From Teammates to Trailblazers: Kristin’s Inspiring Journey in ServiceNow

When I think about women in the ServiceNow community who inspire me, Kristin is one of the first who comes to mind. We worked together at Tenon where she was a ServiceNow Developer and I was the Senior UI Developer, and we quickly became friends. We bonded over motherhood, a shared connection with a mutual coworker, our love of breaking tech norms as women in tech, and yes, a good old fashioned.

From the very beginning, Kristin impressed me with her determination and drive. When she joined Tenon, she didn’t have experience with custom components, UI Builder, or UI development, but you’d never know it. She asked thoughtful questions, learned quickly, and documented everything so she could teach herself along the way. She advocates for herself, knows her worth, and brings quiet confidence to every challenge. When I thought about who to feature first for this WomenNow spotlight, there was no hesitation. Kristin was the obvious choice. With three ServiceNow certifications under her belt (CSA, CAD, and now CIS-ITSM), she truly embodies what it means to keep moving forward with one certification, one opportunity, and one goal at a time.

Career Journey:

What drew you to ServiceNow in the first place?
It actually started when the Vice President of my department asked if I wanted to do more. At the time, I was a Technical Support Engineer. During an all-hands meeting with the CPO, CEO, and CTO present, the projection system went down just minutes before it started. While others panicked, I stayed calm. We rebooted the system, coordinated with the vendor, and got everything running on time. After that, the VP took notice and encouraged me to grow. I worked mostly in ServiceNow as an admin, handling incidents, change tickets, and laptop replacements. That moment pushed me to learn more about what the platform could do.

Was there a defining moment when you knew ServiceNow was the right career path for you?
My manager asked for volunteers to help build the Self-Service Catalog, and I jumped in. I designed the structure, built the catalog items, and coordinated across teams. That experience sparked something for me. I wanted to understand ServiceNow development, so I got approval to take the ServiceNow Fundamentals and Application Development courses.

Can you walk us through your career path from SallieMae to Tenon and now AHEAD?
After building the self-service catalog, a new position opened up for someone to develop and integrate ServiceNow with Ansible. My VP vouched for me, and I got the job. It was the first time anyone in upper management took an interest in my career. I stayed in that role for about two and a half years, earned my CSA and CAD, and wanted to take my skills further. Then I joined Tenon, where I helped develop a custom app for marketers, diving deeper into scripting, coding, UI Builder, and both front-end and back-end development. Unfortunately, my time there ended for financial reasons on the company side. Now, I’m a Technical Consultant at AHEAD, once again integrating ServiceNow with Ansible, but with even more growth opportunities ahead.

Certifications & Learning:

How did you balance studying for CIS-ITSM while already holding CSA and CAD?
It definitely took some juggling! I set aside about an hour each night after my kids’ bedtime to study. Keeping that routine, even if it was just a small chunk of time, made a huge difference. This one felt a little easier because I’ve had more hands-on experience.

What advice would you give to others working toward certifications?
Do your research and focus on the certifications that align with your career goals, not just what everyone else is doing. Go at your own pace and choose the ones that make sense for your path.

Workplace Experience:

What’s been your proudest achievement so far?
Earning three ServiceNow certifications, and I’m already working toward my fourth!

Knowledge

2023

Women in Tech:

Have you faced unique challenges as a woman in tech?
Definitely. There have been times I’ve had to work harder to make my voice heard or prove my knowledge in technical discussions. Over time, I’ve learned to lean into my confidence, seek mentors, study continuously, and support other women in tech as much as I can.

How do you stay motivated in such a fast-changing field?
I remind myself how much there is to learn and how exciting that is. I set small goals and celebrate every bit of progress. Even when I feel behind, I look at how far I’ve come. Moving at my own pace, without comparing myself to others, helps me stay grounded.

Advice & Future:

What would you tell someone new to ServiceNow who feels overwhelmed?
Start small and take it one piece at a time. Celebrate the small wins, like getting a flow to work or finally understanding a concept. Stay consistent and don’t pressure yourself to keep up with others. Everyone’s learning journey looks different.

What mindset has helped you move between roles and companies?
Being open to learning. Every organization does things differently, so staying curious and flexible is key. I’ve learned so much from people along the way, like my colleague Brian, who’s been a mentor from SallieMae to Tenon and now AHEAD. I also love that AHEAD supports “moving women ahead.” Our voices matter in this space, and we need more women shining and making their mark.

Fun & Personal:

If you had to describe your ServiceNow journey in one word?
Empowering.

How do you celebrate your wins?
First, I thank God because I wouldn’t be where I am without Him. Then I share my wins with my husband and take a little time for myself. When the house is quiet, I’ll play a game or catch up on a favorite show.

Kristin’s story is a reminder that growth isn’t about where you start, it’s about how determined you are to keep going. Her curiosity, confidence, and ability to lift others as she learns make her a standout in the ServiceNow community and a role model for women everywhere.

From SallieMae to Tenon to AHEAD, she’s shown that you can carve your own path in tech while staying true to your values. We’re proud to celebrate her journey, and I can’t wait to see where she goes next.