Through Their Eyes: Celebrating and Honoring the Women of PAR Technology

Famed fashion designer Coco Chanel once said, 'A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.' Those words are more important today than ever before, as more women are rising through the ranks to enact change in every facet of the workplace.

PAR is home to a diverse and growing number of women making their mark on our company each day. Their dedication, drive, resourcefulness, and enthusiasm are infectious, inspiring the next generation of decision-makers.

We recently sat down with four influential women in the office to learn more about their experience and what advice they have for other women hoping to follow their leads.

Shelly Rupel - Director, PAR Channel

How did you get your start in the industry?

In the early 1990s, I started a software design company. I became a certified WBE, Woman-Owned Business, for government contracting, and started selling POS to local merchants in the Midwest. As the internet took shape, eCommerce allowed my company to grow, and we landed several large national chain accounts. We installed systems nationwide for those major brands and opened a certified depot repair center for Epson, Elo, Symbol, Cherry, and other manufacturers. I left the industry for a few years to pursue multiple degrees in psychology, but restaurant technology is my fire and passion. I returned almost ten years ago and am here to stay until I retire.

How has PAR supported you during your time here?

I feel fortunate during my time at PAR to be surrounded by a group of very strong, competent women as co-workers. We have developed a network where we support each other and celebrate our accomplishments.

What advice do you have for women hoping to enter the restaurant and restaurant tech industries?

It is a tough industry for women to stand-out and shine. POS, and tech in general, is still very male-dominated. To encourage diversity in thought, leadership, and innovation, we need strong female leaders to continue entering the restaurant technology industry. Be ready for, but not fearful, of the challenge and never play small.

What does the future look like for women in tech?

My wish for our future would be that parents and influencers of young girls will encourage them to pursue STEM. If you see a natural interest, nurture and support that interest. Women will continue to gain prominence in the tech industry, but it will not come without effort and generations of little girls knowing they can grow up to be anything they desire.

Ellie Russitano - VP Customer Service & Success

How did you get your start in the industry?

A year or so after I graduated from college with a degree in Communications, I applied for a position at PAR in the Service department as a technical writer. My job was to make sure our service team had all the information they needed to support our customers. I very quickly became passionate about PAR and our service team. That passion propelled me to continually seek new ways to have a positive impact on my team and our customers. That path led me to where I am today, leading our service organization.

How has PAR supported you during your time here?

I joke that I grew up at PAR. I have had countless mentors here and continue to be lucky in that through all the transformation, I have had leaders who have seen potential in me, invested in my growth, and supported my ambition to contribute more. As a mother and the sole income provider for my family, PAR has been so flexible with supporting a balance in my work and my personal life, allowing me to define what that balance looks like. I continue to find opportunities to put my strengths to work and learn about how I can continue to grow and improve as a leader and team member.

What advice do you have for women hoping to enter the restaurant and restaurant tech industries?

My advice to anyone seeking to realize the career or life they desire is to create a well-informed plan and execute. Set milestones; be honest about what you need to give, and give up, to achieve your ambitions. Stay on the path and don't expect it to be easy or to happen quickly. And, certainly, never forget that when we are on our way, very often we have to fall down in order to rise again.

What does the future look like for women in tech?

What does the future look like for women? Bright and endless of opportunity. We are our own limits. Focus on your output, your outlook, and how you treat others, and the future is yours to create.

Darla Haas - Chief Human Resources Officer

How did you get your start in the industry?

After spending 27 years working for Procter & Gamble, I decided I needed a change. When pondering what was next, I decided I did not want to change for change's sake. I wanted to learn something new in a more challenging and faster-paced environment. I DEFINITELY chose the right industry. The past three years are everything I had hoped for and more!

How has PAR supported you during your time here?

I am so lucky to have such great peers and an amazing leader. I have been given the space to focus on building PAR's team to create the processes and systems that improve our employees' lives and attract great talent to deliver PAR's strategic objectives.

What advice do you have for women hoping to enter the restaurant and restaurant tech industries?

Own your space. Be bold and confident; don't fear failures, learn from them. Invest in yourself; Build your skills and network. Find your mentors, learn from them, and then pay it forward to other women in technology. Be a self-advocate and do not check yourself at the door; diverse organizations outperform homogenous organizations every single time.

What does the future look like for women in tech?

There is a great opportunity for women to not only represent in the industry but develop and lead in the industry! It's no secret today that women make up about 50% of the workforce, but is hovering around 20% women representation in the technology space. This may sound discouraging, but there are so many initiatives, as early as elementary school, focused on attracting women into this space to do great things. The women in technology today are pioneers and will pave the way for future generations!

Danielle Saglio - Director of Customer Success, Data Central

How did you get your start in the industry?

My college degree required a summer internship. I started at a local restaurant shadowing in each position. After college, I worked for an event planner which turned into a social catering position at a large hotel on the beach. I took that knowledge and returned to fulfill an assistant manager role and worked my way up in the company, eventually becoming VP of Operations for a multi-unit brand.

How has PAR/Data Central supported you during your time here?

Before PAR, I worked for 5 years with Restaurant Magic and enjoyed seeing our owners daily and being able to effect change. With the PAR acquisition, I have been pleasantly surprised to see many of the senior-level executives involved in getting to know the members of our team. They are easily accessible and excited to have our team on board.

Recently, I was blessed with the birth of our child. PAR exhibited great understanding and compassion with the addition to our family and how my work/life balance had changed during the pandemic.

What advice do you have for women hoping to enter the restaurant and restaurant tech industries?

The route I used to break into a new field was to research and reach out to someone who was in the role I wanted. I asked to shadow them. In one instance, I was turned down simply because the company did not allow it, but the management team was impressed. I think if you make yourself stand out - in a good way - you will be noticed. It's not who you know, but who knows you.

What does the future look like for women in tech?

The future has never been brighter for women. I believe Ruth Bader Ginsburg's quote, 'Women belong in all the places where decisions are being made.' I also live by the concept that if someone can do it, I can learn and do it just as well. Life revolves around how you apply yourself. If you want it, go get it, and do not let any obstacle or anyone stop you.

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