Dr. Kim Strickland is a technology project leader, researcher, and advocate for women advancing in complex environments. As Director of the Americas Consulting PMO at SAS, she leads cross-functional teams delivering digital transformation and analytics solutions across the public sector and commercial healthcare.
Her doctoral research on stakeholder engagement inspired her Keystone Relationship Strategy—a people-first leadership model designed to help women build trust, navigate difficult dynamics, and step confidently into influence. With two decades of experience, Kim is known for bringing clarity, connection, and calm to high-pressure projects. She is passionate about developing future leaders and helping women strengthen their voice and impact in the tech space.
1. Are you excited to speak at the Women in Tech Global Conference, and what motivated you to join our community of 200,000 women in tech and allies?
I’m absolutely excited to speak at the Women in Tech Global Conference. What drew me to this community is its global reach and its commitment to creating space for women, minorities, and allies to grow, lead, and support one another. I’m passionate about contributing to conversations that elevate women’s voices in technology and focus not just on technical excellence, but on the human skills that enable lasting impact.
2. Share with us your background, your journey in tech, and what inspired you to develop your career in this direction.
My career spans more than 20 years across technology, project leadership, and organizational change. I began my journey in hands-on technical roles as a systems analyst and application specialist in the publishing and healthcare industries, where I worked closely with business users, developers, and data teams to translate complex requirements into workable solutions. Those early experiences gave me a deep appreciation for how technology, people, and process intersect—and how misalignment between them can derail even the best-designed systems. That perspective ultimately inspired my transition into project and program management, where I could focus on driving clarity, alignment, and outcomes. My curiosity about the human side of delivery later led me to pursue doctoral research focused on stakeholder engagement.
3. Why is the topic “The Relationship Advantage: A Keystone Relationship Strategy to Build Trust, Influence, and Impact for Women in Tech” important to you?
This topic is personal and practical for me. Throughout my career, I’ve seen incredibly capable women struggle not because they lacked skill or expertise, but because their influence was constrained by relationship dynamics, visibility, or unspoken expectations. The Keystone Relationship Strategy emerged from both experience and research as a way to make trust and alignment intentional rather than accidental. My goal is to give women tools they can use immediately to lead with confidence, build meaningful influence, and thrive in complex environments.
4. Who would you advise to attend the Women in Tech Global Conference, and why?
I would encourage anyone working in or alongside technology—whether early in their career, transitioning roles, or leading teams—to attend. The conference offers an incredible opportunity to learn from diverse perspectives, build meaningful connections, and gain insight that supports both professional growth and personal confidence. It’s especially valuable for women and allies who want to lead with impact and shape the future of technology in inclusive, human-centered ways.
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