By Laura Caroon

Just a year after moving to the area for a job at Microsoft, Theresa Garrett is working to make tech more inclusive and diverse through Arise! Communities.

Q In a brief summary, what do you do?
A I’m a Customer Success Manager at Microsoft. I educate, assist and empower companies towards success within Azure.

Q What’s your favorite part about what you do?
A Building relationships and speaking with our customers, hands down!

Q We know you are a (somewhat) new transplant to Fargo, ND. Can you tell us what brought you here at how your transition has gone?
A I moved to Fargo a year ago to work at Microsoft. Getting involved with Ladyboss within months of being in Fargo and being intentional with people helped make my transition positive.

Q What’s this we hear about this new cool organization called ARISE!?
A Myself, along with DOPE AF ladyboss co-founders, Kirsten Henagin and April Stevenson, are starting Arise! Communities, an inclusive and diverse community of tech enthusiasts in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

Arise! provides classes for the FM community to learn tech skills, and have challenging conversations. We want to talk about what it means to a minority in the midwest, or be a woman in a male-dominated industry, or a member of the LGBTQ+ community or those that do not fit the social norms. We want to impact marginalized groups that are often forgotten or not included in the tech industry. We are excited to create this space in the community. All are welcome at Arise!

Q What do you hope for the organization and our community of women in tech?
A Specifically for women in tech, I want a community that uplifts and pushes each other to do and be better. For Arise!, I hope that everyone feels welcome and part of the community no matter what. We focus on women in tech, but if you don’t identify as a woman or to a gender binary—you are also welcome at Arise! Communities. We are gender inclusive, not exclusive.

Q How do you stay current?
A The internet, social media and NPR help me stay current on any and everything.

Q What was the best career advice you’ve ever received or have to offer?
A Don’t talk about it, be about it.

Q Do you have any go-to stress management practices/strategies?
A To-do lists help me manage my stress. Every day, I write out the five things that have to get done that day, having the list allows me to see my progress and focus my energy on getting them done.

Q How are you taking better care of yourself in 2019?
A Taking better care of yourself is a process, and I’m enjoying the process while drinking more water.

What are your top must-read books for Ladybosses or people in business?

“Becoming” by Michelle Obama

“Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person” by Shonda Rhimes

“Emotional Intelligence 2.0” by Travis Bradberry