Spotlight Series: Anchal Sharma

We are very pleased to introduce you to Anchal Sharma! Anchal works as a developer on the core product team at ServiceMax. A passionate innovator and developer with 7+ years experience working for an Independent Software Vendor (ISV), Anchal is part of ServiceMax’s core product team in Bangalore, India, where she evaluates Salesforce features, using them to innovate enhancements to ServiceMax’s product offerings.

I am so proud that I built my career on Salesforce with ServiceMax.

Staying safe and in shape is at the core of Anchal’s hobbies. She is a big fan of martial arts, so kickboxing helps her conquer both concerns at the same time. And when it comes to lightness of everyday life; she enjoys sitting on a rocking chair, listening to soft music, watching the sunset and sipping chai in silence.

How did you hear about us?

“At Dreamforce ’17, I attended almost all of the Meetups and sessions that happened for Certified Technical Architect (CTA). In all that buzz around CTA, I heard Suzanne Ford mentioning #LadiesBeArchitects and I just followed it. Good thing I did!”

What feelings did Ladies Be Architects inspire within you?

“Never Give up” is my mantra and the “Ladies Be Architects” community is a perfect example of it. The commitment, vision and the passion of giving back to the community is just amazing. Ladies Be Architects encourages me to keep up the momentum and focus on my #JourneyToCTA.”

Tell us why the CTA journey is important to you

“During this time last year, I was trying to figure out “What is next for me, in terms of a technical challenge? What’s the area unexplored by me? How can I grow?”

“After all those hit-and-miss trials, I found that the CTA is exactly what I am looking forward for. It helps me enhance my domain knowledge, understand product requirements from a technical perspective, design solutions that follow the best security/integration practices and contribute to the Product roadmap. “Since the day I took my first certification on the #JourneyToCTA, everything has changed. I am showered with opportunities to grow myself professionally and there is no looking back!! To me, success is trekking the CTA mountain; reaching the top of it and then basking in the glory of having done that! Alright, Alright, Alright!! Go get it girl!”

What’s the next step for you on your Journey to CTA?

“I am currently working on the Data Architecture and Management Designer Certification; with that I will complete my Certified Application Architect (CAA). After this I have 2 more certifications to go to achieve Certified System Architect (CSA). I am targeting to complete my CSA and CAA by July 2018 and planning to take my CTA by end of this year.”

What are the biggest challenges you’re facing on your Journey to CTA?

“Currently, the challenge I am facing is with hands on experience and exposure in solving the business requirements. As an ISV core product team, we have limited areas where we can wear multiple hats in a project. It will be really helpful if we can get guidance on getting these hands-on experiences, like participating in non- profit projects.”

Spotlight Series: Susannah St-Germain

Meet Susannah Kate, one of our newest members. She lives just outside of Boston, MA and has been Salesforcing for about 7 years. Susannah started out as an “accidental admin”, working for a non-profit and now works as an architect at Boston Scientific – a large international medical device company. She is one of the 3 Salesforce architects in the company… and the only woman! As a Colombian-American, she’s also an advocate for getting more Latinos involved in technology.

I have a dog named Parker. I’m a super fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Joss Whedon version) and Veronica Mars. In my spare time I try to travel as much as possible (my most recent trip was to Kenya for a safari) and love that my job gives me the flexibility and financial security to see the world!

How did you hear about us?

“I heard about you when someone reposted in the WWDUG (Women Who Dev User Group community about one of your webinars.”

What feelings did Ladies Be Architects inspire within you?

“Up until recently I wanted to be more active in the salesforce community but didn’t quite know how/hadn’t found the right tribe. But since at the time I found the group I was interviewing for SFDC architect roles, I instantly connected with LBA.”

Tell us why the Journey to CTA is important to you...

“Journey to CTA is important to me because I’m a full time Salesforce Architect, and I know that CTA will help me be better at my current job and more marketable in the future. But, more importantly, Journey to CTA is important to me because (as of last Dreamforce) there are only 10 female CTAs in the world. IN THE WORLD.

“When I heard that statistic I knew I was sold on becoming a CTA. I want to be a trailblazer for other women and people of color, and also, personally, I want to join the ranks of those elite women.”

What’s your favourite thing about Ladies Be Architects?

“My favorite part about LBA is the content. Not only does the group provide great content, but it also has really lit a fire for Salesforce to provide more resources for CTA learning.”

What are you planning to do next?

“At TrailheaDX last month, I received my Application Architect credential. I plan to summit the System Architect side of the pyramid by studying for the Integration Designer and Deployment and Lifecycle Designer exams. I plan to pass those certifications in the next 3 months!

“Also my longer term goal is to achieve System Architect by the end of 2018 and prepare for the board in 2019.”

Spotlight Series: Ladies Be Inspired by Doina Popa and Debra Marant

On 20th March we were very proud to host Debra Maranta from Salesforce and Doina Popa, one of the first female Certified Technical Architects (CTAs) in EMEA – for an inspiring #Ohana webinar. We had all sorts of people join – even Gemma’s daughter Mollie came along to take part!

To our excitement, Debra announced that Salesforce will be introducing CTA preparation workshops for candidates facing the review board. She also shared her insights on the direction of the architect programme, and her excitement that we’re working so hard to help each other succeed.

We then moved over to Doina, who told us about her experiences with taking the review board exam and the doors that have been opened for her career since she became a CTA.

You can watch the recording here – we promise you it’s worth it!