Marta Lang
IAM Team Lead Marta Lang on building identity infrastructure at UT, leading with consensus, and why she tells every new employee to practice grace.
Building identity infrastructure — and a team — one step at a time.
Marta Lang leads the Identity and Access Management team at Enterprise Technology. Over 13 years at UT, she has grown from Project Manager to Team Lead, shaped by a career at Accenture, a UT undergraduate degree, and a deep belief in the power of clear communication.
Marta Lang did not arrive at UT Austin by accident. Her father moved the family from Poland to Texas in 1991 so he could join the university as a professor. Years later, Marta earned her own undergraduate degree here — two majors in 3.5 years — before spending eight years at Accenture and eventually finding her way back. Today she leads the Identity and Access Management team and is one of the longer-tenured leaders inside Enterprise Technology.
Tell us a little about yourself
When I'm not working, I'm a wife, mom of 2, step-mom of 3, and "Babs" — aka grandma — to 1. My husband Karl and I have been together for nearly 15 years. We have two kids together: Adam, who is 9, and Evelyn, who is 5 and a half. My step-kids are Kailyn, Kyle, and Kendra. Kendra has our grandson Wyatt, who is about to turn 3.
I consider myself a foodie — Salt Traders for the win. When we go on vacation, we prefer to be at a beach with a stack of books from the never-ending TBR shelf. I've also traveled to Europe many times because my family is from Poland. And I'm a huge fan of Barre3 classes — I've completed over 1,500 classes over the last 10 years.
What's one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
Many people know I'm Polish and that I speak the language fluently. What usually surprises people is actually hearing me speak it — the language catches most people off guard. I work to maintain my fluency by listening to Polish music, reading online wherever I can, and speaking with my family. Even my two kids attend Polish language school weekly to learn the basics. My husband knows enough to follow conversations — which means I can't talk about him without him knowing.
"Babcia" is the Polish word for grandmother, but my mom is our family's "Babcia". Karl decided to go by "Pop," so I shortened Babcia to Babs. Pop and Babs. (I also doubt anyone in the younger generations will realize that's also Barbra Streisand's nickname.)
What first brought you to UT and Enterprise Technology?
I was first brought to UT because of my father. We moved to Texas in 1991 so he could be a professor at UT and also work on the Super Collider. I attended UT for my undergraduate degree, which I earned in 3.5 years with two majors: Government and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies.
After college I worked at Accenture, a well-known consulting firm. After eight years, I wanted to get out of the business of traveling weekly and justifying my personal time. A former Accenture partner had come to work at UT, loved it, and recruited me — because the work-life balance here is great.
How did your career path lead to your current role?
When I was recruited to UT, the Identity and Access Management team needed a Project Manager to help create a roadmap and manage the resulting projects. I was in that PM role for 8 years before stepping into my current position as IAM Team Lead — over 5 years ago, in the midst of the pandemic and with a new baby. The IAM business has become a passion and focus as I lead the team into the future, one step at a time.
What has been one of the most rewarding moments in your career?
I take pride in being the hiring manager for some amazing leaders and contributors in our university community. I would never take credit for their successes — but I can take credit for recruiting them to UT.
How do you stay motivated and inspired in your role?
I really enjoy working with smart people because you can learn so much from others. My appreciation for the people around me on a day-to-day basis carries me through the stressful moments. I also like to serve as a mentor, because it's rewarding to see others grow into their potential. It motivates me to help people — even if it's only to listen.
What's the best professional advice you've received or given?
When I was first entering management 15 years ago, I was advised that building consensus with team members, leadership, and customers would always be the hardest part of a manager's job. They were right. This has shaped my belief that practicing a collaborative spirit contributes to getting things done. Clear communication is crucial to ensuring that you can embrace collaboration in a positive manner that often builds consensus naturally.
Clear communication is crucial to ensuring that you can embrace collaboration in a positive manner that often builds consensus naturally.
What advice would you give to someone starting their career?
Give yourself time and grace to learn and grow. Most people who start a new job eagerly try to know everything as quickly as possible — and there's no way to learn everything overnight. I am still learning something new every week. Technology evolves. Solutions change. Challenges arise. You're constantly evolving. Be patient with yourself and everyone around you. Practice grace.