Women’s History Month at Vista: Strength, growth, and showing up for each other

By Lina Toledo

At Vista, Women’s History Month isn’t just about looking back — it’s a time to look around at the women making an impact today, and look ahead at the future they’re shaping. It’s about celebrating progress, being honest about the work still ahead, and spotlighting the women across our teams who lead with heart, courage, and creativity every day.

Throughout the month, we highlighted stories from women at Vista who have grown their careers here, supported each other through change, and boldly stepped into new chapters, even when the next step felt uncertain.

Growth looks different for everyone

For Sagini Ramesh, her 17-year career at Vista has been all about evolution. “This is my first job out of university,” she shares, “and if I’m still here, it’s because Vista and Cimpress have done an incredible job supporting my professional development.” From software development to team leadership, she’s been empowered to explore new paths. “I learned quickly that if I wanted to try something else, it was possible.”

Risa Jonas, Product Manager — Pricing & Promotions, knows what it means to take a chance on something new. While currently in a role within Cimpress, Risa began her career within Vista and early on was encouraged to step into the newly formed role of Product Owner. It turned out to be a career-shaping decision. “That leap set the foundation for everything that came after,” she says. “Now, a decade later, I still love being a product manager.”

Calais Zagarow, Head of Strategic Planning & Operations, North America & Global Marketing, remembers a pivotal moment in her career when she applied for a role at a previous employer that she technically didn’t qualify for. “The role was originally for a senior manager, but I was just an associate manager with no business development experience,” she explains. “I brought passion to the interview process, and the team took a chance on me.” A few months later, she was promoted two levels. “That vote of confidence motivates me to this day.”

For Laura Beth Vietor, Senior Product Operations Specialist, growth came in the form of a comeback. “Stepping back into the workforce after 17 years as a stay-at-home mom was scary and nerve-wracking,” she admits. “But Vista believed in me — and that helped me believe in myself.” She was hired through an initiative to support women reentering the workforce, and it changed everything. “I thought, ‘Why not me?’ And I’m so grateful I asked that question.”

For Clare O’Neill, Senior Internal Communications Specialist for North America & Global Marketing and Europe & Global Manufacturing, her defining moment came before she ever joined Vista. “It was when I set up my own business — without a plan, a strategy, or really knowing what I was doing,” she says. “I had to figure things out as I went. I became scrappy, made plenty of mistakes, and embraced the ‘fake it til you make it’ mentality.” That experience sharpened skills and her understanding of how Vista operates — from manufacturing to design, finance to sales. “That journey ultimately led me to internal comms at Vista, where I took another leap of faith. While my path has evolved, I still hold those lessons close: adaptability, resilience, and a willingness to dive in and learn.”

Sponsorship and support

Every woman featured here credits her growth to someone who had her back. For Maya Zito, Strategy & Operations Director, Product Management, they were her leaders. “I’ve had managers who pushed me outside my comfort zone, who encouraged me to take on stretch projects even when I wasn’t sure I could do it,” she says. “That vote of confidence meant everything.”

For Rina Patel, Principal Product Operations Manager, mentorship helped her through major transitions. “I’ve been lucky to have mentors who reminded me that leadership isn’t about a title — it’s about impact.”

Calais believes in lifting each other up. “We’re hard enough on ourselves. The smallest form of praise or encouragement can mean so much. We should all be each other’s cheerleaders.”

Risa points to the power of connection through the Women@Work employee resource group (ERG). “Women at Work (W@W) is my support group,” she says. “I’ve met so many supportive women through this ERG. It’s helped me build relationships I wouldn’t have made otherwise.” And Laura Beth adds: “Women supporting women means everything. I truly believe a rising tide lifts all boats. W@W has brought me smiles, laughter, connection, and honest, needed conversations.”

Clare echoes this message of mutual support: “By sharing our experiences openly and creating space for each other’s voices, we can give each other visibility, advocate for one another, and make time for real conversations. Sometimes, a simple ‘I’ve been there, too’ can make all the difference.”

Take the first step

These women have learned a lot, and they’re paying it forward.

Calais says not to get stuck in analysis paralysis. “You don’t need to have it all figured out. Just take the first step. That’s how you start figuring it out.”

Rina recommends being bold: “Speak up, even when you’re unsure or even wrong. That’s how you learn and grow.”

Risa encourages getting into the details: “Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and learn how things really work. That’s where growth happens.”

And Clare offers this advice for women starting out in marketing, design, or e-commerce: “Take opportunities when they come, even if you don’t feel 100% ready. Be willing to self-learn — there are so many resources available, and no one has all the answers. Find something that truly interests you, something you want to keep learning about, and look for ways to incorporate it into your work.”

She also credits learning by example as key to her journey. “My role model at the time was designer Poppy Treffry from Cornwall — I watched her grow her business and learned so much just by observing. I take this approach now, watching, learning, just taking it all in. It’s so important.”

Looking ahead

Women’s History Month is about more than celebration — it’s about momentum. It’s a chance to reflect on progress, build on it, and carry those values forward into how we work every day. To speak up. To mentor. To make space. To lift others up.

As Clare puts it, “It’s a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come and what we’ve accomplished, both individually and collectively. Recognizing progress is important, but so is looking ahead — thinking about how we can continue to shape opportunities for the future.”

Let’s keep going. Because when women are supported, everyone rises.