Interview by Brigitte Hulliger
Every month we ask one individual in our network a few questions about their way into tech, their motivation and their lessons learned.
Let’s start from the beginning. Tell us about where you’re from!
I was born in Schaffhausen. My father is Swiss, my mother Danish. This multicultural mixture made me very open-minded, creative and cosmopolitan.
What valuable advice did you get from your parents?
Never give up – always follow your dream! As photographers, journalists and authors, they were perfect role models: They met a lot of interesting people, travelled a lot, wrote thousands of articles and published many books. And even though they are in their 80ties by now they still follow their passion: Their new book about the lovely aspects of Schaffhausen will be celebrated in November. Creativity keeps them young. I share their fire, their courage and their hope to make the world a better place.
How did you become interested in tech?
For many years I worked as a journalist, coach and community manager. After my two studies in Communication and Social Media Management I enjoyed a study travel to the Silicon Valley. To discover new trends like Augmented Reality blew my head off: I returned as a tech fan and became a director of strategic marketing and innovation at Losinger Marazzi. We develop Smart Cities and offer our clients the entire life cycle of buildings.
What aspects of your work are you proudest of?
Thanks to several studies and my long and broad experience in the working field, I happen to inspire and motivate many people in our company, from top management to employees. We define Human Smart Cities and many other subjects.
What drives you at work?
As an Innovation Manager, I am at least two years ahead with my research. That makes me lead the was for our constructing experts. My vision of buildings as well as of new strategies and methods makes me an inspiring leader and coach for the top management as well as for our teams at the front.
What has been your toughest challenge you faced while working in tech?
I am a woman. I am a Swiss-German speaking Swiss-Danish woman with a long history of studies and diverse professional experiences, including freelance jobs, and I was not socialised in real estate. The majority of the management board are male (78 out of 80), french speaking engineers or lawyers, some of them with no other professional background than the multinational group Bouygues, which Losinger Marazzi is part of. I am the provocative and sometimes hurting stone in their shoes, as they say.
What advice would you give other women in tech?
Never give up. Follow your dream. The stone in your own show can change into a crystal. But: Never give yourself up. If your managing job hurts too much change the horse and ride away towards the rising sun. There is always another dream to be followed. Don’t suffer – enjoy life!
