Employee Spotlight: Shirley Wright
As Corporate Controller for TIAG, Shirley leads the finance team with grace and is responsible for ensuring our accounting, reporting, budgeting, and internal controls comply with all requirements, policies, and strategies. In addition to monitoring and controlling our day-to-day financial operations, she is focused on making sure our financial teams and project managers efficiently respond to all reporting requirements.
Shirley is passionate about aligning financial and business metrics to support business strategy and growth. Her approach plays a crucial role in laying the foundation for our continued legacy in the industry—by translating data into tangible results, TIAG is more quickly and intuitively able to make the investments needed to support our initiatives and goals for continued success.
We sat down with Shirley to learn more about her, her story, and what she loves about working at TIAG.
What do you love about working at TIAG?
When I began my career, technology wasn’t as advanced as it is today; connecting with others outside of my immediate sphere wasn’t easily accessible. As a black female, I was always a party of “one” in a room of predominantly white males. The difficulty was being heard, not marginalized, overlooked, or seen as the assistant. I had to be better educated, more prepared, and extend my awareness far outside my immediate discipline. It took more than just being good at my job, I realized early on that to succeed, I had to be armed with more knowledge and insight than anyone in the room.
I began my career in a very large organization. Career opportunities were often available but there was always a ceiling. It seemed no matter what your education or experience, certain positions were off limits. Until I came to TIAG. The opportunities at TIAG allow me to share my years of experience, knowledge, and insight with the entire organization. I get to do what I love and have the support and encouragement of leadership to make even the most mundane tasks enjoyable.
Who is the most inspirational person in your life?
The most inspiring woman in my life is my mom. She had four girls, ran her own business, opened her home to be on the list as an emergency shelter for battered women, raised several foster children, and never sits. She gives and gives. She outshines and inspires me daily because at 70+, she is not done. Her drive truly drives me and my siblings—from being a Corporate Controller, to District Manager of a very large food chain, Councilwoman and Executive Director, and Superintendent for a large school system in Indiana—she empowered and encouraged us to live big, bold lives.
Why is it so important for women to be represented in tech?
It’s so vital for women to be represented in all aspects of life, but especially tech. For those who are not “tech savvy,” technology can be a bit scary, but women bring a different perspective to technology. Every industry needs a diverse approach. Women are creative, smart, forward-thinking, warm, understanding, and driven. If an industry doesn’t take advantage of the wealth of knowledge available from women, they will likely start a steady decline in any perceived competitive advantage.
What words of wisdom or advice do you have for employees?
We often view things from one perspective. Landing the dream job. The “nailed it” interview. But those are just moments. I want people to realize that it’s not just those moments that matter, but the willingness they have to work hard, accept other tasks, and maybe do things that aren’t the “dream,” but are necessary…these are the pieces that get you noticed and elevated. So don’t stop if you haven’t had your moment. That
“no” might just mean “not now” or “not yet.” Keep going.
At TIAG, our greatest asset is our people. Our unique, unified company culture is composed of many brilliant, creative, well-credentialed business and technology professionals just like Shirley.
Want to learn more about TIAG or work for a company that truly puts people first? Check out our current opportunities!