At this year’s SQL Saturday South Florida, held at Nova Southeastern University (NSU), the Women in Technology panel didn’t just offer a glimpse into the tech careers of four dynamic leaders. it delivered a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and community-driven growth.

Moderated by a past panelist and attended by a packed audience of aspiring and experienced data professionals, the session was a standout of the free, volunteer-run tech training event.

The panelists Gilda Alvarez, Patricia Monica Ojeda, Reneida Leon, and Cecillia Brusatori shared deeply personal stories of career pivots, international transitions, and lessons learned through both adversity and opportunity. From navigating layoffs and relocations to balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, each speaker emphasized how SQL Saturday and community support transformed their careers.

I lost my identity after getting laid off from IBM,

said Gilda Alvarez, a cloud database architect and founder, recalling the 2008 recession.

But I found a community at SQL Saturday. It helped me rebuild my career and visibility. That’s why I’m here today to help the next generation.

For Reneida Leon, a fractional product operator and mother of three, the turning point came with parenthood.

It forced me to rethink my path and find more creative, flexible ways to grow.

she said, noting that the tech industry still needs to evolve to better support working mothers.

Trust will be the currency of the future.

she added, urging attendees to build local networks in the age of AI hiring algorithms.

Patricia Monica Ojeda, a multilingual project leader and AI prompt engineer, brought an international lens, having lived in five countries before moving to the U.S. in 2006.

I learned that you don’t wait for people to blend into your world, you blend into theirs.

she said. Her message was clear: success isn’t about certification volume (though she holds 27), but about knowing and packaging your superpowers; your unique talents and adaptability.

Cecillia Brusatori, a principal data consultant and tech entrepreneur, echoed that sentiment.

Certifications are add-ons. What matters are transferable skills and your ability to learn.

she said, underscoring the importance of curiosity and community over check-the-box credentials.

The panel also addressed a pressing question for many attendees: what skills do you actually need to land a better job in today’s hypercompetitive market?

Alvarez broke it down practically: start with foundations like data analytics (Power BI) and cloud fluency (AZ-900), then specialize based on your strengths.

There’s a place for everyone in tech, you just need to map your climb.

she said.

Ojeda emphasized self-branding

You’re not just AWS certified. You’re a product with unique value.

Brusatori added that hiring managers often value learning ability and people skills over degrees or buzzwords.

You can teach Python. You can’t teach attitude.

Throughout the session, one theme dominated: community. Each panelist credited SQL Saturday with more than just skills, it gave them careers, friendships, speaking opportunities, even baby showers.

As the moderator summed up,

It’s not about what you know. It’s about who sees you show up. This event is how we make each other visible.

Takeaway?

Want to grow in tech? Don’t wait for a recruiter bot to find you. Go where the people are, network, speak, volunteer. And, as this panel proved, show up with your full story.