Last summer, FaLon Thomas joined the WomenNC Board. As a software engineer and the Founder and CEO of Onyx Ocean Technologies in Greensboro, NC, FaLon brings to the Board her insights about the challenges a male-dominated technology industry can mean for women. She recognizes the need for more women to take their places in this tech realm just as she has. FaLon’s range of experiences includes starting her own company to helping businesses create and digitally market themselves, to mentoring and teaching young people about technology and personal development. “I like helping others be the best they can be. My decision to become involved with WomenNC …will help the organization branch out and empower women in the marketplace and tech industry, something near and dear to me.”
FaLon is a “doer:” She helps to make ideas a reality. Onyx Ocean Technologies assists businesses digitally market themselves through graphic design, apps, and website development. “I like building things, helping people really break down their visions, and [sort] into actionable items, and help [them] fill in those pieces.” As an experienced entrepreneur, FaLon’s success in running her own business requires skilled insight into the functionalities of her own company, an awareness of the context in which she operates, and a personal commitment to self-growth. “[I am]… starting to position being an entrepreneur as a strength for women and people of color, [as] it is the best thing I have ever done for myself.”
The intersection of FaLon’s technology expertise and her commitment to supporting women in STEM emerges in her experiences as a mentor, a teacher, and a robotics club coach. FaLon teaches elementary school students about coding and technology and mentors high school students to “understand themselves and what they bring to the marketplace. I find joy in teaching young people because they are excited… and always creative.” FaLon is a proponent of this work as it introduces young people to technology and helps, particularly, girls become interested in STEM, an important growth sector where women are still underrepresented.
