Imane Jamal Eddine’s Post

Last week, we hosted a virtual Roundtable focused on Women in Tech - featuring an inspiring woman leader at TELUS as well as an ally, hearing two comparative perspectives on creating an environment wherein women can grow and thrive. Fatima Kassamali, MBA, P.Eng., Director of Network Assurance - Reliability Centre of Excellence and Greg Schaal, P.Eng, MBA, Director of IP Core Development and Operations explored this session's theme of “Pathways to leadership: The impact of mentors, champions and allies in forging our paths". Here’s a snapshot of what they had to share: “I've had a mentor who has been with me since day one at TELUS. He has always been an ally and champion for me, even when I wasn't in the room. He helped me to build up my brand, boosted my confidence and gave me advice on my next career steps. Now that I am in my current director role, it's important for me to pay it forward. I mentor other young women, prioritize recognition, give women chances to shine in front of VPs and ensure I have diverse hiring and representation in my portfolio.” – Fatima Kassamali “A tactic I use to support the women (and anyone else) on my team is to create space. Oftentimes, team members don't have the confidence to speak up or step forward, or undervalue their own opinions and contributions to the team. By bringing all voices into the conversation and directly asking team members for their thoughts, we encourage different perspectives and diversity. In other words, it's about creating room for people to participate and supporting them when they do.” – Greg Schaal A massive thank you to our two incredible panelists and our team members for their thoughtful questions. #TELUS #TELUSCareers #WomeninSTEM #Leadership #Mentorship

It's "essential for leaders to foster diversity" 🌱 I was reading this article from Vodafone which outlined 9 pieces of advice from industry leaders, and wanted to share for those who haven't read it! The first piece of advice came from Kate Apps, who highlighted: “It’s really essential for leaders to foster diversity, because if individuals feel comfortable bringing their true selves to the workplace, then they are more likely to be super motivated. All of which starts with leadership getting together to think about how they can act as role models for their team.” This REALLY stood out for me as I often speak with hiring managers who outline that diversity isn't a massive priority when they hire. Not only is it right to have a diverse workforce, but there are genuinely huge benefits to ensuring your tech team is diverse, including what Kate highlighted above. As someone who is a leader, you're in a position of power to enact change, and whether you accept it or not, it's so important to remember. Renee McGowan also made a similar point in The CEO Magazine Global, where she outlined: "you are also in a position of power to be a role model by effecting change and ensuring that more women are getting a seat at your table." Holding ourselves and our leaders accountable is vital to increase diversity and achieve a true change in tech, but also in all other industries too. #womenintech #DEI #diversity #hiring

🌟 Reflecting on an incredible experience at the Sistas in Sales Summit! 🌟 What an inspiring gathering of sales professionals, thought leaders, and game-changers in the industry. The energy and insights shared were truly remarkable. 🚀 Key Takeaways: Empowerment: The Summit emphasized the importance of empowering women in sales. We are stronger together, and our unique perspectives drive innovation and success. Networking: Connecting with fellow professionals and sharing experiences was invaluable. Building relationships is at the heart of what we do. Leadership: We heard from some incredible leaders who reminded us that leadership knows no gender. It's about taking initiative, being authentic, and lifting others up. Diversity & Inclusion: The discussions around diversity and inclusion were eye-opening. These aren't just buzzwords; they're essential for driving change and fostering a more inclusive workplace. 💼 I was thrilled to see representatives from top-notch companies at the Summit, including Microsoft, Braze, Google, Walmart Connect , Oracle, TikTok, Pinterest, Snap Inc., Motive, Workday. It's inspiring to see these organizations prioritize diversity and support platforms like Sistas in Sales. Thank you to the organizers and all the incredible speakers for making this event a success! Let's carry the momentum forward and continue to shatter glass ceilings in the world of sales. 🙌 #SistasInSales #SalesLeadership #DiversityAndInclusion #Empowerment #Networking #ProfessionalGrowth #WomenInSales #opentowork

Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, emphasized the importance of women in leadership roles: "We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women’s voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored." Jean Anne Booth CEO UnaliWear is one of Parks Associates Top #Leaders in tech - well deserving of the spotlight and recognition. Parks Associates released its 2023 Top Leaders in Technology, an annual list that recognizes leading technology executives who are featured speakers at the firm’s annual executive conferences. Parks Associates recognizes these leaders for their pivotal roles in market growth and their dedication to expanding industry knowledge. The research firm reports that 90% of US internet households now own a smartphone, surpassing the television for the first time to become the most ubiquitous device among US consumers.   Top Leaders in Technology includes the following industry categories: 2023 Top Leaders in Technology 2023 Top Leaders in Connected Home and Security 2023 Top Leaders in Energy 2023 Top Leaders in Connected Health 2023 Top Leaders in Video and Entertainment 2023 Top Leaders in Multifamily   VIEW Parks Associates 2023 Top Leaders in Technology : https://lnkd.in/g-tnc5fV   #leaders #innovation #business #health #connectedhealth

The tech industry moves so quickly, and at times, you might feel like you can’t keep up or it’s an environment that you’re not able to thrive in. But that’s precisely why we need to see other inspirational women out there, in leadership roles too, driving innovation, pushing boundaries, and especially, excelling in the tech sector.   Seeing this can truly give you a sense of what’s achievable. Take a look at this video where several Telstra women tech specialists (and me, too) and leaders share their big ‘why’.   #TeamTelstra #WomenInTech

Women IT leaders on their climb to the top : Is NOW their time? Three accomplished women leaders in tech — Lorissa Horton (SVP and CPO for Webex at Cisco), Tamecka McKay (CIO for the City of Ft. Lauderdale), and Debbie Stephens (Deputy CIO of the USPTO) — recently spoke about their experiences rising to leadership positions in the male-dominated IT industry. All three shared eye-opening perspectives on what enabled their success, from the importance of early exposure to tech, to key moments where advocacy and sponsorship from others opened doors, to the power of bringing your whole, authentic self into leadership. A few key insights stood out: 🚀 Foster interest early. Seeing women in tech early on played a pivotal role for both Horton and McKay. We need to show girls and young women that tech is a viable, rewarding career path. 🚀 Confidence is key. Stephens noted that women often undervalue their skills compared to men when considering stretching opportunities. Believing in your value and ability to learn on the job is critical. 🚀 Sponsorship matters. McKay recalled an instance where a CIO stood up for her in a room of directors, refusing to let her be relegated to admin work. Advocates can dramatically shift perceptions. 🚀 Lead authentically. All three emphasized the power of bringing their whole selves to work - as partners, mothers, daughters, community members. Normalizing our complex lives makes for better leaders and culture. While the path isn't easy, these women prove it's possible. It starts with belief in our value and involves courage, commitment, and community. Together we can pave the way for more women to advance into IT leadership roles. We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences! What's helped you climb in your career or advocate for other women? Happy Valentine's Day to all our fans and followers all over the world!💙 #womenintech #techleaders #bloffintechnologies

“We must increase women’s representation at the tables where decisions are made,” says California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, MBA ’01. To move the needle on #genderequity in business and beyond, Siebel Newsom partnered with Stanford VMware Women’s Leadership Innovation Lab to create the Board Diversity Playbook — a four-step process for increasing diversity in the boardroom: 1. Find and fill the gaps To increase diversity, look for where it’s lacking. A “board matrix” outlining the skills, experience, and demographics of current directors can be used to identify what additional qualities the board may need. 2. Expand your networks Relying on first-degree connections could perpetuate existing bias. Tap into a more diverse pool of talent by identifying at least two candidates from underrepresented groups. 3. Create an equitable interview process Fair interviews are crucial. Brief your interview panel on bias-blocking practices, such as asking all candidates the same questions and using a consistent rubric to evaluate their answers. 4. Onboard intentionally After bringing new people in, it’s critical to help them thrive. Assigning a mentor can help a new recruit get comfortable, especially if they’re the only person of their gender or race in the room. https://lnkd.in/gh8ADgt9

Did you know that Executive Presence accounts for 26% of what it takes to be promoted, especially when moving into leadership positions? Check out our President's latest virtual event where she delved deeper into this topic with a wonderful panel 👇 #ExecutivePresence #WomeninTech

One of the many things I love about my role is meeting inspiring role models and having great conversations to empower the next generation of women in tech. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of hosting Women in Tech forum's monthly virtual event on 'How to Build your Executive Presence and Own the Room'. Did you know that Executive Presence accounts for 26% of what it takes to be promoted, especially when moving into leadership positions? Executive presence is a combination of personal traits and outward behaviours that create an image of competence and trustworthiness. It can be measured by the ability to own a room and the likelihood of people following your direction. The event featured an incredible panel of inspirational leaders who shared their personal experiences and actionable insights on how to build your executive presence. Elena Parker, Chief Revenue Officer of Intelligent Spend and Business Network at SAP shared the key traits of executive presence - trust, credibility, authenticity, consistency, composure, connection, confidence and conciseness - and why these are important in building trust and respect with your audience. Claire Rafferty OLY, Agency Success Manager at TransferRoom and former England Football player shared strategies on how you can command control of the room especially in male-dominated environments. Louise Fraser, People and Culture Director at Instant Impact discussed the importance of staying calm under pressure, how to engage stakeholders effectively and techniques to manage challenging situations. Thank you to our amazing panellists for sharing so many practical strategies and actionable tips to raise executive presence at work. #womenintech #womenempoweringwomen #womeninsales #executivepresence #coachingtips

The HP Work Relationship Index research found that 76% of US business leaders believe that emotional intelligence is important in business. With a workforce that now spans FIVE+ generations, organizations need to commit to advancing practices that accommodate different work-cultures, experiences & perspectives. Fostering belonging and encouraging collaboration, this is how companies unlock potential… Investing in emotionally intelligent, conscious initiatives where everyone can contribute and be engaged while working in companies and across all industries is an essential ingredient to sustaining #innovation. The leaders of today know this – a one-size fits all approach leaves many behind and discourages the inherent drive that we all have inside us. My role as a leader is to unlock potential and help develop people ---- and to do that, people need to be able to use all their strengths, skills and ideas. Like I shared with Marah Edelen during the Women in Tech Conference for a Career Growth Summit’s Fireside Chat, we need to listen to our workforce first and foremost. This simple act allows organizations to meet employees where they’re at in their life stages and foster inclusion. #Leadership #Diversity #WomenInTech