#123 Dagnija 'Daggie' Lacis, A Pioneer in Tech: From Refugee to VP

2B Bolder Podcast : Career Insights for the Next Generation of Women in Business & Tech

Daggie Lacey's life reads like a Hollywood script, yet her remarkable journey from refugee to tech pioneer is 100% real. In this captivating conversation, Daggie shares how fleeing Latvia as a one-year-old set her on an unexpected path toward breaking unimaginable barriers in the technology industry.
With disarming candor, she reveals how she became the first female programmer at Burroughs Corporation based on a $25 monthly salary difference—a decision that led to a series of glass-ceiling-shattering achievements. She recalls the moment when her boss confessed they'd never hired a female programmer before, explaining the battery of special tests she had to pass simply because of her gender.
The stories flow like chapters in an adventure novel: being blocked from presenting in Japan because "women cannot address business meetings" only to have executives later fly to meet her; founding her own technology company in 1991 that employed remote workers before the World Wide Web existed; and her unforgettable boardroom showdown with a notoriously difficult chairman where her boldness carried the day.
Most compelling is Daggie's definition of boldness itself—speaking out for your cause, refusing to back down when challenged, and maintaining unwavering belief in your solution. At 81, still running her international technology company, she delivers a powerful message for women considering careers in tech: "Don't be afraid. You can do anything you want if you commit yourself to it."
What truly makes Daggie's story shine is hearing how her leadership transformed careers. After publishing her book "The Wall Falls, a Woman Rises," former employees reached out to share how working with her 35 years ago changed their lives—a testament to the lasting impact of authentic, bold leadership.
Ready for a dose of inspiration and practical wisdom from a true pioneer? This episode delivers exactly that. Share your thoughts after listening—we'd love to hear which part of Daggie's journey resonates most with you.

Resources:

• Daggie's website
• The Wall Falls, a Woman Rises, a Memoir: How a U.S. Tech Entrepreneur Broke the Glass Ceiling and Helped Modernize Latvia

Learn more about AnitaB.org

Support the show

When you subscribe to the podcast, you are supporting our work's mission, allowing us to continue highlighting successful women in a variety of careers to inspire others helping pay our wonderful editor, Chris, and helping me in paying our hosting expenses. 🎉

Chapters

1. Welcome to To Be Bolder podcast (00:00:00)

2. Introduction to Daggy Lacey (00:00:31)

3. From Latvia to the US (00:02:01)

4. Becoming the First Female Programmer (00:07:32)

5. The Japan Presentation Story (00:12:29)

6. Boldness in the Boardroom (00:18:52)

7. Thoughts on Women in Tech (00:24:22)

8. Origins of Modern Computing (00:30:07)

9. Final Thoughts and Book Mention (00:31:46)