What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
My first job in publishing was for King Features Syndicate, where I edited articles on fashion, home decorating, food, gossip - even Hints from Heloise (her recipe for roach deterrent came in very handy in my Upper West Side apartment!). My first relevant job in business and technology was here at CIO, where I started as copy editor in the magazine's first year, in 1987. I never imagined I'd stay as long as I have; as a journalist, I didn't think I'd ever be interested in one subject area for that long. But from day one it's been constant learning in terms of what we cover, and constant growth for me both personally and professionally.

Who is your hero, mentor or person you most admire? Why?
One of my heroes is Sir Ernest Shackelton, who is famous for his failed attempt to cross Antartica. As an explorer, he was unflagging in his efforts to reach his goals, but never at the expense of the people he was responsible for. His leadership style was very egalitarian and based on a deep understanding of human nature. He could create an effective team with almost any combination of personalities and skill sets and keep all of the team members motivated and optimistic in the face of appalling conditions and incredible odds.

What is your favorite book?
This question always makes me anxious - how to pick just one? How will it define me as a person (because that's the point, right)? I'm tempted to pick something way more brainy or cool for it to actually qualify as my true favorite. So I'll compromise and pick my favorite in a relevant category: leadership. "Endurance" by Alfred Lansing, about the Shackelton polar expedition, is a fabulous leadership book and a great adventure story too. It has so many elements of great fiction it's hard to believe it's a true story.

What advances in your field do you envision over the next 10 years?
Within the next 10 years, mobile and appliance computing - made possible by increased bandwidth, new standards in wireless, new types of small devices, evolving Internet offerings - will complete our transition to an information-based society and economy. The three top issues of concern for all of us to pay attention to are information equality (closing the digital divide), privacy and security.

What do you see as the single most interesting element of your work?
The word interesting has many "interesting" connotations. I'd have to say keeping a rapidly growing group of people interested, engaged and committed to the work we do. How do you give enough time and attention to this most critical success factor when things keep changing, everyone's doing the work of two people, and there's so much other appealing opportunity out there? This has become my top priority.

What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
The one I'm currently most proud of is bringing new life and excitement into a product that's 12 years old.

What was your greatest challenge and what did you learn from it?
Being thrust into a position of great responsibility before I thought I was ready for it. What I learned is that I have a pretty amazing capacity for new challenges - and I don't think I'm unique in this. So many women look at the next big step and think it's going to kill them. We think we'll fail, or the stress will be too overwhelming, or we'll let someone down, so we avoid taking risks. Every risk I've taken has made me stronger and less afraid to take the next one. But it's definitely been a journey.

What strategies do you use to maintain balance in your life?
A couple of things. I really try to preserve some time where I just don't let work intrude. That's important to maintain a connection with my kids, husband, parents, friends, the non-professional me ... as well as to recharge my batteries for work. The other thing I do, which may seem contradictory, is I do allow blurring between work and home - doing e-mail in the living room at night with my family a couple of times a week; making a few business calls during vacation. The important thing is to keep the focus not just on getting more work done, but also on being able to preserve that exclusive off-duty time, otherwise it will just take over your life. In personal terms, I also try to close the gap between my personal and my professional self so life doesn't feel so schizophrenic.

What advice would you give to young women who want to enter your field?
Believe in your own capacity to meet new challenges, survive risky situations, change and grow. Women tie so much of themselves up in the things they can or can't do. If we try something and it doesn't work out, we let that define who we are in much more global terms than it makes any rational sense to do.