In celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Privitar is shining the spotlight on some of our amazing women PriviStars. This month, we are featuring interviews with team members across the company, demonstrating the talent, passion, and commitment they bring to their day jobs at Privitar and advancing women in the broader technology landscape. Read on to learn more about Fatima Kadouci, Sales Development Representative at Privitar. 

Describe your role at Privitar

I am responsible for understanding the pain points of our potential clients and initiating a conversation on how Privitar can help address them. I’m focused on developing the French market. I am the first point of contact in the sales cycle, and my job is to explain the value of our solution to generate interest and discover business opportunities.

What is the most exciting part of your job?

People. Whether it is with colleagues, management, prospects, or other contacts, my job includes dealing with people, sharing ideas, and taking a test-and-learn approach. I love that. I get to meet so many amazing people and learn from each of them. I am very grateful for that. 

How did you get started in tech?

Before Privitar, I worked at GDS Group organizing their “Meet the Boss” roundtable events. We hosted C-level executive virtual and immersive roundtables, many of which were tech-focused. I saw firsthand the great interest and struggles tied to finding the balance between the privacy and the utility of personal data. When I moved from Bristol to London and was looking for new opportunities, I wanted to join a company where I could be a part of the solution to these challenges. That’s how I ended up at Privitar. 

What most inspires you about working in this space?

Working in technology is working for the future. It is the possibility to have an impact on something bigger than oneself. Selling in technology allows me to speak with highly experienced individuals and work on high-value projects. I also appreciate the autonomy, trust, and enablement that working in technology brings.

What challenges sit on the path to becoming a female tech leader?

I think tech is definitely a male-dominated industry. Not seeing representation may discourage other females towards that path. There’s also a misperception that to be successful, one has to be introverted and an individual contributor forever. The reality is that tech jobs are for all the different profiles. I think that every woman can have a fit in tech since, like any other industry, there is a range of job opportunities to match a variety of aspirations. 

What can the data industry be doing to increase inclusion and diversity?

We all have biases. What makes a difference is acknowledging that inclusion and diversity are good for the workplace. They bring different ways of thinking and increase innovation, learning, and a healthy work environment. 

Once you’ve acknowledged that, then act towards that goal. It doesn’t have to be perfect or complicated, but by having an open mind and accepting of differences, we can achieve a lot.

I believe the data industry is future-focused, and we live in an increasingly globalized world. The workplace should reflect that and be at the forefront of embracing diversity.

In terms of action, I’ll say that the focus should be on the person’s hard and soft skills. Once you establish that person is a good fit, being flexible and open can go a long way towards working together. Privitar is an amazing example of that.

Increasing inclusion and diversity is not so much about having to have a certain percentage of representation, it’s more about providing the same opportunities and how you treat the minorities in your company. Accepting the differences and making minorities feel like they won’t have less of a chance in the workplace because of their differences is the key.

How do you drive change? Not just in your team, but across the business and the industry?

By taking initiatives. I think it is important to focus on what we can improve and change rather than complaining or feeling stressed about what is out of reach. I believe that, as a general principle, when something—a new process, a new tradition, a new framework—works, people are naturally attracted to the results. Actions like this carry a heavier weight than words. I drive change by setting the example and then have collaborative communication and flexibility to adapt. 

What’s the biggest change that needs to happen to encourage more women to pursue technical careers?

More communication, flexibility, and representation in the space. 

Any final thoughts you’d like to share?

Working in the tech industry is particularly suitable for women. It is an industry where your impact can be quite direct and where you learn a lot. When agility and flexibility are at the heart of work culture, that presents a perfect opportunity for brilliant women to fully participate.

Learn more about life at Privitar by checking out our Careers page.

Life at Privitar