Loretta Stromberg
Corporate Account Executive
Microsoft Corporation
Nominated by: Suzanne Lavine
Excerpt from nomination: "Loretta came to work for our office this year at age 62. She has such a high level of energy and enthusiasm for life it carries over to her work experience of working with Microsoft's reseller channel and customers. She is a person who retired and came back into the workforce with a plan to continue to work for 10 more years. Then, go back to school to get a law degree and work with battered women - and she will do it. She has a track record of successes and experiences; race car driver, professional singer, appearance on Family Feud, and much more. She was the first ouside female sales managers at a major phone company; until Loretta they didn't think women could or should call on customers in person. She is a model for all of us on how women can have a very successful career at any age or stage of our lives."
What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
My first job was a "mothers helper." When new mothers came home from the hospital, I took care of them and the new baby. This experience was quite valuable as I went through school and the other challenges in life. Each day with the new baby was exciting as we watched him or her grow and as the mother became strong enough to be on her own with the infant. This job taught the ability to multi-task as well as the importance of truly liking what one does for a living. Each time I left a family it was like leaving my own family. This was great experience for life.
Who is your hero, mentor or person you most admire? Why?
My dad was the person who always had a dream and taught me the value of reaching for what I wanted. In the years when I grew up women were not expected to have a career, my dad expected me to do what ever I wanted to do. He always said you can be whatever you want to be. His favorite saying was, "As a man thinketh in his heart so is he." When I think I may not be good enough to do certain things his words come back to me and I forge ahead. Dad knew there was a new era on the horizon when women would be accepted in the business world. He taught all his daughters to be their own person and not be defined by anyone else's accomplishments.
What is your favorite book?
"Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom. My present manager recommended this book as a great read. I could hardly put it down. Morrie embodied all the good things in life. It made me more aware of how important each person in our lives is to us. The dignity of his life and death are a blueprint from which to build a meaningful life.
What advances in your field do you envision over the next 10 years?
Sometimes I think we can't do much more, then I hear Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer talk and I know there is no limit to where technology can take us. I believe in time we won't need wires or satellites to transmit messages around the world. With the advances in digital and fiber optic technology communication will be unlike anything we know today. This is a very exciting time to be involved in the technology industry.
What do you see as the single most interesting element of your work?
The most interesting part of my job is working with our channel partners. They are the ones who take huge risks every day and make the products we produce work for their customers. When one thinks about the courage it takes to start a technology business and make it grow in this highly competitive business, it's mind-boggling. I believe this is the best job anyone could have.
What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
Aside from raising two wonderful kids and a grandson I would say it's the fact that Microsoft hired me to start a new career. I had retired from a large telephone company and got tired of being retired. Through a temporary employment agency I arrived at Microsoft to start an outreach to the channel. After several months I was hired full-time. I had not intended to start a new career, yet the people, job and atmosphere were so exciting I had to stay. How marvelous to be a part of this fast-paced, ever-changing business.
What was your greatest challenge and what did you learn from it?
Entering the high-tech industry after a 30-year career in a nontechnical industry was daunting. I did not have any idea what a CD or RAM or gigabyte meant. How could software be robust? A good red wine is robust. With home study and kind young people in the Phoenix Microsoft office I learned what these things were and how exciting this industry is. There is nothing too difficult to learn nor are you ever too old to learn. Coming into the technology industry has given me joy and every day is fun.
What strategies do you use to maintain balance in your life?
Maintaining balance did not come easy for me, because when I like something that's what I want to do all the time. As my family grew it became apparent they could not take second place to my career, so I made a habit of separation. So when I'm working I give it my all, when it's family time they have my undivided attention. In other words when I leave my home for the office I think only of business and when I leave the office I leave the office, with no work brought home.
What advice would you give to young women who want to enter your field?
Don't be afraid to do what you love to do. I always tell folks to love the job you do. If you love what you do you'll have fun everyday. Your career should be the most fun thing you do and in this fast moving world of technology it is fun. Just go for it! You can be whatever you want to be. Remember whatever you think - it's true.
