Interview with Edge Women of the Year Finalist. Kuan Collins, SAIC
Kuan Collins
In the lead-up to Edge Computing World, we’re taking some time to speak to this year’s finalists for The Edge Women of the Year Award.
Today we’re talking to Kuan Collins, Director of Innovation Factory Hub Huntsville, SAIC.
To hear Kuan sharing her expertise at the Application Management Summit on Wednesday 12th October 2022
- How do you see the edge market developing over the next few years?
I see an explosion happening with edge devices and methodologies and approaches for how to process data utilizing AI/ML to make sense of all the data in the various environments. I see advancements in cybersecurity and continuous monitoring of data. I see more integrated solutions and partnering in the market.
- How does diversity benefit the edge environment?
Diversity benefits innovation and innovation is needed in the edge environment. That diversity of thought, problems, and potential solutions is critical if we are to get beyond “today’s” thinking to develop future innovative solutions. There is so much potential with the technologies that are being developed for edge computing. We need creative and diverse thinking to see how we can best utilize and adopt the new technologies and integrate them with existing technologies.
- Tell us one lesson you’ve learned that’s unique to being a female leader in the Edge space.
A lesson I have learned unique to being a female leader in Edge space is that methodologies like Agile and DevSecOps are relevant and critical for the path to greater understanding of the problem, context and envisioning the ultimate solution. I think it is unique to being female because we are collaborators and I believe bringing the community together to solve the problem is something that comes more naturally.
- What advice would you give to other women entering the edge space?
We need you all. We need your diverse and critical thinking. We need your creativity. Be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Be a legend. There is a lot we still do not know and this should be exciting and not daunting.
- What are some ways in which you have helped to support and lift other women in the space up?
My superpower is my ability to teach and communicate complexity in simple ways. I love mentoring and teaching women of all ages about the work that I am doing in edge computing. I find my work fascinating and inspiring and enjoy sharing my work with women that I have the honor of knowing through Women in Tech Huntsville and Women In Defense Tennessee Valley Chapter.
