My first job was at international data corporation (IDC), the information technology industry's most comprehensive resource on worldwide it markets, trends, products, vendors and geographies. This was the first real experience I had in learning that "listening" to customers vs. tracking historical market trends was the true indicator of future business opportunities.

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

I have never had one particular hero or mentor, but have rather always surrounded myself with a network of mentors who have succeeded professionally beyond the particular stage I was at in my career. Having a network of "non-investor" individuals has always provided me the sounding board and honest feedback mechanism critical to growth in a fast-paced industry.

What is your favorite book?

Tough to name one, but a recent favorite was Basher Five-Two ­ the true story of F-16 fighter pilot Captain Scott O'Grady. Two reasons make it a favorite ­ one is that my nine year old son and I read it together out loud; two is that Captain O'Grady demonstrated unbelieveable mental perserverance under highly adverse conditions.

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

Predicting what technology will be capable of doing 10 years from now is virtually impossible, because the possibilities are virtually limitless. For example, 10 years ago no one would have predicted that bitnet and arpanet would become what the Internet and World Wide Web offer today. Clearly due to the capabilities of web-based learning technologies like our webCT product, higher education will lose the residential feel of a physical campus and students will extend their educational experience more easily to become members of communities of interest around learning that are enriched by spanning geographies, cultures and ages.

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

I don't know today what I will need to know tomorrow. I am constantly learning new things. I can't imagine a more exciting work environment.

What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

Personally, it is being married to an unbelievably supportive husband and raising three wonderful and balanced children. Hopefully, my greatest professional accomplishments are still ahead of me. However, I'm particularly proud of the recent acquisition of WebCT by ULT. The combination of the two companies creates a clear leader in the web-based learning marketplace, with the industry's largest installed base of more than two million seats at over 700 colleges and universities in 39 countries.

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

I believe my greatest professional challenge was also my greatest achievement ­ that is acquiring another company in the same market that shares our philosophy and heritage in teaching and learning in a way that is good news for your employees, customers, partners and shareholders. As in all aspects of business, success is dependent not only on business savvy, but more importantly on personal chemistry, trust and the ability to have others share in your vision in a way that is meaningful to them.

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

Call Universal Learning Technology first. Our phone number is 978.538.0036. We are the company that not only dominates the web-based learning market, but also has defined the future of education through technology. There is no better place to start.