Regarding her career path in technology, Mary Byron notes that it was more of a serendipitous accident as opposed to a calculated plan.
Throughout her career with Goldman Sachs, Byron has had the opportunity to lead the implementation of many new technologies for the company, including building out the IP network for the firm in the nineties. “I was fortunate that as the Internet really took off, so did all the technologies that supported it and the need for companies to adopt those technologies,” explained Byron.
In the early 2000s Byron became the Co-head of Goldman’s technology infrastructure, which included all data centers, networks, computing platforms, operating systems, databases, and help desks.
This dynamic nature of technology and applying technology to solve problems are two things that make Byron excited about the work she currently does in her role as Global Head of Technology for the Federation. “We are spending a lot of time right now working on big data and data governance,” said Byron.
While she was in Asia, Byron gained an appreciation for the role of sponsors in the development of professional women. “We ran a sponsorship program for all of our women across our businesses, not just technology. More formal sponsorship programs can be really effective in moving the needle,” said Byron.
In her spare time, Byron loves to focus on creative projects. “I love to make jewelry and cook,” she said. “I like to do things that are hands on.” Byron also is proud to be a role model to her daughter, a junior at Brown University, who has been working at a tech start-up during the summer.
Byron added, “I am deeply committed to girls’ education and leveling the playing field.” She is currently on the corporate advisory board of Inwood House, which works with teen mothers in New York City. Byron is also a supporter of Girls Inc. and is involved with their STEM programming for girls. Finally, Byron is on the advisory board for Room to Read, an organization focused on literacy and girls’ education in eleven countries in Asia and Africa.
Absolutely love seeing an article on women in technology! I am one of those women and i love it! I also fell into technology much the same way and i haven’t looked back either and am totally driven to take my career to the next level each time i move up. Thank you for this article!!