Embracing equity for International Women’s Day 2023

International Women’s Day is a worldwide celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This year’s motto is #EmbraceEquity, and it focuses on how we can all challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek out inclusion. 

This is part of our company culture, and since the day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality, we decided to take action once again by shining a light on successful women so they could share their experiences and ideas. Last year we focused on leading women within the ad tech industry, and this year we shine the spotlight on our very own: the ladies of Swaarm.

Ioana Manaila, Operations Lead at Swaarm

Ioana is the Operations Lead and one of the newest additions to the female workforce at Swaarm. She recently became a cat mom to little Oddy and lives in Bucharest.

 

Why is equity and having a more diverse workforce important to you?

A diverse workforce can better represent clients, communities, and, ultimately, the employees. I think this is a strong driver for innovation and improvement of the overall quality of products and services. Additionally, I believe that creating an inclusive and respectful workplace results in better company culture and higher employee morale. Promoting fairness, offering equal opportunities, and disregarding biases will ultimately have a positive impact on a larger scale.

 

Do you recall any biases or assumptions made about you?  

I used to work in a male-dominated industry, and a competitive sales environment, where the idea of a woman being able to compete with a team that consisted mostly of male Key Account Managers was disregarded even by the Team Leads responsible for the hiring process. In the end, it was the numbers and results I delivered that turned the tables around and proved that a professional is well capable of creating a functional sales funnel, a well-defined persona, and having a good sense for people’s needs, regardless of their background, beliefs, sex, or orientation of any kind. 

 

Name another woman in the digital marketing space that other women should look out for and why?

With an obvious mention for all fellow former and current colleagues, partners, and acquaintances, I couldn’t narrow it down to only one. My best practice is to look out for the events, conferences, and webinars I’m interested in and check the ‘speakers’ section for all amazing women making a change in the digital marketing space nowadays. 

 

Sanyogita Parab, Jr. Product Manager at Swaarm

Sanyogita joined Swaarm in September 2021, and as Jr. Product Manager contributes heavily to the improvement and innovation of our products and services. She is from Mumbai, has her own YouTube channel, and regularly volunteers at an educational NGO to teach math to 8th graders.

 

What energizes you about work?  

I think feeling a ‘Sense of Belonging’ is as important as loving what you do. The workplace environment plays a major role in making one feel that way. Swaarm cares about the well-being of its employees and follows a strong work ethic maintaining transparency. Being a part of such an upbeat and supportive team, getting to interact with awesome people, exploring new things, and loving what I do keeps me energized and contributing more toward the common goal of the company and the team.

 

What one piece of advice would you give any aspiring female marketers reading this?

Keep your knowledge and skills up to date by continuously reading various blogs, articles, and newsletters published by leading marketing business sources. Take some time out of your schedule to build a network with industry professionals, and importantly, surround yourself with people who see you for more than you currently are.

The more you interact with industry connections, the more you understand the current market, and the more you read about it, the more you gain knowledge. Repeat the process, and you’ll make the most out of opportunities that come your way. 

 

Could you name a woman who’s inspired you the most and why?  

It’s difficult to name one, but a woman who has inspired me my whole life is my mom, Sanika. She’s both brave and kind at the same time. She works in a municipal hospital in Mumbai, and I’ve seen her taking care of patients, managing staff schedules, handling emergencies, helping patients’ relatives, and all with a warm smile on her face all day long. 

Another woman I draw inspiration from is our Co-founder and CEO – Yogeeta. I get inspired by her solution-oriented approach to tackling every challenge that comes along the way, her hard-working attitude, her managing a hectic schedule while maintaining the same energy all day long, her wide knowledge of the industry, and her humble and friendly behavior.

 

Lena Prakhira, Key Account Manager at Swaarm

Since joining Swaarm in September 2022 as Key Account Manager, Lena ensures that our clients are well looked after. Wroclaw in Poland is her home base from where she likes to travel and explore the world.

 

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

It could be applied to many spheres of life – I think it’s very important to understand your true self and your aspirations. Thus, if a career in the tech industry is what you aspire to, you should pursue it despite the circumstances and all the stereotypes. Believe in yourself and your capabilities.

 

What’s the most significant risk you’ve taken as a professional? 

So far, I had to make several complicated and risky choices. The riskiest choice, I’d say,  was the one when I made up my mind to change my professional sphere. I completed my degree in chemistry and worked in this field for several years straight after university before I decided to change to a career in performance marketing.

 

Do you have a female role model? And if yes – what makes her a role model?

For me, to answer this question is like answering what book is my favorite 🙂 I believe the answer depends on the period of life, current emotions, challenges, etc. Overall I definitely can say that for me, there are a lot of extremely inspirational stories throughout history and my personal life.

 

Vanessa Ferreira, Marketing & HR Manager at Swaarm

 

Vanessa is the Marketing & HR Manager and has been part of the Swaarm team since the company’s inception. She loves to travel which is reflected in the name of her Australian Sheppherd which is called Bondi – Sydney’s most famous beach.

 

Would you say diversity is the recipe for success? If yes, why?

Absolutely, diversity is the cornerstone of success. Embracing a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences fosters innovation, creativity, and adaptability. It’s not just about doing what’s right but also about smart business decisions. Diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones, leading to better outcomes and reflecting the communities they serve.

 

What advice would you give to your younger self? 

If I could offer advice to my younger self, I would emphasize the importance of embracing vulnerability and taking risks. I would encourage myself to be more open to new experiences and to not fear failure but rather see it as an opportunity for growth and learning. I would remind myself to prioritize self-care and mental well-being, understanding that taking breaks and seeking support are crucial for long-term success. Additionally, I would urge myself to trust my intuition and not be afraid to speak up for what I believe in.

 

Could you name another woman in the digital marketing space you drew inspiration from?

Bozoma Saint John is a highly influential figure in the digital marketing space. Known for her dynamic leadership and innovative marketing strategies, she has made significant contributions to several well-known companies, including Apple, Uber, and Netflix. (Wow!) She is renowned for her expertise in brand management, consumer engagement, and cultural relevance, making her a role model for marketers worldwide. Her ability to connect with diverse audiences and drive impactful campaigns has earned her widespread admiration and recognition in the industry.

 

We are proud that these amazing women are part of the Swaarm team, and we would like to thank them for raising awareness by sharing their experiences and what equity means to them. Let’s continue to embrace equity to forge harmony and unity and to help drive success for all. Through the process of equity, we can reach equality.

 

Read more on this topic in the 2022 Women’s Day article or in the interview by Jerome Knyszewski for Authority Magazine with Swaarm’s founder Yogeeta Chainani in which she shares her experiences and her views on how women should be empowered to feel confident in becoming founders themselves.