#NauticalLife Update

We didn't get out boating as much as Michelle and I wanted in 2017 - but still are finding new places and enjoying the nautical lifestyle!

Michelle Ragusa-McBain Named by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of 4 Role Models Who Inspire Girls to Pursue Tech Careers!

Congratulations to my wife, Michelle Ragusa-McBain, who was just named by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of 4 Role Models Who Inspire Girls to Pursue Tech Careers! 

Link:  https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/283994

Think back to the last time you were asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Now think about why you gave the answer you did.

When you’re young, you don’t know what you don’t know -- and you can’t aspire to be something you don’t know either. Our early career preferences are shaped by what we read about or watch, what we learn in school and most directly, what we see the people around us doing for a living.

Today, research suggests that the presence of role models isn’t just essential to defining students’ dream jobs, but to rectifying the IT industry’s gender disparity.

Dispelling tech career stereotypes

Only 23 percent of middle and high-school girls surveyed said they had considered pursuing IT careers, according to CompTIA’s recent research report, Make Tech Her Story: What Needs to Change to Inspire Girls’ Pursuit of Tech Careers. Of the girls surveyed who hadn't envisioned IT in their future, 69 percent didn't know what these jobs entailed or what opportunities were available.

Surprisingly, exposure to technology classes and fondness for video games aren’t the main differentiators between girls who contemplate IT careers and those who don’t -- it’s role models. Although 37 percent of girls in the survey who knew a relative or friend who worked in IT, this number jumped to 60 percent among girls considering technology jobs.

Many girls today narrowly associate IT jobs with working in consumer tech support roles, or spending hours alone in a cubicle, crunching numbers on a screen. But when girls have a friend or relative who works in the industry, their perception of IT starts to expand beyond the stereotypes.

Ongoing mentorship from a passionate IT professional -- someone who can explain why she loves what she does -- gives girls a lens through which they can view their own futures.

If we expect to fill the almost 600,000 new IT jobs projected to be created by 2024, we need to inspire a new class of equal parts boys and girls to follow these career paths. This requires giving girls information: details about what skills are needed to work in IT (beyond math and science), the jobs that exist (beyond coding) and the multiplicity of benefits these jobs offer (from competitive salaries to the ability to travel and help others). Role models are some of the most powerful vehicles for delivering this information.

There are no strict criteria for who can be a strong role model. From founders to public servants, many women work in IT today whose stories can empower girls to consider this growing field. Here are four women with diverse backgrounds who take time (during and outside of their day jobs) to make the IT industry more open and supportive:

Angie Chang

Over the last decade, Angie Chang has worked tirelessly to create opportunities for women in IT. Her resume includes her having co-founded Women 2.0, an online and events-based community for female business and technology entrepreneurs, and having launched the Bay Area-chapter of Geek Girl Dinners, a group bringing local women in tech together for networking and talks hosted by brands like Microsoft and Facebook.

Today, Chang is a vice president at Hackbright Academy, a software engineering school that aims to increase women’s representation in the IT industry.

Michelle Ragusa McBain

Michelle Ragusa McBain is an 11-year Cisco veteran and mother of four devoted to making the technology sector more inclusive. Today, she serves as Cisco’s global customer and partner experience manager, overseeing the company’s alliance with Ingram Micro.

Since 2014, Ragusa McBain has been the executive chair of CompTIA’s Advancing Women in IT community, a group providing women with the resources they need to pursue and grow their IT careers, and helping technology employers create cultures that support a more diverse workforce.

Jessica Williams

Jessica Williams began her career by earning a master’s degree in information systems and then building a background in systems integration. But a trip to a Spark & Hustle event opened her eyes to the world of entrepreneurship. In 2011, Williams founded Tech Biz Gurl, a technology consultancy that advises business owners on everything from launching WordPress sites to managing email marketing campaigns.

Aside from holding Cisco and CompTIA certifications, Williams is a co-facilitator for WiSTEM, a 16-week educational program dedicated to assisting female technology entrepreneurs with funding, community and IT resources.

Brenna Berman

As the commissioner and CIO of Chicago’s Department of Innovation and Technology, Brenna Berman has set a new national standard for open, agile and data-driven local government. Role models played a crucial role in her career (which includes more than 10 years at IBM): her uncle was a pioneering computer science professor who introduced her to computers as early as kindergarten.

In addition to overseeing IT initiatives for the third largest city in America, Berman sits on the board of the Chicago Entrepreneurial Center, a nonprofit group that manages 1871, the city’s startup community hub.

In sum, for girls figuring about what to be when they grow up, information is power. Although parents and teachers play a major part in shaping girls’ preferences, role models are uniquely equipped to reshape girls’ perception of IT.

By sharing their stories and guidance, the women who represent today's small female fraction of the IT industry can make that industry more balanced tomorrow.

Entrepreneur Article written by TODD THIBODEAUX, President and Chief Executive Officer, CompTIA.

Cali Rose McBain born on December 29, 2015

Michelle and I are truly blessed.

Our fourth little angel, Cali Rose McBain, made her way into the world on December 29, 2015 at 4:57pm. She weighed 8 pounds and 11 ounces and was 20 inches long. She was born at Albany Medical Center in New York.

All of us are in so much love with Cali - she is so beautiful.

Our four beautiful daughters, Danica, Mila, Brooklyn and Cali:

Instead of words - let me tell the story in pictures and video. First chapter in the story was meeting Michelle in Raleigh, North Carolina on October 15, 2010:



I then convinced (tricked) her to move with me to New York.  :-)  She took me skydiving in Long Island for my 40th birthday and I surprised her back with a proposal at 10,000 feet!  Skip ahead to 1:22 if you want to see it:



And, we were officially engaged...

The wedding plans were set into motion and on July 4th, 2013 we were married in New Rochelle, NY with family, friends and furkids:



After the wedding, we set off on a honeymoon of a lifetime - visiting Casablanca Morocco, Cairo and Luxor Egypt, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Mumbai and Delhi India. It was a whirlwind, but we saw 5 world wonders - the Sahara, the Nile, the pyramids, Mount Everest and the Taj Mahal:

This is where the story of Brooklyn began. And a 9 months later we were so excited to meet her...



For Brooklyn's first birthday, we set off on another amazing trip to Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. This is where the story of Cali began:

We soon announced to world that we were expecting Cali (or Schmoo 2 at that time):



And about 20 weeks later, Cali's gender was announced with our friends Fran, Bob & Ben Godgart and family dialed in via Webex:

We couldn't wait to meet Cali...

And then, it was time - December 29, 2015. We arrived at the hospital bright and early and met with Dr. Clark:

As we neared 4pm, Michelle put on her game face:

And just before 5pm, we met Cali Rose for the first time! We were so excited...

We love you Cali!

ANNOUNCING the gender of Schmoo 2!

Will it be girl #4 or boy #1? Find out here...



A picture from August 24, 2015 of Schmoo 2 before we knew the gender:

Here is when we made the announcement a few months ago:

Memories of Christmas - Since 1972

Christmas is a very special time for me.

I was looking over some old photos today and thought I would create a visual memory of Christmas past. Whether traveling to see family, or going to Disney, Hawaii, Antarctica, or simply staying home - the season is packed with memories of family and friends.

So here are years of Christmas memories (back to 1972), in reverse order:

2025 - Christmas time again!

2024 - A trip to Calgary for skiing and Harrison Hot Springs for mom's new house!

2023 - A Disney Christmas!

2022 - A visit from Santa, also a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica!

2021 - Our second pandemic Christmas

2020 - Our first pandemic Christmas, rare picture without masks!

2019 - Christmas in our crazy pajamas

2018 - Christmas in our new home in Boynton Beach, Florida

2017 - First Christmas (in shorts) in Florida

2016 - Cali's First Christmas in New York

2015 - Family in New York, days before Cali is born!

2014 - Brooklyn's First Christmas in New York

2013 - Christmas in Myrtle Beach

2012 - Christmas in New York

2011 - Christmas in New York

2010 - Christmas in Chicago

2009 - Christmas in North Carolina

2008 - Christmas on Sunshine Coast, B.C.

2007 - Christmas at Disney World

2006 - Christmas in Markham, Ontario

2005 - Christmas in Markham, Ontario

2004 - Christmas in Markham, Ontario

2003 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

2002 - Christmas at Disney World

2001 - Christmas in Newmarket, Ontario

2000 - Christmas in Newmarket, Ontario

1999 - Mila's First Christmas in Winnipeg, Manitoba

1998 - Christmas in Winnipeg, Manitoba

1997 - Danica's First Christmas in Winnipeg, Manitoba

1996 - Christmas in Winnipeg, Manitoba

1995 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1994 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1993 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1992 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1991 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1990 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1989 - Christmas in Hawaii

1988 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1987 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1986 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1985 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1984 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1983 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1982 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1981 - Christmas in St. Albert, Alberta

1980 - Christmas with Oreo in St. Albert, Alberta

1979 - Christmas with crazy dad in St. Albert, Alberta

1978 - Christmas in St. Albert, Alberta

1977 - Christmas with Grandma Dona in Shuswap, B.C.

1976 - Christmas with Grandpa Bob in Shuswap, B.C.

1975 - Christmas in St. Albert, Alberta

1974 - Christmas in St. Albert, Alberta

1973 - Christmas with Tracey in Virden, Manitoba

1972 - Christmas in Edmonton, Alberta

Christmas is also about music. Perhaps you have read my blog on my favorite songs.


Here are my favorite Christmas songs - in order. You can also listen to them all together in this YouTube playlist.


1. The Greatest Gift - Andrea Bocelli, Matteo Bocelli, Virginia Bocelli

2. Christmas Eve - Gwen Stefani

3. Christmas Time - Bryan Adams

4. 2000 Miles - The Pretenders

 

5. Happy Xmas (War is over) - John Lennon





6. Little Drummer Boy - Pentatonix




7. O Holy Night - Josh Grobin




8. Mary's Boy Child - Boney M



9. Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid

10. Hallelujah - Pentatonix

11. Silent Night - Kelly Clarkson, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire



12. The First Noel - Carrie Underwood



13. O Come All Ye Faithful - Josh Grobin



I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas & Holiday season and may all of your hopes
and dreams be fulfilled!

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Read some other stories from A Few Thoughts - Jay McBain:

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My Life Story - Have you ever thought about the impact of big decisions that you made in your life? How about the small ones or the ones made for you? How would have your life turned out if things went the other way?

My Love Story - Michelle and met on October 15, 2010 in a serendipitous way. We were both part of a charity in Raleigh, NC and one night at a dinner struck up a conversation about many things - including our love of travel.

My Housing Story - After 13 moves and stops in three Canadian Provinces and three U.S. States, here is my journey in pictures from the Northwest to the Southeast of North America.

My Car Story - I have the dubious honor of getting speeding tickets on all 6 driveable continents - lucky that there are no cars in Antarctica! Did I ever tell you the time I passed the Polizia in Italy with my mom?

My Travel Story - The story started with a "Rollerblades and Red Bull" journey to 100 countries. It is now expanding in every direction after hitting 7 continents and the 7 wonders of the world (most with kids in tow).

My Nautical Story - I am pretty sure the love of water started in 1972 when I was six weeks old and my grandparents Bob and Dona McBain retired to Shuswap, British Columbia, Canada, and built a log cabin.

My Crazy MBA Story - In the summer of 2017, while climbing Machu Picchu, Peru as part of my wife Michelle’s International MBA from Manhattan College, I thought – why not me?

My Hockey Story - As long as I can remember, I have been playing hockey. Over four and a half decades and thousands of games later, I still lace them up a couple times a week, year-round.

My Cycling Story - When the Covid-19 pandemic first took hold in March 2020 we responded quickly as a family - including strict stay at home orders and no outside contact until we could get a handle on the risks. My attention now turned to exercise - and biking across North America (virtually).

My Retirement Story - I have no interest in disconnecting fully from the work that makes me so fulfilled. I could never see myself  in bingo-playing retired life. I want to stay curious, engaged, and adding value past the (very specific) date in 2034 that I am aiming for.

My Music Story - My favorite music can be best defined as sad / emotional / multi-level slow music. Oddly, it is opposite of my worldview - which is normally overly-positive and optimistic.

My Movie Story - Oddly enough, I think Pretty Woman made me very interested in business. I named my cat Austin Powers - oh, and yes, "Danger" is his middle name. Our current dog is named August Rush (Auggie Doggy). Movies such as Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Forrest Gump, & National Lampoon's Vacation have become soundtracks to my life.