First of all, thank you Sabrina for serving the board for 4.5 years as an innovative and engaged tech leader and powerhouse!
What inspired you to join the board of WE SHAPE TECH in the first place, and how has your perspective evolved since then?
The story of the man and the starfish and why a positive attitude makes all the difference for one of them.
Once upon a time there was an old man. Every morning he walked along the sea. One day, he saw a little girl running around busily on the beach, picking something up and throwing it into the sea. As the man approached, he asked the girl: “Good morning, what are you doing?” The girl straightened up and said: “I’m throwing the starfish that have been washed ashore by the tide back into the sea. It’s low tide and the sun is burning. If I don’t, they will die.” The old man looked at her in astonishment. “Don’t you realize that the beach here is miles wide? There are starfish everywhere. You can’t possibly save them all. What does it matter if you throw a few back into the water?” The girl picked up another starfish, smiled and said: “For this one, it means everything.”
Adapted from a story by Loren Eiseley “The Star Thrower”.
I was aware from the beginning when I joined the board that I could not change the world radically or on a large scale – that’s why I focused on individual starfish that I met in the 4.5 years and helped them with jobs, listening, giving advice. My perspective has not changed much, but it has been enriched by my encounters and a lot of positive experieces.
How do you think perception on Diversity in the tech industry has changed over this period in time?
Between 2021 and today, the perception of diversity in the tech industry in Switzerland and Europe has changed as follows:
- More focus on diversity: There are more initiatives and discussions on diversity, especially in terms of gender and origin.
- Promotion of women in tech: Programs and networks that support women in technical professions have grown.
- Diversity policies: Companies are increasingly setting clear diversity goals and publishing more transparency.
- Technology as a facilitator: AI is helping to identify and eliminate bias in recruitment and promotion.
- Slow progress: Despite improvements, the percentage of women in tech remains low, but change is progressing.
In summary, the perception of diversity in the tech industry has improved in recent years, but there is still much work to be done to create a truly inclusive and diverse workplace. Efforts have intensified, but structural changes still require a long-term perspective. But as you know: go for the starfish;-) #positiveattitude
What were some of the most significant challenges you faced during your involvement, and how did you overcome them?
I joined the board when COVID had the world firmly in its grip. Back then, WE SHAPE TECH was characterized by the fact that there were many in-person events, networking, and a lively community. That disappeared in one fell swoop, which was a huge challenge for everyone on the board. Online formats were very popular at the beginning, but fatigue set in – and not just for us, but in general. The overload of people sitting at virtual meetings and events was there.
Reactivating the community took a lot of energy, because offering physical events was not enough to get people back to LIVE events. A strategic change was to focus more on content, completely redesign the website and reconnect with the community via social media channels.
What do you think are the biggest strides WE SHAPE TECH has made in advancing diversity, and where do you feel there’s still work to be done?
WE SHAPE TECH delivers quality journalistic content, which is a big step forward – as mentioned before – driven by COVID.
Reading blogs/texts helps with reflection and inspiration and that alone is often the beginning of change. I notice that in myself, how I develop further by reading and reflecting. I think WE SHAPE TECH should and will continue to do so. There is a lot to do in the area of joining forces with organizations with the same goals, values and topics. The landscape is too fragmented, not only in Switzerland but also in Europe and globally. Joining forces always means that the community grows – which is relevant. Size is important – because at some point the voice will also have more power.
How did your role on the board influence your understanding of inclusivity and equity in the tech industry?
I like to draw a comparison with the Kaizen principle. It says that every employee should think every day about what can be improved, simplified, or optimized in their work or area and make appropriate suggestions.
In my case, it certainly wasn’t every day, but the bi-weekly routine of the board meetings meant that I had to think about these topics together with other people who were passionate about them. As a result, my knowledge and awareness of this topic and the importance for society of addressing the issues of tech, diversity, equality, etc. automatically increases over time.
Was there a particular moment, event, or initiative that stands out as especially impactful or memorable to you?
In my life, it’s rarely events that stay in my memory or leave a mark on me, but much more with whom. In the meantime, the board members have also become friends, nourished by the moments we have shared – both good and bad. Life for me is always about people – they are like the salt in my food.
What are some lessons you’ve learned from this experience that you’ll carry with you into your future endeavors?
Talk about it, talk about it, talk about it, talk about it, talk about it, talk about it, talk about it, talk about it, talk about it, talk about it…. and yes: TALK ABOUT IT.
How has your involvement with WE SHAPE TECH shaped your personal and professional growth?
Personally, as already mentioned, with friendships. Professionally, I was still working in innovation at the Swiss stock exchange when I joined and then moved to blp , a SaaS-AI startup with a research background at ETH Zurich, as a co-founder. Thanks to WE SHAPE TECH, I was able to greatly expand my network and make wonderful contacts with people with the same interests and values.
Do you have any advice for those looking to get involved in initiatives like WE SHAPE TECH?
Think less – DO MORE. In my opinion, there is currently a lack of doers in this world. There’s too much talk and too much thinking – but the horsepower rarely translates into action. I think that’s a shame. People need more COURAGE to do. Let’s go 😉
What inspired your decision to conclude your journey with WE SHAPE TECH after 4.5 years?
As always, I have the desire to do something new. The diversity of my CV and my personal hobbies is unsurpassed 😉 Some examples:
- Teacher
- Radio presenter
- Qualified improvisational actress
- Saxophone and guitar player
- Motorboat skipper
If you could summarize your experience on the board in three words, what would they be?
People – Commitment – Mindset
Is there a message you’d like to share with the WE SHAPE TECH community as you transition out of your role?
The story of the starfish – you don’t always have to think about what great things you can do – throwing a starfish back into the sea is worth so much, at least to this person – and who knows, maybe it’s the start of something really big.
Thank you Janine and Angela – it was an honor!
