Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Caffee.
Hi Kara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Where do I start…
I got started in IT in 2017. Honestly, I didn’t want to go to college, but my father told me that if I wanted to continue living under his roof, it wasn’t negotiable.
All through grade school, I studied fine arts—drawing, oil painting, and more. I attended Sudbrook and George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology. After graduating from Carver, I knew I didn’t want to continue studying art in college.
When I enrolled at CCBC, I was still unsure about what I wanted to major in. My father kept encouraging me to choose Cybersecurity. This was back in 2017, when there weren’t many African American women in the field. I eventually gave in and selected Cybersecurity as my major.
When I tell you I had imposter syndrome in my classes—I felt completely lost. But I kept pushing through and eventually graduated. I landed my first “big girl” job just before graduation in May 2019… only to be laid off, along with the rest of my department, a month before I walked across the stage.
If you know me, you know that wasn’t going to stop me. I applied to jobs like crazy and finally landed a role at University of Maryland Medical Systems as an Analyst. Around the same time, I decided to further my education and enrolled at the University of Maryland Global Campus, majoring in Cybersecurity. I worked full-time while attending school full-time and earned my bachelor’s degree in just a year and a half.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked in a wide range of IT industries, including EdTech, FinTech, HealthTech, and Managed Service Providers. I’ve held roles such as Database Administrator, Helpdesk Technician, Site Reliability Engineer, and DevOps Engineer—each position building on the last, giving me a broad foundation and a deep understanding of IT operations, automation, and engineering.
I’ve gained hands-on experience at companies like CVS, UnitedHealthcare, T. Rowe Price, Walmart, and more. I never turned down an opportunity to learn, grow, or expand my skill set.
In February 2021, I lost my grandmother—one of the biggest influences in my life. Despite that loss, I pushed forward and closed on my first home in April 2021 at just 23 years old. I graduated in December 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Networks and Cybersecurity from UMGC.
During the COVID pandemic, I saw a need in my community and decided to give back. I started helping people break into the IT field by offering resume revamps, LinkedIn makeovers, and career consultations. I created personalized career plans to help people navigate their IT careers. In total, I helped over 100 people get their foot in the door or level up their careers.
Fast forward to today: I’m working as a Site Reliability Engineer, leading a team of 14 engineers, and running my own IT company, Lane Technologies, named after my grandmother, Lenora.
Outside of my father, my grandmother was one of the biggest driving forces in my life. They showed up, poured into me, and pushed me beyond what I thought I could do. I thank God for blessing me with them.
Today, I’m still creating—oil painting here and there—and continuing to grow as a leader, engineer, and entrepreneur. I wouldn’t be where I am today without God.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Most certainly not. This field has always been—and still is—predominantly male, and as a woman, I’ve faced many obstacles along the way. From the classroom to the workplace, I’ve had to constantly prove myself. I’ve experienced discrimination in interviews and on the job—not because of my qualifications, but because of what I look like.
But one of the hardest moments came on a personal level. Losing my grandmother before she could witness my success and enjoy the fruits of my labor was devastating. She was one of my biggest supporters, and her death left me in a deep depression.
During that time, I was juggling a full-time job, managing multiple contracts, and trying to purchase my first home—all while grieving. It was one of the darkest seasons of my life, but I kept going.
I didn’t take “no” for an answer in 2017, and I still don’t in 2025. If I want something, I work for it until I have it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a Site Reliability Engineer and founder of Lane Technologies, an IT company focused on automation, observability, and cloud infrastructure. I’ve worked across industries like EdTech, FinTech, HealthTech, and MSPs, and I’ve worn a lot of hats—Database Admin, DevOps Engineer, SRE, and team lead. I specialize in solving problems before they become problems—keeping systems reliable, scalable, and secure.
But before I got into IT, I was beating faces, not bugs. I used to run a booming makeup business in Baltimore under the tagline #BeatsbyKaraC, working out of a salon in Mt. Vernon and even my dad’s basement. Business was booming—appointments back to back! That’s where my love for creativity, hustle, and client care really started.
During the COVID pandemic, I saw a gap and decided to give back to my community. I started helping people break into the IT field by offering resume revamps, LinkedIn makeovers, and career consultations. I developed personalized career plans to guide people through navigating their IT careers, helping over 100 individuals land jobs or level up in their careers.
Now, people know me as “the pretty Baltimore girl in IT”—but more than that, I’m known for my drive. What sets me apart is that I bring that same creative energy, resilience, and determination into the tech world. I’ve never been afraid to take up space, keep learning, or bet on myself.
I’m most proud of creating my own lane—literally—with Lane Technologies, named after my grandmother, who inspired so much of my journey. From makeup brushes to system scripts, I’ve always been about transformation—and doing it with excellence.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like least is the constant negative talk about Baltimore—especially from people who didn’t grow up here. There’s a narrative out there that paints the city in a bad light, and it’s frustrating. Baltimore is full of hardworking, successful people who are grinding every single day. I also can’t stand the “crabs in a bucket” stereotype. That’s not the full story of who we are.
What I love most about Baltimore—especially being from Northeast—is the people. There’s a certain energy here, a drive. We’re resilient, creative, and passionate. No matter what the world says about us, we show up and show out. I carry that spirit with me in everything I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/_IMKARAC
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_imkarac/?hl=en
