Bernadette Rotolo - ADECCO

Senior Vice President, Applications Development and Maintenance

Bernadette Rotolo is an Information Technology (IT) executive with 15 years of experience.  Bernadette started her career in consulting at Accenture, a top IT consulting company assisting clients in the Communications and High Tech industries with their most difficult technology and business challenges.  In June 2009, Bernadette came to Adecco Group, the largest staffing company in the world, and is currently the Senior Vice President of Application Development and Maintenance for North America.  Bernadette received her Bachelor’s from the State University of New York at Binghamton and her Masters from New York University.

What principles do you, as a leader; apply to your professional and personal life to advance the STEM cause?

• Be ethical.  Being ethnical will always make you a stronger person both in your personal and professional life.
• Be confident.  You know more than you think. 
• Listen.  You learn a lot from the things people say or don’t say in a conversation that ultimately helps you figure things out.
• Be focused.  Don’t be easily shaken by some setbacks.  Learn from them and move forward.
• Be fair. Treat people fairly and with respect at work and at home. 

What is your concept of mentoring and sponsorship of others for STEM careers?

Make yourself available to people who want your guidance.  It is always difficult with our challenging lives in and out of work to make time for others, but it is so important to do it.  The few minutes can make a big difference in someone’s life.  One way to be more available is to schedule the time on your calendar.  It helps make it a priority and people feel good you care enough to make the time for them.

Which woman leader do you most admire, and why?

My mother is the woman leader that I admire the most.  She has always been the person in my life who encouraged my education and career development.  Her great respect for education coupled with her encouragement that anything is possible gave me great security to pursue my education and my career in technology.  She is also a great listener who always gives solid advice and coaching.  As a woman leader in business, I pass on my respect for education and encourage young woman to strive to succeed in school and in the workplace. 

What about STEM gives you passion?

I am truly passionate about encouraging and guiding young ambitious women in school, in my workplace and in my community!  I feel my third grade science teacher, my college professors and my women mentors at Accenture and at Adecco played a critical role in shaping my career in technology.   It is so important to encourage and give women opportunities to try new areas in the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics.  There will be even more exciting careers in STEM in the future.

What can we do to assure more woman leaders in STEM?

We must invest in education attracting strong teachers that are competent and passionate about the STEM subjects.  In addition, we should create mentoring programs and internship opportunities giving women options to test new subjects and careers.  Finally, educate the parents to be more involved with their children’s education and encourage their children to succeed.

What traits do senior leaders need to effectively support and advance STEM today?

First, senior leaders need to have high ethical standards to be strong role models.  Second, they need to contribute their time, as much as possible.   Even speaking at a high school or a mentoring lunch goes a long way for people.  I still remember guest speakers in high school who encouraged the students to get involved in NASA.   Finally, sponsor these programs with financial support to give the opportunity to a less fortunate member in our respective communities.