Fran Craig
Founder and Board of Director
Unanet

(4.9)
Review

Awards:

  • Top SaaS CEOs 2018

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Profile

In 1988, Fran Craig founded Computer Strategies out of her basement in Northern Virginia. Initially positioned as a professional IT services firm, she morphed Computer Strategies into a software product company providing cloud ERP for professional services and project based firms. Under Fran’s leadership, the company, eventually rebranded as “Unanet”, has grown at an average of 20% per year over the last 10 years.


Today, Unanet has over 1,000 customers across the world and employs over 150 individuals in the Washington DC area. A rarity in today’s market, Unanet is debt free, profitable, and entirely owned by Fran and her employees. She frequently speaks on entrepreneurship, women in business, and project management. After graduating from St. Mary’s College at Notre Dame and working as a computer programmer at AT&T, Fran spent time at Carnegie Mellon expanding opportunities for women in technology.


Reviews

99 COMMENTS


  1. Frances has created a company where people come together to do great things and enjoy themselves in the process. Her constant promotion of positive speak and leadership by example has resulted in a workplace that all can enjoy. Over the last few years, we have had many employees join our team that previously had worked with us as customer/clients. These individuals all state clearly that their interactions with our team led them to pursue a career with Unanet. The positive interactions that our customers experience is a direct result from Fran’s leadership qualities that trickle down to all employees.

    Mid-level professional, submitted on

  2. Fran has always been a leader by example both within and beyond the workplace, striving to always follow her own advice, walk the walk, and talk the talk. She particularly demonstrates leadership by focusing not just on the bottom line and product sales, but on the employees working at Unanet and how each individual can grow their strengths and turn their weaknesses into positive attributes. Utilizing positive speech at all times inside and outside the office, Unanet has created an extremely positive atmosphere that is essential to our company culture and is supported and maintained by all employees.

    Mid-level professional, submitted on

  3. Fran is sincerely one of the most positive people I have ever met. She truly embodies the idea that a positive culture creates the best working environment. Fran also encourages all employees to be empowered so that they can continue their personal and professional growth. Fran also created the part of our company culture which allows for any employee to walk into the office of any executive to talk about work (open door policy).

    Staff, submitted on

  4. Fran builds our team from the inside out; she embraces the philosophy of positivism begets positivism. In my opinion this is the secret to her success, our success. She always encourages us to find the positive way to solve the challenges. Our words, our thoughts and actions are rewarded by her kind ways of reminding us to stay positive, to collaborate and to overcome together.

    Senior-level professional, submitted on

  5. Fran is a very inspirational leader. She believes in her employees, challenges them and empowers them in a very positive manner. She is forward thinking, and her actions are in line with her beliefs and philosophy. She fosters a collaborative environment and has has the uncanny ability to see the forest as well as all of the tress, leaves and undergrowth. Exceptional!

    Senior-level professional, submitted on

  6. Fran’s vision to build a company of smart people working together has come true. She is a visionary, a true leader, a fantastic networker and an inspiration. Her career began in software development in the 60s – when women didn’t work and software was brand new. She is now the leader of a company of 150+ people serving over 1000 customers world-wide!

    Mid-level professional, submitted on

  7. Fran is the most honest and sincere and FUN person I’ve ever worked for. She loves her employees and she loves our customers. She empowers everyone she meets and encourages thought and creativity. The culture of the company she has built is positive and amazing. No glass ceilings. Women are champions here. Fran is the real deal.

    Mid-level professional, submitted on

  8. Fran Craig is an accomplished creative visionary who has been a positive champion of change and growth. She takes care of not only the customer’s needs, but also invests in the employees of the company so they may all be successful in accomplishing the goals of the company and customers. I am proud to be a part of the Unanet family!

    Mid-level professional, submitted on

  9. A role model on how to think bottom up, not top down. Years ago, her org chart was written upside down, believing that the employees make the company. Approachable as a mentor. Gives back to the community. Promotes volunteerism. I don’t believe there is one current employee who doesn’t respect or truly love Fran as our leader.

    Senior-level professional, submitted on

  10. So many words come to mind with Fran. Compassion, flexibility, integrity, honesty, openness, humble and real. The environment that Fran has created at Unanet is the kind of stuff that people read about and drool at the thought of working for the company. She has created an atmosphere of respect.

    Senior-level professional, submitted on

  11. Fran’s ability to share her experience seamlessly within a conversation has always amazed me! Here she is, a pioneer in the SaaS industry, and she’s able to relate to everyone in our company and community with genuineness and sincerity. I love that about Fran.

    Staff, submitted on

  12. Unanet is the 3rd company I have been employed. Fran is by far the greatest leader I have had the pleasure of working under. She lets her employees do our jobs with a sense of independence. She is always looking forward and never content with the status quo.

    Mid-level professional, submitted on

  13. Natural leader self-driven to build, create, and finish. Well rounded individual with passions for learning, reading, understanding & getting to know the detail of people, bringing people together, cooking, and golf.

    Mid-level professional, submitted on

  14. A leader and has created a very profitable company with great culture. Easy to talk to and interacts with everyone at all levels. Smart and patient. Grew company organically and did not take outside funding.

    Staff, submitted on

  15. Fran has created a wonderful work environment that allows employees to work and perform at their best level. She is open-minded, encourages the sharing of new ideas and promotes giving back to the community.

    Staff, submitted on

  16. Fran has the ability to cut to the chase in any discussion in order to resolve ambiguities and provide direction. She is also kind and fair. The fantastic Unanet culture is a tribute to her leadership.

    Senior-level professional, submitted on

  17. Fran has promoted an incredibly positive and teamwork-oriented culture at Unanet. Fran’s focus on top-quality client service flows through the company and really sets the tone.

    Mid-level professional, submitted on

  18. Fran is focused on the people that make up the company, in her words, she works for us. She has created an amazing, positive culture that drives our success at all levels

    Mid-level professional, submitted on

  19. Fran has built an amazing culture at Unanet due to her positive energy and how she values employees. I can honestly say this is the best company I have ever worked for.

    Staff, submitted on

  20. Fran sees strengths in others and knows exactly how to maximize them. Additionally, she has the highest integrity in the business and will not stand for anything less.

    Mid-level professional, submitted on

  21. Ability to see vision clearly and provide direct responses and feedback in all situations. Very open to what is right and listens for how to achieve the best results

    Senior-level professional, submitted on

  22. Always on message in promoting Unanet’s services. And open to upgrades and major functional enhancements. I’ve known her for 20 years and our company is a client.

    Senior-level professional, submitted on

  23. Fran is the best I have ever seen at creating culture. She has created an atmosphere at Unanet that is intoxicating and makes you want to come to work everyday.

    Staff, submitted on

  24. Fran is an amazing CEO. She leads the company showing integrity and respect to each and every staff member of Unanet. She truly believes in work life balance.

    Senior-level professional, submitted on

  25. Fran embodies the Unanet company culture and walks the walk every day, providing a fantastic example of the positive values the company promotes.

    Staff, submitted on

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