Point 1: Its pretty much the norm for IT professionals to be interviewed and managed by staff members that are paid less. Without knowing the specific job roles, grade level/tier of all parties including the other female member of the team, it’s hard to objectively conclude this was gender pay discrimination.

Point 2: According to this highlighted statement, it would appear that Patricia was able to get a higher paying job because of her insight into market rates. Could it be that she therefore negotiated more aggressively? Could it be that she had negotiated less aggressively out of ignorance of her worth in the previous job. I typically expect to get paid what I’m able to negotiate and I don’t assume that all the other members of staff in the same job role (male or female) are paid the same.