The Spotlight Series amplifies the authentic stories of women and underrepresented groups in tech, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Elaine
Montilla
“I am the Founder of 5xminority, Inc. and also the CIO for IT at The Graduate Center, The City University of New York (CUNY)”
ELAINE MONTILLA
Founder | CIO
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT ONE OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS?
"I am extremely proud of delivering a TEDx Talk on the value of mentoring women, as it had been a dream of mine for a few years. I felt proud to see my family in the first row watching my greatness!"
The Value of Mentoring Women and Minorities in Tech | TEDxChelseaPark
WHAT'S A PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL GOAL THAT YOU'VE YET TO ACCOMPLISH, AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?
"I was terrified of public speaking growing up, and a professional goal for me is to deliver a full TED Talk. I am preparing for it and I want to see what is on the other side of that fear."
WHAT'S SOMETHING YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN 10 YEARS AGO?
"I wish I knew that everything I need to be successful is already within me, and there is no need to continuously seek external validation. I now validate the heck out of myself daily!"
“I am a recovering people pleaser. I learned that I am never responsible for other people's emotions and it is impossible to make everyone around you happy."
HOW DO YOU SUPPORT OTHER WOMEN?
"This is my mission and I feel that I grow as a person and human each time I help elevate another woman."
"Supporting other women is what I am all about because only through collaboration will we be able to change the current gender inequities. There is way more power in the pack for sure!"
WHAT'S SOMETHING YOU'RE GEEKING OUT ABOUT RIGHT NOW?
"I recently started playing on the Discord platform and I am fascinated by all the options and collaboration going on there."
"I just created my own space and look forward to growing it soon."
WHAT'S THE LAST THING YOU RATED 5 STARS?
“Untamed” by Glennon Doyle
"I WANT TO SHARE MY FAVORITE QUOTE BY DR. WAYNE DYER, AS IT HAS GUIDED ME IN MY CAREER:"
"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."
WHAT'S YOUR DAY-TO-DAY MANTRA?
"'Amor Fati' - and I repeat it as a reminder to fully embrace everything that is happening as if I had already chosen it."
Our Spotlight Series ↗ amplifies the authentic stories of women and underrepresented groups in tech, entrepreneurship, and leadership.