Gone are the career-based stereo types. Women in Greater Tampa Bay are breaking down barriers and finding success as they take their seat at the tables that have traditionally been reserved only for males.
With passion, gumption and dedication, here are a few of GTB’s fierce women who prove women can do it all.
Rachel Carpenter, CEO of Intrinio
Carpenter grew up in Wisconsin before moving to St. Pete. She attended The University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated with a double major in Finance and Entrepreneurship.
Q: Why did you choose this career field?
A: I’ve always been both right and left-brained. I took a Finance 100 course at the Business School, and something just clicked for me. Simultaneously, I was working a student job where I had a terrible boss that micro-managed me. It was such a bad experience that I promised myself I would work for myself and become a better boss than she was. This focus on finance and entrepreneurship led me to meet my co-founder, and together we taught ourselves how to program so that we could start a business. Finance, programming and entrepreneurship collided and landed me in the fintech field.
Q: What inspires you?
A: One of the things that keeps my fire lit at Intrinio is that the work we do has a ripple effect and makes life easier for so many people –– innovators, entrepreneurs and founders. We grease the wheels and provide the fuel for them to keep building and transforming the financial services industry. I feel the same way about my work in the non-profit space, as the board chair at CASA, Florida’s largest domestic violence shelter and prevention organization.
Q: What mentors or role models have helped lift you up to success?
A: I am lucky to have a wildly inspirational mom as a mentor by my side as I grew up. She is a best-selling author, war reporter, nationally syndicated columnist and has fiercely reported on critical topics her whole life. She was a driving force behind supporting my entrepreneurial journey. I also have several phenomenal, female angel investors who have believed in and supported me since day one. They had their own challenges in an even tougher era working in male-dominated fields, so I have had so much to learn from them.
Q: What is your advice to young women who are looking to enter a male-dominated field?
A: My advice to young women entering a male-dominated field is to not dwell on it. The more energy you give it, the bigger it becomes. You are not a “female” scientist – you are just a scientist. You belong. The more you believe it, and lead by example, the more everyone else will. Demand to be at the table, do not qualify yourself, and do not fall victim to the “categorization” of yourself in the special box of “female” in your field.
Amanda Datil, Assistant Project Manager, Firm Construction
Datil is from the Bradenton-Sarasota area and graduated from SEF with an Associate’s degree in Business.
Q: Why did you choose this career field?
A: I began as a receptionist at a roofing company, and in less than six months I took over their repairs area. I learned that I enjoyed construction. I was hired at Firmo as a project engineer and have had excellent mentors. I was recently promoted to Assistant Project Manager.
Q: What inspires you?
A: Well, I am a single mom of a 10-year-old, and an 8-year-old so my kids are my inspiration. But I also grew up in a low-income area where there were not a lot of opportunities. My childhood has inspired me to be successful and give my own children the opportunities I did not have.
Q: What role models or mentors have helped lift you to success?
A: Honestly, so many. I cannot even name them all. However, I am extremely grateful to my company Firmo and all that they have done and do for me.
Q: What is your advice to young women who are looking to enter a male-dominated field?
A: My advice is to just go in with an open mind. Take the constructive criticism and find a good mentor and stick with them. Do not let anyone bring you down and keep looking towards the future. You will hit walls, but do not stop. Climb over them.
Barbara Tripp, Fire Chief, Tampa Fire Rescue
Tripp is from Tampa, Florida and graduated from Hillsborough Senior High School.
Q: Why did you choose this career field?
A: Initially, I did not. I am also a registered nurse. I thought it was too hot in Tampa to put out fires, and I never knew the scope of a firefighter. I thought firefighters worked 40 hours a week (M-F, 8a.m.–5p.m.). Then a neighborhood friend who was in this career educated me on the scope of a firefighter and the true meaning of a public servant.
Q: What inspires you?
A: The hours initially inspired me to look into this career. Once I was exposed to the nature of the job and daily expectations, I realized this was my calling. I enjoy helping people and making a difference in people’s lives.
Q: What mentors or role models helped lift you up to success?
A: My Mother was a hard worker. Maya Angelou’s wisdom through her words also inspires me, as well as MLK because he fought for fairness and equality for all. Additionally, all of my many co-workers in this profession inspire me and most currently the Obama family has exemplified to me how to remain vigilant and humble and let your work speak for you.
Q: What is your advice to young women who are looking to enter a male-dominated field?
A: Stand strong, believe in yourself. Anything in life worth having is not going to be easy. Work hard because hard work pays off. Nothing is going to be handed to you, you have to go get it. Remain humble at all times. Never be limited by others or what they may think of you.
By Meredith Biesinger.
