TECHx Review - IWD 2026 Edition - Arabic & English

H.E.

Sarah bint

Yousef Al Amiri

A Woman Who Led UAE

Mars Mission

A young girl once saw an image of the Andromeda Galaxy and imagined possibilities beyond Earth. Years later, that curiosity guided H.E. Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri as she led the Emirates Mars Mission, turning a dream into reality.

The Hope Probe launched to study Mars and expand scientific knowledge, focusing on understanding the planet’s atmosphere. Her leadership emphasized collaboration and the belief that science transcends borders and challenges.

The mission became a milestone for the UAE and a step toward deeper exploration and discovery.

Huda Al Matroushi

UAE’s First Female Mechanic, The Woman

The President Asked to Fix His Car

Grease stained hands and bold ambition define Huda Al Matroushi’s journey into a field few women had entered before her. Guided by passion and persistence, she stepped into the automotive world and began challenging long held stereotypes.

Recognised as the UAE’s first female car mechanic, she fulfilled her dream of opening her own garage in Sharjah, turning curiosity into career. Her story soon drew national attention, including a warm and light hearted phone call from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who jokingly said he might ask her to fix his car.

SUAAD AL SUWAIDI

The Wild Side of Tech:

I have always believed growth happens when you try things you never imagined yourself doing. My journey started with wildlife photography, something that at first felt far away from technology. But the more I immersed myself in it, the more I realized the mindset behind both worlds is surprisingly similar. You need curiosity. You need grit. You need to keep experimenting, especially when things do not go as planned.

I did not grow up thinking I would become a photographer. It began as something simple, a way to explore and capture moments that spoke to me. Over time it became something bigger, a way to tell stories and connect with people. Every photo felt like a quiet message about patience, timing, and perspective. That experience taught me something important, creativity and technology are not opposites. They work side by side. They stretch boundaries. They open doors to new possibilities.

A Message from Suaad Al Suwaidi

Suaad Al Suwaidi

First Emirati & Arab Female Wildlife Photographer in the World Mentor & Advocate for the TECHx Women in Tech Vertical

SUAAD AL SUWAIDI

Tools Turn Vision into Reality

If you think about the tools I use, they are all technology. Cameras, lenses, editing platforms. Without them, I could not document wildlife or share stories the way I do. With them, I can translate vision into something real. Technology works the same way across industries. It gives us tools to solve problems, build connections, and create solutions that truly matter.

Women in technology are doing exactly that. You are building platforms that simplify life. Designing systems that expand access to education. Creating tools that connect communities. Tech is not just screens and code. It is about people. It is about solving real challenges and unlocking potential. When women bring their ideas and perspectives into this space, innovation becomes deeper and more human. Different viewpoints spark better ideas, and better ideas move us forward.

Patience Is Part of Progress

Wildlife photography has taught me patience. When I am waiting in the field for the right moment, I cannot rush the process. Nature moves on its own rhythm. The perfect shot comes when observation and timing align. Innovation works the same way. Strong ideas do not appear fully formed. They grow. They evolve. They require testing, refining, and sometimes starting over. That is not failure, that is progress in motion.

Rewrite the Rules

Nature is unpredictable. Weather shifts. Plans fall apart. Sometimes I return without the image I hoped for. I used to see that as defeat. Now I see it as part of the journey. Every challenge sharpens your skills. Every setback teaches you something new.

Technology follows the same pattern.

Projects may stall. Code may break. Ideas may need reworking. That does not mean stop. It means adjust and continue. Women in tech embody this mindset every day. You step into rooms where representation was once limited. You challenge expectations. You build solutions that shape industries. Your presence shifts narratives and expands possibilities.

Connection Creates Impact

Technology connects us in extraordinary

ways. Ideas travel across borders in seconds. Knowledge is shared instantly. Communities form around shared goals. That connectivity reminds me of photography. A single image can communicate emotion without words. Technology does something similar on a broader scale. It amplifies voices and builds bridges.

Let me be honest, innovation is exciting, but it is not always smooth. There will be

days when progress feels slow. That is normal. Growth lives in those moments. Stay curious. Keep experimenting. Progress is rarely a straight line.

Women Are Building What Is Next

Women bring powerful strengths into technology. Creativity. Analytical thinking. Empathy. Adaptability. These qualities shape solutions that reflect real human needs. Tech is not only about efficiency, it is about impact. It is about designing systems that improve lives.

I always encourage people to chase curiosity. If you are in tech, explore ideas that excite you. If something does not work, try again. Skills develop over time. Confidence grows with experience. Growth is built step by step.

Photography taught me that success is not about perfection. It is about persistence. Challenges strengthen resilience. They push us to think differently. Innovation thrives on that same energy.

The Future Belongs to the Curious

None of us move forward alone. We learn from one another. We share ideas. We support each other’s growth. When women uplift women, momentum builds. Opportunities expand.

So here is my message. Keep going. Stay bold. Experiment freely. Do not fear mistakes, they are part of the process. Your ideas matter. Your voice matters. The world needs fresh thinking and diverse perspectives.

When I look at the connection between wildlife photography and technology, I see one common thread, curiosity drives everything. It pushes us to explore. It inspires us to build something meaningful.

The future is wide open. Innovation has no limits when diverse minds collaborate. Women are shaping what comes next. Let us keep building. Let us keep learning. Let us keep pushing forward. The possibilities are endless, and they are waiting for you.

Women in TECHx

I Am Every Woman; It's All in Me.

At home, my actual "boss" is a three-year-old. My little "super girl" already has a very clear (and very loud) vision of how her world should look, usually involving more sweets and fewer bedtime rules. Watching her march through her day with that kind of unfiltered confidence makes me think deeply about the future we’re building for her.

Honestly, that’s why putting together this second annual International Women’s Day edition of TECHx Review is the absolute peak of my year. I often wonder about the stories I’m gathering here for her to read one day, and the blueprint these incredible women are leaving behind. I want her to see her own spark in the women featured here and know that her voice has a place.

That fierce spirit is exactly what the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg meant when she said, "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made." In every story I’ve touched this year, I see that same refusal to step back and a relentless curiosity to keep asking "why?"

But let’s be real, this isn't some gender war or a competition against men. Working in this region has shown me that empowerment is really about the rewarding work of just coexisting. It’s about a shared space where being "human" is the only prerequisite, where every person is respected and every single opinion actually carries weight. We aren't here to be rivals; we’re here to uplift and support each other side-by-side. At TECHx Media, this initiative is our way of doing our part to make sure that when the next generation of "super girls" grows up, they don't have to fight for a seat, the table is already set for them.

Rabab Zehra

Executive Editor

Working for TECHx as a woman has taught me that our voices matter in shaping the future of technology. From being camera-shy to becoming a pro, TECHx has given me the opportunity and the confidence I didn’t know I had in me. On International Women’s Day, I’m proud to continue growing, learning, and breaking stereotypes.

Daisy Shah

Business Development Manager

Every woman’s journey is a blend of courage, responsibility, and dreams waiting to unfold. Through challenges, we discover strength we never knew we had. Stay true to your voice, embrace your individuality, and honour your dreams because the moment a woman truly believes in herself, her journey becomes a source of inspiration for many.

Pooja G

Client Growth Architect

Women in TECHx

Being a woman means embracing strength, resilience, and purpose. As a new mother and a working professional, I’ve learned that women are capable of balancing dreams and responsibilities with confidence. With determination and support, we continue to rise, inspire change, and

Lubna Hameed

Accounts & Admin Officer

To the dreamers and the doers: your perspective is your superpower. Today, we honor the resilience that got us here and the ambition that will take us further. May we always find the confidence to speak up, the listen, and the bravery to lead with authenticity. HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!

Aleema Zoomi

Animations & Graphics Expert

Marjane Satrapi once said, “Freedom always has a price.” This Women’s Day, maybe it’s letting go of the illusion that life needs fixing. Let’s find peace mid-mess, joy in the absurd, and let’s not lose this moment searching for another.

Women excel at juggling everything life throws their way. When you question whether you can manage work, home, and family, remember this: your strength is real. Step forward, and suddenly, what seemed like chaos begins to make perfect sense.

Content Operations Specialist

BUILT TO LAST

Why a Strong Personal Foundation is May Li’s Secret to Surviving a

Shifting Industry

May Li was born in Dalian, a coastal city in northeast China. Although her heritage is not Chinese, she grew up entirely within Chinese culture. In many ways, she considers herself Chinese.

Her mother made a defining decision early on, insisting she attend a mainstream school rather than the minority school designed for families of her background. She believed a standard Chinese education would open broader opportunities and shape a stronger future.

School life itself was typical, yet May Li was never the model student. The outdoors called to her more than the classroom. She spent her childhood running through cornfields, chasing rabbits along dusty roads, and catching dragonflies in the summer heat. Those formative years were defined less by textbooks and more by motion, freedom, and the boundless energy of open fields.

MAY LI

A City on the Rise

During the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, Dalian stood among China’s most promising coastal cities. As a designated hub for foreign investment and a major port along the eastern maritime route, it was widely expected to rise among the country’s leading development cities. Many believed it was on track to become a northern counterpart to the rapidly emerging Shenzhen, with the potential to join China’s first tier of cities.

Long before the sweeping wave of economic reform, Dalian had already carved out a strong industrial identity. Known for shipbuilding, heavy machinery, and petrochemicals, it had functioned as a planned industrial hub since the mid 20th century. Employment was steady, for both men and women. The government’s emphasis on gender equality, reflected in Mao Zedong’s famous phrase “women hold up half the sky,” ensured women were widely represented across factories and technical roles.

When China opened its doors to global investment, Dalian became a magnet for Japanese and Korean manufacturers. Global names such as Toshiba, Panasonic, and Samsung established large production bases there. The city’s port advantages, skilled workforce, and proximity to Northeast Asia made it a strategic choice.

In recent decades, as traditional manufacturing gradually shifted to surrounding regions, Dalian repositioned itself as a growing hub for ICT and service industries. Software parks, outsourcing centers, and technology firms began to define its skyline, signaling a transition

from heavy industry to a more diversified, knowledge driven economy.

The First Glimpse

University took May Li to Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning Province. At the time, Shenyang was still deeply rooted in its heavy industry legacy, shaped by machinery manufacturing, metallurgy, and state owned factories.

Yet the early 1990s marked a quiet revolution. Personal computers began appearing in Chinese universities. For the first time, students like her were introduced to basic programming and simple coding exercises. It felt like peering through a small window into a future just beginning to unfold.

After graduation, she joined one of China’s major telecommunications companies, stepping directly into the country’s rapid digital transformation. Her early work centered on deploying digital switching systems, building the backbone of China’s expanding fixed line network at a time when telephones were becoming essential household items. The work was demanding and deeply technical, yet it carried a sense of purpose. She was helping lay the foundations of nationwide connectivity.

That experience opened an unexpected door. In 1998, she moved to the United Arab Emirates to join the rollout of early 2G mobile networks. The Middle East was accelerating its own digital leap, and being part of that transformation expanded her perspective far beyond China. For the first time, she witnessed the true global scale of the telecom industry, and saw how technology could reshape entire societies.

A Path That Chose Her

Looking back, May Li reflects that she never consciously chose the tech industry. In many ways, she was carried into it by

circumstance. With a university major in telecommunications, joining a technology company felt natural, almost inevitable. At the time, it did not seem like a deliberate career decision, simply the path ahead.

Only years later did she recognize the weight of that choice, and how profoundly it shaped both her professional direction and her worldview.

Lessons from a Relentless Industry

She often notes the irony that she never actively chose tech, yet it became the arena that demanded the most from her. With the boldness of youth, she stepped in without fully grasping the challenges ahead.

“SCHOOL LIFE ITSELF WAS TYPICAL, YET MAY LI WAS NEVER THE MODEL STUDENT. THE OUTDOORS CALLED TO HER MORE THAN THE CLASSROOM.”

Today, she understands how demanding the field truly is. Surviving in technology requires relentless continuous learning. The pace of change accelerates every year. Knowledge that feels current one month can seem outdated the next. Curiosity is essential, yet sustaining it over decades is far from easy.

As she reflects on her journey, she credits her parents as the foundation beneath her resilience. Their belief in education, their insistence on perseverance, and their quiet confidence in her abilities became her anchor. In an industry defined by constant motion, that grounding made the difference.

With hindsight, she believes building a strong foundation is key to long term growth. Technologies evolve, trends shift, tools come and go. A solid grounding, paired with the values instilled by her parents, remains constant.

Helping Businesses Go Digital

Today, May Li serves as Solution Marketing VP at Huawei Middle East and Central Asia. Over the years, she has established herself as a trusted technology strategy advisor, helping clients navigate their ICT and intelligent transformation journeys.

Her role sits at the intersection of innovation and execution, translating complex technologies into strategies that drive measurable change.

The Courage to Continue

She leaves readers with a quote from Winston Churchill, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.”

For May Li, this is more than a line from history. It is a lived philosophy. Persistence, not perfection, is what ultimately shapes a person’s path.

Zaki

Head of Communications, MEA

The Strategist's Story

Growing up in Cairo, Rasha Zaki often says that her home was her very first classroom. Education, in her household, was never confined to textbooks or report cards. It was rooted in grit, integrity, and an unrelenting drive to rise above the status quo. Her parents did not simply value academic achievement; they valued the character that accompanied it.

"FAILURE IS NOT THE OPPOSITE OF SUCCESS, IT IS PART OF IT."

At the heart of this foundation stood her mother, a woman Rasha describes as her greatest inspiration. A powerhouse in every sense of the word, she modeled resilience long before it became a corporate buzzword. She encouraged Rasha to read everything she could get her hands on and to learn new languages, opening up worlds far beyond Cairo’s bustling streets. As a child, Rasha gravitated toward storytelling competitions at school, instinctively drawn to the magic of words. It was there, she now reflects, that her journey truly began. She realized early on that words possess a quiet but transformative power, the ability to connect people and change minds.

RASHA ZAKI Cisco

Where It All Began

Cairo itself, she acknowledges, shaped her in profound ways. A city with an immense heart and its own set of unique hurdles, it provided both inspiration and challenge. Watching her mother navigate her career, often as the only woman in the room, left an indelible mark. Through her mother’s example, Rasha learned that resilience is not optional; it is essential.

Today, when she looks at Egypt and beyond, she sees a different landscape unfolding for women. Friends of hers now lead major banks and tech startups in Egypt and overseas. Many occupy executive roles in large corporations. A new generation of Egyptian women is not just participating, they are breaking the glass ceiling.

The Tech Turning Point

Her own professional journey into technology was anything but linear. Armed with a degree in Mass Communications from Cairo University and postgraduate studies at Maastricht University, she stepped into the workforce ready to learn. But it was during her first job, launching broadband campaigns in Egypt, that she witnessed technology’s real potential. For the first time, she saw how something as simple as an internet connection could transform an entire community.

That moment changed her trajectory. Technology, she realized, was not about hardware or code. It was about impact. It was about doors opening for people who had previously stood outside.

Stories Behind the Systems

Her early days in the tech industry were, as she describes them, a whirlwind. Her first significant role at Alcatel, now Nokia Networks, immersed her in a fast-paced world where innovation moved at electric speed. She found herself translating complex concepts like fiber-optic technology and 3G connections into stories that resonated with the public.

Later, at IBM and then Cisco, she worked on advanced technologies including Cloud Compute and AI, while engaging on global stages such as GITEX, MWC, and LEAP. Along the way, mentors played a pivotal role, not only teaching her the mechanics of business but showing her how to lead with empathy and navigate crises without losing composure.

Finding Her Voice

Like many women in leadership, Rasha has faced her share of hurdles. She has often been the youngest person at the table, and more often than not, the only woman. The experience could have been intimidating. Instead, it taught her to trust her voice.

One defining chapter came during a massive merger at a leading financial institute, where she was tasked with aligning teams across different countries and cultures; it was a masterclass in patience and creativity. Then came COVID-19, which forced her and her teams to rewrite the rulebook on communication almost overnight.

Through it all, she embraced a powerful realization: failure is not the opposite of success, it is part of it. Every rejection and every tough day became a steppingstone, shaping her into a more adaptable leader.

Leading Communications Across MEA

Today, as Head of Communications for Cisco across the Middle East and Africa, Rasha operates in an environment that rarely slows down. The pace, she admits, often feels like a hundred miles an hour.

The past few years have marked a particular highlight as Cisco has accelerated its contribution and impact in the world of AI. She speaks with pride about helping tell the story of AI infrastructure projects in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Technology, in this context, is no longer abstract. It comes to life through partnerships with leaders such as G42 in the UAE and HUMAIN in KSA.

For Rasha, the most satisfying moments are not the headlines or the accolades, but witnessing these collaborations materialize on the ground, tangible proof that they are helping build the region’s future. It is this sense of purpose that makes the long days worthwhile.

A Message to Women: Own Your Seat

As International Women’s Day approaches, her message to women is candid and deeply personal.

First: trust your own voice. She has spent countless hours in rooms where she was the only woman and has observed how men often enter with unwavering confidence, even when they do not have all the answers. Women, she believes, must begin to do the same. It is not arrogance; it is recognition. You are not “lucky” to be at the table, you earned your seat.

Second: give yourself permission to fail. The pressure to be perfect can be suffocating, but perfection, she insists, is a trap. She has learned far more from the projects that flopped or the moments she tripped up than she ever did from her successes. Her trophies may be polished and visible, but her mistakes were her greatest teachers. They taught her how to pivot, how to be resilient, and how to come back stronger. When things go wrong, don’t let it break your spirit; let it build your character.

Finally: do not wait until you feel “100% ready” to take a leap. If a new project scares you, or an international assignment feels a bit out of reach, say yes anyway. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, find mentors who will tell you the hard truths, and never stop investing in yourself.

Margaret Hamilton

A Woman Who Taught Rockets to Fly

When rockets aimed for the Moon, Margaret Hamilton aimed even higher. Born in 1936, she studied mathematics and went on to lead the development of the Apollo mission’s onboard flight software, helping astronauts reach the Moon and return safely. She also coined the term “software engineering,” leaving a legacy that transformed technology forever.

AMRITA NAG ASUS

SHE KNEW SHE WOULD GET THERE

The Journey of Amrita:

From Small-Town

Dreamer to Finding Her Voice

Since childhood, she has described herself as a dreamer. Growing up in a small town in eastern India, where opportunities were limited and life moved at a simple pace, she often felt there was something bigger waiting for her. Even as a young girl, she preferred doing things her own way, even if it made her stand out. Those quiet, everyday moments shaped her character in lasting ways.

She watched her parents extend a helping hand to those around them, learning early on what kindness truly looks like. Seeing both of them work hard and refuse to give up instilled in her a deep sense of resilience and respect for effort. Her early years taught her to seize every opportunity and to make the most of what she had. With modest schooling and no advanced tools or fancy facilities, her books became windows into unseen worlds. She still remembers her mother telling her that education was the first step toward freedom and achieving her dreams. That advice stayed with her and eventually pushed her to leave her hometown and pursue higher studies in a metro city in India.

Every small win and every struggle along the way reinforced patience, discipline, and a belief that she could build a life beyond the boundaries she was born into. She had always imagined exploring the world outside her hometown, and somewhere inside, she knew she would get there. Looking back, she remains grateful for her simple childhood, which kept her grounded, nurtured her curiosity, and prepared her to carve her own path.

“EVERY SMALL WIN AND EVERY STRUGGLE ALONG THE WAY REINFORCED PATIENCE, DISCIPLINE, AND A BELIEF.”

Country Marketing Head-ME & EA ASUS

AMRITA NAG ASUS

Watching Women, Learning Strength

Having grown up away from big cities also meant witnessing firsthand the limited opportunities available to women. She saw many girls marry at the age of 18 or 20 because it was considered the norm. She saw talented women remain in the background due to the lack of platforms to shine. At the same time, she also observed women who stepped outside their comfort zones and built lives of their own, which she found deeply inspiring.

The most powerful influence in her life was her mother, a working woman who was independent in her decisions and confident in her choices. Watching her showed Amrita that women can stand firmly on their own feet. She believes that sometimes the biggest lessons come from within one’s own home. Somewhere inside, she always imagined a different life for herself, one where she could be free, explore, and choose her own path without limitations.

Stepping Out, Standing Tall

A curious student by nature, Amrita believed education was the key to flying beyond the limits of her small town. Moving to Bangalore for higher education opened an entirely new world. She met people from diverse backgrounds, learned to live independently in hostels, and gradually discovered how to stand on her own. It felt, as she reflects, like stepping out of a nest and learning to fly, one small step at a time.

Her professional journey began immediately after completing her master’s degree, when she entered the corporate world. An openness to learning allowed her to explore different roles in sales and marketing. Each experience revealed something new about her own capabilities and interests. Over time, she discovered the kind of work that truly excites her, work that allows her to be creative, add value, and make a meaningful impact. Early in her career, she recognized the importance of understanding her own strengths and interests, and today she considers self-discovery one of the most important parts of any journey.

Finding Her Place in Tech

Her entry into the technology sector came early, through a Microsoft Partner organization, where she was introduced to the way technology shapes markets and influences customer behavior. Beginning in market research sharpened her understanding of the power of insights and sparked her curiosity about the ‘why’ behind technology adoption.

To strengthen her technical foundation, she later joined an SAP partner firm, gaining practical exposure to how large

“THE MOST POWERFUL INFLUENCE IN HER LIFE WAS HER MOTHER, A WORKING WOMAN WHO WAS INDEPENDENT IN HER DECISIONS.”

enterprises manage operations. She also explored the retail industry, where she learned agility and the critical importance of customer experience. Yet, despite the valuable lessons retail offered, technology always felt like home. Returning to the tech sector allowed her to combine creativity, problem solving, and meaningful impact. Her journey from tech to retail and back to tech ultimately gave her a well-rounded perspective, shaping her into a professional who is adaptable, curious, and confident in navigating new challenges.

Doubt, Courage, Growth

The road, however, has not always been smooth. Moving away from home, stepping into unfamiliar industries, and finding her footing in new environments brought their share of challenges. There were moments when imposter syndrome made her question whether she truly belonged.

When she stepped into her role at ASUS leading the Commercial Business division, she recalls wondering if she was ready to work within a global organization and meet its expectations. She confided her doubts to a mentor, who told her something that has stayed with her ever since, “You’ve done it before, and you’ll do it again. You’re more capable than you think.” That reassurance helped quiet her doubts and reminded her to acknowledge how far she had already come. It reinforced the importance of leaning on those who believe in you, especially on days when you struggle to believe in yourself. In hindsight, those moments of uncertainty taught her patience, self-trust, and the value of taking one step at a time. What once felt like detours now stands out as experiences that shaped her confidence and growth.

Changing the Perception

Today, Amrita heads the ASUS Business Commercial Division across the Middle East and East Africa. When she assumed the role, her primary focus was to gradually shift market perception from “ASUS equals gaming” to “ASUS equals trusted business solutions.” A key objective was to help customers recognize the company’s strong business and enterprise offerings.

Over the past year, she has worked closely with regional and headquarters teams to align all marketing efforts, including PR, media, events, partner activities, and communications. Rather than operating in silos, the teams moved forward with a unified and connected strategy. It remains an ongoing journey, yet the progress is tangible. Partner engagement has increased, customers are showing growing interest in commercial products, and the perception of ASUS is steadily evolving. While the destination has not yet been fully reached, the direction is clear, and she expresses pride in how far the team has come.

Her Message to Young Women

For young women charting their own paths, her message is simple and sincere, your path is your own. Do not compare your journey with someone else’s. Focus on growing, learning, and finding work that feels meaningful to you.

MEGHA TANEJA Redington

“HER ENTRY INTO TECHNOLOGY WAS NOT SOMETHING SHE HAD INITIALLY PLANNED, BUT WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY AROSE, SHE DIDN’T BLINK.”

Rooted and Becoming

How Community, Courage, and Quiet Leadership Shaped Megha Taneja’s Journey in Marketing and Technology

Leadership rarely begins in boardrooms, Megha Taneja reflected as she shared her journey with TECHx Media on International Women’s Day. “It begins much earlier, in ordinary homes, in the values we grow up with, and in the examples we observe long before we ever carry a title,” she added.

TANEJA

Origin Story

Every journey begins somewhere, and Megha’s began in a small town in India called Shahabad Markanda, a place where life moved at a slower rhythm, where mornings opened to wide skies and fields stretching into the distance, where conversations flowed easily between neighbors. She recalled her childhood, shaped not by the rush of cities, but by the warmth of community and the quiet values that come from growing up surrounded by family. Raised in a joint family, homes were rarely silent; decisions, celebrations, and challenges were shared collectively.

At the center of that world was her father. Megha smiled as she remembered him, describing his natural ability to bring people together. “Whether it was family, neighbors, or the wider community, he believed deeply in showing up for others and building relationships that lasted,” she said. She watched him lead not through authority, but through kindness, humility, and quiet strength. Whenever there was a collective purpose, organizing something for the community, supporting someone through difficulty, or bringing people together around a shared cause, people instinctively trusted him to step forward. Through him, she learned something very early in life: leadership is not built through power alone; it is built through trust, compassion, and the ability to bring people together.

She Can, If She Chooses To

Shahabad was also a place where women held obvious and traditional roles. Most women in the town were either teachers or homemakers, respected positions, yet limited in professional diversity. That is why Megha’s mother stood out. She was the first woman in their family to start her own business. Megha recalled watching her mother navigate the realities of running a business, working with vendors, banks, employees, and customers, while still holding together the threads of family life.

“What stayed with me most,” she said, “was that she was never trying to prove anything to the world. Her drive did not come from competing with anyone. She simply wanted to build something on her own terms.” Megha added that her mother carried herself with integrity, kindness, and groundedness, values that guided how she lived her life and shaped Megha’s own approach. Through her example, Megha learned that ambition and humility can exist side by side, and that success is not only about what you build, but also how you build it, and who you remain while doing so. That way of life quietly became a compass for her journey.

Discovering Where She Belonged

Megha’s parents valued education, and their siblings pursued careers in banking, mathematics, and medicine, so it seemed natural that she might follow a similar path. Yet, finding her own direction took exploration. She recalled experimenting with different interests, from science and computers to finance and human resources, and even considering fashion designing at one point. Each phase was simply part of figuring out where she felt most at home.

She eventually completed her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, and later pursued an MBA in Marketing. “Somewhere between those discoveries, I realized that what interested me most was how businesses connect with people, how ideas travel, how stories shape perception, and how communication brings everything together,” she said. That realization quietly led her to marketing, a field where strategy, creativity, and human understanding converge.

A Career Taking Shape

Megha’s career unfolded gradually across multiple sectors, hospitality, real estate, electronics retail and distribution, each offering a different lens into how markets operate, how go-tomarket strategies evolve, and how ecosystems shape. Across every industry, one constant remained: marketing.

She explained, “Marketing became the space where strategy and storytelling converge. It is where complex technologies are translated into ideas people can understand, trust, and adopt.” She smiled, noting that at its best, marketing does more than promote innovation; it builds belief around it, helping ideas move from creators to markets and eventually into everyday life.

Stepping Into the Technology Industry

Stepping into the technology industry felt, Megha recalled, “like a child testing the water before their first swimming lesson, curious, cautious, and unsure of what lay beneath.” Her entry into technology was not something she had initially planned, but when the opportunity arose, she didn’t blink. Working with Redington Middle East opened an entirely new dimension of learning.

“Technology is not only about products or platforms. It shapes how businesses operate, how economies evolve, and how societies adapt to change,” she explained. Working in technology marketing placed her at the intersection of innovation and storytelling, translating complex technologies into meaningful narratives that

help businesses and partners understand their value. It is a space that evolves rapidly and demands constant curiosity. Yet even in this fast-moving industry, Megha often returns to the lessons she learned growing up: the importance of relationships, the value of trust, and the power of bringing people together. “Because even in technology, progress is ultimately built by people,” she added.

Adapting to a Changing World

Like any journey, Megha’s path has come with its share of challenges. Professional environments can be demanding and competitive, and sometimes the pace of change feels relentless. Early in her career, she was often told that to be heard, she needed to be tougher, louder, or more aggressive. But that never came naturally.

“The way I was raised taught me something different,” she said. She had seen leadership rooted in patience, respect, and quiet confidence. Moving from India to Dubai in 2014 exposed her to a far larger and more global business environment. The scale, diversity, and speed of the market required her to rethink how partnerships are built and how organizations operate. Then came the COVID19 pandemic, which accelerated digital transformation across industries and forced businesses to rethink how they collaborate, communicate, and adapt. Along the way, mentors, colleagues, and family played an important role in guiding and challenging

her thinking, helping her grow through moments of uncertainty. Through these transitions, one lesson remained constant: “In a world often driven by speed and competition, human values remain powerful leadership tools,” she said.

Where She Stands Today

Today, Megha works at Redington, at the intersection of technology, partnerships, and storytelling. Her role centers on helping global technology brands connect with businesses and partners across the region, not merely through campaigns, but through initiatives that strengthen collaboration across a complex ecosystem.

“In an industry where innovation moves quickly, marketing plays a critical role in making complex technologies understandable, relevant, and ultimately adoptable,” she explained. Much of her work focuses on translating emerging technologies into narratives, platforms, and programs that partners and customers can genuinely engage with. Over the years, she has contributed to initiatives that bring vendors, partners, and internal teams together around shared goals, expanding the visibility of new technologies while strengthening the relationships that help them scale across markets.

“In many ways, I see marketing as a form of community building at scale,” she said. “Its role is not simply to communicate ideas, but to bring people, partners, and perspectives together around a shared vision.” Perhaps that perspective began long before her career, in the communities she watched her father build, and in the values her parents quietly lived by.

What We Carry Forward

“WATCHING MY MOTHER RUN A BUSINESS QUIETLY RESHAPED WHAT I BELIEVED WOMEN COULD DO.”

Reflecting on her journey, Megha realized that the lessons she learned growing up continue to shape how she approaches her work and leadership. She watched her father build communities through trust and compassion, and her mother build her path with integrity and determination. Their examples taught her that meaningful progress is rarely built through force, it is built through relationships, patience, and respect for people.

Now, as she raises her daughter, Megha often thinks about the values we pass forward. “Just as I learned from watching my parents, I hope she sees through my journey that ambition and integrity can exist side by side, and that success never has to come at the cost of who we are,” she said, smiling. “Because becoming is not only about who we grow into. It is about the values we carry with us, and the ones we leave behind for those who follow.”

Purchase and Sales Director

SANJA HORYLOVA

ASBIS

Logic. Leadership. Legacy.

For Sanja Horylova, a simple yet powerful philosophy has guided both her personal and professional journey: “Make the place better than you found it.” The principle has shaped her outlook on leadership, growth, and responsibility throughout the years.

From Belgrade Winters

Her story begins in Belgrade, where vivid childhood memories still stand out, snow-covered Januaries giving way to blossoming Aprils. Those early years were filled with sports, family gatherings, and a constant pursuit of learning, whether in school or through various camps. Growing up across the former Yugoslavia, she spent her time skiing in winter and swimming in summer, experiences that nurtured a spirit of independence, curiosity, and innovation from an early age.

A Mind Drawn to Patterns and Possibilities

Academically, mathematics, history, and information technology formed the core of her interests, eventually leading her to pursue a master’s degree in software engineering. Yet her curiosity extended beyond studying subjects in isolation. She became fascinated by the patterns

that connect them, seeing parallels between human decision-making and the logic of data.

During this time, she also began teaching mathematics, an experience that sharpened her ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively. In many ways, it laid an early foundation for the leadership skills she would develop later in her career.

When Technology Met Organizational Curiosity

At the same time, her involvement in real-world projects focused on process automation opened her eyes to the intricate ways systems interact. This exposure sparked a deeper interest in understanding how organizations function, how processes evolve, and how different components within a business connect with one another.

SANJA HORYLOVA ASBIS

Disrupting the Norm

In the early stages of her career, opportunities for women to grow into significant roles within technology companies were limited. Nevertheless, Horylova embraced every opportunity that came her way, from teaching mathematics and building databases to taking on commercial responsibilities in IT companies.

Over time, her focus shifted beyond the technical side of work. She became increasingly intrigued by organizational dynamics and the mechanisms that drive teams and companies forward.

The Questions That Shaped Her Leadership

Questions began to shape her professional thinking. How can different teams be aligned effectively? What form of leadership creates the best outcomes in varying circumstances? At what point does company culture influence success, efficiency, and proactivity? And how can the comfort and effectiveness of a workplace be measured through numbers, KPIs, and tangible results?

Expanding Horizons Beyond Borders

It soon became clear to her that managing both numbers and people required a broader skill set. Determined to expand her perspective, she chose to travel, work, and live abroad, experiences that helped her understand different cultures, professional environments, and leadership styles.

Difficult Conversations

Leading teams and navigating global challenges further strengthened her approach to leadership. One of the most important lessons she learned was that avoiding difficult conversations rarely solves problems; it only postpones them. She realized that standing up for her teams, her peers, her leadership, and herself was not only necessary but vital.

Confidence, she discovered, came from trusting herself to manage whatever followed, even when conversations were uncomfortable.

Leadership Is Not About Having All the Answers

Over time, she learned that clarity often emerges by confronting uncertainty directly. Leadership, in her view, requires the ability to tolerate unpredictability while maintaining sharp focus and

discipline. It is not about having all the answers, but about continuously adapting, making informed decisions, and ensuring that progress never stops.

Beyond Titles

In her current role, Horylova does not view her position simply as a place within a corporate hierarchy. Instead, she sees it as a responsibility, to empower, to create impact, and to serve.

The growing numbers and achievements her teams deliver reflect more than business success; they demonstrate how prepared each team member is to face new challenges. For her, the true measure of leadership lies in the confidence people gain to step forward. Trusting them and providing support remains at the center of her approach.

Behind every number, she believes, lies teamwork, cooperation, and trust.

The Power of the Present Moment

Today, in a world defined by constant information flow and rapidly shifting priorities, Horylova has come to appreciate the significance of small moments. Whether writing an article, reading a book, working with colleagues, or spending time with family, she sees each moment as an opportunity, to learn, to act, and to give something forward.

For her, the path toward building a better future is not defined by grand gestures alone but by embracing every present moment. It is in those moments, she believes, that meaningful change begins and where the commitment to “make the place better than you found it” truly comes to life.

“BEHIND EVERY NUMBER IS TEAMWORK, TRUST, AND COOPERATION, TRUE LEADERSHIP IS ENABLING PEOPLE TO STEP FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE.”

Hedy Lamarr

(1914–2000)

The Woman who Invented WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS

Born in Austria, star on the screen, A Hollywood beauty, the world had seen. Glamour and lights, the crowd adored, But her mind wandered where few explored.

In wartime shadows, she schemed at night, Inventing a system to keep signals tight. Frequency hopping, unseen, unheard, A silent genius behind every word.

Ignored at first, yet her spark remained, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS gained. A mind unbound, a legacy true, Hedy Lamarr showed what brilliance can do.

SHADI SHIDVASH INTEL

Going with the Flow & Believing in Miracles

Shadi Shidvash’s Roadmap from Immigrant Student to Intel Director

On International Women’s Day, TECHx Media spoke with Shadi Shidvash, EMEA Distribution Sales Director at Intel Corporation, about her journey from Iran to a global tech career. She recalled being born in Iran in a somewhat liberal but cultural family, with parents who aspired to provide more opportunities to their children than those offered back home. She told us that she and her family immigrated to Canada when she was nine years old, and she remembered hating her parents for taking her away from her friends and cousins. School was challenging when the only English words she knew were “hi” and “bye,” and home life was tougher as her family scrambled to make a comfortable living as immigrants in a new continent.

Her tears dried fairly quickly, she recalled, as she faced tremendous opportunities in sports, education, and social interactions. Fast forward to her Middle School graduation, TECHx Media learned that her immigrant parents were in the audience, understanding 50% of the day’s program, her father with a book

in his hand to pass time. The last award was presented by the principal. She smiled as she told us that unlike normal years, when the award was given to the top student academically, this year it went to a well-rounded student, considering clubs, teams, and charitable and social work done at school. To her, and her not “paying attention” parents’, surprise, that student was her.

She recalled the adrenaline as she walked up the stage as a 14-year-old to receive that award. Unfortunately, there was no tape, as her parents stopped recording after she received her middle school certificate, ruling out any possibility of capturing her walking on stage again. “It wasn’t the Grammys nor the Nobel Peace Prize, but to 14-year-old immigrant Shadi, it was way more,” she said. She told TECHx Media that it felt like the universe telling her, “you don’t have to be perfect to make it, you just have to be curious enough to try.”

Shortly after, the family moved to Dubai, closer to home, not

SHADI SHIDVASH INTEL

knowing it would become her home for a long time to come. Furious at her parents, she got her father to sign a paper promising she would be allowed to return to Canada when she turned 18. She recalled that little did she know, Dubai was going to become her home for the next 20 years and counting.

The early days were tough, she told us. Her name was considered a boy’s name in Arabic, which meant her uniforms and books kept getting sent to the boy’s section at school. Teachers would casually switch to Arabic during class, leaving her completely alienated. She smiled as she remembered that it wasn’t until she made good friends and picked up the language that she started to like the place.

First Spark of Sales

Shadi told TECHx Media that it was 2005 when the Young Entrepreneur Competition (YEC) was launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum Foundation. School and university students had the opportunity to set up their own business and sell anything in a booth provided in a mall. At Al Reef Mall, her father, a businessman and trader himself, helped her make an account on Alibaba, a platform not so popular 20 years ago, and start contacting suppliers for IT accessories.

With three classmates, she invested around 2,500 AED to buy USBs, wireless mice, speakers, and other products. She smiled recalling that it was a great success, and each of them nearly tripled their investments. They continued this for several years, even as they entered university, and ended up making a lot of money on some of their products.

She told us that this experience sparked her passion for sales, the concept of creating a value proposition for a product that resonates with your customer and doing that well enough to justify a margin on top. Majoring in Business Marketing at the American University in Dubai, she recalled that at the start of her third year, she received an email from career affairs titled, “Do you want to work for one of the biggest tech companies?”

She admitted she didn’t know much about tech then, other than the USBs and wireless mice she had sold back in YEC’s first round. “I remember asking my dad whether he knows this company called Intel,” she told TECHx Media. “Of course, check our PC, there must be a sticker,” he replied. She ran to her room and indeed saw a blue Intel Inside sticker she hadn’t noticed before. Her parents advised her to apply, and before she knew it, she was part of Intel’s first batch of interns in the Dubai sales office.

She told us that it wasn’t easy managing her evening classes while going to a full-time internship from 9am to 6pm, but she loved every minute of it. She couldn’t recall working on major projects or being an integral part of Intel’s success at the time, but she remembered the great people she shadowed, the events she attended, and the tremendous knowledge she gained about the tech industry.

She smiled as she recalled a specific evening in the office where she had to kill time before her 8pm class. The GM at the time asked her for help with his speech for a school the next day. She asked if she could attend the event with him and told TECHx Media that it was amazing to see the sparkles in the children’s eyes as they listened to his inspiring stories. He became her mentor at Intel and the one who told her about a permanent position available after graduation, which led to her 14-year career at Intel.

The Intel Episode

Shadi reflected, “When you stop resisting life, life starts working for you,” quoting Michael A. Singer’s The Surrender Experiment. She told TECHx Media that looking back at all those times she was furious at her parents for moves across the globe and choices of schools and places to live, she realized it was only when she surrendered to those changes that she got to see miracles.

She smiled as she recalled that looking at the many small and big events that led to her working for one of the biggest semiconductor companies in the world, it was clear that going with the flow had gotten her there. She told TECHx Media she could split her life into “before Intel” and “after Intel,” and it seemed as though her early life had prepared her for what she would experience in the company.

Early on, she realized that working for a multinational corporation meant dealing with people from all around the world with different cultures, languages, and styles of work. She started by managing one of Intel’s OEM customers, Hewlett-Packard, at the time, for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa. She faced many hurdles, as the job required a lot of experience and knowledge she didn’t fully have at the time.

Eight months into the job, she wanted to quit, she admitted. Mentors within the company and her brother, who has been a life mentor for her since birth, convinced her otherwise. She told us that there were many incidents where she lost trust in her capabilities and questioned whether she had made the right career decisions.

It wasn’t until she was part of a new team managing HP Inc. that she was blessed with a manager who played a critical role in her life at Intel. She recalled her first appraisal meeting with him. He looked at her and said, “Shadi, you are so capable, and the only person who doesn’t believe it is yourself.” His words helped her gain back the confidence and belief she needed to be receptive to major changes to come.

She smiled as she told TECHx Media that she got pulled into various roles at Intel without ever really seeking them, it just seemed to happen. She was receptive to change and wanted to learn something new, caring little about titles or raises. These roles allowed her to travel the world. What had once been a burden as a child became a big opportunity as an adult. Meeting so many different people, building lifelong friendships, and finding valuable mentors showed her that none of her early experiences as a child were coincidences.

She told us that many people say a big corporation isn’t a person and you should never get too attached. Intel surely wasn’t a person, but it was made up of many people. Different people with different backgrounds were united under a strong culture the company infused in them, and even if people moved on, there was Intel blood connecting them together. She became passionate about Intel’s people and her customers’ people. One of Intel’s values is “Customer First,” which became her everyday mantra, as she wanted to please her customers and create value in return for her company.

Up until the end of 2024, all her roles at Intel were individual contributor roles. Although her coverage of accounts and customers was substantial, she had never managed a team. She told TECHx Media that she was then given the opportunity to lead the distribution business in Europe, Middle East, and Africa, managing a team across the region.

Life was putting her to another test, she said. She had learned the art of making relationships and serving customers from all over the world, but now she had to lead a diverse team with people in multiple locations, trust them, and enable them to deliver business results. She admitted that it wasn’t a responsibility she took lightly,

and she can count numerous sleepless nights as she prepped and ramped into the role. Her previous boss told her, “I know you don’t like to make mistakes, Shadi, but as a manager you’re going to make many,” and he couldn’t have been more accurate.

She smiled as she told TECHx Media that today, she can’t say she has mastered managing people nor succeeded in being the best manager, but she is trying and improving each day with the support of great leaders and a mentor who has been with her throughout the journey.

Angels in Disguise & Believing in Miracles

Shadi told TECHx Media that looking at every positive encounter or growth in her life, she owes it to someone. There is not a single achievement she can proudly stand and say she did on her own.

The values she possesses regarding her family and the social wellbeing of her community and culture came from her late grandmother and mother, who devoted their lives to serving their families. The love for knowledge and growth came from her father, who always taught her that money is not the objective, maximizing potential and exploiting talents should be an everyday duty.

She told TECHx Media that the power of a woman she learned from her brother, who stood like a rock behind her and always pushed her forward, saying, “I got you.” The power in business and on stage came from her great bosses and mentors who believed in her, coached her, and guided her. The power of a mother and wife came from her husband, who holds the fort in her absence and champions her every day. Not to mention her helper/nanny, who helps her thrive in the workplace with a little less mom-guilt, as she manages the home and children as if they were her own. She smiled and said that there are many more angels in her life, enough to write a book.

“WITH THREE

CLASSMATES, SHE INVESTED AROUND 2,500 AED TO BUY USBS, WIRELESS MICE, SPEAKERS, AND OTHER PRODUCTS.”

She believes that life deals a hand that sets you up for what is to come, but it is important not to latch on to shortcomings of your hand and to focus on the path forward. Once you are open to improvement and learning, life will deal you better hands as you progress.

“I learned that life knows what it’s doing,” she recalled, quoting Michael A. Singer. Looking back at all the little events that led to today, she told TECHx Media she can’t make mathematical sense of it or say what the formula has been. She never had a shortterm or long-term career plan, but she was always open to new opportunities, curious to try uncomfortable things, and appreciated the friends and mentors she built relationships with.

Today, as she juggles being a mother, wife, manager, colleague, sister, daughter, and more, she reminded TECHx Media that just like 14-year-old Shadi, she doesn’t need perfection in any of those roles. It is enough to wake up every day with the intention to be curious to learn, be compassionate, forgiving, and confident in what she can deliver. She smiled and said that surrendering to the flow of life opens doors to the most beautiful miracles.

GBM, MENAT CIO HSBC

“EDUCATION CREATES CHOICE, AND CHOICE CREATES THE FREEDOM TO SHAPE YOUR FUTURE.”

1,000 Students. 7 Schools. 1 Vision

Linoy Kidd’s #Infusion100: Turning personal conviction into a global movement for freedom

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, TECHx Media had the opportunity to speak with Linoy Kidd, GBM MENAT CIO at HSBC. Some stories begin with a clear destination. Others begin with movement, curiosity, and a quiet refusal to accept limits. Kidd’s journey belongs firmly in the second category. Long before titles, boardrooms, and global leadership roles, her life was already being shaped by change, by a multicultural upbringing, and by the simple yet powerful belief that opportunity should never be defined by circumstance.

LINOY KIDD

A Childhood Written in Suitcases

Some childhoods unfold in a single neighborhood. Kidd’s unfolded across countries, cultures, and shifting landscapes. Born in Scotland to a British father and a Kurdish mother, her early life was marked by frequent movement. The family relocated first to Northampton, then Manchester, later to the Middle East, and eventually back again to Manchester.

Those moves meant constant adjustment, new schools, new communities, and new ways of understanding the world. Looking back, Kidd recalled that growing up across different places taught her something invaluable long before she entered the workforce.

It taught her adaptability, resilience, and the importance of understanding perspectives different from her own. Living across cultures did more than broaden her worldview, it quietly prepared her to navigate complex global environments later in life.

Life at home also played its role in shaping her mindset. Kidd grew up with a brother two years older than her, and like many siblings, the two shared a competitive dynamic. That competition became a powerful influence. From a young age, she believed something simple yet deeply motivating, if her brother could do something, she could do it as well. That belief, she recalled, became a quiet foundation for how she approached education, work, and

The Invisible Compass

Every journey has a compass. For Kidd, that compass was formed by a set of values she absorbed early in life. These values continue to guide her both personally and professionally, shaping the way she approaches leadership, relationships, and decision making.

She described those principles in simple terms. Be kind to everyone. Help as many people as possible. Make an impact where you can. Fulfil your true potential. Be your authentic self. And always remain proud of where you come from.

Her formative years also coincided with a time when global humanitarian efforts captured the world’s attention. Campaigns such as the Band Aid charity campaign became widely visible during the 1980s, helping raise awareness about global inequality and humanitarian crises. Reflecting on that era, Kidd explained that these events influenced how she thought about responsibility and collective action. They reinforced her belief that even small contributions can create meaningful change.

She also found inspiration in leaders who focused on equality and service, particularly Martin Luther King Jr.. His message, especially the idea that greatness is measured by service to others, resonated deeply with her. Over time, it shaped her perspective that leadership is not only about authority or achievement. It is about contribution.

The Question That Starts Every Morning

Some people begin their day with a schedule. Kidd begins hers with a question. What will I learn today?

Learning, she explained, has always been one of the most energizing forces in her life. Each morning she thinks about what new insight she might gain, who she might learn from, and who she might help teach in return. That mindset has remained a consistent driver throughout her career.

Her undergraduate degree in Information Technology provided the academic foundation for the work she would later do. Early in her career, she often found herself returning to her university notes and course materials while navigating real world technical challenges. Those moments served as a reminder that structured education creates practical tools that remain relevant long after graduation.

For Kidd, education is more than a credential. It is a gateway to opportunity. In many industries, access to leadership roles depends heavily on formal qualifications. In certain regions, these credentials are also mandatory. Without her degree, for example, she would not have been able to assume a CIO role in Dubai, where such qualifications are required.

One of her earliest professional experiences came during a summer internship at a European bank. That environment left a strong impression. The colleagues she worked with were generous with their knowledge and eager to support her development. Through that experience, Kidd realized something important. Banking was the industry where she wanted to build her career. leadership, especially during a time when girls were not always encouraged to pursue the same ambitions.

Another powerful influence came from her mother. She described her mother as a highly talented hairdresser who had never completed her high school diploma. Yet instead of allowing that to define her, her mother repeatedly returned to education throughout her life, determined to continue learning and developing herself. Watching that persistence left a lasting mark on Kidd. It reinforced a lesson that would stay with her for decades, learning is not a milestone you complete once. It is a lifelong pursuit.

LINOY KIDD HSBC

Although she later explored telecommunications to broaden her experience, she eventually returned to banking. The pace, complexity, and intellectual challenge of the sector drew her back. Financial institutions rely on intricate systems, algorithms, and mathematical models, and the work often involves solving problems that directly affect business outcomes. Kidd explained that she found that combination both demanding and deeply energizing.

Twenty Years, One Relentless Climb

Two decades ago, Kidd joined HSBC, beginning her career in the organization as a support analyst within foreign exchange options. At the time, she was focused on learning the mechanics of the industry and understanding the complex systems that underpin financial markets.

From that starting point, her career progressed steadily. She moved from analyst to team leader, later to manager, and eventually into Chief Information Officer roles, first in Mexico and later as CIO for the MENAT region. Each role expanded her responsibilities and exposed her to new operational challenges and leadership opportunities.

Somewhere along this journey, she discovered something unexpected about herself. Leadership, she realized, was not simply another professional step. It felt more like a calling. She genuinely enjoyed helping people grow, removing obstacles that slowed teams down, and creating environments where individuals could perform at their best.

Leadership, she emphasized, is a privilege. It allows you to help others unlock their potential while delivering results for the organization. For Kidd, that balance remains one of the most meaningful aspects of her role.

Choosing Tech Before It Was Obvious

In 1997, when Kidd began her degree, technology was still emerging as a transformative force. The industry was evolving rapidly, fueled by innovation and intense competition between major companies striving to shape the digital future.

Even at that early stage, she recognized the direction in which the world was moving. Technology would soon become central to how organizations operate, communicate, and scale their operations.

What drew her most strongly to the field was its ability to create tangible impact. Technology enables people to design practical

solutions, build systems capable of operating at massive scale, and solve complex challenges across industries. Within financial services, where operations are intricate and global, technology functions as the invisible infrastructure that keeps everything running.

That realization cemented her decision to pursue the field.

Learning to Lead Everywhere

Leadership becomes more complex when it crosses borders. Having lived and worked across several countries, Kidd understands that every region brings its own cultural expectations, communication styles, and ways of working.

Each move required her to listen carefully, remain open minded, and adapt quickly. At the same time, she stayed grounded in the values that shaped her upbringing.

These experiences strengthened her ability to lead diverse teams and build trust across cultural boundaries. They also reinforced an important leadership principle. Assuming that one leadership style works everywhere rarely leads to success. Effective leaders must understand context, respect differences, and approach new environments with humility.

When Education Becomes Personal

For Kidd, education is not just a professional advantage. It is deeply personal. One of the most influential figures in shaping this perspective was her grandmother, a Kurdish woman from Iraq who had never been taught to read or write.

As a child, Kidd often watched her grandmother ask grandchildren to help teach her basic literacy. Those moments left a powerful impression. They revealed something profound about education, it is not simply about academic achievement. It represents dignity, independence, and the freedom to shape one’s own future.

Because she had access to education, Kidd was able to build a global career and eventually secure her leadership role at HSBC. Years later, she experienced another powerful moment when her daughter graduated with a double major with distinction in STEM. Seeing the impact of education across generations strengthened her belief in expanding opportunities for others.

That belief ultimately led her to establish the #Infusion100 movement four years ago. Working alongside colleagues from HSBC, the initiative has built seven schools around the world, five in Africa, one in Haiti following the earthquake, and one in Nicaragua. These schools have already educated more than 1,000 students and continue to serve communities that previously had limited access to education.

At the center of the initiative lies a simple principle. Education creates choice, and choice creates freedom. Students are encouraged not only to learn but to develop confidence and define their own futures. Through Infusion100, Kidd hopes to

demonstrate to women globally that barriers are not permanent. With determination and the right support, even deeply entrenched limitations can be overcome.

The work has also been personally grounding for her. It reminds her that leadership is not only about delivering results. It is also about leaving a meaningful legacy.

The Power of One Unusual Idea

Some advice arrives quietly yet stays forever. Early in her career, a manager in Hong Kong told Kidd something that would shape how she thinks about innovation. The ideas that truly change things, he explained, are the ones that step outside conventional thinking.

That advice stayed with her. It reinforced the importance of curiosity and experimentation in technology.

She also admires the innovation philosophy within Google, particularly the concept often described as the ten percent principle. The idea encourages employees to dedicate a portion of their time to exploring creative ideas outside their routine responsibilities. Well known innovations such as Google Maps are often cited as examples of what can emerge when organizations deliberately create space for experimentation.

For Kidd, the lesson is clear. Innovation does not happen by accident. It requires curiosity, courage, and the freedom to challenge existing assumptions.

The Engine Room of Every Business

Behind every successful organization lies an invisible engine room. In modern enterprises, that engine room is technology.

Kidd believes strongly that information technology underpins the entire business. Technology teams play a critical role in removing obstacles, simplifying processes, and enabling organizations to operate efficiently. Without that foundation, even the strongest business strategies struggle to succeed.

Major shifts such as cloud adoption and agile methodologies have significantly transformed how technology teams deliver value. These approaches enable faster delivery cycles, stronger collaboration between departments, and clearer alignment with strategic priorities. The result is not only operational efficiency but a more agile organization capable of responding quickly to change.

Why Different Voices Matter

Diversity, in Kidd’s view, is not simply a corporate initiative. It is a practical advantage that strengthens teams and decision making.

When people from different backgrounds and experiences come together, they bring unique perspectives that challenge assumptions and expand thinking. This diversity often leads to earlier identification of risks and more innovative solutions.

Equally important is the sense of inclusion that allows individuals to contribute confidently. When people feel safe sharing their ideas, organizations benefit from a richer exchange of perspectives. Over time, these environments foster stronger engagement, better retention, and more sustainable success.

The Quiet Power of Simply Continuing

As the conversation drew to a close, Kidd reflected on the messages she often receives from women who view her journey as an example. Many have approached her to say, “Keep going, you’re showing us the way.”

She admitted that hearing those words initially surprised her. At the time, she was simply trying to keep pace with everything in her life, balancing a demanding career with raising children, managing a home, and dedicating time to charitable initiatives.

“LEADERSHIP IS NOT AUTHORITY, IT IS HELPING OTHERS UNLOCK THEIR POTENTIAL.”

There were moments when the demands felt overwhelming. But she emphasized that such moments are normal. Feeling stretched does not mean someone is failing. It often means they care deeply about what they are doing.

Progress, she believes, is not always dramatic or visible. Sometimes it is simply the act of continuing forward, one step at a time.

To young women building their careers today, her message remains clear. It is possible. They are capable, resilient, and far more influential than they might realize. Every step forward helps create space for others who will follow.

And if encouragement is ever needed along the way, she added, support is always available. Sometimes all it takes is the courage to reach out and keep moving forward.

HEBA SAYED Exabeam

“BEING A YOUNG WOMAN IN THE TECHNOLOGY SECTOR IN THE MIDDLE EAST TWO DECADES AGO PRESENTED ITS OWN CHALLENGES.”

When Opportunity Knocks, She Answers

How Heba Sayed turned an unexpected career start into a defining leadership journey

Some careers are built on careful planning. Others evolve through curiosity, resilience, and the willingness to embrace opportunity when it appears. For Heba Sayed, a technology marketing and strategy leader with more than two decades of experience across the Middle East and Africa, the journey into the technology industry began almost by coincidence, but it ultimately became a defining professional path shaped by continuous learning, reinvention, and leadership in one of the world’s most dynamic sectors.

HEBA SAYED Exabeam

Books, Beginnings, and Big Thinking

Heba Sayed was born and raised in Egypt, in a household where education was always a central priority. Her parents believed deeply in the power of knowledge and encouraged intellectual curiosity from an early age. Books were a constant presence in the home, and Heba quickly developed a passion for reading in both Arabic and English. Through her interest in literature, journalism, films, and the arts, she was exposed to perspectives that stretched far beyond the borders of the country she grew up in.

That early exposure shaped how she viewed the world. Even while growing up in one place, she learned to appreciate global cultures, diverse ideas, and the importance of communication as a bridge between people and societies. Those early interests, in storytelling, communication, and understanding audiences, would later become foundational elements of her professional life.

Cairo, Classrooms, and a Wider World

Growing up in Cairo offered access to strong schooling that helped build a solid academic base, but one of the most transformative milestones in Heba’s educational journey came when she entered the American University in Cairo. Egypt has long been recognized as one of the region’s strongest hubs for technology talent, supported by a deep base of engineering and technical education. For decades, Egyptian universities have produced skilled professionals who have gone on to contribute to technology ecosystems across the Middle East and beyond, effectively exporting talent that has helped build some of the region’s most important digital and technology initiatives.

Being raised in this environment meant that conversations around innovation, engineering, and technology were never distant ideas. Yet the experience at the American University in Cairo introduced something equally valuable: the principles of a liberal arts education. The university environment encouraged students to learn not just what to think, but how to think, developing analytical reasoning, communication skills, and intellectual curiosity.

At university, communication and collaboration became as important as academic performance. Through coursework, debates, and group projects, Heba refined the skills that would later become critical in leadership roles: persuasion, teamwork, and the ability to articulate ideas clearly.

Equally important were the extracurricular activities that broadened her perspective on the real-world application of

business skills. One such formative experience came through leading the fundraising efforts for a charitable organization. The process required approaching individuals and organizations to secure financial support.

Fundraising taught her that people are far more willing to contribute when they understand the purpose and impact behind an initiative. It required building a compelling narrative, connecting emotionally with potential donors, and confidently asking for support. In many ways, those early lessons mirrored the core elements of marketing and business development: understanding the audience, communicating value, and building trust.

The Turn She Didn’t See Coming

When Heba graduated with a business degree specializing in marketing, her initial aspirations reflected the dominant trends of the time. Like many marketing graduates, she imagined herself working in consumer marketing for large multinational companies such as Unilever or Procter & Gamble, organizations known for their iconic brands and global advertising campaigns.

However, career paths rarely unfold exactly as expected. By coincidence, Heba’s first professional opportunity was in marketing for a software company. At the time, enterprise technology marketing was far less visible than consumer brand marketing, and she had little exposure to the world of B2B technology.

What began as an unexpected step soon evolved into a longterm career. The complexity of the technology industry, the pace of innovation, and the intellectual challenge of marketing sophisticated solutions to business audiences quickly became compelling. Over the following twenty years, Heba built expertise across marketing, strategy, and sales within the B2B technology sector across Middle East and Africa region.

Earning a Seat, Then Owning It

The transition from a business school education focused largely on consumer marketing to the highly specialized world of B2B technology required a steep learning curve. Enterprise technology buyers operate very differently from consumer audiences. Purchasing decisions involve multiple stakeholders, long sales cycles, and deep technical considerations.

Heba had to learn quickly, not only about technology itself but also about the decision-making processes of CIOs, security leaders, and enterprise executives. Understanding complex buyer journeys became essential.

At the same time, being a young woman in the technology sector in the Middle East two decades ago presented its own challenges. The industry was far less diverse than it is today, and women were not commonly seen in visible leadership roles within technology

organizations. At times, that led to perceptions that needed to be challenged.

Rather than allowing those perceptions to define her trajectory, Heba focused on building credibility through performance and expertise. She invested heavily in learning the industry, supporting business objectives, and ensuring that marketing was positioned as a strategic driver of growth rather than a purely tactical function.

A major turning point in her career came when she joined IBM. The move marked a significant milestone, placing her within one of the world’s most influential technology companies. However, it also brought new challenges. Heba advanced rapidly within the organization, leading marketing initiatives for large business units at a relatively young age.

Working within IBM’s global structure introduced her to the realities of operating in a highly complex matrix organization. Success required not only strong functional expertise but also the ability to collaborate across geographies, influence stakeholders, and align diverse teams around shared objectives.

During this period, Heba learned one of the most important leadership lessons of her career: working hard and delivering results is essential, but building relationships, networks, and executive alignment is equally important. Influence within large organizations depends on trust, credibility, and the ability to bring people together around a vision.

Over the course of her fifteen years at IBM, she also learned the importance of adaptability. The technology industry evolved dramatically during that time, from early digital transformation initiatives to the rise of cloud computing, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. Staying relevant meant constantly learning, unlearning, and acquiring new skills.

A New Chapter, A Sharper Edge

In 2024, Heba took on a new challenge by joining Exabeam, a global cybersecurity company, to lead marketing for the India, Middle East, Turkey, and Africa region. The move marked an exciting new chapter in her career.

Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing and most strategically important sectors within technology today. As digital transformation accelerates across governments and enterprises, protecting digital infrastructure and data has become a top priority.

At Exabeam, Heba has focused on strengthening the company’s presence across the region through innovative marketing initiatives and thought leadership. Her work has emphasized building brand visibility, strengthening relationships with channel partners, and

engaging with the broader cybersecurity ecosystem.

Through impactful event experiences, strategic storytelling, and a strong social media presence, the marketing team has elevated the brand’s regional profile while supporting business growth.

In recognition of her contributions and the expanding scope of the business in the region, Heba was promoted to Director, reflecting both the company’s growth and the increasing importance of the iMETA region within the global cybersecurity landscape.

The Courage to Walk Away and Forward

After spending fifteen years at IBM, leaving the organization was both a significant and emotional decision. The company had played a central role in shaping Heba’s career and leadership style.

Yet stepping outside a long-standing environment also created opportunities for growth. Moving into a more agile and dynamic organization allowed her to respond more quickly to market changes, experiment with new approaches, and remain closely connected to the evolving needs of customers and partners.

The transition reinforced an important lesson: sometimes the most valuable professional growth happens when we step outside familiar structures and embrace new environments.

The Future Belongs to the Adaptable

Looking back on a career that has spanned multiple countries, industries, and leadership roles, Heba often emphasizes that adaptability is one of the most valuable qualities any professional can develop.

Technology evolves rapidly, industries transform, and career paths rarely follow straight lines. For those navigating the modern digital economy, three pillars are particularly important: skills, eminence, and connections.

Continuous skill-building ensures that professionals remain relevant as industries evolve. Developing eminence, through thought leadership, knowledge sharing, and expertise, helps establish credibility and influence. And building strong professional networks creates opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and growth.

Equally important is self-awareness. Understanding one’s strengths and learning how to leverage them effectively can accelerate progress, while building diverse teams that complement different capabilities allows organizations to thrive.

Ultimately, change is the only constant in the technology industry. Those who remain curious, adaptable, and committed to learning will not only navigate change successfully, they will help shape the future.

Tanuja Randery

CBE, Managing Director, EMEA

AWS

The50% Factor

She didn’t wait for the industry to change, she changed the room

Tanuja Randery's journey from Mumbai to her leadership role at Amazon Web Services (AWS) EMEA reflects a combination of ambition, resilience, and a commitment to empowering others.

Growing up in India, Tanuja was taught the value of persistence and hard work by her parents, picking up an early enthusiasm for technology from her father, who was in the fax machine business, as well as starting other entrepreneurial ventures. With a lack of female role models in senior business positions, her dad acted as Tanuja’s role model for what she wanted to be in the future, while her mum provided her with a loving and stable home environment and the conviction that she, along with her brother, could do anything they put their mind to.

TANUJA RANDERY

First Steps into Work and Education Abroad

Those early lessons in independence and confidence began to shape her outlook at a young age. That included getting a job in a clothes shop as a young teenager where she helped people pick out jeans and clothing that suited them, making her first venture into sales. Her parents believed the biggest gift they could give their children was education and upon completing her schooling at a middle-class Catholic school in India she went to study in the US, securing her MBA from Boston University.

Starting a Career During a Recession

Entering the professional world was not without challenges. Graduating into the middle of a recession in 1990, Tanuja quickly learned to pursue a scrappy approach that saw her proactively approaching consultants with big projects to deliver. Her energy and can-do attitude eventually led her to McKinsey & Company.

Finding Confidence and Voice in Consulting

In her early career, Tanuja was driven by a hunger to learn and to prove herself, especially as someone who felt like she didn’t fit the typical mold of management consultancy in the US, as a woman, a person of colour, as somebody that didn’t graduate from Harvard or MIT, and having grown up in India and moved internationally.

However, she learned to use her unique perspective as an advantage. In one formative experience as a junior engagement manager at McKinsey, she recalls standing up to provide her viewpoint to a customer CEO while a room full of more senior colleagues remained silent, a move that led to a job offer the next day.

Transition into the Global Technology Industry

Following her consulting years, her journey then led her into the dynamic tech industry, where she gained extensive experience at global firms like EMC, Colt and Schneider Electric, driving projects to champion digital transformation and cloud adoption.

Once again, working in technology helped remind her of the power of a unique perspective, underlining the value of emotional intelligence and curiosity, not just technical training. It became rapidly clear to Tanuja that this was an industry with room for people who think differently. She returned to McKinsey as a partner before joining AWS two years later to lead a region covering more than 130 countries.

Leading AWS Across EMEA

Today, as Managing Director and Vice President for AWS in EMEA,

"REJECTION CAN PUSH YOU TO BECOME CLEARER, STRONGER, AND MORE STRATEGIC."

Tanuja leads diverse, crossfunctional teams help her customers use cloud and AI for competitive advantage, operational efficiency, and to build future-proof digital foundations.

Championing Women in Technology

Alongside her leadership responsibilities, Tanuja has consistently advocated for closing the gender gap in technology. At AWS Tanuja has consistently advocated for closing the gender gap in technology, championing schemes to inspire women and girls to learn more about the industry. Her dedication to inclusion is evident in her own team, where she boosted female representation in her leadership team from 10% to 50% in just three years. More than a decade ago, she also founded PowerWomen, a cross-industry network for senior women leaders, now evolving into a digital app, driven by her belief that "networking is her superpower" and sponsorship is vital for women in the workplace.

Recognition and National Honour

Her sustained impact on business transformation and the technology sector in the UK, and her long-standing commitment to developing the UK’s future digital talent through education and inclusion initiatives, led to her being awarded a CBE by His Majesty The King in his 2025 Birthday Honours List.

Life Beyond the Boardroom

Outside of her demanding role, Tanuja enjoys listening to jazz music and attending major sporting events like Wimbledon and Formula 1 races. She also serves as a non-executive director on the board of the National History Museum.

Advice and Lessons from Setbacks

Reflecting on the lessons that shaped her journey, her advice, given to her by a friend and fellow leader, is simple, don't catastrophize, calibrate. While Tanuja suffered setbacks in her career, including missing out on leadership roles that she felt she deserved, she used the opportunity to seek feedback, reassess her next steps and adapt. Rejection, she says, has forced her to level up, to be clearer, more vocal, and more strategic.

Dr. Gladys West

(1930 – 2026)

A Woman Who Helped Satellites Guide the World

She worked in quiet rooms of code and calculation, Where numbers shaped maps of the nation. While others looked to the sky in awe, She measured the Earth with math and law.

Satellite paths, precise and clear, She modeled the planet year by year. Lines of data, steady and deep, A digital promise the world would keep. From her equations, a system grew, Guiding ships and flights safely through.

Today when maps light up our way, They echo the math she built each day. Gladys West proved with patience and grace, That numbers can help the world find its place.

SARAH MAINA

AppsFlyer

TECH is for Everyone

How Sarah Maina is building a bigger table for women in the industry.

The story begins in the south of France, near Cannes, a region celebrated for its beauty, culture, and international energy. It was an inspiring place to grow up, though it was not a particularly technology driven ecosystem. Innovation, startups, and digital transformation were not common topics in everyday conversations within her environment. What shaped her early outlook, however, was a family culture that deeply valued independence and ambition.

The Spark That Started It All

From a young age, she was curious, competitive, and naturally drawn to leadership. She became fascinated by how businesses grow, how negotiations shape outcomes, and how strategy influences long term success. Even before she fully understood what a career in technology would entail, she knew she wanted to operate in environments that were dynamic, international, and growth oriented. She sensed early that her ambitions would likely take her beyond the geography where she was raised.

The Missing Mirrors

In her hometown, visible female role models in technology or executive leadership were limited. Career paths for women often leaned toward more traditional trajectories and less toward high growth or innovation driven industries. That absence of representation encouraged her to think beyond what was immediately visible. She realized that if the surrounding ecosystem did not offer certain opportunities, she would need to actively seek them elsewhere. Her decision to move into more competitive, international markets later in her career was therefore intentional and strategic.

SARAH MAINA AppsFlyer

A Moment of Clarity

She pursued a master’s degree in business school, where she developed a strong interest in strategy, marketing, and global expansion. She was consistently more drawn to real world application than pure theory. During her studies, she became increasingly aware that technology would fundamentally transform every industry. It was not only about software or engineering, but about how companies operate, grow, and compete. That realization shaped a pivotal decision in her career direction, leading her to build a path close to innovation and growth at the intersection of strategy and technology.

Experience That Mattered

Her professional journey began in commercial and business development roles. These roles were fast paced and performance driven environments where results mattered. Early in her career, she learned resilience, negotiation, and accountability. Being measured directly on outcomes proved formative, sharpening her focus and building discipline.

Growth Through Partnerships

One of the most significant lessons from those early years was understanding that sustainable growth relies on both data and trust. Commercial success is not solely about closing deals, it is about building long term relationships and creating mutual value. She adopted a mindset centered on partnerships rather than transactions, an approach that has influenced every leadership role she has taken since.

First Steps in Technology

She entered the technology industry through mobile marketing and media during a period of strong growth in the app ecosystem. It was an exciting time as mobile adoption accelerated and brands increasingly invested in digital channels. What became clear to her was that measurement was not simply about tracking performance, it was a strategic growth lever. The ability to understand data, interpret it, and act on it intelligently could transform how businesses allocate resources and scale.

Markets That Matter

Over time, she transitioned into regional and leadership responsibilities across different markets and cultures. The Middle East in particular has been a dynamic and ambitious region for digital transformation and innovation, investing heavily in technological growth. Participating in that expansion has been both professionally challenging and deeply rewarding.

The View From a Unique Seat

Like many women in technology, she often found herself as the

only woman in external discussions or leadership forums. Early in her career, that dynamic was noticeable. With experience, she learned that subject mastery builds authority more effectively than tone or presence alone. Deep domain knowledge and strategic insight establish credibility.

The Double Lens

At the same time, women in leadership frequently encounter different evaluative lenses. Confidence can be interpreted differently, and assertiveness can be perceived in varying ways. Navigating that reality requires awareness, but it should not require self limitation. She chose to prioritize impact and measurable results over perception, believing that performance ultimately creates its own narrative.

When Things Did Not Go as Planned

Her journey included setbacks. Long sales cycles that did not close, market expansions that progressed more slowly than expected, and regions where growth demanded greater patience than initially anticipated. These experiences could be discouraging in performance driven roles. The lessons drawn from them emphasized that long term positioning matters more than short term wins. Strategic focus is a strength, and not every opportunity must be pursued simultaneously. Ecosystem building, investing in relationships, education, and market maturity, compounds over time. Sustainable success is rarely immediate, but it becomes powerful when achieved.

Leadership Today

Today, she holds a regional leadership role at the mobile attribution and marketing analytics company, overseeing the Middle East and France. Her focus centers on enterprise growth and strategic partnerships, elevating conversations beyond transactional discussions toward strategic transformation. Measurement, when understood properly, serves as a decision making framework rather than a reporting tool. Supporting brands and agencies in using data as a growth driver remains central to her role.

Commitment to Learning

Beyond commercial objectives, she is invested in ecosystem development and thought leadership. The technology industry evolves rapidly, and staying relevant requires continuous learning and adaptability. This constant evolution is part of what makes technology a compelling space for long term career development.

Tech Is for Everyone

Approaching International Women’s Day, her message to readers, particularly women considering careers in technology, is that a technical degree is not a prerequisite for success in the industry. Modern technology intersects with strategy, marketing, finance, operations, and leadership. Curiosity and adaptability often matter more than fitting a predefined mold.

The Courage to Begin

She encourages stepping into leadership before feeling completely ready. Growth frequently begins at the edge of comfort zones.

Seeking environments that challenge and expand perspective accelerates development. Surrounding oneself with high performing individuals fosters learning and progression.

The Power of Inclusion

Most importantly, she believes women should see themselves as central participants in innovation and decision making. Technology encompasses more than engineering, it drives transformation in how businesses operate and societies evolve. Diverse leadership perspectives are essential in shaping that conversation.

The Next Chapter

The future of technology will be defined not only by the tools created but by the perspectives guiding them. Women belong in that future, not on the sidelines, but at the forefront.

“COMMERCIAL SUCCESS IS NOT SOLELY ABOUT CLOSING DEALS, IT IS ABOUT BUILDING LONG TERM RELATIONSHIPS AND CREATING MUTUAL VALUE.”

KERRIE JORDAN Epicor

The path to senior leadership often carries pressures that are not written into job descriptions. It demands clarity under scrutiny, conviction amid complexity, and the ability to navigate shifting expectations. TECHx Media sat down with Kerrie Jordan, CMO at Epicor, to explore the mindset and perspective that have shaped her journey to the top.

The Architecture of Curiosity

Why "One More Question" is the Foundation of Her Ascent to the C-Suite.

When Kerrie Jordan reflects on her journey to the C suite, she does not point to a single breakthrough moment or dramatic turning point. Instead, she speaks about environment, the early influences that quietly shape ambition, resilience, and perspective.

She grew up in a home where family came first. That grounding instilled in her a deep sense of balance that continues to anchor her leadership today. No matter how intense the pace of business becomes, she returns to that early understanding of what truly matters. It is a perspective that keeps her centred, steady, and clear headed in high pressure environments.

KERRIE JORDAN Epicor

Art on One Side, Grit on the Other

Jordan’s upbringing was also defined by contrast, though at the time it felt entirely natural. Her mother painted in oils, immersed in colour, texture, and creative expression. Her father worked in heavy manufacturing, grounded in precision, machinery, and operational discipline.

Looking back, she recognises how powerfully that duality shaped her thinking. Imagination and practicality were never positioned as opposites in her world. They coexisted. More importantly, they strengthened each other.

That fusion now defines her leadership style. She is drawn to building, whether products, teams, or narratives, and to bridging the technical with the human. For Jordan, the most impactful work happens at the intersection of imagination and operational excellence. The instinct to connect those worlds did not begin in a boardroom, it began at her kitchen table.

Always One More Question

Education reinforced that foundation. Rather than being channelled toward a single discipline, she was encouraged to stay curious and dig deeper. The habit of asking one more question, of refusing to skim the surface, became second nature.

In technology, that depth matters. Emerging trends, from AI to cybersecurity, cannot be understood through headlines alone. Confidence in leadership comes from comprehension. Leaders who navigate change effectively are those who understand what sits beneath it.

Jordan’s path to becoming CMO was not linear. It evolved alongside her own growth. Yet a consistent thread ran through every chapter, a desire to simplify complexity.

Whether translating technical concepts into customer language or shaping a strategic narrative for internal teams, she found clarity in distillation.

The ability to deeply understand something and communicate it with precision has become one of her defining leadership tools.

When the Pace Picks Up

Technology has always moved quickly, but the acceleration brought by AI and automation has fundamentally altered the rhythm of leadership. Decision cycles that once unfolded over weeks now compress into days.

At Epicor, this shift has required teams to rethink collaboration, adaptability, and speed. AI is not a side experiment or a future ambition. It demands real time pivots, visible learning, and decisive action, even when the pace feels uncomfortable.

For Jordan, modern leadership is about maintaining clarity in motion. It is about guiding teams through rapid transformation without losing strategic coherence.

The Weight You Do Not See

While technology has advanced at extraordinary speed, the structural barriers facing women in leadership have not evolved at the same rate.

One persistent challenge is the expectation of perfection. Women are often assessed with a narrower margin for error, which can make calculated risk taking feel disproportionately costly. Yet today’s business environment demands iteration, experimentation, and the willingness to learn publicly.

That tension can hold talented women back from stepping into roles they are more than ready to lead.

There is also the invisible emotional labour many women shoulder. Becoming the stabiliser within teams, smoothing interpersonal dynamics, sensing friction before it escalates, and maintaining morale

"THE PATH TO THE C-SUITE WASN'T PAVED WITH EASY ANSWERS, BUT WITH THE COURAGE TO ASK ONE MORE QUESTION."

are all forms of leadership. Yet they are frequently unrecognised as such, despite being central to organisational health.

Kind, Not Comfortable

Early in her career, Jordan learned a distinction that reshaped her approach to leadership, the difference between being nice and being kind.

Niceness avoids friction. Kindness embraces honesty delivered with respect.

Credibility, she believes, is built on clarity, directness, and consistency. Saying what you mean. Asking difficult questions. Listening when feedback is uncomfortable. Growth requires stretch, and stretch rarely happens in comfort.

No Easy Exit

Not every initiative lands perfectly. There have been setbacks, stalled plans, and moments of recalibration. What sustained her through those periods was something a mentor once described as stick to itiveness, the discipline of staying with hard problems long enough to solve them.

Persistence builds more than solutions. It builds confidence, capability, and institutional trust. Over time, that resilience becomes a competitive advantage.

The People Who Back You

Jordan is clear about one truth, no one advances alone.

Mentors expanded her thinking. Sponsors opened doors at pivotal moments. Both played defining roles in her ascent.

Today, she is intentional about paying that forward. She encourages emerging leaders to lean into challenge while reminding them they do not have to navigate it in isolation. Community is not a soft advantage, it is a strategic one.

The Big Picture View

As CMO of Epicor, Jordan’s role sits at the intersection of strategy and storytelling. She shapes narrative in a rapidly changing industry, helps customers

navigate complexity with confidence, and ensures internal teams operate within an environment of clarity and alignment.

In a sector defined by constant disruption, coherence becomes powerful currency.

Build This First

For women entering or advancing within technology, Jordan emphasises several essential mindsets.

Intellectual curiosity. Go deeper into AI, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. Surface knowledge is not enough.

Communication. The ability to translate complexity into clarity distinguishes influential leaders.

Resilience. In a fast moving industry, missteps are inevitable. Each one carries a lesson.

Community. Surround yourself with mentors, sponsors, and allies. Advancement is rarely solitary.

If she were to leave one piece of advice for young women considering careers in technology, it would be this, be technical. Even if the role itself is not technical, build enough understanding to engage meaningfully.

Do not be intimidated by what you do not yet know. Every expert once stood at the beginning. Growth happens in discomfort, and leadership is forged in the willingness to lean into it.

Leadership is not a title to be held, but a craft to be honed through the friction of real-world challenges. For Kerrie Jordan, the path to the C-suite wasn't paved with easy answers, but with the courage to ask one more question and the grit to stay in the room when the pace became uncomfortable. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder: you don’t need to choose between the artist and the operator within you. It is the fusion of both, imagination tempered by discipline, that builds the most enduring legacy.

Marketing Manager – META Genetec

MARTINE BILLMANN

Adaptability is Essential Martine Billmann’s Guide to Security, Storytelling, and Support

Across a region moving at extraordinary speed, adaptability is not optional, it is essential. Few professionals reflect that reality as seamlessly as Martine Billmann. As Marketing Manager for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa at Genetec, she operates where technology meets storytelling and human connection, shaping how organizations across industries perceive safety, security and digital transformation.

Her path into technology was anything but pre scripted. Curiosity, instinct and a natural drive to solve complex problems guided her forward. When she moved to the UAE in 2006, she discovered something fundamental about herself. She thrived in environments that demanded analytical precision as much as creative thinking. That self awareness opened the door to a career in tech, even at a time when women were far less visible in the industry.

“I have always seen challenges as puzzles waiting to be solved, and that mindset has shaped my entire career.”

The Early Imprint

Raised in France, Martine developed an early appreciation for culture, diversity and perspective, values that would later anchor her professional philosophy. Exposure to different traditions, languages and experiences reinforced her belief that innovation flourishes when diverse viewpoints converge.

Yet her strongest influence did not come from the corporate world. It came from home. Her mother’s resilience, adaptability and empathy left a lasting imprint on how she approaches both her work and her outlook on life. Confidence, emotional intelligence and perseverance became guiding principles she carried into every stage of her career.

“My mother taught me that confidence and empathy are what people remember. Those qualities define your impact far more than any title ever could.”

Growing with the Industry

Martine entered the technology sector at a time of sweeping change. Technology was rapidly becoming the backbone of business, infrastructure and society. She quickly recognized that she had found a field aligned with both her curiosity and ambition.

With more than two decades of industry experience today, she drives brand strategy, partner enablement and regional campaigns that advance awareness and growth for Genetec across the META region.

Her responsibilities go far beyond campaign execution. She collaborates closely with partners, customers and stakeholders to help organizations improve operational efficiency and strengthen safety through advanced physical security solutions, capabilities that have grown increasingly critical as cities, enterprises and governments accelerate digital transformation. Genetec

MARTINE BILLMANN

What continues to energize her is the human dimension of the work. Engaging with professionals from varied backgrounds, cultures and disciplines remains a powerful source of inspiration.

“The most rewarding part of my role is working with people from different backgrounds. Every interaction brings a new perspective and keeps me inspired.”

Making Change Work in Her Favor

Relentless evolution defines the technology landscape. For Martine, that pace is not a disruption to manage, but an opportunity to embrace. She believes marketers in technology must remain agile, continuously refining strategies and narratives as customer expectations and innovations shift.

Rather than resisting disruption, she treats it as momentum. The speed of change enables teams to experiment, sharpen messaging and craft authentic stories that resonate in meaningful ways.

This approach has positioned her as a strategic voice within the organization, translating complex technologies into clear, compelling narratives that highlight tangible impact.

“In a fast-evolving industry, adaptability is everything. Change is not something to fear. It is what keeps us innovative and relevant.”

Creating Space in Security

The physical security sector, like many technology fields, has long been male dominated. Martine views progress as something that must be intentional and measurable, not symbolic.

Global projections underscore the urgency. At the current rate of advancement, achieving full gender parity worldwide could take approximately 134 years, emphasizing the need for sustained and deliberate action.

Within Genetec, she supports initiatives designed to broaden talent pipelines and diversify hiring practices. By recruiting professionals with transferable skills from beyond the traditional security sector, the company expands its candidate pool and injects fresh perspectives into the industry.

Equally vital is nurturing growth after hiring. Structured training, mentorship and clear development pathways ensure individuals not only enter the field but build lasting, impactful careers.

“Diversity cannot exist only on paper. It must be reflected in real opportunities, real decisions and real outcomes.”

A Style Grounded in Trust

Colleagues often describe Martine’s approach as strategic yet deeply human. Relationship building is central to her way of working, with trust serving as the foundation for high performing teams and enduring partnerships.

She blends analytical rigor with emotional intelligence. Whether aligning regional campaigns or collaborating across markets, she listens first, seeks context and unites teams around shared objectives.

“I believe strong teams are built on trust, understanding and shared purpose. When people feel heard and valued, they perform at their best.”

Balance, Curiosity and the Power of Experience

Outside the demands of regional responsibility, she is deliberate about maintaining balance. An ideal weekend revolves around family time, discovering new restaurants in Dubai, catching up on series and enjoying uninterrupted rest whenever possible.

Her passion for travel and cuisine reflects a lifelong appreciation for culture. While her French upbringing instilled a love for classic culinary traditions, she has developed a deep affinity for Arabic food, drawn to its freshness and rich flavors.

These interests mirror a broader belief that professional success is enriched by personal experiences that spark creativity and perspective.

Passing the Torch

For women aspiring to enter technology or business, her advice is clear and empowering. Technical knowledge matters, but confidence and courage are equally essential.

“Believe in your skills and do not wait for permission to take up space in the room. Every expert was once a beginner. Seek mentors, keep learning and support other women around you. Real progress happens when we lift each other up.”

After more than twenty years in the industry, Martine Billmann remains driven by technology’s capacity to create safer, smarter and more connected environments. Her journey illustrates that professional influence is measured not only by titles, but by impact, inclusion and the determination to shape meaningful change.

Sunita Williams

A woman who spent 608 days in space (1965 - Present)

A traveler beyond the sky, where silence speaks and time drifts by. Months among the stars she stayed, learning lessons unafraid.

A brief journey turned profound, far from home, yet wisdom found. Space became a second sea, vast and boundless, wild and free.

Returning gently to the land, a life enriched, a steady hand. Exploration’s gift remains, in knowledge, growth, and quiet gains.