This blog is part of our on-going Women in Technology series.

Nancy Daniel is a Senior Director with the project management and client services teams here at Consilio. Nancy has been with Consilio for 15 months as a result of a legacy acquisition, but in the litigation support industry for over 20 years. She has worked in law firms, with corporate IT departments providing technology and training support for in-house general counsel, and service providers. Nancy attended the University of Texas at El Paso and Villanova University studying Management Information Systems. She is an active member and past director of the Dallas chapter of Women in eDiscovery, a member of the Sedona Conference, and a member of the Project Management Institute. The most exciting parts of working at Consilio for Nancy are exposure to the world stage and technology offerings around the globe.

Nancy Daniel Women in Technology Quote

Can you please discuss any particularly impactful moments in your career?

I was very fortunate when I was with a law firm to work directly under an influential managing partner who was forward-thinking and recognized the future of technology in the legal industry. This managing partner supported me through a lot of knowledge acquisition and research for technology systems. The support aided in the litigation process, and in particular, the discovery obligation. This was pivotal for me because I was exposed to technology within litigation, including the cutting edge of full-text analytics. My experience with basic analytics tools a few decades ago makes me appreciate the power of the current tools available.

Have you received any advice in your career that has stuck with you?

Something that has stuck with me is always to keep learning and have an open mind. Once you’ve become the expert of all experts, there’s going to be at least a dozen more opportunities for learning. This continuous learning is essential because new technologies are being developed very rapidly. These new technologies quickly impact the very fundamentals of our standard operating procedures.

What is your advice to women working in predominately male fields?

You know, I think the gap is closing and less drastic than it was when I first entered the field. However, there is still an obvious imbalance. I would encourage other women to find and use their voice and make sure it’s directed at and being heard by the audience that matters.  Work hard to expand your knowledge and be confident in the experiences you gain along the way.  Don’t be shy about bringing your expertise to the table and then stepping up and owning it.

How would you describe your work-life balance?

Working remotely gives me more time to be productive than just putting in the hours at the office. However, I find it challenging knowing when to switch off work mode. I may start at 7 AM, go through lunch, and still find myself at my PC at 6:30 or 7 PM. Finding a stopping point is necessary for maintaining a balance between work and personal life.

When you’re not working, how do you spend your free time?

I am a gardener, specifically a pot gardener, which means I plant a lot of flowers in pots. I am passionate about flowers and color, so I tend to do mostly garden-scaping. This satisfies the results-driven side of me. I also love getting my hands dirty, planting and repotting, and generally feeling more connected to the earth and the outdoors. I am very lucky because I live in the southwest and I can pretty much do this for 10 or 11 months out of the year.