of two wonderful children. My educational background includes a degree in computer science and public administration, which I completed in 2012. My journey with ¾ÅÉ« commenced in 2014, allowing me the opportunity to collaborate with an exceptional team of like-minded individuals.  

Is there a woman you look up to? Why? 

One of my role models is Marie Curie. I was always fascinated by science, which led me to pursue additional education in chemistry and microbiology. Curie was a pioneering scientist who made groundbreaking contributions to the field of physics and chemistry. Her determination and perseverance are incredibly inspiring. As a woman in a male-dominated field, she defied societal norms and pursued her passion for science with unwavering dedication. She was the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize. Her brilliance, resilience, and dedication to advancing knowledge and improving lives make her a truly inspirational figure worthy of admiration and respect. 

What would you tell a woman just starting in this industry?  

Don't be afraid to speak up and advocate for yourself in the workplace. Take ownership of your career development, define your career goals and aspirations, and actively seek out opportunities for growth and advancement. The tech industry can be challenging and competitive, but don't let setbacks or obstacles deter you from pursuing your goals. Be resilient, stay persistent, and learn from failures and setbacks along the way. Use challenges as opportunities for growth and improvement.