Our World Would Be Different

“OUR WORLD WOULD BE DIFFERENT IF MORE WOMEN WERE ALSO MAKING DECISIONS IN THE STEM SPACE”

Mareva Koulamallah, the Head of Marketing and Communication for MEA at Acronis, speaks about her career journey into the tech industry

Can you share a little bit about what it is that you do and what a typical day for you is like?

I head up Marketing and Communication for the Middle East and Africa region for Acronis, a global leader in cyber protection. The daily essentials involve checking emails, conducting meetings, drafting strategies, planning events, launching campaigns, and signing off on content.

The day usually includes calls with agency reps from one of my markets and with local distributors. There are of course also weekly brainstorming sessions to discuss key initiatives and projects. Overall, I split my day between my internal communications with peers and my external communications with our business partners and PR agencies.

Did you always know that working in technology was what you wanted to do? How did you decide on it?

During my early years, technology was generally considered a male domain though a few women doing well in tech was not unheard of. I always had an interest in it but never thought it was something for someone like me.

After I got started, I realised that I actually do have a knack and aptitude for tech, then combining that with my love for communications, made the choice to pursue this path easily. In the back of my mind, I always wanted to encourage and inspire other women and girls to get into this industry too.

What first got you interested in tech?

My dad; he was always buying every single gadget that existed. I experimented with how to use new devices and fix things through him. I never thought tech was for me because of the lack of representation and the misinformation at that time. I thought I needed to have a highly qualified degree with mathematics, physics or science as specialties.

It did not occur to me that I could start by training myself by learning on the internet, or receive classes from a company, as it was my case with my previous employer. Anything technical can be learned, but it is the soft skills and attitude that make you stand out.

Do you have a role model?

Not one, but two: my parents. They have always been models of determination, humility, and stability for me. We did not have much but they worked so hard to always ensure I had all I needed. However, besides singers that looked like me, at the time; when I turned on my TV or started my studies I did not really have someone in a role of influence to follow.

It was only later in life that I realized I could dream big and become anyone I wanted. It took 10 years of hard work, sacrifices, and several failures to get to the one year that completely changed my life.

Would our world be different if more women were working in STEM?

Absolutely. It is not about women versus men, it is about having a fair balance of representation, and ideas. Several official studies show women bring more soft skills to their roles. Many people do not necessarily know that STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, which in itself provides so many different opportunities.

I think the world would be different if not only more women would be working in STEM but making decisions in the STEM space, not that they are better than men, but for the diversity in vision, they would provide.

What obstacles did you have to overcome? Prejudices at school, having professors in high school trying to discourage me from following the business school’s path because I did not fit the “profile”, financially, socially, and culturally. The non-existence of a professional network to help (and something now I always recommend people to make a priority).

A clear obstacle is to get the first foot in the industry when you do not have a technical background. Then, as a woman and especially a woman of colour, credibility and command respect not only from within an organisation but from the industry itself, or peers at events is quite the challenge. A type of recurrent obstacle is the continuous dilemma between being seen, and being heard; two very different things.

Being seen is the first step and a massive one but being heard is the ultimate goal. Having your voice heard, your ideas respected and suggestions implemented are the parameters we should use to measure if the women in the technology industry have a real impact yet; this is what we should thrive for, and not just our mere presence.

What do you think is the best part of being a woman in the tech industry?

As much as I want more visibility for this movement because we do need to bridge the gap, I do not like to be defined as only a woman in the tech industry. I prefer to be recognised for my skills, my work, and what I bring to the table, regardless of my gender or physiological characteristic.

To answer that question, I will comment on the part of what is best in being in the tech industry, for women or men, is the opportunity to be part of an industry which by its advancements shapes our daily lives. Knowing that the products that you help launching or your business partners, competitors, peers launch, are changing the world is inspiring.

Do you notice a lack of women in technology? If so, why do you think that’s the case?

For sure, there is a gap, and still, a long way to go. I have to admit that in the last five years that I have been part of this industry I have seen changes and improvements. However, we must not only look at the big picture, we might think that all those movements, groups, and initiatives are great, because they are; but we must also look into the details and see where women get opportunities.

I am proud to be in the Marketing and Communication fields because this is where my passion lies. I also have extensive technical knowledge despite what people can think of professionals in my areas. I want to see more women that are software developers, data scientist or engineers; not because we just need to fill a quota but because they had the exact same opportunities, and decided to go after them.

One thing I believe is that in order to really change things we need to remain inclusive and men should be part of this conversation. We also need to make the norm not to be the only woman in a room and make sure to pave the way for everyone else. Being the exception should not be an achievement, being the door opener should.

What advice would you give to a woman considering a career in the tech industry? What do you wish you had known?

Go for it! No matter where you are from, your social status, your age, and your knowledge; if the genuine interest is there and the determination to learn quickly too, then you have all your chances. I wished at a young age, I had more interaction with sciences and technology. At Acronis, we are working on a Cyber Diversity program, a unique initiative where three organisations from different segments (technology, science, and legal counsel) join forces. We are planning to launch this program in April and the goal is to create new opportunities for people of all backgrounds through mentorship, coaching, and networking.