Lori MacVittie is the Principal Technical Evangelist at F5 Networks and has been with the company for 14 years. In her role, she focuses on how emerging technologies can transform industries and meet evolving market needs. Lori’s writings, such as her thought-provoking blog, “Will the Emerging Edge Fix My Digital Gaming Experience?” and her deep dives into the future of cloud computing in “The Third Wave of Cloud” and “The Fourth Wave of Cloud,” have earned her recognition as a leading voice in the tech community.
In this exclusive interview with Examlabs, Lori takes a break from her busy schedule to share her personal and professional insights.
Lori’s First Professional Experience: A Step into the World of Software Development
Lori’s journey into the tech world began with her first professional role as a software developer at a tax software company. This pivotal experience marked the start of her career in technology, shaping her understanding of the complexities of software development. As a software developer, Lori was tasked with building and maintaining software solutions to meet the growing needs of the tax preparation industry. This experience not only helped her hone her programming skills but also taught her the intricacies of working within a team, adhering to deadlines, and delivering high-quality products under pressure.
Her role at the tax software company provided her with a deep dive into the core fundamentals of software engineering, such as debugging, testing, and collaborating with other developers to create cohesive, functional systems. Despite the highly specialized nature of the work, Lori quickly realized that this role was merely the beginning of her evolving journey in the tech world. She was beginning to understand how technology could change the way people worked and lived, and how software development could be a key driver of innovation in many industries.
Looking back, Lori recalls her time as a software developer as an exciting challenge, one that laid the foundation for her understanding of how technology could solve real-world problems. This first professional experience was critical, not only for her technical growth but also in shaping her understanding of the impact that well-designed software could have on businesses and their customers.
Lori’s Transition into Cloud Computing: A Personal Evolution
Lori’s transition into cloud computing was not a fast-paced one. It was more of a gradual shift, one that came with challenges and required her to embrace new ways of thinking about technology. While she was already heavily involved in technology evangelism, cloud computing was still in its nascent stages when she began to explore it. As a result, the road to mastering cloud technologies was lengthy, requiring Lori to reacquaint herself with a variety of supporting technologies that were integral to understanding the full potential of the cloud.
The journey to cloud computing was a transformative one for Lori. She had always been an advocate for technology, but the cloud brought with it a new set of tools, frameworks, and concepts that were unfamiliar. She knew that in order to make the most of this transformative technology, she needed to get a solid grasp on the underlying systems and how they interrelated. Over time, as she explored cloud services and their capabilities, Lori saw the vast potential that the cloud offered in terms of scalability, flexibility, and the ability to deliver on-demand computing power without the need for expensive infrastructure.
Lori’s transition was marked by her efforts to learn, experiment, and apply cloud technologies in practical ways. As she worked her way through the intricacies of cloud computing, it became clear to her how the technology was shifting the landscape of software development. The cloud was not just a trend; it was a paradigm shift that had the power to transform industries and redefine the way businesses operate.
Her journey was an intellectual pursuit—an ongoing learning process that required Lori to continuously update her knowledge and stay ahead of the curve. It was through this perseverance and dedication to mastering the cloud that Lori began to truly understand how cloud technologies could reshape the world of software development and business operations. Her experience with cloud computing has shaped her perspective on technology, offering her a fresh outlook on its potential and how it can be harnessed to drive success.
Lori’s Passion for Cloud Computing: Empowering Others to Unlock Its Full Potential
When it comes to her passion for cloud computing, Lori remains grounded and pragmatic. While she recognizes the immense value of cloud technologies, she doesn’t romanticize them. For Lori, the cloud is simply a powerful tool—one that plays a critical role within the broader tech ecosystem. It offers businesses the flexibility and scalability they need to stay competitive in a constantly changing landscape, and it empowers developers to build solutions faster, more efficiently, and with greater confidence.
Lori’s passion lies not in the cloud itself, but in how it enables others to harness its power. She is deeply invested in helping businesses and developers unlock the full potential of cloud technologies. By providing guidance and sharing her knowledge, Lori aims to help others understand how they can leverage the cloud to maximize their impact and drive innovation. Her work focuses on educating and empowering those around her to make informed decisions about how to use cloud platforms and services to build sustainable, scalable, and high-performance applications.
Her passion for the cloud is rooted in the belief that technology should be an enabler of positive change. Lori has witnessed firsthand how cloud computing can level the playing field for businesses of all sizes. Whether it’s a startup looking to scale rapidly or an established enterprise seeking to modernize its infrastructure, cloud technologies can provide the tools necessary for success. For Lori, the real joy comes from helping others understand how the cloud can fuel their growth, improve their operational efficiency, and ultimately contribute to their long-term success.
Rather than simply touting the benefits of cloud computing, Lori focuses on the practical side—showing others how to implement cloud solutions effectively. She recognizes that cloud computing is not a one-size-fits-all solution; it requires careful planning, design, and execution to get it right. By sharing her experience and insights, Lori helps others navigate the complexities of the cloud, ensuring that they can harness its capabilities in ways that are aligned with their goals and objectives.
In this sense, Lori’s work goes beyond just the technical aspects of cloud computing. She’s dedicated to ensuring that cloud technologies are used as a means to unlock innovation and create real value for businesses. Her enthusiasm for the cloud is driven by the desire to see organizations transform, streamline their operations, and achieve greater success through the intelligent use of cloud technologies.
A Reflective Journey of Growth and Impact
Lori’s journey into the world of cloud computing has been one of continual growth and adaptation. Starting from her first experience as a software developer, she has moved through various stages of her career, learning and evolving along the way. Today, as a seasoned professional, Lori’s focus is on empowering others to embrace the transformative power of the cloud.
Her path reflects a commitment to lifelong learning and an unwavering belief in the potential of technology to create positive change. Lori’s perspective on cloud computing remains practical yet optimistic—she views the cloud as a tool that can help businesses and individuals achieve their full potential. By sharing her knowledge and expertise, Lori plays a key role in helping others harness the power of the cloud, ensuring that they are not only prepared for the future but also positioned to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
In summary, Lori’s career trajectory offers valuable insights into the evolving nature of technology and the importance of adapting to new trends and innovations. From her humble beginnings as a software developer to her deep involvement in cloud computing, Lori’s story is one of continuous growth, learning, and empowerment. Through her efforts, she has helped shape the way businesses and developers approach cloud technologies, ensuring that they can harness the full potential of the cloud to drive their success and innovation.
Lori’s Journey: Starting with Java Certification
Lori’s path into the tech industry began with a focus on Java programming, not cloud computing. Despite cloud technologies being at the forefront of innovation today, her early steps were rooted in a language that remains integral to many tech ecosystems. Her first certification was in Java, a cornerstone technology that laid the foundation for her broader understanding of software development and technical infrastructure. While cloud computing didn’t immediately captivate her attention, it was clear that mastering programming languages such as Java was a critical milestone in her career.
Although Lori hasn’t pursued a large number of certifications since her Java certification, she has consistently engaged with the evolving world of technology. By regularly reviewing certification materials, she continues to deepen her knowledge of various technological domains. This approach not only enhances her skillset but also keeps her informed about the latest trends and methodologies in the tech world. Certification, for Lori, serves as a reminder that there’s always more to learn, and the pursuit of knowledge should be an ongoing journey rather than a one-time event.
Her experience underscores a crucial point: gaining a foundational understanding of core technologies is essential before diving into more specialized areas like cloud computing. By starting with Java, Lori was able to build a solid understanding of programming concepts that would later serve her as she explored the complexities of cloud technologies. This humble start highlights the importance of a strong technical foundation, which can be a valuable asset when transitioning into emerging fields like cloud computing.
Leading in the Cloud: Lori’s Guidance for Future Cloud Professionals
Lori has always emphasized the value of recognizing both your strengths and your gaps in knowledge. In the rapidly evolving cloud computing space, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the breadth of topics, ranging from cloud security to infrastructure, networking, and storage. However, Lori advises aspiring experts to focus on areas they excel in while acknowledging their limitations. Cloud computing is a vast domain, and trying to master every aspect of it can be a daunting, if not impossible, task. By knowing your limits, you open the door to collaboration, learning from others, and contributing to a collective body of knowledge.
Lori’s approach to leadership in the cloud space is grounded in collaboration and acknowledging the expertise of others. She believes that true thought leadership comes from the ability to see the strengths in others and leveraging their knowledge to advance collective goals. Recognizing that no single individual can be an expert in every facet of cloud computing is an essential part of leading within the field. In fact, Lori suggests that the best cloud leaders are those who inspire their teams, facilitate knowledge-sharing, and create an environment that fosters continuous learning.
Lori’s advice also emphasizes that leadership is not just about technical skills but about fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture. Cloud computing is a constantly evolving field, and success comes from embracing diverse perspectives, promoting innovation, and being adaptable to change. As cloud technologies continue to mature, the demand for skilled professionals in areas such as cloud architecture, security, and cloud-native application development will continue to grow. For those aspiring to be thought leaders in this space, Lori advises them to keep an open mind, be curious, and cultivate a willingness to learn from others.
Lori’s Perspective on Cloud Computing’s Role in the Future
Looking ahead, Lori envisions cloud computing playing a central role in the future, but not in isolation. Rather than seeing cloud computing as the definitive solution, she views it as part of a larger ecosystem, where it works in tandem with other emerging technologies like edge computing. Edge computing, which involves processing data closer to the source of data generation rather than relying on centralized cloud data centers, is gaining traction as a critical component of the next phase of technology evolution.
Lori highlights that cloud computing is often seen as the backbone of many modern technological infrastructures, providing the scalability, flexibility, and agility needed to support a wide range of applications. However, with the rise of edge computing, the boundaries between traditional cloud services and distributed cloud solutions are becoming more blurred. Edge computing extends cloud capabilities by moving data processing closer to the end-user, reducing latency and enabling faster decision-making for real-time applications.
For Lori, this combination of cloud and edge computing is often referred to as a “distributed cloud” model. It’s an approach that recognizes the need for computing resources to be distributed across both centralized cloud data centers and edge devices to optimize performance. This shift towards distributed cloud architectures presents new challenges, particularly in terms of architecture and operational considerations. Successful implementation of this model requires organizations to rethink how they design, manage, and scale their infrastructure.
Lori’s vision of the future also includes a focus on how organizations can architect their systems to leverage both the cloud and edge computing efficiently. Edge computing offers the ability to perform real-time data processing without relying on the cloud for every decision. This is especially important in industries like IoT, autonomous vehicles, and smart cities, where data must be processed in real-time to enable seamless operations.
In this distributed cloud model, edge devices act as miniature data centers, processing and analyzing data locally. However, they also rely on the cloud for storage, more extensive computation, and coordination between devices. This hybrid architecture enables companies to balance the need for real-time data processing with the advantages of cloud scalability. Lori sees this evolution as a natural progression in cloud computing’s journey, one that brings new opportunities and challenges in terms of infrastructure management and data governance.
Lori’s insights reflect the ongoing transformation of the cloud landscape, where edge computing is expected to play a key role in shaping the next generation of digital infrastructure. The combination of cloud and edge computing opens up new possibilities for organizations seeking to build more responsive, scalable, and resilient systems. However, the successful deployment of these technologies will require careful planning and a deep understanding of both cloud and edge computing principles.
Embracing the Future of Cloud Computing
Lori’s journey from her first Java certification to becoming a thought leader in the cloud computing space exemplifies the power of continuous learning and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of technology. She believes that cloud computing, while crucial, is just one part of a broader technological ecosystem that will continue to evolve alongside other emerging trends like edge computing and distributed cloud architectures.
For those aspiring to enter the cloud computing field, Lori’s advice is clear: know your strengths, embrace collaboration, and never stop learning. As cloud technologies continue to shape industries across the globe, the future will likely see a deeper integration of cloud and edge computing, offering new opportunities for innovation and efficiency. By understanding and embracing the power of both cloud and edge computing, organizations can stay ahead of the curve and ensure that they are ready for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow’s digital landscape.
As the cloud computing field continues to mature, Lori’s insights serve as a reminder that true leadership in technology comes from a willingness to learn, collaborate, and stay curious. The future of cloud computing is exciting, and it will require visionary leaders who can navigate its complexities and bring innovative solutions to life.
Overcoming Challenges: Lori’s Journey to Becoming a Thought Leader
Throughout her career, Lori faced various obstacles that helped shape her into the thought leader she is today. From early on, Lori encountered criticism, particularly as she navigated her role in a rapidly evolving technology landscape. The process of building her career wasn’t always smooth, and the road was filled with challenges that required perseverance and the ability to trust her instincts.
One of the key challenges Lori experienced early in her career was learning to accept and handle criticism. In the technology field, where innovation is paramount, it’s natural to face pushback or even rejection. At times, this criticism felt like a personal attack, but over time, Lori learned to differentiate between critique of her ideas and critique of her character. This distinction was crucial in helping her grow both professionally and personally. She realized that criticism is an essential component of progress—it’s part of the process of refining ideas, improving skills, and becoming more effective in her role.
Another significant challenge was trusting her instincts and taking risks. As she built her career and moved into leadership roles, Lori had to make tough decisions, some of which were met with resistance. These situations taught her the importance of believing in herself and her ideas, even when others doubted her. Taking calculated risks, even in the face of potential failure, was essential to her growth. Over time, Lori realized that being wrong sometimes was part of the journey, and that setbacks could lead to valuable lessons that shaped her success.
Lori’s journey serves as a reminder for future thought leaders: embrace the obstacles along the way, trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Those who are willing to challenge the status quo and overcome adversity often find themselves in the best positions to lead and innovate.
Key Insights and Shifting Perspectives: Lori’s Lessons Learned
Reflecting on her career, Lori emphasizes some fundamental lessons she’s learned along the way. One of her most important insights is that disagreements about ideas or approaches shouldn’t be taken personally. Early on, Lori sometimes felt defensive when others disagreed with her ideas, but she has since come to understand that these disagreements are simply part of the collaborative process. Disputes about how to approach a problem are not attacks on one’s character, but rather opportunities for growth and refinement of ideas.
This shift in perspective has had a profound impact on Lori’s leadership style. Instead of viewing challenges or differing opinions as setbacks, she now sees them as opportunities to improve, innovate, and better understand the needs of those around her. This mindset has allowed her to become more open to feedback and to foster a culture of collaboration, where diverse perspectives are valued, and differing viewpoints lead to better solutions.
Another significant lesson Lori learned was that she couldn’t do everything herself. Early in her career, she often took on too much responsibility, believing that she needed to handle all aspects of a project on her own. However, as she advanced in her career, Lori realized that the key to success in technology and leadership lies in building a network of trusted experts and collaborators. No one person can have all the answers, and Lori recognized that surrounding herself with individuals who have complementary skills and expertise would lead to better outcomes for her projects and teams.
This realization prompted Lori to invest in building strong relationships with other leaders and professionals in the technology space. By fostering a network of knowledgeable and reliable people, she was able to leverage the collective intelligence of her team, making her leadership more effective and her initiatives more successful. Lori now views collaboration as one of the most important factors for success in the tech world, where innovation and complex problem-solving require diverse skill sets and perspectives.
Critical Leadership Qualities for Achieving Success: Lori’s Key Takeaways
Lori has always believed that leadership in the technology space requires a unique set of skills. In her years of experience, she has refined her understanding of what makes an effective leader. For Lori, three qualities stand out as being essential for leadership success: patience, empathy, and agility.
Patience is often overlooked in fast-paced environments like technology, where the pressure to deliver results quickly is ever-present. However, Lori emphasizes that true leadership requires the ability to take a step back, consider all perspectives, and make decisions that are in the long-term interest of the team or organization. Rushed decisions, particularly in complex technological fields, can lead to unintended consequences. By exercising patience, Lori believes leaders can make more thoughtful and informed choices that benefit everyone in the long run.
Empathy is another vital quality Lori champions in leadership. As technology evolves, it’s easy for leaders to become too focused on the technical aspects of a project, neglecting the human side of leadership. However, Lori recognizes that successful leaders must understand and relate to the experiences, challenges, and needs of the people they lead. Whether it’s guiding a team through a difficult project or helping an individual navigate career growth, empathy fosters a supportive environment where people feel valued and motivated to perform at their best. Lori believes that by putting people first and showing empathy, leaders can create a culture that fosters collaboration, trust, and innovation.
Perhaps most importantly, Lori has come to understand the importance of agility in leadership. In the fast-paced world of technology, business priorities can change rapidly. The ability to adapt to these changes, pivot strategies when necessary, and remain flexible in the face of uncertainty is essential for success. Lori emphasizes that leaders who are agile can effectively guide their teams through shifting priorities, ensuring that goals are still met and projects are delivered despite the challenges that may arise.
The agility of a leader, according to Lori, is not just about responding to change but also anticipating it. In an industry as dynamic as technology, the ability to foresee changes on the horizon and proactively prepare for them can make the difference between success and failure. Lori has worked hard to cultivate this skill, learning to embrace uncertainty and lead with confidence in an ever-changing environment.
Concluding Thoughts: Lori’s Leadership Philosophy
Lori’s leadership journey is a testament to the power of continuous learning and self-reflection. Overcoming obstacles, embracing feedback, and building a network of trusted collaborators have been integral to her success. As she continues to evolve as a leader, Lori remains committed to cultivating the qualities that she believes are crucial for success in technology and beyond—patience, empathy, and agility. Through these qualities, she aims to inspire others to step into leadership roles, helping them navigate their own journeys and achieve their full potential. Lori’s approach to leadership is grounded in the belief that technology, at its core, is about empowering people to reach their goals and make a positive impact in the world.
Lori’s Personal Motivation: A Deep Rooted Faith That Drives Her Journey
Lori’s motivation to succeed in her career and life is deeply anchored in her faith. For Lori, faith isn’t just a set of beliefs; it is the driving force behind her daily actions and decisions. This strong foundation encourages her to constantly evaluate her goals, actions, and aspirations. Through self-reflection, she identifies areas where she can grow both personally and professionally, enabling her to continuously improve. This mindset of growth and self-awareness shapes Lori’s approach to her work and her relationships with colleagues, encouraging a culture of collaboration and personal development.
Her faith also fosters resilience in the face of challenges. In the highly competitive and ever-evolving world of technology, having a solid source of motivation allows Lori to maintain her focus and adapt to setbacks. By examining her actions in light of her personal beliefs, she strives to uphold her values while also advancing her career in the rapidly changing tech landscape. Faith helps her remain grounded and ensures that her career moves align with her broader life goals.
Lori’s journey showcases how a deep-rooted sense of motivation can create a balanced and sustainable path to success. Whether tackling complex cloud projects or mentoring aspiring tech professionals, her faith continually drives her forward. She emphasizes that motivation should come from within, not just from external recognition or financial incentives. By placing importance on intrinsic motivation, Lori demonstrates the value of personal fulfillment and continuous growth in achieving long-term success.
Lori’s Newfound Passion for AI and Machine Learning: Rekindling the Flame
While Lori initially explored artificial intelligence (AI) during her undergraduate studies, her renewed interest in AI and machine learning is a testament to the field’s resurgence. Over the years, Lori had kept an eye on advancements in AI, but it was only more recently that the rapid evolution of this technology reignited her passion. As the capabilities of AI and machine learning continue to expand, so does Lori’s curiosity about their potential.
A major influence on Lori’s renewed interest is her son, who now works as a data scientist. His career in data science has given Lori an insider’s view of how AI and machine learning are shaping industries across the globe. This exposure has encouraged her to explore new trends, techniques, and innovations in the AI space. She frequently engages in learning opportunities such as courses, workshops, and webinars to deepen her knowledge of these groundbreaking technologies. This exploration allows Lori to stay at the forefront of AI advancements, ensuring she is well-equipped to understand and contribute to its growth.
Lori’s renewed focus on AI and machine learning is also driven by the potential these technologies have to revolutionize industries. From healthcare to finance, AI has the ability to drive efficiencies, automate processes, and unlock valuable insights from vast amounts of data. Lori is particularly interested in how machine learning models are being used to solve complex problems and how organizations can leverage AI to enhance their decision-making processes.
Moreover, Lori believes that AI and machine learning are not just tools for large corporations, but also for smaller organizations looking to innovate. With the increasing accessibility of AI technologies and tools, even small businesses can now integrate machine learning into their operations to gain competitive advantages. This democratization of technology excites Lori, as it provides new opportunities for growth and innovation across various sectors.
Lori’s involvement in AI and machine learning goes beyond mere curiosity; it is part of her broader vision to stay relevant in a fast-paced tech industry. As the tech landscape continues to evolve, having a solid understanding of emerging technologies like AI ensures that she remains adaptable and positioned to take advantage of new opportunities. Lori’s personal journey in AI reflects the importance of lifelong learning and staying engaged with cutting-edge technologies that will shape the future.
Lori’s Views on Ranking Cloud Providers: A Balanced Approach to the Leading Cloud Platforms
When asked to rank major cloud providers such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and Alibaba Cloud, Lori takes a diplomatic approach. She recognizes that each cloud provider offers unique features, strengths, and benefits, making them suitable for different use cases. In her experience, no single provider dominates the landscape, as businesses have diverse needs based on their specific goals, technical requirements, and industry contexts.
Lori believes that organizations should focus on leveraging the distinctive value each cloud provider offers. For example, AWS is often favored for its vast array of services, scalability, and maturity, making it an ideal choice for organizations that need a comprehensive cloud platform. Meanwhile, Microsoft Azure stands out with its strong integration capabilities with Microsoft products, making it a go-to choice for enterprises heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. Google Cloud is often recognized for its strengths in data analytics and machine learning, appealing to companies focused on leveraging advanced AI and big data technologies. Alibaba Cloud, while primarily known in Asia, offers competitive pricing and strong capabilities in e-commerce and logistics, making it an appealing option for businesses with a global footprint.
Lori highlights that the key to a successful cloud strategy is not necessarily about choosing the “best” provider but rather selecting the one that aligns with an organization’s specific needs and goals. By embracing the strengths of different cloud providers, organizations can optimize their cloud strategies, ensuring they can deliver the best outcomes for their customers and stakeholders.
In this context, Lori also emphasizes the importance of a multi-cloud or hybrid cloud approach, where businesses can combine the capabilities of multiple providers to meet different operational needs. This flexibility enables organizations to avoid vendor lock-in and leverage the best tools from each provider. In today’s competitive landscape, adaptability is crucial, and companies that are willing to embrace multiple cloud solutions can gain a significant advantage in terms of performance, cost-efficiency, and innovation.
Lori’s perspective on cloud providers highlights the evolving nature of cloud computing. While the major players like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Alibaba Cloud continue to dominate the industry, new challengers are emerging with innovative solutions and competitive pricing. As cloud computing continues to grow, businesses will need to be more strategic in their provider selection to ensure they are taking full advantage of the capabilities offered by each platform.
Conclusion:
Lori’s journey in the tech industry reflects a harmonious blend of faith, continuous learning, and adaptability. Her unwavering personal motivation, deeply rooted in her faith, provides a strong foundation for both her professional and personal growth. This inner drive enables Lori to stay focused on her goals and maintain a growth-oriented mindset, constantly striving to improve herself and her work. Her faith also gives her the resilience to tackle challenges head-on, maintaining a sense of purpose and perspective in the ever-evolving world of technology.
One of the most notable aspects of Lori’s career is her renewed passion for AI and machine learning. Having initially explored the field during her undergraduate years, she has rekindled her interest in these technologies as they continue to transform industries. Lori’s curiosity about the potential of AI to solve complex problems and drive innovation demonstrates the importance of staying curious and engaged with emerging trends. By keeping an open mind and actively learning about new technologies, Lori exemplifies the value of lifelong learning in staying relevant in the fast-paced tech industry.
Additionally, Lori’s thoughtful approach to cloud computing reflects her strategic thinking and understanding of how businesses can leverage different cloud providers to meet their unique needs. Her balanced view of cloud platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, and Alibaba Cloud shows her appreciation for the strengths and benefits each provider brings to the table. In a world where cloud computing is central to most business operations, Lori’s ability to navigate this complex landscape and advise organizations on the best cloud strategies further highlights her expertise and adaptability.
Lori’s story is an inspiration to anyone pursuing a career in technology. Her journey emphasizes that success is not just about technical skills but also about embracing change, staying curious, and learning from others. As the tech landscape continues to evolve, Lori’s commitment to continuous learning and her belief in the power of collaboration will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of tech professionals. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that success in the tech industry comes from a blend of knowledge, adaptability, faith, and a relentless drive for improvement