Capital One: Celebrating the Women Who Inspire Change

Our Partner Spotlights highlight the innovative ways our Partner companies are advocating for change and equity in the tech field. Discover how Natalie Tohti Goodman, a Capital One associate, was inspired to change her career trajectory after joining a Capital One Women’s Business Resource Group.

The speed and growth of technology is ever changing and that is why endless opportunities exist for women in tech. The tech industry is full of exciting work and people who are pushing the boundaries of innovation and making the impossible possible. We’ve all heard about the challenges of diversity in tech, and while improvements are being made, it’s increasingly important that we are mindful of the work that needs to be done and how important it is for everyone to have a seat at the table. It’s equally important to have people that are excited about the work, are motivated by challenges, and are passionate about their careers and the future of the industry.

It’s also paramount for people to find new pathways for their careers and passions. It takes not only passion to move the needle on your career and your future, but the drive and grit to make it happen. This transformative exploration all begins with a curiosity to try something new — and that trait is exactly what Natalie Tohti Goodman, a Capital One associate, had that helped change her career trajectory.

Natalie is a trailblazer. She was the first in her family to immigrate to the U.S., the first in her family to speak English, and the first in her family to graduate college. She is a wife and a mother who had already achieved some amazing professional milestones, but that didn’t stop her. She was committed to doing more and that’s exactly what she did.

In 2016, Natalie relocated from Los Angeles to Richmond. As a Capital One Cafe Ambassador for seven years, she flourished in her role and was looking to meet new people in her new city. She joined a Capital One Women’s Business Resource Group and was inspired to blaze a new trail. She was surrounded by a community of strong, smart women that were leading the way in learning new skills, keeping pace with fast-changing technologies, and pushing the limits on what Capital One could do for its customers. She was invigorated by the accomplishments that these women had and what they were doing in technology. It was this community that ultimately introduced her to Capital One’s online learning university.

Natalie took advantage of the internal learning platform where associates can educate, engage, and evolve in their careers. Fueled by curiosity and a drive to succeed, Natalie began taking machine learning courses. She immediately immersed herself into a new world of technology and was thrilled by the possibilities. In conjunction with taking online courses, she utilized Capital One’s educational assistance benefits and took the steps to earn her MBA. These important steps gave her a boost of confidence, and she soon began working alongside a tech team to get a hands-on experience and explore what a tech role would be like.

Her hard work and determination paid off.

Natalie was recently offered a role as a data process manager and she isn’t stopping there. She has her sights set on becoming a data analyst, and she’s excited to share her great insights and experience with those around her.

“My ambition to be a great role model for my son motivates me to keep pushing,” says Natalie.

Her curiosity and willingness to learn helped carve out a new professional path. That’s why it’s so important for women like Natalie, who are looking for new or different careers in tech, to utilize the resources around them. Women should feel empowered to take ownership of their careers and explore the opportunities that are meaningful to them — even when it’s unfamiliar.

Creating change and being a trailblazer in this industry is about exploring your options, utilizing the resources and the networks around you to learn and grow, and driving change. Tapping into communities like business resource groups helps you leverage others’ talents and skills to grow not only professionally, but personally. Having mentors, allies, and sponsors are also critical to making changes in your career. These relationships are instrumental in creating honest and meaningful movement in your personal and professional life.

Your contribution to tech is important. Your voice is important. What you do now will help forever change the tech landscape and provide opportunities for those to come. Capital One is proud to support women who lead the change in tech and who help pave the way for the future.