Meet the Women of fabric: International Women’s Day 2023
Today is International Women’s Day.
As a fast-growing technology startup, we want to acknowledge the fact that women make up nearly half of the workforce yet only 25% of women are employed by technology companies. At Fabric, we are aware of this and want to help close this gap. Not because it is trendy, but because it is right.
In this post, women from our leadership team share their most memorable experiences in tech and give advice for women interested in pursuing a leadership role in tech. We also mention all women currently on the Fabric team.
If you’re interested in pursuing a job in tech that one of our team members holds, feel free to send them a message on LinkedIn. You can also apply to jobs we’re currently hiring for!
Advice from Our Leadership Team
Rachana Desai – Vice President of Engineering
What’s the most memorable experience from your career in tech?
Being the only woman leader on numerous occasions has been a memorable experience itself. Driving critical technical and business decisions as the only woman leader has heightened that experience. Beyond this, more women leaders are taking seats at the table and solving the most challenging issues in tech. I am grateful to be part of this change.
What’s the most challenging part of having a leadership role in tech?
Balancing the act of being confident and strategic while being cognizant of my own beliefs, values, and goals in an environment where women are often stereotyped for either being too soft or too assertive. Really, it’s a matter of learning to be yourself in an industry that is known for judging you for being just that.
Any advice for women interested in pursuing a leadership role in tech?
Be yourself and trust yourself. Seek out opportunities that build on diverse skill sets. Look for sponsors and mentors and be one yourself as it will help you grow as a natural leader. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—that’s not only how you can learn but also understand your own strengths and abilities.
Nessa Garcia – Head of Customer Success
What’s the most memorable experience from your career in tech?
There are so many to choose from but Fabric’s recent raise of Series A funding was an incredible experience to be a part of. One of my favorite things about working in tech startups is the level of ownership and input that is required at every level, from the most tactical item to the most strategic. Being part of crafting our offering to investors is something I won’t soon forget.
What’s the most challenging part of having a leadership role in tech?
Like any industry that is more heavily male weighted, it can be challenging to ensure your contributions are considered similarly and that you’re offered the same opportunities. In previous roles at previous companies I’ve experienced challenges with ensuring I receive equal opportunities, recognition, and career advancement.
Any advice for women interested in pursuing a leadership role in tech?
Find a group of people and culture that you really enjoy and invest your time and effort there. I have found that partnering with leaders who respect your abilities and effort is the most pivotal thing in ensuring opportunities for growth and just overall happiness with your career.
Mari Ström – VP of Global Strategy and Field Marketing
What’s the most memorable experience from your career in tech?
I worked in the mobile cloud space in the early part of my career. It was an exciting time to be working in mobile because we were literally changing the world. I was helping my company at that time launch the global GTM for its new cloud solution for telco. We partnered with TATA and Porsche to create a live demo to bring this new product to life at Mobile World Congress.
I had the opportunity to collaborate with some crazy talented and diverse women technology leaders from these organizations. I learned so much from them and was in awe at how they up-leveled the playing field, not just for other women, but for our industry as a whole.
What’s the most challenging part of having a leadership role in tech?
I’ve worked in the tech startup space for the majority of my career. It’s a fast-paced and demanding area to be in, but also very rewarding and meaningful. What’s been challenging is keeping up with this pace as a parent. This brings an entirely new level of intensity and new things to balance as a working mother. Even though balancing all of this is a challenge, each one makes the other stronger.
Any advice for women interested in pursuing a leadership role in tech?
Remember that you need to pave your own way. No one else can define you as a technology leader but yourself. It’s your own success that ultimately defines you.
The Women of fabric
Divya Achtani – HR & Global Operations
Aleezeh Ahmad – Executive Assistant
Shriya Bakare – Recruiting Coordinator
Divya Bharti – QA Engineer
Crystal Bong – Product Manager
Lauren Ciminera – Principal Recruiter
Radhika Dahale – Senior Product Manager
Rachana Desai – Vice President of Engineering
Nessa Garcia – Head of Customer Success
Blake Harries – Sales
Niloufar Heidari – Information Security Engineer
Oksana Hlushko – Product Manager
Nikki Hoyrup – Chief of Staff
Iswarya lakshmi – Javascript Developer
Erin Khalil – Program Manager
Prajakta Khandale – HR Associate
Elena Liakou – Visual Designer, UX/UI
Tara Mahnk – Customer Success
Pragya Mishra – Software Development Engineer in Test
Kathryn Olinger – Director of Product Strategy
Gauri Phophalia – QA Engineer
Kritika Popli – Product Designer
Jeanette Pranin – Software Engineer
Sweta Rawat – Scrum Master
Sarita Saivikram – Senior Lead Technical Writer
Krupa Shah – General Counsel and Head of Partnerships
Alexandra Shimamoto – Global Head of People
Aden Smith – Growth Marketing Manager
Betsy Smith – Program Manager, Customer Success
Mari Ström – Head of Marketing
Andrea Vallejo – User Experience Designer
Vennela Vipperla – Software Engineer
Lucy Wen – Associate Product Manager
Lindsay Yasseri – Product Manager
If you’re interested in joining the fabric team, we are currently interviewing and hiring for positions in Delivery, DevOps, Engineering, Human Resources, Marketing, Product, Quality Assurance, and Sales. You can view and apply to these positions here.
Content marketer @ fabric. Previously marketing @ KHON-TV and Paramount Pictures.
