Only woman in the room

In a diverse workplace, employees from different backgrounds and genders are exposed to perspectives and world views. When these different perspectives combine, they often come together in novel ways, opening doors to creativity and innovation.

Employers in Middle East are increasingly aware of the importance of diversity in the workplace and although there has been more focus and work on women empowerment, we are still far from our desired goal. To have a more inclusive workplace, leaders must address the stream of discrimination that continues to hinder women from doing their job.

Odette has been working in the video surveillance industry for more than 10 years. She is responsible for developing the business in the Levant and North Africa territory.

A people first culture focusing on workplace flexibility, inclusion, and employee well-being is what I imagine when picturing my dream work environment. This culture is one where I can perform meaningful work and where I have the opportunity to develop, grow, and advance my career within the company.

Working with my team is my role’s most engaging aspect. I really enjoy mentoring and guiding my colleagues to further develop and grow. I also love working with different technology partners to find solutions that fit complex customer needs and I am lucky to be working in a field where anything and everything is possible.

When you work in the technology field in the Middle East, you will often find yourself the only woman in the room. This has its benefits such as being noticed and remembered first but can also be challenging since there are few role models you can look up to.