Can you highlight your background and how you came to be in technology, proving that gender is no barrier to success?
With a career spanning almost 20 years, I would say my journey to CEO of Tech.mt has been a gradual but gratifying one. Fortunately, my career opportunities have somehow or other always intersected the technological trajectory. From joining a newly opened telecoms company and establishing myself at management level to becoming Director of the national economic development agency and now CEO of Tech.mt, I believe technology has played a very important role in my life choices and aspirations.
What were the keys to being able to over-come the challenges in a male-dominated work environment as a woman leader, and how have you successfully engaged the employees you lead and business associates you meet?
As a person, I have always looked adversity in the eye and challenged gender bias so I often get aggravated listening to gender inequality or that women cannot make it in the technological world. Irrespective of one’s gender or the sector one is working in, if one truly wants to succeed one needs to be prepared to go the extra mile. This is the mindset I try to instil in my team. Moving away from the somehow popular prerogative that it is a man’s world, I would say it is everybody’s world, but it is also one that can be deeply influenced and shaped by strong visionary women.
Will you discuss your priorities for Tech.mt as the CEO and define how critical is innovation to the culture and values of Tech.mt?
Tech.mt was established to promote the National Strategy for Technology and Innovation. With the National Digital Strategy 2014-2020 drawing to a close, Tech.mt will be fundamental in ensuring that innovation and emerging technologies are the backbone of the new strategy for the years to come. I am a firm believer that digital evolution requires an intricate balance of drive and innovation. As Tech.mt, our core organisational values are in fact built on the notions of transformation, security, innovation and proactiveness.
How is innovation impacting both business, as well as the sector?
Innovation is key to elevating the overall quality level and knowhow of businesses, particularly in the technology sector. The speed of innovation demands businesses to make quick and informed decisions to avoid becoming at risk or obsolete.
Having said that, businesses that have invested in innovative tools, business models and processes are experiencing notable success and growth in revenue. We have some very clear examples of Maltese companies in software development and telemedicine that have invested heavily in research and their efforts are starting to bear fruit.
Is technology and big data going to change the look of the workforce of the future?
It is only inevitable that technology will bring huge changes to our traditional idea of the workforce. As in any other thing, the effects of change may have both a positive and a negative outcome. Whilst there is the frequent discourse that advances in technology may result in job displacement or disruption of workplaces, concepts of AI and automation have the potential to improve efficiency, cut costs and stimulate workforces to digitally upskill or reskill. With regards to big data usage and analysis, there is also endless opportunities to cultivate a future workforce able to transform Malta into a true data economy.
Is the transformation taking place in the profession well understood?
I cannot stress enough the importance digital transformation has on our businesses and it is often the case that it is downplayed in terms of commitment, vision and investment. Through our assistive line of business, we help businesses understand that transformation is an ongoing process that requires perseverance, innovation and long-term goals.
