Women in Technology: Finding Your Voice and Creating Your Own Opportunities
When Divya Lucas joined Aspen three years ago, she wasn’t stepping into a carefully planned technology career. In fact, her path into software began almost by accident.
After spending a decade in the automotive industry working with dealer management systems and CRM software, Divya was approached about an opportunity that would eventually lead her to Aspen. What started as a customer success role quickly evolved into something much larger, giving her the opportunity to shape processes, lead initiatives, and ultimately grow into her current position as Manager of Professional Services.
Today, Divya’s story reflects a theme common across many successful technology careers: the willingness to embrace new opportunities, share ideas, and continuously learn along the way.
Growth Happens When You’re Given Room to Explore
One of the aspects of working within the Perseus ecosystem that has stood out most to Divya is the freedom to pursue ideas and experiment to drive improvements. Whether identifying ways to streamline implementations, improve customer retention, or strengthen integrations between products, she’s found an environment where initiative is encouraged rather than constrained.
“I’ve been given the autonomy to explore a lot of things that I find intriguing and interesting,” she explains. “If I’m interested in a process and can come up with a plan to make things more efficient, I’ve been given that leeway.”
This autonomy has allowed Divya to expand her skillset beyond the responsibilities of her original role while contributing meaningful improvements for both customers and colleagues. Just as importantly, she feels those contributions are recognized.
“You would think with a company that’s so big that you would just be a number,” she says. “But that’s not the case here. You do feel seen.”
The Advantage of Having Access to a Larger Ecosystem
Like many professionals working within the Perseus ecosystem, Divya sees significant value in being part of a larger network while still maintaining the close-knit culture of a smaller business. Through events like Perseus Epic, she has connected with leaders across other business units, creating relationships that have become valuable sounding boards for new ideas and challenges.
“It’s great to have a sounding board,” she says. “You can reach out to others, and they can give you input and help you solve challenges they may have come up against themselves.”
These connections have helped her gain new perspectives, share best practices, and learn from experiences outside her own organization. The combination of independence and access to a broader community creates a unique environment for professional growth.
“You have the best of both worlds,” she explains. “You have that family-style feel, but you also have the support and opportunities that come with being part of something larger.”
Learning Beyond Your Job Description
One of Divya’s most memorable experiences came less than a year after joining Aspen when she was asked to present at Epic, Perseus’ annual leadership conference. For many professionals, presenting to peers across dozens of software businesses would feel intimidating, but for Divya, it became an opportunity to share ideas and discover the value of her own experiences.
Her first presentation in 2024 focused on streamlining implementation processes. In 2025 she returned to present again, this time sharing lessons from transitioning from customer success into management.
The experience reinforced an important lesson.
“At first you feel awkward,” she says. “You think people already know these things. Then you realize they don’t, and your experience can actually help someone else.”
That mindset of continuous learning extends beyond formal presentations. Through networking, professional development opportunities, and conversations with peers, Divya has found inspiration in seeing how other teams approach challenges and develop their people.
“You can take something someone is doing in another department and apply it to your own in a completely different way,” she says.
Advice for Women Considering a Career in Technology
While the technology industry has made significant progress, Divya acknowledges that it can still feel intimidating for women entering the field. Her advice: don’t be afraid to reach out, build relationships, and share your ideas with others.
“Find a mentor or a leader in the industry,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to network. Don’t be afraid to put your ideas forward.”
Early in her career, Divya admits she was often hesitant to speak up. Over time, however, seeing her ideas welcomed and implemented gave her the confidence to contribute more openly, ultimately changing how she approached her work.
“That’s been the biggest confidence boost that Perseus has given me,” she reflects.
Creating Your Own Path
Looking back, Divya is the first to admit that her career didn’t follow a predetermined plan. A recruiter introduced her to an industry she hadn’t considered, one opportunity led to another, and her willingness to embrace change opened doors she never expected.
Today, she continues to help customers leverage technology to improve their businesses while building new processes, leading teams, and sharing her expertise with peers across the organization.
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