Precisely Women in Technology: Meet Lorraine Whetstone
August 13, 2025 – By Sydney D’Souza
Women across the technology industry are leading transformative change, shaping innovative solutions, and redefining what’s possible. At Precisely, we are proud to celebrate and support the women driving this transformation through our Precisely Women in Technology (PWIT) program. Each month, we spotlight a different member of PWIT, offering a glimpse into her journey, challenges, and impact.
This month, we are excited to introduce Lorraine Whetstone, Vice President of Revenue at Precisely. With over 22 years of experience in the tech industry, Lorraine has navigated an inspiring career path marked by resilience, leadership, and a passion for continuous growth. Here, she shares insights into her journey, the challenges she has overcome as a woman in technology, and her personal and professional philosophies.
Choosing a Career in Technology
Lorraine began her career in public accounting, working across diverse industries. Technology quickly stood out as her favorite sector because of its dynamic nature — “its only constant is change,” she reflects. Technology presents endless opportunities to grow beyond traditional fields like accounting, requiring a mindset committed to continuous learning and adaptation.
“The challenge has kept me engaged throughout my career,” Lorraine says. “Even after 22 years, I’m just as excited as when I first started!”
Mentorship and Learning to Embrace Discomfort
Throughout her career, Lorraine has benefited from valuable mentorship, particularly from Jessica Soisson, CAO of UKG. Jessica helped her adopt the mindset of “getting comfortable being uncomfortable,” encouraging Lorraine to stretch beyond perceived limits.
“Discomfort isn’t something to avoid—it’s a signal that growth is happening,” Lorraine explains. She credits this perspective with helping her lead complex initiatives such as refining and implementing a post-go-private Executive Leadership Team strategy focused on a renewals-oriented commercial operating model. This role required training cross-functional leaders on customer negotiation strategies balancing Annual Recurring Revenue growth with margin discipline amid shifting priorities and limited precedent.
“Embracing discomfort has allowed me to lead with confidence, adapt quickly, and empower others to do the same,” she adds.
Taking Risks and Gaining Global Perspective
One of Lorraine’s biggest career risks was stepping into a global leadership role that included leading the companywide transformation to implement the ASC 606 accounting standard alongside a major systems overhaul. This transition came as her company was beginning its shift to a SaaS model, adding complexity and uncertainty.
“It was a leap that made me feel both energized and deeply challenged—a mix of imposter syndrome and exhilaration,” she recalls. Despite that, the reward was immense: gaining global perspective, building resilience, and proving her ability to lead through ambiguity and deliver impact at scale.
Overcoming Challenges as a Woman in Tech
Lorraine acknowledges one of the most persistent challenges she has faced is limited access to informal networks—those behind-the-scenes circles where key decisions are often shaped and opportunities quietly emerge. Early in her career, she noticed how these exclusive spaces could affect visibility and advancement but were rarely inclusive.
Rather than become discouraged, Lorraine focused on building her own network through mentorship, cross-functional collaboration, and consistently showing up with curiosity and clarity.
Advice for Making Decisions and Leading with Momentum
Lorraine shares one of the best pieces of advice she’s received: “We won’t have a perfect set of information for most important decisions. Inaction and delaying for more or better data and analysis can cost more than piloting, failing fast, and course correcting.”
Applying this mindset, she embraces decisive action with thoughtful risk-taking. Professionally, this means moving forward with well-informed but imperfect data, especially when leading initiatives in ambiguous conditions. She believes progress thrives in motion, not in hesitation.
Words of Wisdom for Women Entering Technology
To younger women entering the technology field, Lorraine offers this piece of advice: “It’s okay to be vulnerable.”
She elaborates on this by encouraging women to embrace vulnerability as a strength. Admitting mistakes and being open about learning builds trust and demonstrates emotional intelligence. Vulnerability, she explains, is not weakness but a doorway to authentic leadership.
Lorraine also emphasizes creating safe, collaborative environments where team members feel heard and respected—fostering psychological safety, which she believes is foundational to high-performing teams. She advises owning your growth journey, seeking mentors and allies, and leading with empathy and confidence, qualities she considers “superpowers” for driving innovation and inclusion.
Paying It Forward: Advocating for Women in Technology
As a leader, Lorraine is committed to empowering the next generation of women in technology. She mentors early-career women by offering guidance, sharing career insights, and helping them navigate challenges. She ensures their voices are heard and credited during meetings, shares helpful resources, and explains complex topics in approachable ways.
“Whether it’s advocating for their visibility, modeling healthy work-life balance, or simply being a sounding board, I strive to create an environment where they feel supported, empowered, and seen,” Lorraine says.
Lorraine Whetstone’s journey exemplifies the resilience, adaptability, and leadership women bring to the tech industry every day. At Precisely, we remain dedicated to fostering such talent through our PWIT program and beyond.
To learn more about careers with Precisely and how we empower individuals to build new possibilities with data, visit our Careers and Culture page.
Discover more stories celebrating women in technology and innovations at Precisely on our Blog and stay updated on industry-leading data integrity solutions.
