Celebrating Women’s History Month: 5 Minutes with a Tech Exec | Crystal Tabassi, Executive Director

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re proud to present our blog series, “5 Minutes with a Tech Exec.” We’ve engaged in insightful conversations with tech executives and chief technology officers to give you the unique opportunity to gain wisdom and career advice from experienced technologists. 

Uncover personal and professional journeys, from career inspiration to overcoming challenges on the path to executive leadership. These articles, adapted from personal interviews, offer insights into mentorship, leadership styles, and the future of women in tech. Join us as we amplify the voices of women in tech, celebrating their achievements and inspiring inclusion. 

Crystal Tabassi, the Executive Director of Workforce Strategy and Data Analytics for the software engineering organization at Boeing, embodies a journey marked by resilience, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous learning. Raised in South Texas, Crystal’s early exposure to STEM programs ignited her passion for solving complex problems, leading her to graduate from high school at 16.

Transitioning from a biology background to industrial engineering and data science, Crystal embraced diverse opportunities, drawing on mentorship and advocacy to navigate her career path. Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledges the persistent challenge of imposter syndrome, emphasizing the importance of building strong relationships, continuous learning, and work-life balance.

Crystal shared insights into overcoming self-doubt, stating, “Everybody that I know, regardless of their gender, how they identify, may experience self-doubt and imposter syndrome as they work through their career.” She highlighted the significance of supportive relationships: “I focus a lot on how you look at business analytics to solve problems. How do you look at that and combine it with people’s behavior from a machine learning type of view to say, how do we use this information, the availability of data to help organizations make data-driven insights to help inform how they wanna pursue and how they want to move forward their objectives from both the short-term and a long-term perspective.”

As a leader, Crystal exemplifies a philosophy of leading by example, fostering an environment where authenticity and uniqueness are celebrated. She advocates for embracing failure as a learning experience, noting, “Failure in and of itself is a learning experience. People, organizations, whatever, learn just as much from a failure as they do from a success.”

Crystal’s leadership style emphasizes empathy and authenticity, as she shares, “Personally, I like to show up as my authentic self. As you can see, I’m in kind of a… I’ve got pink hair, some tattoos, and pink headphones, just like you today. I’m going to show up as my authentic goofy self and hope that that makes the other person comfortable showing up in a way that they can focus on the work rather than showing up as a particular identity that they feel that they need at that moment.”

Looking ahead, Crystal envisions a future in technology shaped by advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity. She believes in the growing role of women in technology leadership, emphasizing the importance of diversity and intentional efforts to foster inclusivity and equal opportunities.

Crystal’s dedication to supporting and empowering women in the tech community is evident as she serves as the executive sponsor for Women Who Code at Boeing. Through mentorship, advocacy, and a commitment to diversity, Crystal inspires and uplifts women in technology, paving the way for a more inclusive and innovative future.

Pro-Tips for Diverse Technologists Inspired by Crystal 

• Embrace Continuous Learning: Seek out opportunities to expand your knowledge base, whether through formal training programs, online courses, or hands-on projects. Embracing a mindset of continuous learning keeps you abreast of industry trends and equips you with the adaptability needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving field.
• Learn from Failure: Leaders view setbacks as opportunities for reflection and improvement. By analyzing mistakes, adapting strategies, and cultivating a culture that embraces experimentation, leaders can turn setbacks into valuable learning experiences that propel future success.
• Lead by Example: Leadership isn’t solely about holding a title; it’s about inspiring others through your actions and behaviors. Demonstrate integrity, resilience, and a commitment to excellence in everything you do. By setting a positive example and embodying your values, you’ll naturally inspire those around you to strive for their best and contribute to a culture of success and inclusivity.

​​💝 Invest in Women in Tech and Support Women Who Code: You can empower the vital work we do to help diverse women excel and thrive in their tech careers. Give to help us raise $30,000 during Women’s History Month and inspire inclusion in tech. Donate now.