Elena Druya, Valentina Baniya, Elena Grigoryan, Marina Irina
International Women’s Day and International Women’s Month are technically over, but learning from women leaders in technology doesn’t have to go into hibernation until next year. Throughout March, inspiration was ripe from various stories and profiles of leaders and their stories. Stories are perhaps the most important means of inspiration, helping us realign our goals and objectives, while advice tends to penetrate deeper into our consciousness. It guides us in making difficult daily decisions.
Four Cyprus-based women in leadership roles share their advice for young women aspiring to become leaders, highlighting one piece of advice that defined their careers. Advice shared by women leaders summarizes the importance of continuous learning and personal growth, the courage to accept and learn from mistakes, the resilience to face challenges, and the boldness to take decisive action without fear. I am.
The power of expertise
Marina Irina is the CEO of PIN-UP Global, an international business ecosystem founded in 2016. PIN-UP Global provides a wide range of services to the gaming industry, including software development, customer service, management, marketing, legal, and finance. support. PIN-UP has offices in seven countries around the world and employs more than 2,500 people. In 2022, Irina founded the PIN-UP Foundation, a charity that supports Ukrainians affected by the war. According to the SBC Awards, Irina was honored as the Leader of the Year.
Marina Irina, PIN-UP Global CEO
For Irina, developing a professional skill set is extremely important for women looking to climb the leadership ladder. “There are no complex and arduous projects; there is just a lack of specialized knowledge.” Irina advises women to spend time on personal and team improvement through internal and external training. “If you are confident in your skills, choose a direction, leave your doubts behind, and move towards your goal. It will never be easy, but we are not here to relax. , we are here to change the world of technology.”
accept mistakes and difficulties
Valentina Bagniya is the CMO of SOFTSWISS, a leading technology company in the iGaming industry. Valentina joined the company in 2020 and built a full-service marketing department from scratch within six months. Currently, Vanya leads her team of over 50 professionals from different countries. With her focus on creating innovative strategies in key markets such as Western Europe, Latin America, and Africa, Bagniya has led her team to become the standard for her B2B iGaming. Her excellence has earned her awards such as the Brand IDOL Award and her EGR Marketing.
Valentina Bagniya, SOFTSWISS CMO
Recalling the salient advice he received at a critical point in his career, Baginya explained: opportunity. I spoke with the general manager before making my decision. He told me that being a true marketing professional requires more than just a few successful projects. It requires going through a variety of marketing experiences, each lasting about a year. This thought stayed with me. ”
According to Bagnim, the key to finding the positive amidst the difficulty of mistakes is reflection. Berniya advised: “To become better, it’s important to look closely at these different experiences, understand what went well, what went wrong, and learn from your mistakes. This self-reflection helps you become better. By the way, I ultimately decided to stay with the company. It’s not about making excuses or protecting yourself when things don’t go well. It’s about saying, ‘I failed.’ Be brave enough to say, “I did.” I was wrong. ‘ Having this attitude is the first step to growth and improvement. ”
Never give up
Elena Grigorian is a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience in the gaming industry, including eight years in the top job at Disney’s video games division. Recognized for her expertise in marketing and strategic management, she currently serves as her CEO of MY.GAMES. Grigorian led her team in marketing to leverage the potential of over 70 games, increasing marketing effectiveness by 14x, increasing business growth by 4x, and contributing significantly to the company’s success.
Elena Grigorian, MY.GAMES CEO
At the heart of Grigorian’s advice is the power to move in the right direction. Her best advice she received was “never give up.” Grigorian considers this guideline a compass for her entire journey. “This principle reminds us to remain resilient in the face of hardship. No matter how difficult things may seem, there is always a way forward if we keep moving forward and refuse to stop. It reminds me of that.”
keep moving forward
When asked what advice Grigoryan would give to young women aspiring to become leaders in technology, she continued the theme of movement, emphasizing the power of always moving forward, especially when the steps are small. Grigoryan said: “The important thing is never to stop, but to keep moving, even if it’s just a small step. If you don’t see the end goal yet, don’t panic or wait for the perfect moment when it becomes clear. Instead Focus on doing what you can in the present moment. Over time, the horizon becomes clearer, and your movements help define you.”
don’t be afraid to make decisions
Elena Dolia is the Chief Administrative Officer of AdTech Holding and has been a pioneer in establishing a transparent company culture and fostering open dialogue in the technology field. Doria’s rise from entry-level position to the boardroom demonstrates her dedication to ethical practices and inclusion. Doria joined AdTech Holding in 2018 after gaining diverse experience in large companies. She was promoted from Recruiter to Partner in her HR business, tackling responsibilities such as recruiting, brand development, and building key partnerships.
Elena Dolia, Chief Administrative Officer, AdTech Holding
Doria said the advice she often hears from male leaders is, “Don’t ask for permission, ask for forgiveness.” This principle is at the core of Doria’s leadership path. She said: “I believe that we must have the courage to do what we think is right and not be afraid to make decisions. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. We’ll all do it! The path to gaining experience and leadership roles is not always easy, but it is worth it. ”
the future is bright
The profound message of these four leaders is clear. Leadership and success in technology requires a commitment to developing expertise, an openness to reflect and learn from failure, and the boldness to step out of your comfort zone and make impactful decisions.
These prominent technology leaders are extremely optimistic about the future of women in leadership roles. Doria concluded the interview with the following: “The power of women is limitless. Modern women continue to combine all social roles, actively building careers in fields such as technology, banking, and politics. In the next 30 to 50 years, We are confident that we will see even greater increases in the proportion of women in all industries that were previously ‘non-female’. ”
Ms. Berniya offered basic advice that women rarely hear and discussed the need to eliminate stereotypes. Her parting advice is powerful. “Forget about stereotypes and borders. Believe in yourself and your power, because only you can choose whether to set limits or see endless opportunities.”
The future is bright and, as these leaders suggest, the power of women is limitless.