Comcast leaders Rachel Solomon and Stephanie Rideau were recently featured on the fifth season of the STEMblazers Podcast, sharing details about their backgrounds, education, leadership journey, and more.
STEMblazers inspires girls to visualize themselves in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math careers by interviewing amazing female STEM professionals who share their stories, insight, and words of encouragement to inspire the next generation of young women.
Rachel Solomon is the Senior Vice President of Technical Operations and Engineering for Comcast’s West Division. She shared this advice for girls looking to get into a STEM career: get out of your comfort zone.
If you’re always just doing what’s comfortable, you’re never going to become the great person, the great woman, the great leader that you can,” said Rachel. “Say yes to adventure, get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and dive into those places where you have fear — because often where we have fear is the place we have the most potential.”
Rachel says one of her favorite parts of her job is getting to work with great people, which is why she prioritizes building strong relationships with her team.
“Life is about connections and relationships,” Rachel said. “My to-do list will wait, but people won’t — and they’re what matter.”
At the time of recording her episode, Stephanie Rideau was an Area Vice President of Technical Operations for Comcast. She now serves as Vice President of Comcast Business Operations. She shared great advice about her outlook on leadership.
As a leader, it’s not about your position. It’s not about your title,” Stephanie said. “It’s about who you are as leader and how you bring people along with you.”
When asked about what advice she’d share to the next generation of female STEM professionals, Stephanie said it’s important to not be afraid to ask for help.
“Asking for help is a sign of strength, because it means you understand what you know and what you don’t know. It’s not a sign of weakness,” Stephanie said.
