Meet Dagnija Lacis 

Before most people had even heard the term “IT,” Dagnija Lacis was already building its future. In the 1960s, when the tech industry was still in its infancy (and long before it opened its doors to people like her), Dagnija stepped into a programming role at Burroughs Corporation, the second-largest computer company in the world at the time. That meant not only was she early to the game, she got to help shape it. 

Dagnija’s newly released memoir, The Wall Falls, A Woman Rises, chronicles her extraordinary journey from soviet Latvia to a displacement camp in Germany to becoming a force behind some of the most pivotal transformations in modern technology. It’s a rare look at how innovation, resilience, and relentless curiosity can shape an entire industry. 

We got the chance to sit down with Dagnija for an interview about her story, essential reading for anyone navigating systemic challenges in tech, striving to lead with impact, or curious about how one individual can help bridge entire nations to the digital age. 

Early Life: From Displacement to Determination 

Dagnija Lacis was born in Latvia during a time of upheaval. In 1944, her family fled the Soviet occupation, spending five years in a displaced persons camp in Germany before resettling in Indianapolis in 1950. She arrived in the U.S. without knowing a word of English and quickly adapted, excelling in school and eventually graduating from Butler University. 

From the start, Dagnija’s life was defined by resilience. Each chapter of her early journey was marked by grit, adaptability, and a refusal to be left behind. She never saw any reason why she shouldn’t be just as successful or well-educated as anyone else. For her, barriers and bias in tech were simply challenges to overcome, not limitations. Her early experiences instilled a deep belief that anything was possible, lighting the fire that would fuel her career in tech and beyond. 

Bias in Tech: Daggie and the Boys 

A knack for numbers put Dagnija on the path to technology. When a forward-thinking teacher encouraged her to explore the emerging world of computers, she took the advice seriously and never looked back. 

After college, she received offers from both IBM and Burroughs. She chose Burroughs for a $25 pay bump, a bold decision that came with its own challenges: the company had to get special approval just to hire a woman. Undeterred, Dagnija became their first woman programmer, often the only woman in the room, and later, the first female Vice President at Unisys, Burroughs’ successor. 

In an era when tech was overwhelmingly male, she earned her place at the table with her nine male cohorts as “Daggie and the boys” through skill, persistence, and grit. Her mantra guided her every step: “Stick to your goals. When confronted with obstacles, don’t give up—find another path forward.” 

Crashing Ceilings: From Silicon Valley to Latvia 

Dagnija’s tech career took her across the globe—Japan, Hong Kong, and beyond—where she often navigated both innovation and gender-based restrictions. Along the way, she met computing legend John Vincent Atanasoff, “One of the highlights of my career!”, and cemented her place in tech history. 

In the 1990s, Latvia called her home. Recruited to help rebuild the country’s tech infrastructure after the fall of the USSR, she founded Baltic Technology Group, which is still thriving today under the leadership of her children. 

Her impact didn’t go unnoticed. As Major General William A. Stump said, “As Dagnija Lacis was introducing the latest Western technology to Latvians, I often collaborated with Andris [her husband] and Dagnija in Riga during the early 1990s. I was proud of our efforts, which resulted in the Latvian military meeting NATO standards and Latvia becoming a NATO member.” 

Why Dagnija’s Story Matters Today 

Dagnija Lacis’s journey is a memoir that’s also a blueprint for navigating bias in tech, overcoming underrepresentation, and leading with purpose. Her legacy speaks to anyone breaking barriers in STEM, seeking leadership tips, or looking for real stories of resilience in innovation. 

In an industry still grappling with inequity and systemic bias, her voice cuts through with clarity: stick to your goals and don’t give up, find another path forward. For anyone searching for the best books on leadership and tech, The Wall Falls, A Woman Rises is essential reading. 

What You Should Do Now 

Dagnija Lacis’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, vision, and innovation. Her story shows us that barriers can be broken, no matter how insurmountable they seem. Ready to be inspired? Read The Wall Falls, A Woman Rises and discover the story behind Dagnija Lacis’s groundbreaking legacy. And be sure to follow her journey on Facebook and Instagram. 

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