March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate women’s contributions to history, culture, and society at large. At JMP, we’re fortunate to have some amazing women working across the division.
Celebrating JMP Women is a series where we profile select women who are making a difference.
Today we celebrate Principal Product Marketing Manager Anne Milley. Anne has been at SAS since 1995 and oversees analytic strategy in product marketing at JMP. A lifelong learner, Anne loves learning new things and values creativity and collaboration. When she’s not at work, Anne enjoys organic gardening and spending time with her family.
As the go-to on-air personality at JMP you probably feel like you already know her, but let’s learn a little more about Anne.
What inspired you to pursue a STEM career? Is there a moment, early in your life or academic career that pushed you in that direction?
My dad always emphasized the importance of science and math and I enjoyed learning. It wasn’t until college that I was exposed to quantitative methods that showed me the power of solving practical problems with data (they didn’t really teach any statistics in K-12 back then). My advisor wisely told me to take as many analytical courses as I could for my major and I’m so glad I did.
Tell us a little more about your professional journey before you joined JMP.
Originally, I wanted to major in international business and make use of the German I’d learned, but one semester in the college of business at Florida Atlantic University made me seek out the college of social science where fortunately, the department chair of economics made a compelling case to study economics, so I switched. When I decided to pursue a masters I was a teaching assistant for Intro Statistics and for Money & Banking. Since the savings and loan crisis was happening, I was able to get bank failure data from the Federal Reserve to study bank failure prediction and yield curve inversions for my thesis. This necessitated using a logistic model with the user-written proc logist (before SAS had proc logistic—dating myself!). First job out of college was at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and then The Southland Corporation (now 7-Eleven Corporation) in the strategic planning department using SAS for things like price-sensitivity analysis and in-store merchandising tests.
What do you enjoy most about your role at JMP?
The amazing people, software, and customers.
What do you consider to be your greatest career achievement …or one that just makes you happy or proud?
I like to think that more is ahead, but with the help of colleagues, it’s pretty cool that we have more than 60 webcast interviews with some amazing thought leaders and subject matter experts.
What do you consider to be your greatest personal achievement …or one that just makes you happy or proud?
Having a daughter.
Did you have a mentor who helped you achieve academic or professional success early in your career? Who would you consider your mentor today?
Yes, I have had many starting with a few super-helpful professors, including my thesis advisor, and today I’m fortunate to work in a division with an amazingly supportive culture.
What advice would you give young women interested in pursuing a STEM career?
STEM is broad, so get exposure to different areas to see what’s most interesting to you. STEM doesn’t specifically include “statistics” (though it should—statistics is not a branch of math). David Salsburg has said “Statistics is the language of science.” And others have said, “Statistics is the science of science.” No matter what area of STEM may interest you, if you want to answer questions using data, statistics will serve you well.
On the CT River in front of Gillette Castle State Park
Milley Garden
Luna and Cassie
It's great learning more about you, Anne! I loved that proc logist nugget=)
Anne, so wonderful to learn more about you and how you came to JMP. Your garden is beautiful! I may be reaching out for some tips & tricks as I'm starting my own this spring.
Thanks for sharing, Anne. It was fun to learn more about you. I miss seeing you. Enjoy your amazingly beautiful garden!
Wow! That garden looks stunning. I feel like I can smell the lavender.
And thanks for the inspiration that you have provided during my time at JMP and as a customer before that.
I enjoyed learning about you Anne. Lovely garden. Is the castle built on one of the hills of the 7 seven sisters?
Thanks for sharing, Anne! I didn't realize that there are more than 60 webcast interviews - amazing!
Anne! Beautiful pictures, love getting to know you more and more. The lavender is dreamy
Love this article and love working with you (insert heart here!) 
