Innovation through inclusion: Insights from Adjust’s female trailblazers

Why is it important that gender inclusivity is prioritized in tech?

For two key reasons: equity and the health of the business. When we practice gender inclusivity in tech, we distribute opportunities more fairly–promotion opportunities, recruitment opportunities, and leadership opportunities. And, at a company level, research shows that more diverse teams make better decisions–one study from 2017 showed that gender-diverse teams made significantly better decisions than all-male teams.

What was an experience where mentorship or support from other women made a significant impact on your career?

I had a fantastic mentor in my first director role. The months after my promotion felt like a minefield, and I was so afraid of making mistakes that I was starting to get decision paralysis. A more senior director at my agency noticed and made herself available for anything I needed to talk out. To this day, it is the kindest and most helpful thing someone has done for me in the workplace.

That mentor relationship worked because she helped me solve my own problems. She listened and mostly asked questions, instead of giving advice. This helped me hone my instincts, rather than becoming reliant on her. When I did ask her for advice, she gave it. And when she saw recurring patterns holding me back, like over-focusing on “niceness,” instead of directness, or letting my inner critic run wild, she pointed them out so I could address them. The result was that I started to trust myself, recognized my strengths, and became a more confident and thoughtful manager.

What are some key factors in building a successful career in technology for women just starting out?

1. Recognize the strengths you bring to the role and play to them. Mine were strong communication, a love of problem-solving, and enlightened laziness–I’d spend hours learning how to automate something to get myself out of an hour of manual work, which made me a sharper developer in the long run.
2. Develop your tech skills, your product knowledge, and your communication. All of them matter. Find mentors in the areas that don’t come naturally to you. Finding mentors of your gender is great, but don’t limit yourself.
3. Apply for jobs where you don’t meet all the criteria. Studies show that women are much more hesitant to do this than men are. Close that gap!

Why is it important that gender inclusivity is prioritized in tech?
Marginalized groups have historically been undermined or underrepresented in the tech world. Prioritizing underrepresented gender identities pushes for a stronger movement and a general understanding that career success can be accomplished by anyone when they are empowered to do so.

What would you tell your younger self about navigating a career in tech?

Don’t be afraid to talk to people in a way that demonstrates your expertise and authority. Try to avoid excessive smiley faces in emails all the time (even if you haven’t learned that lesson yet).

What was an experience where mentorship or support from other women made a significant impact on your career?

Having supporting female managers is really a game-changer. I’m lucky enough to have a great manager and supervisor who are both constantly advocating for me and reassuring me that I’m doing a good job. It’s nice knowing that there is an unsaid understanding between us that allows for more productive and meaningful conversations.

What strategies do you use to advocate for yourself and others in professional settings?

I think something difficult to navigate or do for yourself is ensuring you are seen across the company. It can be easy to get lost in the crowd, but getting your name and face out there is really important.

How do you see the landscape of women in tech evolving over the next decade?

I see women being prouder of their career accomplishments and advocating for themselves in the workplace without shame.

Why is it important that gender inclusivity is prioritized in tech?

Firstly, it ensures a broad range of perspectives and experiences, leading to more innovative solutions that cater to a diverse user base. Secondly, prioritizing gender inclusivity expands the talent pool, addressing the skills gap and ensuring access to top talent. Thirdly, it promotes fairness and equality, offering everyone an equal chance to succeed in the tech industry.

Additionally, gender inclusivity has been linked to economic benefits, as diverse teams tend to be more productive and innovative, leading to better financial performance. Lastly, it's a social responsibility for companies to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees.

What has your journey been like to get to where you are in tech today?

In 2023, I joined a reseller company for AdTech and MarTech, where I gained extensive experience in both fields as a consultant to brands. I focused on branding, performance goals, and leveraging plugins to drive traffic and engagement.

My passion for offering tailored solutions to brands led me to Adjust, where I adapted my prior knowledge to help brands with measurement, analytics, and informed decision-making. Helping people solve their challenges in my work drives me, and I look forward to continuing my journey in the future.

What would you tell your younger self about navigating a career in tech?

Embrace change, network, stay curious, take risks, be resilient, find balance, seek feedback, be patient, stay humble, and enjoy the journey of navigating a career in tech.

What was an experience where mentorship or support from other women made a significant impact on your career?

I've always sought advice from individuals with diverse experiences and adapted their insights to my career. Some advice has significantly changed my perspective, but the most impactful has been about "relationships." I prioritize maintaining good relationships with people in the industry. Always helping people and making sure to return a favor could lead to their support in the future.

In my current role, I've learned to be humble by observing my mentor and the management team at Adjust. Listening to other people's ideas can lead to innovative solutions and new ways to achieve goals.

What strategies do you use to advocate for yourself and others in professional settings?

I use effective communication, highlighting achievements, building relationships, seeking feedback, promoting diversity and inclusion, mentoring, and staying informed about industry trends.

What are some key factors in building a successful career in technology for women just starting out?

Women should prioritize education and skills development, networking for mentorship and collaboration, confidence in their abilities, adaptability to new technologies, continuous learning, and seeking mentorship and support from experienced professionals.

How do you think men in the tech industry can be allies to women and contribute to gender equality?

By actively supporting and promoting women's voices and contributions, advocating for equal opportunities and fair treatment, and fostering an inclusive and respectful work environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

How do you see the landscape of women in tech evolving over the next decade?

Greater representation, inclusivity, and empowerment, with increased opportunities for women to thrive, lead, and shape the future of the industry.

Women tend to be socialized to be less aggressive and more worried about offending someone, and this held me back in my early career. My mentor made this observation when I was struggling with having constructive performance talks with my directs, and it was a lightbulb moment for me. A few years after my mentor gave me that advice, Kim Scott wrote Radical Candor-I’d recommend it to anyone who struggles with this.

The tech industry is constantly evolving, and new tools, techniques, and trends emerge regularly. By staying curious and open-minded, I've been able to adapt to changes, learn new skills, and stay ahead of the curve. This has allowed me to provide valuable insights and solutions to my clients and has helped me grow both personally and professionally.