At Minim, Howe advises the C-Suite on business strategy, product innovation and customer relationships within the cable industry. She’s always on the cutting edge. Case in point, she’s an investor and board member of Coravant, a minority-owned VAR and system integrator in the early start-up stage. Her other hat has her chairing the global board of WICT, where she’s helped craft a new strategic plan to ensure WICT flourishes in these times of change. Howe is also attuned to the ways DEI efforts can permeate a company, from the top down. “While finding ways to drive diversity within the recruiting process may impact hiring now, diversity must start at the top,” she says. “If a company’s senior leadership and board of directors are not diverse, the company will not maintain a diverse workforce.”
What’s one way your company has broadened the recruiting process to ensure greater diversity?
While finding ways to drive diversity within the recruiting process may impact hiring now, diversity must start at the top. If a company’s senior leadership and board of directors are not diverse, the company will not maintain a diverse workforce. At Minim (where I am a member of the board of directors), having a diverse board was “natural.” It did not take the new 2022 NASDAQ Diversity Requirements for Boards to force the company to have an inclusive executive leadership team. When the entire corporate leadership team prioritizes diversity and inclusion, the foundation will ensure a diverse culture and increase shareholder value.
Do you have an example of male allyship that made a difference to you?
With a career in technology, my “world” has been dominated by men. And, while that world is changing, I have always felt support and male kinship in this industry. Three leaders standout for me: Joe Quane, Ron Coppock and Dan Artusi. They are great male allies, dedicated sponsors and life-long friends. Joe and Ron helped me develop my strong technical acumen and operations, sales and business development skills. Dan opened the door to the Chairman of Minim. They all continue to push me to take on new challenges. My role is to listen and to learn.
What one female empowerment book do you think every woman should read?
I am always a champion of women striving for new opportunities—promotions—within their current organizations or even taking the step to move to new companies. Paraphrasing the WICT Network’s “Be Fearless” Touchstone, we must understand and embrace our fears, and turn them to our advantage to grow and advance. My go-to book when I have been empowered to make a change is “The First Ninety Days” by Michael D. Watkins. Gives me the strategies for quickly making an impact.
