A2J Tech Employee Spotlight Series: Fabiola Cruz and Shelley Whitcher
As we kick off the new year, we're thrilled to introduce you to the newest members of our team!
At A2J Tech, we value not just the skills and dedication of our team but also the unique personalities that drive our mission forward. In this edition of our employee spotlight series, you’ll get a chance to learn more about the people behind the work. From hometowns and hobbies to favorite books, movies, and even go-to holiday recipes.
Fabiola Cruz
.png)
How did you get into legal tech?
While in undergrad at American University, I studied Justice and Law and took classes with professors who preached about the need for more robust technology in the legal field. Through my internship at the Legal Services Corporation, I learned of the many companies working tirelessly to meet that demand. As an intern, I was in charge of writing up a brief biography for new Emerging Leaders Council Members. While writing one for Mauricio Duarte, I was introduced to A2J Tech and the rest is history!
Why is access to justice important to you?
I was raised by two young parents as one of three children. They worked tirelessly to provide for us. However, our financial situation remained precarious up until I graduated high school. Not having the money for legal help set us back many times. From wrongful evictions to unfulfilled contracts, my parents never had the resources to fight. That experience shapes my passion for access to justice today and drives the work that I do at A2J.
If you weren’t working for A2J Tech, what would you be doing?
While in school I worked at various galleries and art museums in Washington, DC. If I didn’t work at A2J Tech, I’d be leading tours at the Hirshhorn Museum.
A2J Tech has employees all over! Where are you based out of?
I live in Albany, NY! GO BILLS!!
A2J Tech does a weekly employee trivia! What topic would you be best at?
Game of Thrones and video game trivia. My brain will let me forget how to ride a bike before it’ll let me forget all the Mario Kart shortcuts.
What’s your favorite holiday recipe?
My dad’s a chef and will disown me if I don’t say his Pernil (Puerto Rican slow-roasted pork). We eat it for every holiday! It cooks low and slow for 12 hours and we have to fight to keep from tearing it apart when it hits the dinner table.
Do you have any pets?
While I don’t have any pets in my home, my family pets get regular visits every other weekend. Ruby (cat) is 10 years old and Oliver (dog) is 3!
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
What is your favorite book or movie?
I couldn’t choose but Juno and But I’m a Cheerleader are all time favorites.
What do you listen to while working remotely?
Lots and lots of Radiohead or Bad Bunny.
What’s one place you’d really like to visit?
My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to Italy for the summer! I’ve always wanted to go!
What’s a surprising fact about you?
In high school, I played lots of sports and also had time to be involved in local politics. I annoyed our school board for an entire year to change our health education curriculum and got my initials as the new policy name!
What’s your Meyers-Briggs alignment?
I’m an ENFJ-A.
Shelley Whitcher
.png)
How did you get into legal tech?
While in college, I was lucky to work in a psychology lab that exposed me to data and technology. I learned skills there that I used throughout my career. As a staff attorney at a legal aid, I served as our local office technology champion. That experience led me to eventually serving as the organization’s Deputy Director for data and technology.
Why is access to justice important to you?
From a young age I’ve been concerned about people being treated unfairly. Throughout my life I’ve volunteered with various organizations to help marginalized populations access the care they need, but during law school I found my calling after volunteering with the local legal aid. Access to Justice is my passion. I worked for a legal service organization for 16 years, helping people access justice first hand. I currently sit as the Vice Chair of the Iowa Access to Justice Commission and as a member of the Iowa State Bar Association’s Legal Access Committee.
If you weren’t working for A2J Tech, what would you be doing?
A2J Tech has been such a perfect fit for me that it’s hard to imagine what else I’d be doing. I would like to be advising and serving legal service organizations in some capacity, with their data, technology, project management, and operations.
A2J Tech has employees all over! Where are you based out of?
I’m in Omaha, Nebraska, but I grew up in Iowa and have worked in Iowa since law school.
A2J Tech does a weekly employee trivia! What topic would you be best at?
I haven’t seen these topics come up yet, but probably Obscure 80’s Songs, Christopher Guest Movies, and Comedians Appearing on Comedy Bang! Bang!
What’s your favorite holiday recipe?
I don’t make it very often, as it’s a lot of work, but my grandmother’s fruitcake recipe brings back memories of my childhood. Most people think fruitcake is gross, but I swear this one isn’t!
Do you have any pets?
Our beloved Shorty (old, grumpy pug) passed away a number of years ago. There was no replacing him so we haven’t tried!
.jpeg)
What is your favorite book or movie?
That’s a tough one - so hard to narrow it down. For books - 1984 is my all-time favorite, but more recently I loved The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle.For movies - Best in Show, The Usual Suspects, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. (I swear I’ve watched movies in the last 20 years, but nothing else is coming to mind!)
What do you listen to while working remotely?
I have a hard time focusing if I listen to most music (I start singing along), so if I have music playing, it’s often classical covers of pop songs.
What’s one place you’d really like to visit?
Traveling is a passion of mine! Greece has been on the list for a while, but one of the places more recently added to our list is Croatia.
What’s a surprising fact about you?
I love “adventure activities” (bungee jumping, skydiving, hang gliding, zip lining, scuba diving, etc.).
What’s your Meyers-Briggs alignment?
ENFJ (Extrovert, Intuitive, Feeler, Judger) and for the Four Tendencies, I’m an Obliger.
