2019 INI Diploma Ceremony

INI alumna Roseanne Silva inspires new INI graduates to 'nurture the network' at the Diploma Ceremony on May 19, 2019.

Sunday, May 19, 2019—The Information Networking Institute (INI)’s Class of 2019 gathered with friends and family to celebrate the two years of hard work behind their degrees in information networking, security, and mobility. As graduates, they are joining a diverse, global network of more than 2,000 alumni who create, shape, and innovate technology that changes the world. 

Before they received their diplomas, INI director Dr. Dena Haritos Tsamitis spoke to the 154 graduates about how important it is to “embrace what makes you different” throughout their lives and careers.

In her remarks, Haritos Tsamitis touched upon imposter syndrome, a phenomenon she’s observed during her two decades as a mentor, leader and educator. “Seventy percent of professionals experience this in their careers—including me,” she told them.

As the daughter of Greek immigrants who was the first of her family to attend college and later earned her master’s degree and doctorate as a single working mother, Haritos Tsamitis followed a very different path from most of her peers at CMU.

“I used to attribute my success to being lucky or ‘in the right place at the right time,’ rather than acknowledging my accomplishments, and that my differences are my strengths,” she said.

Haritos Tsamitis encouraged the Class of 2019 to do the same as they embark on the next phase of their lives. “Embrace what makes you different. Be supportive of and open to others who are not like you,” she emphasized.

'Nurturing the Network'

Haritos Tsamitis introduced the keynote speaker, INI alumna Roseanne Silva (MS02, ‘91). In addition to serving as past chair of the INI Alumni Leadership Council, Silva was recently honored by Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) with a 2019 Alumni Service Award for her inspiring leadership, service and generosity.

Silva, a senior vice president and business chief technology officer at PNC Financial Services Group, drew from her own experiences in tech to share three important lessons with the next generation of industry leaders.

A key part of building a community of mentors, Silva told the graduates, is knowing when to ask for help, and to give help when asked.

“Through INI, you have access to some of the greatest minds in the technology field,” she said. “I challenge you to nurture this network of mentors.”

Next, she underscored the importance of being coachable. “You are never done learning,” she said. “Instead of teachers, you’ll now learn from coaches” who often “hide in plain sight” in the form of bosses, peers, and teams. “Ask yourself: am I working with people who challenge me, and am I open to their honest feedback and different perspectives…even when they are difficult to accept?”

Her last piece of advice focused on intentionality—particularly when it comes to creating a more diverse and inclusive work environment. To illustrate this point, Silva described how even small details can make a big difference.

At PNC, Silva helped launch Tech Connect, a resource group for women in tech. However, when a colleague suggested changing the mission from being ‘for’ women, to ‘about’ women, Silva experienced an “A-HA moment.”

“By making the group ‘for’ women, we excluded men. Studies show that companies where men are actively included as allies achieve a 90 percent success rate. Companies that exclude men only reach 30 percent.” They took their colleague’s advice and made the group ‘about’ women, a small change that resulted in a more inclusive and successful program.

 In conclusion, Silva challenged the graduates to apply these lessons towards fostering communities that are inclusive, diverse, and intentional.

“As we say at INI, ‘May your heart always be in the network.’”