Elizabeth Sara
Co-Founder, VP of Marketing
Spaceworks
Fields: Business to business IT marketing, online information industries, high-tech public relations, IT sales management
Nominated by: Kimberly Willard
Excerpt from nomination: "Liz Sara has more than 15 years of experience in the business-to-business information industry, and co-founded SpaceWorks - a leading electronic commerce software application company. Prior to SpaceWorks, Ms. Sara held executive positions at America Online, United Press International, and LEXIS/NEXIS, to name a few.
Because of her creativity, intelligence and plain old-fashioned know-how, Ms. Sara turned SpaceWorks - which started as a pioneer in the business to business electronic information community - into an EC powerhouse.
In the days preceding "the Web," SpaceWorks developed significant expertise in applications which facilitated electronic ordering, channel management and customer support systems -- all without the Internet. In 1995, Ms. Sara drove the strategic decision to re-focus SpaceWorks product and business model to capitalize on the growth of the Internet. Since then, SpaceWorks has earned industry-wide recognition as a technology leader in Internet Commerce with a proven, industrial-strength, mature product, now in its fourth generation."
What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
I was a
reporter at my hometown cable TV station. I learned that if I was going
to work long hours on an ongoing basis, with an uncertain future
financial payout, under constant stress, juggling numerous priorities
and projects at once, in an environment that continually changed, I sure
better absolutely love what I was doing.
Who is the person you most admire?
Margaret Thatcher.
What is your favorite book?
Anything written by Anne Tyler.
What advances in your field do you envision over the next 10 years?
In the field of electronic commerce, which is where SpaceWorks is firmly
positioned, we'll see a complete change in the way society works, plays
and interacts. Electronic commerce will reshape nearly every aspect of
the way we live.
What do you see as the single most interesting element of your work?
Playing a role in a company which is charting the course of this change.
What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
I would
hope that the best is yet to be, otherwise what would I look forward to?
What was your greatest challenge and what did you learn from it?
I
thought each new company experience throughout my career presented the
greatest challenge; until I moved on to the next one which quickly took
its place. I learned that challenge is an important motivation for me.
What advice would you give to young women who want to enter your field?
Work with people who share your vision and dreams - it's the only way
you'll reach your own.
