Spotlight on the Women of TransUnion: Associate Career Journeys From Around the World

March is Women’s History Month, an opportunity to celebrate the contributions, legacies and impact of women across the world. As part of TransUnion’s gender equity commitment, we’re focusing on the empowerment and progress of our women associates. In partnership with our Gender Equity Steering Committee, we’re proud to provide innovative training opportunities, associate programming and development opportunities for the women leaders in our organization.

To learn about our global associate community, we interviewed four TransUnion associates about their careers and what Women’s History Month means to them: Aleta Bond, Director, Sales Enablement and Operations (Canada); Alejandra Chica, Solutions Architect (Colombia); Vaida Neverdauskaite, Head of Business Intelligence for the UK and Europe (Lithuania); and Carlota Suarez, Chief Revenue Officer (Costa Rica).

Tell us about yourself, including your role at TransUnion and what you like to do outside work.

Alejandra: I've worked at TransUnion for one year, and for about four years as a contractor before that. As an associate, I've been leading the Consumer Interactive development team in Colombia as a Solutions Architect. My purpose is to ensure good practices and to support and improve my team, which in turn keeps customers satisfied and therefore increases profits and benefits. I have a bachelor’s degree in systems and computer engineering and a master’s degree in IT architectures. In my free time, I love hanging out with my friends, spending time with my family, taking dancing classes and playing with my cats.

Aleta: I’m excited to have joined TransUnion recently as Director, Sales Enablement and Operations for Canada. I’ve worked in the area of sales enablement, operations and effectiveness for almost 20 years and have a background in finance, leading both Cash Management and Financial Planning & Analysis teams. Outside work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and going to the gym regularly.

Carlota: I started four years ago as Head of Product Strategy for Latin America, and moved up to Chief Revenue Officer a little over a year ago.

Vaida: I’m the Head of Business Intelligence for the UK and Europe. At work, I enjoy sorting problems, looking for opportunities and helping people through the data journey. Outside work, I enjoy reading books, traveling — having visited five countries last year — and spending time with people close to me.

What has your career path at TransUnion looked like? What opportunities have you been given that have shaped or advanced your career?

Vaida: I’ve worked at TransUnion for more than 10 years, originally starting as a tester for marketing products and later as a data engineer in Business Intelligence. There were few female data engineers then, but the team embraced me, and my knowledge grew every day. Flash forward a few years, and I’m leading my own team and working with business leaders to enable data-driven decision making.

Carlota: Since starting at TransUnion several years ago, I’ve had the opportunity to continue developing my career while being a mom and wife, which is something very important for me. I didn’t have to give anything up. So while this might sound like a cliché, I have to say it: TransUnion is a great place to work. Thank you, TransUnion!

What does Women’s History Month mean to you personally?

Aleta: Women’s History Month is a reminder to recognize the efforts of women over the years, and to celebrate the positive changes we benefit from today. It’s also a call to action to continue to drive inclusion, equity and empowerment for women across the globe — after all, we should champion awareness and drive positive change every day. The efforts and contributions of women should not just be highlighted in March; they ought to be amplified and resonate with us at all times of the year.

Alejandra: This month means a lot to me. It’s a time to celebrate and recognize the achievements of women throughout history, including — of course — women in technology who have often faced barriers and obstacles. It’s a reminder that we can accomplish whatever we want; we have all the capabilities to achieve success. Moreover, as women at TransUnion, we have the resources to build a supportive community in technology that can break down barriers and create a more inclusive industry. I encourage other women, both in this field and others, to continue offering support and encouragement to other women on our working teams by sharing knowledge and helping with empowerment.

What advice would you give to women seeking to advance their careers?

Carlota: Set goals and walk towards them. Don´t limit yourself; we all fail many times, so remember each day is a new beginning for the rest of your life. You can achieve whatever you want. Make sure you balance work with what you enjoy most because the “walk” can take a while. But don´t stop walking because eventually you´ll get there — wherever that is!

Alejandra: My advice is to stay up-to-date with technology trends. Try to attend conferences, meetups and webinars, like those related to your favorite cloud service provider or development languages. Seek out mentors who can provide valuable guidance and support as you navigate your career. And be confident! Believe in yourself and your skills, and don't be afraid to share your ideas.

Vaida: Work on better understanding yourself. And then when an opportunity arises, if it aligns with your goals, just say yes. Anything is possible — the trick is to go forward one step at a time!

Aleta: Remember you always have a seat at the table. You’re a voice, and not an echo. Be confident in the contributions you’re making to your team, your organization and your community. Aim to be a lifelong learner — set stretch goals for yourself, chart a course, stay the course and persevere. Always ask for help when you need it. And last but not least: be unafraid, be limitless.