The last time you flipped a light switch, a light came on, right? Electricity is the kind of thing you don’t worry about until it stops working and you call an electrician to fix the problem. When technology in Workforce Benefits isn’t working as planned, they call Jessica Gavero and her team to fix the problem.

As the Head of Technology Platform Operations, Jessica’s role involves overseeing a team that manages the support for 52 plus technologies that make up the Workforce Benefits technology ecosystem. Her team’s core responsibilities include production support, release, and change management.

Leading a technology team as a woman is a significant accomplishment in a predominantly male-dominated field, especially for someone who didn’t think attending college was in the cards.

“I come from a family where college wasn’t encouraged,” said Jessica. If it wasn’t for her grandfather, a Filipino immigrant and 33-year Navy veteran who was determined to see his granddaughter pursue education, Jessica might not have been where she is today.

Once Jessica’s grandfather encouraged her to pursue a college education, a computer information systems course sparked her curiosity and started her on a path to a career in technology.

“It wasn’t until that elective class project that I realized there’s more to this technology field that I need to know about. I immediately changed my major from economics to computer information systems, and that was the beginning of my technology journey.”

Most of Jessica’s career, and family life, was developed during her 23-plus years in the aerospace industry. It’s in that time she got married, had her first and second child, and found a mentor who has guided her throughout her entire IT career.

After 23 years of building her career in the aerospace and defense industry, Jessica was ready for a career challenge that would diversify her portfolio. That’s when she decided to move her career forward at Pacific Life. She initially joined what was the Life Insurance Division (LID), transitioning to Workforce Benefits Division after a year.

Starting her Pacific Life career was no small feat. Jessica was leaving a well-worn, military-minded workplace for a new company in a new industry with new people.

“One of the things I learned about starting over is having humility. At my previous company, I could do my job comfortably because I knew the people, systems and had been there for 23 years. Starting over at Pacific Life, I had to get to a place of humility and realize I had so much to learn.”

A willingness to learn new things, leaving her comfort zone, the support of a new boss, and friendly new coworkers helped her adapt.

Another way Jessica dealt with the challenge was by proactively seeking a mentor at Pacific Life. Throughout her career, she has been a strong advocate for mentorship. At Pacific Life, she has also taken on the role of a mentor, helping others navigate their careers and achieve their goals. Jessica’s leadership style is characterized by her focus on developing the next generation of technology leaders.

“It’s so important to have somebody who will be an advocate for your career. My passion is to develop the next generation of technologists, so I can pass down my experience and knowledge developed over 28 years.”

Jessica’s career journey is a testament to the power of adaptability, continuous learning, and the willingness to take a risk and try something new. We look forward to seeing how she will continue making a positive impact at Pacific Life.