Business is bigger than just creating powerful tools—Golden Software is a company that partners with professionals who need precision and clarity to communicate complex data. Golden Software enjoys over 40 years of experience as a trusted ally to scientists, engineers, environmentalists and hydrologists. The professional’s toolkit: Surfer and Grapher, which transforms raw data into visualizations that sing to give stakeholders at all levels the information they need to make informed decisions.

Their commitment at Golden Software is to delivering tools that analyze data so data, not analysis skills, drive decisions. Their products are engineered to help professionals make geospatial data for ENtional reports or intricate engineering analysis visible and understandable. The tools they build are designed with the user in mind, making complex processes easy and delivering high quality results in quick time.

However, it’s not a question of the software—Golden Software is built upon an ethos of supporting its users. They’re working on products that aim to ‘unlock’ “AHA” moments with their clients, visualizations that speak louder than tables of numbers. It was this commitment to extend product design to customer service. Golden Software’s support team is dedicated to helping users solve their questions and overcome any challenges, helping experts remain confident in their work and in their communications.

Laying the Right Vision and Dedication

Blakelee Mills was one of the company’s standout figures and Golden Software’s continued success and growth owe much to its leadership. With Golden Software, Blakelee is the owner and offers overall direction that is consistent with the company’s mission of making complex data accessible and actionable.

While studying at the Colorado School of Mines, Blakelee interned at Golden Software and her journey to leadership has been underway ever since. What her unique ability to understand the technical and business side of the company meant was it allowed her to make an immediate impact. With a focus on applied mathematics and a knowledge of how the software is applied, Blakelee’s natural path to leadership was as clear as it can be. She became CEO in 2014, and during her time, the company continued to push the envelope and added more to its offerings.

Entering into 2023, Blakelee stepped down from being a CEO role and became a stay at home, homeschool mom to her two children. While this switch took place, Blakelee continues to passionately stand by that Golden Software vision to the team from the side lines. She is unapologetic about her business and balancing personal responsibilities, a balance that many women entrepreneurs tend to achieve. Of course, Blakelee’s example also serves as a hint to the malleability and stickability that women add to leadership roles and family life.

Enabling Data Driven Decisions         

Professional users working with industries that demand precision in their data interpretation use Golden Software’s products. For example, Surfer is a geospatial tool which helps scientists and engineers convert raw geospatial data into exact 2D and 3D models. Over 100,000 professionals trust its ability to simplify complex analysis tasks and produce results quickly. The company so serious about efficiency, surfers can create killer models in under two minutes.

Another powerful tool, Grapher, from Golden Software is designed to easily take engineers and scientists from complex raw data to clear, compelling visuals. Grapher allows for easy presentation of findings, whether it’s for environmental analysis or engineering reports, even to non-technical stakeholders. Downloaded by over 70 graph types and powerful analysis tools, Grapher helps you streamline how you visualize data and effectively communicate insights.

Golden Software's solutions are particularly transformative for industries where the data being handled is environmental. Environmental professionals have been using the company’s software for years to model groundwater systems, assess subsurface contamination, and assess water quality. Golden Software’s tools let professionals tell the story of their data, through high quality visuals and reports, to guide vital decision making processes.

Leading with Example

Golden Software's leadership and way of doing business is also an inspiration to women in tech and entrepreneurship. Blakelee Mills is an inspiration for women who want to integrate their passion for technology with a career and with their personal life. Blakelee has demonstrated it is in fact possible to be successful in the tech industry while putting family first, as long as you lead with a clear vision and are flexible enough.

Golden Software supports all professionals, no matter the gender, as a company. Whether working on environmental sustainability, engineering or water resources, everyone can – and may – excel, thanks to their commitment to innovation and customer support. Golden Software is providing high quality software tools that give professionals the peace of mind to reach their goals with confidence while ensuring that the next generation of leaders—male and female—is also empowered to achieve.

Golden Software is much more than a tech company. A champion for professionals working in data driven fields, it provides a set of tools and supports that help make informed decisions and a language in which to communicate results. Under the leadership of Blakelee Mills, user-centric design leads the charge at Golden Software to bridge the gap between complex data and the communicative action that propels progress.

About the Leader

Blakelee Mills, Owner of Golden Software, began her career as an intern for Golden Software co-founder Patrick Madison while attending the Colorado School of Mines. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics, she began working full-time with Golden Software. Blakelee’s unique ability to understand both the scientific and technical aspects of the Golden Software products as well as the business development aspect of the business, led her into a leadership role with the company and the eventual position of CEO in 2014.

“Under the leadership of Blakelee Mills, user-centric design leads the charge at Golden Software to bridge the gap between complex data and the communicative action that propels progress.”