What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

My first job ever was as a camp counselor. I was 15 and had a cabin of seven 7-year-olds. I learned how to save a drowning child, how to soothe poison ivy, how to braid cornrows, how to sing lullabies, and how to enjoy a day off!

Who is your hero, mentor or person you most admire? Why?

I most admire Gandhi, who embodied my leadership ideals. He changed the world with nothing but his force of will. His vision empowered his followers to believe in themselves. His motives were pure, and he lived (generally) in accordance with the beliefs he espoused.

What is your favorite book?

Currently, Endurance by Sir Alfred Lansing. I also love The Wind in the Willows and Siddhartha.

What advances in your field do you envision over the next 10 years?

The Internet is changing the way we do almost everything! Barriers will break down between people, between institutions, between countries ... The change in the network age will be bigger than the changes wrought in the information age. The Internet will be more significant than television. We have hardly started the process of understanding the new world we live in.

What do you see as the single most interesting element of your work?

People. Business is just people working with people.

What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

We have created a company, Destiny Software, that is alive, kicking, and growing like mad.

What was your greatest challenge and what did you learn from it?

I have faced many challenges, but none greater than losing my brother two years after losing my father at 21. We are all mortal.

What advice would you give to young women who want to enter your field?

The most valuable commodity today is the employee who can make things happen - who is a leader, steps up to new challenges, questions productively, and learns. Don't be afraid to think big!