Amber Thomas went to journalism school with aspirations of working in TV production. But during her final semesters, Thomas decided to take a couple of web development courses, which she enjoyed so much that she went to work as a web developer upon graduation.
From there, she ventured into project management and account management roles before joining Chick-fil-A, Inc.’s tech department, where her experience in tech and working with customers came in handy.
“I was frequently in positions where I was the bridge between technologists and clients, so joining IT at Chick-fil-A was a natural fit,” says Thomas, who is now the Director of Customer Technology Solutions at the company.
Here, Thomas talks about how the company has made her a better leader, why the tech industry needs women, and her go-to Chick-fil-A order.
What initially attracted you to apply for a role at Chick-fil-A?
I had several friends who worked at Chick-fil-A, and they always told me good things about working in the Chick-fil-A Corporate Support Center. During that phase of my life, I had two young children—one in elementary school and a toddler. I was particularly drawn to the childcare options and overall care for working parents that I was hearing about. Once I started talking to recruiters about potential roles, I was even more convinced that Chick-fil-A was where I wanted to work.
What are you responsible for in your current role?
I lead a team in our Customer Technology department within the Digital Transformation and Technology group. We are responsible for building solutions to help our customers create and maintain their accounts within the Chick-fil-A membership program and help them have even more personalized experiences with the brand. Another area that my team focuses on is our agile practice. We deploy agile coaches and scrum masters to product teams within customer technology to help ensure that everyone is able work in the most efficient way possible.
Why is Chick-fil-A an exciting place to work, especially within tech?
Chick-fil-A is a company that is always asking, “What’s next?” There is a commitment from our highest levels of leadership to continue to grow the business in a way that meets our customers’ needs, which includes innovating in all aspects of technology. It’s so gratifying to work on exciting tech such as the Chick-fil-A app, and then see our work show up in restaurants. Everything we do as a team is in an effort to help our restaurants meet the increased demand for our product and care for our customers.
How did Chick-fil-A support your growth to a leadership role?
Chick-fil-A is very intentional when it comes to supporting staff members. For example, the company knew I had prior leadership experience, and it wasn’t long before I was given the opportunity to lead my own team.
Our learning and development programs have evolved over time, and I am constantly impressed with the programs that help equip new managers with the expectations and tools they need to become effective leaders at Chick-fil-A.
We also have a formal mentorship program. I have a mentor from another department who has helped me gain a better understanding of how our business works. I’ve also had the privilege of mentoring several of our Digital Transformation and Technology staff over the last several years.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in tech, and how have you overcome them?
I’ve been so fortunate to work for companies that value women in tech. Even still, it can be challenging at times. It was not uncommon in my early years to be the only woman in the room. I was also often one of the youngest people, especially when working with clients, and my input and ideas were often ignored or overlooked.
I had to learn to speak up for myself, even when it was uncomfortable. My natural tendency is to let it go, but if I feel like I’m not being heard, I will reach a point where I feel compelled to take action. It’s actually one of the things my husband noticed about me the first time we met. I am not content with sitting in the background and letting others take over. This drive is what helped me overcome many of the challenges I’ve faced over the years.
How does Chick-fil-A make you feel supported as a woman in tech?
Everything shifted dramatically for me when I started working at Chick-fil-A. I still remember a meeting I attended when I was new at the company, so I didn’t expect to provide too much input. However, my leader at the time intentionally turned to me to ask for my thoughts and ensured that I was included in the conversation. That moment still sticks with me and confirmed for me that Chick-fil-A is a special place to work.
What have been the keys to your success? What skills do you find yourself using on a daily basis?
Flexibility, courage, tenacity, humility, organization skills, a sense of humor, and responsibility for myself are a few that come to mind. I’m execution oriented, but I’m also not afraid to look for different ways of working if it leads to better outcomes and efficiencies. Whether I’m working on an initiative for Chick-fil-A or leading my team, I’ve found that these skills are critical to making it through the day.
Why do you think it’s important for women to continue pursuing careers in tech?
Over half of our population is female, and that perspective is so important. We are innately curious, have an insane ability to multitask and context switch, and bring a unique way of solving problems that is needed in tech today. We especially need more women in software engineering roles.
What are a few of your hobbies outside of work?
My husband and I love to hike in the mountains—we’re always looking for new waterfalls. I also love to cook and read. Much of my time in the spring is spent watching my two boys run track.
What’s your go-to Chick-fil-A order?
I get eight chicken nuggets with Chick-fil-A sauce, fries, and a Diet Coke.