What I Wish I Knew: Celebrating Women In Technology With Dana Toney

Twenty-five years ago, Dana Toney didn’t set out to build a career in technology. In fact, like many women early in their careers, she felt unsure if she belonged in the field at all. The uncertainty wasn’t about capability - it was about confidence. But one unexpected opportunity changed everything. After college, she applied for a project manager role at a telecom company, despite not having a technical background. She got the job, learned on the fly, and quickly discovered something surprising: she loved it. “I didn’t know what I didn’t know. Someone gave me a chance, and I really thrived.”

That moment, being given an opportunity before she felt fully ready, became the foundation of a long and successful career. Today, Dana is a Program Manager at Visa, leading complex, highly technical initiatives. Her journey is a powerful reminder that careers in tech don’t always begin with certainty, but with curiosity and a willingness to dive into the deep end.

Early on, however, the challenges were real. As a young woman working with primarily older male IT leaders, Dana often found herself underestimated before she even spoke. “There was already a bias before you even said anything,” she explains. Instead of shrinking in those moments, she adapted. She learned to speak their language, to understand the technical details deeply enough to engage in meaningful conversations, and to build genuine relationships. Over time, those efforts shifted how others saw her, not as a young woman trying to prove herself, but as a knowledgeable partner bringing valuable insight.

That experience shaped one of the most important lessons she wishes she had learned earlier: you don’t need to have all the answers to belong in the room. “I used to think, ‘am I the only one with this question?’” she says. “But you’re not. No one has all the answers… and that’s okay.” Asking questions often opens the door to better conversations, stronger collaboration, and more innovative thinking. You’re rarely the only one unsure; others are just waiting for someone else to ask.

Dana also credits her growth to a curious mindset. Rather than staying at a surface level in her roles, she made a deliberate effort to understand the technology behind the work. She didn’t just track project status; she dug into how systems functioned, what developers were building, and how everything connected. “I didn’t want to just say, ‘here’s the status.’ I wanted to understand what was actually happening,” she explains. That approach, combined with strong relationship-building, became a defining strength. By taking the time to connect with colleagues, ask thoughtful questions, and show genuine interest in their work, she created an environment where she could continue to learn and grow.

For women considering a career in technology, her advice is both simple and powerful: don’t wait until you feel fully qualified. “Women tend not to apply unless they meet all the qualifications, while men will apply if they meet 20%,” she says. Her perspective is to apply anyway. You don’t need to have everything figured out before you take the next step. In a field as dynamic as technology, growth happens on the job. Skills evolve, interests shift, and new opportunities constantly emerge. “You don’t have a decision until you have an offer,” she adds.

Confidence, she emphasizes, isn’t something you magically gain overnight. It’s built over time, she encourages finding your niche and becoming really good at one specialty. For Dana, that was process improvement. By identifying inefficiencies and refining how work gets done, she developed a skill set that others came to rely on. “Get really good at one thing that you feel confident in,” she advises. “People will always go to you for that, and you can build from there.” 

As the industry evolves, Dana is encouraged by the progress she’s seen. Increased flexibility in the workplace has made it easier for women (especially working mothers) to succeed in demanding roles. And while there is still work to be done, she sees meaningful shifts in both representation and respect. “It’s exciting to see women in technology and using their big brains,” she says. “The respect is getting there.”

Looking ahead, she hopes to see even more women in leadership roles and encourages others to not tie their value to a job title. “You’re more than your title,” she says. “I've been a project manager, a program manager, a director. You’re doing great work, no matter where you are.” Dana’s story is a reminder that the path into technology isn’t always linear. You don’t need to start with confidence, and you don’t need to check every box. Sometimes, all it takes is a chance, a question, or a moment of curiosity to set everything in motion.

And often, the most important thing you can do is take that first step… before you feel ready.