Expert Elite

have learned among the community as a speaker at Autodesk University (and earning Top Rated Class awards in AU2021 and 2022!) and the BIM Coordinators Summit.

Women Of The Expert Elite

Within the amazing Expert Elite program member community, there is a dynamic group of women professionals who have broken barriers and helped lead the way for others like myself to pursue such an achievement. Through their hard work, dedication, and perseverance, they have shown that women can excel in the technology industry and have made significant contributions to the community.

Being included among these inspiring women has motivated me to take action to promote diversity among my peers. As a female Canadian Expert Elite program member, I am proud to share my story and journey, as well as my knowledge and skills, with the Autodesk community. I have expertise in various areas that can help others in their projects and workflow, including providing practical tips and tricks to navigate complex projects, offering organizational solutions that empower others to take control of their workflow, sharing dynamic functions and processes that can significantly increase productivity, and utilizing Content Management solutions to streamline workflows and optimize collaboration. By sharing my expertise and experiences, I hope to encourage more professional women to share their wisdom and contribute to a more diverse and inclusive community.

The Autodesk Expert Elite program is committed to increasing diversity. I encourage all women to stand up and take the leap to become a part of this dynamic community and to share the knowledge and expertise they already possess. Your contributions are valuable and will help to create a more inclusive and diverse industry. For more information about Autodesk community and the different ways you can contribute, visit https://www. autodesk.com/community

MEET DONNIA - MEMBER SINCE 2022

Around the early 90s, I got involved with the Autodesk user group. I found a pamphlet inside the box the software came in explaining the organization. The organization is now AUGI, www. augi.com. I was not one to sit on the sidelines; I got involved. Over the next twenty-five-plus years, I served as every officer they had and remained their membership chair for many more years. Through AUGI, I met and got involved with many aspects of Autodesk and its people. I was also involved heavily in Autodesk University as a speaker, mentor, author of the Dailly Bulletin, and running the AUGI booth. And yes, I ordered almost every one of those beer mugs that were the collector’s items of Autodesk University.

I was welcomed into the Expert Elite program about a year ago. Some of the Expert Elite program members were slightly surprised and said they thought I had been an Expert Elite program member for years. I have felt so welcomed in the Expert Elite program and plan on doing what I can to help represent as a good steward. I was honored to be recognized as one of eight Outstanding Expert Elite program members in the English-speaking community in 2022. Noted, I was the only female to be given this honor.

WOMEN IN TODAY’S INDUSTRY

There is no denying it - the number of women in technology-based roles is rising, and it’s an exciting time for us. Women are joining and thriving in roles such as managers, developers, programmers, and architects. Women are also creating new techbased companies, proving that we have much to offer in this industry.

Research has shown that diverse teams lead to better outcomes and increased innovation. Companies with diverse leadership teams are more likely to outperform their peers and be more profitable. By promoting and supporting women in technology, we are not only contributing to our own success but also creating a more inclusive and innovative industry for everyone. This is a crucial step towards breaking down the barriers that have traditionally held women back in the tech industry.

As women in technology, we not only have the opportunity to excel in our own careers but also to share our knowledge and skills to support the industry as a whole. By mentoring and supporting the next generation of women in technology, we can inspire and empower them to achieve their goals and overcome challenges we once faced with the industry. We can also share our knowledge and invite others to participate and contribute by joining groups and communities, learning and absorbing information, and gaining new skills. Let’s continue to push for gender diversity and equal opportunities in technology so that all individuals can reach their full potential and contribute to a more innovative and inclusive industry.

MEET DENISSE CRUZ - MEMBER SINCE 2022

My initial motivation came from peers who understood that I had the potential to be an Expert Elite member. It has been difficult as a woman to have confidence in myself. I think that I had some impostor syndrome. I never believed that I was good in what I do or that I was enough or never demanding for what I needed (I’m still working on it), but I can tell you that more than monetary reward, and job offers, the real growth has been emotional because since then I feel more confident of myself, of what I can achieve and I feel much more confident among my peers.

IS MY EXPERIENCE VALUABLE? HOW DO I KNOW I’M CONTRIBUTING WORTHWHILE KNOWLEDGE?

I vividly recall the conversation that marked the beginning of my journey to becoming an Expert Elite. I stumbled upon an article inviting industry professionals to contribute to the Autodesk Community Voices Blog. Without realizing it, I had embarked on a path of exploration, learning, and growth. After several email exchanges with the content manager, I mustered up the courage to apply.

My career focuses on manufactured product content management and the development of formats across multiple disciplines. From predesign to facilities management, I have honed my skills in integrating content in various technical and contractual documentation formats using programs such as Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Specifications to create dynamic and parametric solutions for the product manufacturing industry.

My experience has given me access to manufacturers and products across all aspects of a design project. As well as the knowledge of developing and managing content across multiple design disciplines. Through my interactions with industry professionals around the globe, I learned about their specific needs and how the content I created could function in different project formats and software systems.

Throughout this journey, I consistently used Autodesk software, enabling me to write scripts and lisps, build type catalogs, set up standards and templates, and create profiles, models, systems, and online solutions. These tools have been instrumental in my success, and I realized they could benefit others on their own paths. We may not create the same things, but we use the same software.

I aspire to empower others in their journey of discovery by sharing my own experiences and knowledge and encouraging them to recognize the value of their own unique experiences. You might wonder, ‘Is my experience valuable?’ The answer is yes, it is. There is always someone out there who could benefit from your insights and expertise. By sharing what we know, we can help others achieve success in their own endeavors.

MEET SIRISHA SHASHIKANTH - MEMBER SINCE 2020

I was working as a freelance designer using Autodesk Fusion 360. I created a lot of free content like YouTube Tutorial videos, Exercise books, and quizzes for students and published my work using Autodesk software on Instagram. I also participated in contests. I got an opportunity to be a speaker at Fusion 360 Academy, India. Then, an Autodesk community manager encouraged me to apply for the Autodesk Expert Elite program. I used it and got selected. The tag of an Expert Elite program member surely increased my credibility as a professional. I received some projects, and people invited me to create course content for the software. I was also a part of the webinar series.