For anyone who has ever worked in a male-dominated field, they know it comes with certain challenges. Although more and more women have joined the workforce over the last several decades, progress does not necessarily mean instant equality.

It comes as no surprise that women who work in a job that has been historically deemed a job for men can start to question themselves and their abilities. Unfortunately, highly skilled women in some environments can surrender to stereotype-driven expectations.

On May 14, 7B Women will welcome Kimberly Manning, senior director of brand at Kochava, a real-time data solutions company that assists companies throughout the globe activate and measure their marketing across connected devices. Manning will speak on the topic of overcoming challenges in a male dominated workforce.

While Manning said she is not in a stereotypical male-dominated occupation, such as computer science, her degree is in graphic design and branding, which is actually male dominated as well, just not to the degree that certain technology fields are.

“The workforce in general is male dominated, and women face specific challenges in competing in that workforce, because we are often divided by our responsibilities — and passions—for family and our passion about work,” said Manning who will address dealing with insecurity, something which often plagues women in the workforce, and how childbearing fits into a woman’s career trajectory.

“But perhaps most importantly, I’d like to encourage women that a willingness to learn and a confidence that one’s brain is just as valuable as those of the men in the room, may be the only barrier between them and their dream job.”

The 7B Women’s May luncheon will take place on Tuesday, May 14, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tango Café and is open to everyone in the community, men and women. The cost is $21 or $16 if you are a member of 7B Women, Inc. Individual memberships cost $50 per year and can be paid online at the group’s website, 7BWomen.com.

Please note that due to the high participation in the past and so Tango Café can adequately prepare for the luncheon, pre-registration is highly encouraged.

Register online at 7BWomen.com and you can also purchase your raffle tickets ahead of time to avoid standing in line at check in and optimizing your networking time. Raffle tickets are $1 each or six tickets for $5.

Info.: 7BWomen.com