International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, which also advocates for accelerating gender parity. This year’s theme is #EachforEqual through celebrating women’s achievement, raising awareness against bias, and taking action for equality.
To recognize this important day, we’ll be celebrating some of our own inspiring female leaders and their careers in the tech industry and at Netchex. Next up is our Tax Team Manager, LaShawn Davis.
Tell us a little bit about your Netchex journey!
I began with Netchex in Spring 2013—new to the payroll world and so very eager to learn. Working in the Service Department was so rewarding. I loved building relationships with clients and it was great meeting people at NetConnect and putting faces to names.
While exciting, it was also challenging. Our system has many features—payroll, accruals, time and attendance, general ledger, reporting, and so much more. There was a lot to learn. I accepted the challenge and focused on learning as much as I could and sharing that knowledge with co-workers and clients alike. I built an awesome work ethic and enjoyed training others.
My confidence grew and after a few years, I transferred to the Benefits Department to assist clients, specifically with implementing NetBenefits, building new benefit plans, setting up open enrollment, plan transitions, etc. Then, I made yet another move… to the Tax Department. I thought Service was challenging. Ha! Payroll taxes were a whole new world. With laws constantly changing, you must always stay on your toes.
In each department, I was promoted to a leadership role, but in Tax, I was promoted to Manager after a year and a half! Since I joined the Tax Department, the team has doubled in size! I have grown so much personally and professionally over the last 7 years—becoming a better listener, a better communicator, a better planner, and a better leader. I am grateful to Netchex for the opportunity to lead and grow.
What is your favorite part about working in the Tech/Software industry?
It is fun to be a part of an innovative culture. Our development team is constantly seeking out ways to improve our software based on our clients’ needs. It is exciting that our executives are open to upgrading our product to better meet the needs of our clients and have invested a lot of resources in this area.
How important is it for companies to have equal representation throughout all levels of employees?
It is so very important for companies to have equal representation throughout all levels of employees and all divisions in a company. Diversity breeds innovation. Each person’s background and life experiences bring a unique view and voice to a workplace, so having equal representation leads to a balanced dialogue and ensures all points of view are considered.
Do you have any advice for women entering leadership roles with their departments?
Stay true to yourself. Be open to constructive criticism. Listen attentively and think thoroughly before you speak. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or go against the grain. Remember that you were selected for your position, so it’s okay to let your voice be heard.
How do you manage to balance home and work life?
This is a tough one, and I’m still learning how to balance work and home. Our business is rapidly growing and so are the demands. I am working on separating the two, but it’s a work-in-progress.
I am constantly prioritizing what has to happen right now vs. what can wait. This helps me to be okay with walking away and going home at a decent hour at the end of the day. I am recently engaged and my home life is changing, so this helps me to put things into perspective and be as productive as possible in the workplace so that I can enjoy my time out of the office and not feel guilty.
What are your hopes for Netchex as a company moving forward?
Improving the ratio of women in tech. The need for talent is only increasing and innovative enterprises, such as our own, cannot meet the rising demands if we don’t unlock the potential of our female talent. The good news is that the tide is turning. According to a recent study, as a result of efforts by universities to enroll more women in computer science programs, women now make up more than half of new computer science graduates and junior developers entering the workforce. This is reflected within our own organization where we have increased the number of women hired in our technology openings by 9% since 2017. We have an opportunity here, it’s just a matter of time.
As Netchex continues to experience rapid growth, LaShawn and her team are always looking for candidates to join the team. If you’re interested in joining Team Netchex, click below to see our openings!