On January 26th, 2023 I participated in a panel discussion in front of over 300 technology professionals, educators, students and innovators at TechBuffalo's Open House presentation. I was invited to share my journey into tech as well as thoughts on the state of the tech workforce and challenges faced by a lack of tech workforce compared to tech jobs in our region as well as other challenges facing workforce diversity and the partnerships fostered in our community to build a better tech culture. As a result, as I have tried to document on this site my journey has really just begun this this was a huge opportunity and honor for me. A chance to make many connections which I took full advantage of. An opportunity to finally meet so many in person that up until this point had only met "virtually" in THE hub of technology in Buffalo at Seneca One Tower. I hope one day to look back at this experience as a building block that lead to a greater involvement and a giving back to a community that has given me so much hope for the future.