Summit Spotlight: Becki Wilken
Senior Director Software Engineering, LexisNexis Risk Solutions
We are so excited that Becki is joining us at the 2022 Women of Influence Summit on Friday, September 16 to share how shifting her perspective changed her story. To help you get to know Becki better check out her answers to our interview questions below:
What does a typical day look like for you?
The majority of my day is spent on conference calls and responding to emails. My primary areas of focus are tracking progress on critical projects, helping to resolve problems/remove barriers, mentoring employees, and collaborating with my team, peers, manager and business partners on strategy.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Working with my team to solve problems is my absolute favorite part of the job! Whether the issue is technical, organizational, or related to personnel, they are typically multi-faceted/complex and unique, requiring a diverse set of experiences and mindsets to solve them. Breaking the problem down and working with very smart people to rule out potential causes is rewarding and fun. Also, no problem has just one possible solution; brainstorming as a team can not only yield potential solutions to the issue at hand, but also highlight other issues that could occur as a result or process improvements not previously considered.
How do you spend your free time?
I spend a great deal of time with my husband, children, family and friends. I especially enjoy spending time on the lake, going for walks, reading, cooking for my family and watching movies.
What’s on your summer reading list?
I’m a murder mystery nut; I especially enjoy books with a strong female lead character. I am presently reading the JD Robb “In Death” series, featuring main character Eve Dallas, a NYC police homicide lieutenant who persevered through a tough childhood, creating a life full of people who care about her and excelling in a primarily male dominated world – leading her team of detectives and catching serial killers.
How has Next Monday been of value to you and/or your career?
Next Monday has been critical to my growth, not only as a leader, but as a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. This group of highly successful, smart, and genuinely kind women have provided me a place where I can be my authentic self, a platform where I can get advice in a confidential way, and most important, they challenge me to think about things from a different point of view. This will be highlighted in detail during my presentation at the summit!
What are you looking forward to at the Women of Influence Summit in September?
The Women of Influence Summit provides for a day of reflection. I look forward not only to sharing my story and what I’ve learned with you, which I’m certain will be an exhilarating experience, but hearing the other speakers stories and getting to talk one-on-one with some of you. Hearing peoples stories and how they’ve persevered through their hardships is exceptionally inspiring!
What are you hoping to share with fellow attendees at the Women of Influence Summit?
My hope is that I will have the courage to be my authentic self, sharing the challenges I’ve encountered and the methods I’ve used to overcome them, with the hope that you will leave at the end of the day with some ideas on how to improve your own life.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I was a very shy and quiet kid with few friends. Growing up on and working the family farm resulted in a strong work ethic and deep family roots. My participation in FFA brought me a sense of belonging and was the start of my love for leadership.
What is your favorite family tradition?
Opening gifts, having a fancy dinner, and playing board games with my husband and children at Christmas time.
What would you name the autobiography of your life?
Woohoo!
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
To cook like my mom!
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
Massage therapist. I’m a firm believer in the value of healing touch.
What would you most like to tell yourself at age 18?
Invest in the relationships that matter most; let the rest go.
Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
Napa Valley, CA. Great hiking, outdoors activities, sunshine, people are nice, and of course, the wine.
What is your favorite meal?
Steak, baked potato, grilled asparagus.
How do you keep a healthy work-life balance?
Continually remind myself of what’s really important (relationships) and investing my time appropriately.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
My children.
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