Career Growth Advice from Kim McMahon, Tech Marketing Leader | Career Tips for Women in Tech Marketing

2B Bolder Podcast – Episode 36
Featuring Kim McMahon

Episode Title: #36 Career Podcast Featuring Kim McMahon, a seasoned marketer for open source, semiconductors, cloud native, and HPC - Women in Tech

Host: Mary Killelea
Guest: Kim McMahon



Mary Killelea (Host): Hi there. My name is Mary Killelea. Welcome to the To Be Bolder podcast, providing career insights for the next generation of women in business and tech. To Be Bolder was created out of my love for technology and marketing, my desire to bring together like-minded women, and my hope to be a great role model and source of inspiration for my two girls and other young women like you, encouraging you guys to show up and to be bolder and to know that anything you guys dream of, it's totally possible. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the conversation.

Hi there. Today on the show, I'm delighted to have with me Kim McMahon talking about her career. She has been working in the tech field for nearly 20 years and has a deep passion for open source and high performance computing. She's the director of visibility and community engagement at Risk 5 International, a speaker, a mentor, a marketing advisor, an advocate for women in HBC, and volunteers for the Grand Foundation in her spare time. Kim, thank you so much for coming on the show today.

Kim McMahon (Guest): Thank you, Mary, for the invite. It's so great to connect with you and visit with you after so many years. So thank you for inviting me.

Mary Killelea: Oh, good. So Kim, hey, tell us what you're doing today in your role right now for Risk 5.

Kim McMahon: Yeah, so I work for Risk 5. They're a nonprofit. They're part of the Linux Foundation and we work with open hardware, specifically in, it's called the ISA, the instruction set architecture for a semiconductor chip. I lead all of our visibility and community programs, which means I get to talk with the community. I get to talk with members and Risk 5 is at a really interesting place in its life cycle right now in that it's just going to see exponential growth over the next five years. And I joined about a year ago and I've been working with the team on building these programs and I'm really excited to be part of that and be part of that growth that we're expecting.

Mary Killelea: That's awesome. So, what prepared you in your past and maybe you can touch on your past and maybe a few of the roles that you've had, but what prepared you to take on this role and to get you so excited about where you're going with Risk 5?

Kim McMahon: Oh, wow. So I've known Calista Redmond, our CEO, for a long time and she's amazing. I worked with her when she was at IBM and leading the Open Power Foundation and she asked me if I would move over from Cloud Native Computing Foundation, another Linux Foundation project, and come join her in this organization and I jumped at the chance. As I mentioned, where Risk 5 is and with their maturity. But I guess coming back to your question, what prepared me for this role? And I think it's just been my whole career and I've been lucky that I've gotten to do a lot of different things and along the way I figured out what I like and what I don't like and a lot of times that translates right back to what you're good at and what you're not so good at. And this role originally was a director of marketing and we've expanded it. That it's not, I'm not here just to market. Well, marketing's kind of a bad word to tech people anyway, but I'm not here to just market Risk 5. I'm here to help make it visible, help our members be visible, the technologies, our community. How are we going to be more visible? How are we going to grow? How are we going to bring everybody together who has an interest in this open source area? How are we going to bring them all together to participate? So it's a great role. I think I've just lots of different jobs leading up to it that made me ready for it.

Mary Killelea: And the way you positioned marketing and what you do today, there is a shift in mentality when you say you're working on creating visibility versus you think of marketing usually think of, okay, where's the dollars? What's the sale versus building that collective group goal? Exactly, exactly. And that's the open source, the open hardware part of it. It's that the group coming together collectively with a common goal.

Kim McMahon: And I'm not here alone to make Risk 5 visible. We have members and we have technical people and what do we need to talk about to so that the community knows what's going on with this technology?

Mary Killelea: Talk to us a little bit about what HPC is and open source is, if you will, because I think some people know it, some people don't, but it's so prevalent in where we are today and where we're going that I think it deserves kind of a little bit of an explainer.

Kim McMahon: Sure. Yeah. Open source is about bringing the community together to advance a technology. Open source has principally been around software. Our group is an open hardware organization. So, but it's not like we're building a piece of hardware. We're actually the, if you look at an instruction set, it's more of a standard. So, this is how you can build this, this instruction set. And then companies will contribute, they'll contribute to open source hardware and software. Maybe they want, they want something added onto the ISA on the open hardware so that it'll enable, let's say, multiplication and division. And I know that sounds simple, but if there is actually an extension that just multiplies and divides, that tells your computer to multiply and divide. In software, maybe they want to take a cloud application and they want to be able to run a database against it. So a group will come together, contribute code, principally code and other development efforts to create this open source product. And then companies take that and a lot of times turn it into commercial. Well, not a lot of times companies take that and turn it into commercial products, red hat with Lennox, for example.

Mary Killelea: Is this a fair comparison? And forgive me if I'm naive here, but like for the layman, this is kind of like Wikipedia where everyone contributes to whatever a, not, I don't want to say a thought, but like everyone can edit and improve. And then if it's not right, people might challenge that or is it, is there not challenges in that environment?

Kim McMahon: Oh, absolutely. Yeah, no, that's a good example. There absolutely are challenges. You have people submit, they'll submit code to be considered adding, to be added into the open source project. And there's a whole group of what are called maintainers. So, you have contributors contributing, you have maintainers who maintain it, who review that, make sure it gets tested and then say either yes, no, or that's not needed or whatever. So yeah, it is similar, the Wikipedia example.

Mary Killelea: And so HPC, can you define that?

Kim McMahon: Yeah, I love HPC. That's where I first started in tech. I absolutely love HPC and the formal definition, let's see if I can get this right. It's really about huge amounts of compute power to process very large data sets with, how about low latency, which really means that it goes really fast and it doesn't lag. I mean, it processes so fast. So big weather models, automobile design, financial modeling, Wall Street does a lot of financial modeling using high performance computing. And the difference between HPC and other computing is that it requires so much compute and it requires, when I say low latency, quick talking between the compute power and where the data is.

Mary Killelea: Okay. So, you had a degree in accounting and business administration. How did you end up focusing on where you are today in the tech space? How do you go from there to here?

Kim McMahon: So I want to back up a little bit. I was, I went to college in the early 80s. You already aged me when you said how long I've been working, but I went to college in the early 80s. I loved math. I just loved math and computer science. And I was a math major and I came home one semester and my dad said, so what are you going to do with that math degree? And I thought for a minute, what did women in the 80s do with a math degree? They taught. So, I knew that that wasn't really the path for me. And I changed my major to accounting and business administration. And my first job was with Texaco, the oil company, doing cost accounting. So about, I don't know, maybe 15 years after that, Shell bought Texaco or they merged, excuse me, they merged and our jobs all moved to Houston, Texas. And I live, as you know, I live in Colorado and I didn't, I'm just not a Texas person. Colorado was my home. And at the time I had a buddy who worked for Silicon Graphics and he said, Hey, come on, come over and sell to the oil and gas industry. I'm like, I don't know anything about technology. And he's like, doesn't matter. You know, the oil gas industry, you know what they need. You're going to be great. And that's how I got into tech and been in tech since then, since 99.

Mary Killelea: That's wonderful. And it just goes to prove, I mean, goes to show, and I hope hopefully that the listeners, wherever they are in their career trajectory or career point, whether they're starting out or wanting to pivot, that if you have the skills and passions, there's always a way to leverage what you do know to transition into a different industry, I think.

Kim McMahon: Absolutely. And I just had good people around me at that time. And, and I was really confident. I'm like, yeah, I can do this. Yhey were like, you can do this. Yeah, I can do this. And, and so it's a little bit of not being afraid. And, and having a good community around me to who can, I, sometimes I think I, we all need, maybe we all do, but I do need to be convinced that yes, you are right. And yes, it's the right direction.

Mary Killelea: Okay. So I often see you using the hashtag living the dream. What about your job fulfills you and brings you joy? I love that you use that hashtag.

Kim McMahon: Yeah, I started using it about 10 years ago. We made a big move. My husband and I, we made a big move from the front range, Littleton in a suburb of Denver to Winter Park, Colorado. And just getting up here and being outdoors and being able to work. And I have this gorgeous home office, and I have two dogs at my feet, not right now, because they do like to bark. I can take a break in the middle of the day and take the dogs for a walk or go for a hike. And I just feel so blessed. And that's why I say it's living the dream. I use that hashtag that it kind of has all come together to make, work is work and life is life. And it's just not bad. When with everything that I have right here.

Mary Killelea: So you reflect on your career, what would you say you're most proud of?

Kim McMahon: Yes. Boy, that was one of the hard questions. Because I tend not to, I think, sorry for the pausing. I have a feeling that a lot of your listeners are probably thinking the same thing. What are you most proud of? And I have to say that I have a hard time stepping up and saying what I'm most proud of. I think I would be in a totally different place in my career if I had that kind of, well, it's not confidence. It just feels boastful. And but it's not. And I know I'm kind of wavering away from the question a little bit, but I had a hard time thinking of what I'm most proud of because I don't talk about it a lot. So, I guess now that I am talking about and thinking about it, I think it's that I have a team of people that want to work with me. They are excited to come work for me. They're excited to get come to work every day that they like the person I am. They like the way I manage. They like how this is we have a life and we do have a job, but we have a life. And if you need to take off for an afternoon because you have something with a child, a parent, a dog, you do that. I could I trust that you're going to get things done. And it's very empowering to the team when I trust that you'll get it done.

Mary Killelea: Yeah, no, I think that's something to be very proud of. And I relate to you about feeling about bodacious or what's a bragg it for how do you say that? Bragging, bragg ocious,

Kim McMahon: Braggadocious?

Mary Killelea: Braggadocious. Yes. Is it?

Kim McMahon: We're going to go with that.

Mary Killelea: Someone will probably correct me if I'm wrong. But yeah, I think it's just hard to say I did this. I did that just because it wasn't ingrained in me as a child that you do that. But I do think and I'm hoping that people listening understand that it's OK to shine and to acknowledge and get the accolades and call out the good things that you do and never let someone else take credit for your work. But to your point, you can be very proud of non materialistic kind of things that have great significant value. And that's in the relationships and in the trust and leadership that you establish in a company, which I think is cool.

Kim McMahon: Cool.

Mary Killelea: OK, I was shifted now from what you're proud of to what are some challenges that you've had to overcome in your career to get where you are?

Kim McMahon: Well, I've mentioned many times the generation that I came up in the workforce and when I worked for Texaco, it was a lot of men, and I moved from accounting into business development where I was like selling refineries and negotiating pipeline agreements to make sure there was enough gasoline in Denver. I mean, like big, big business development type things. And I've always been like one of maybe two women or something like that. You're nodding. Yeah, one of the few women in departments. So, in terms of the challenges, it's challenges that a lot of people are going to feel regardless of who they are, that maybe they're not feeling like they're being listened to, that they got that seat at the table. But there's a guy, there's another person, let's try to non genderize it, but there's another person who's repeating everything you say and the table nodding at that individual. Or of course the harassment, the gender harassment, all those kind of challenges. And I don't know if I'm just older now and it doesn't happen or if I just stand up for myself and I wish I had done that earlier, stand up for myself and like, no, that's not okay. That is absolutely not okay. And so it's a lot of those challenges just being, I guess, people having a preconceived notion of who you are.

Mary Killelea: Right.

Kim McMahon: Based on, yeah, based on your, how you look.

Mary Killelea: Yeah. And I don't think no matter what industry you are, I think that has been a curse. And hopefully somewhat correcting itself. I don't know how much, but hopefully we're making progress.

Kim McMahon: Yeah. But I would also say that, you know, there are always a handful of jobs that you've had where those challenges are pretty great. And, I, especially in the last 10 to 15 years, you know, I just walked, you're like, no, this is just not worth my time. I'm going to go someplace where, where, you know, you're appreciated.

Mary Killelea: Oh, 100%. I definitely advocate, advocate that anyone who is experiencing sexual harassment needs to stand up for themselves, seek help, exit, do what you can, reach out for help.

Kim McMahon: Oh, yeah. Well, absolutely that. But, you know, even if you are given that seat at the table, but you're not given the voice at that table. I mean, if that kind of stuff is happening, do you value me as much as I value me? So it, it's really hard for all of us. It'll hard for a lot of us to do that, but it's something I work, I reminding myself every day.

Mary Killelea: Yeah. So I know you're an advocate for women in tech and especially women in HBC. What specific events do you put on or are you involved in, or for our listeners that might be curious or wanting to get involved in HBC as a woman, how could they learn more?

Kim McMahon: So there's a wonderful organization called Women in HPC, and I'm not involved with that organization currently, but it's a wonderful organization, bringing together education, learning opportunities, networking, really helping women promote other women. In at the Linux Foundation, we at our events at Linux Foundation manages all our events because we are part of the Linux Foundation and they have a phenomenal diversity and inclusivity program to where gender buttons, so if you have a preference of what gender you want to be called into networking and diversity and inclusion events at all of our events. So I'd suggest, you know, kind of looking around for some of those different diversity organizations, diversity and inclusivity, and then finding people and talking with them, but what kind of things are they going to and doing?

I want to give a small plug, and I know it's one of your later questions here, but you know, like what's next? We're getting ready to launch, oh gosh, I better look at the name because I keep mixing up the order we put the names in. We're launching what is called the Open Hardware Diversity Alliance, pardon me. So, RISC-V, CHIPS Alliance, Western Digital, and Open Power Foundation, we're going to come together, we have come together, and we are going to launch this diversity alliance that focuses on women and underrepresented individuals. So, if you are in Open Hardware, come and join us. Our goal will be to have learning events and podcasts and networking, like career advice, what I want to call a buddy system instead of a mentor system, a buddy system to take people under your wing and help them navigate the community. In tech, the number of women and underrepresented individuals is so low, especially Open Hardware, that it definitely is a negative, it's a negative to the development of the product. So we are pulling this alliance together to help identify underrepresented and women and help them feel confident and join in and jump in with your feet. So check with your company. A lot of companies have diversity inclusivity programs. Your company is probably involved in a lot of organizations, different foundations and nonprofits, and a lot of those have organizations. In Denver, there's an organization called the Women in Tech, and I think actually they're nationwide, and there's a lot of different organizations where you can get together with other like-minded people.

Mary Killelea: That's great. What is the best piece of career advice that you've ever received?

Kim McMahon: I'm trying to remember that one too. I was once talking to a former boss of mine, and he said you are somebody who is never afraid to ask. Because I was, I'd be like, hey, can we do this? Or, hey, can you introduce me to that person? And he said you're never afraid to ask. And I've taken that and reminded myself that I don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't be afraid to ask somebody to make an introduction. Don't be able to afraid to ask for what you want. I mean, the worst you can get is a no. Right? So I think that's probably the best career advice I got kind of in an offhanded, as his exasperated voice is like, you are never afraid to ask for something.

Mary Killelea: That's awesome. And you always got what you wanted one way or another. Okay, last question. What does to be bolder mean to you?

Kim McMahon: Well, I tell you, I love your website. I love what you are doing. And thank you, because this is about stepping up. It's reaching out. It's looking for ways that I can prove myself and be the best that I can be. And it's also about using my privilege as a white woman to help other women and other individuals, underrepresented individuals, get involved and meet people. And what do you want to do? And what's your goals? And use the knowledge I have to help. And, and also, you know, taking from you the strength from you, Mary, it's about having an opinion and not being able to say it, and then stand by it. And stepping up and saying, this is what I believe. And so, yeah, that's what to be bolder. Did I get it?

Mary Killelea: Yes, yeah, I love it. Because every woman has a different statement that she associates with it. But they're all so meaningful, and in alignment with what my vision was. And that is really just what's most important for everyone to know that to be bolder is something from within you, that you may or may not know is inside you, but step into that and show up and be that person and look where you'll end up going. Anyway, thank you for being on this show today. It's a pleasure reconnecting.

Kim McMahon: Yes.

Mary Killelea: If someone wanted to connect with you, how best could they connect with you?

Kim McMahon: Twitter. Okay, and my Twitter handle is at K a m c m a h o n. And you can find me on LinkedIn, or you can email me at first initial last name k McMahon at Linux foundation dot org. So I'd be happy to talk with anybody. And I would say the best advice I can give don't be afraid to ask, you know, you would be surprised how many people want to help other people.

Mary Killelea: Totally agree. Thank you very much.

Kim McMahon: Thank you, Mary, you have a wonderful day.

Mary Killelea: Thanks for listening to the episode today. It was really fun chatting with my guests. If you liked our show, please like it and share it with your friends. If you want to learn what we're up to, please go check out our website at to be bolder.com. That's the number two little b bolder.com.