EPL Celebrates Women’s History Month

This month, we’re honoring the women who work every day to make EPL better! We’ve asked a few of our team members to share their thoughts on Women’s History Month and how women continue to positively impact the work we do.

Suzanne Pharr, director of cards & payments

Francesca Baldo, financial analyst

Peerli Reynolds, product specialist, cards & payments

Teresa McGuire, software delivery lead

1. What does Women’s History Month Mean to you?
Women’s History Month means celebrating strong, powerful and beautiful women who have made such an impact in our lives, in our history, and our hearts. – Peerli

Women’s History Month is about celebrating women and their stories. It’s an opportunity to shine a light on the contributions women have made throughout history – not focusing on any particular race, religion, or nationality; but our accomplishments. It’s also about creating markers – seeing what we’ve achieved to understand what more we must do. –  Suzanne


2.  How are women transforming your field of work?
Working with EPL, I have seen with my own eyes how powerful the collaboration is among women and the positive effects women have on the business, strategy and customer satisfaction. I am so honored to share this working journey with all the women I work with. Every time I am sitting in the boardroom surrounded by women, I think: “That’s amazing.”  – Francesca

We are taking more chances. We are learning more about our industry and how we can contribute to its evolution. We’re bringing new ideas, new concepts, new perspectives. According to CUNA research, more than half (52%) of the credit unions CEOs are women. And though the technology sector has yet to catch up - with only 26% of computing professions belonging to women – we are continuing to make progress. – Suzanne


3.  What advice would you give women wanting to work in the technology/financial services industry?
Be confident. Work hard to prove you are capable of accomplishing any task given to you. Recognize that every role is important. Don’t take “no” for an answer. Empower and motivate other women to help them succeed.  – Teresa

Be curious, foolish and open to new opportunities. Continue to learn, pay attention to the details, work hard, try your best, and last but not least, always have a smile and sense of humor.   – Francesca


4. Which women in your life (family, friends, role models) have inspired you?
To pinpoint just one woman is hard for me, because I believe we all make a difference one way or another. All of us are “Wonder Women”. I look at Susan B. Anthony, who fought for women's rights in the 1800s, and Rosa Parks, who fought for racial equality and invigorated a movement that made others open their eyes. I look at Helen Keller, who proved that if you have a heart and soul, you can accomplish anything – including earning a bachelor’s degree without the ability to hear or see. I look at my sister, who homeschools three kids and helps her husband on the family farm in Wyoming – I think she’s a “Wonder Woman,” because I could never be a stay-at-home mom who homeschools. She has patience and spirit that I will never have. Last but not least, I look at my daughter, and consider how I want her to be a girl/woman in today's world. We talk daily; I teach her that love, above all, is all you need in this world to be happy. – Peerli

I have always thought that women are so strong, and looking to history I am inspired by many muses. I look at Frida Kahlo, amazing and beautiful world’s greatest painters who has inspired many artists and gave examples of strengths. Lady Diana, the people’s princess, who used her popularity to help people and increase awareness of AIDS. Moreover, I look at Coco Chanel, the undiscussed designer and icon of style, who revolutionized the way women wore clothes, how they felt and how they are seen by others. Another woman I have to mention is Mother Teresa, who spent her entire life serving the poor. Looking to my family, my mum is my inspiration and my guide: she had a full-time job, raised three children, cooked every day, cleaned the house without any help – all without complaining. She has always been present with a smile and a hug. All women around the world are so wonderful. Every day more than one woman is facing abuse, oppression or sexism, and sometimes are too heavily burdened to change the situation…all of them are my day-to-day inspirations. – Francesca    

My mother, who was a “stay-at-home mom” and raised five children. Mother Teresa. All women who balance careers with their personal lives and families on a daily basis. – Teresa

All the women in my life have inspired me in some way. As women, we all have a story. A story that is complex – riddled with pain and loss, but also beautifully painted with stories of happiness and triumphs. The woman that does her best, works her hardest, and remembers to love – not just those around her, but herself too; that’s a woman that inspires me! – Suzanne

EPL Staff

EPL, Inc.