This year’s International Women’s Day is calling on us all to #EmbraceEquity.
For businesses that means building teams where inclusion and belonging for all genders is part of the company’s DNA so everyone is set up for success.
We asked three women from across the organisation to tell us about their experiences of working at Mesh-AI and what an inclusive culture means to them.
What is your role at Mesh-AI?
I’ve joined as a Delivery Principal and will be working on Delivery and Business Enablement. My focus will include working closely with our customers to understand their business objectives, equipping Mesh-AI and our customers with the data solutions, resources and data capabilities it needs to operate effectively and achieve its goals.
What attracted you to Mesh-AI?
The business is in its hyper-growth phase and I have long-standing experience of helping build data start-up teams and delivery practices. It also has innovative and interesting data service offerings and I’ll be getting the opportunity to work with sectors such as energy and gas to make a positive impact.
How do you think organisations can attract more women into tech roles?
They need to take a multi-faceted approach by looking into not just diversity hiring but inclusion and equity. They can start by actively promoting diversity and inclusion and making it an essential part of their culture. This can include initiatives such as hiring diverse candidates, creating a diverse interview panel and providing equal opportunities for all.
Addressing and overcoming unconscious bias in the recruitment and hiring process can help to ensure that women are given equal consideration for tech roles. This can include removing gendered language from job descriptions, which are often biased towards one gender.
What more can tech businesses do to support women in their organisations?
Providing mentorship and support programs can help women feel more supported and encouraged. Other initiatives can include professional development opportunities, accelerated leadership training and networking events. Ensuring that women receive equal pay and benefits to their counterparts can help to both attract and retain women in tech roles so organisations should conduct regular pay equity audits and address any disparities.
What is your role at Mesh-AI?
As a Partner Manager at Mesh-AI, my main responsibility is to manage and strengthen the relationships we have with our partners to ensure they’re happy with our services, and that we’re meeting their needs effectively. In addition to managing existing partnerships, I’m also responsible for identifying new opportunities that align with our business goals and objectives.
What do you like most about your job?
I'd say it's the opportunity to build relationships with people and help them achieve their goals. At Mesh-AI, we have a really collaborative and supportive culture. We're a diverse group with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, but we all share a common passion for using AI to drive business success. We work closely together to share knowledge and ideas, and we're always looking for ways to help each other out.
One of the things I appreciate most about our culture is the emphasis on learning and growth. We're encouraged to take on new challenges and develop our skills, and there are plenty of opportunities for professional development and advancement. We're also a really inclusive organisation that values diversity and respects everyone's unique perspectives and contributions.
Do you have any advice for women moving into tech?
Firstly, it's important to believe in yourself and your abilities. Don't let anyone make you feel like you don't belong in the industry just because of your gender. You bring unique skills and perspectives to the table, and those are valuable assets.
Secondly, I recommend finding a supportive community or mentor who can offer guidance and advice. There are plenty of organisations and groups out there that can be a great resource for networking and learning.
Finally, never stop learning and growing. The tech industry is constantly changing, and it's important to stay curious and open to new experiences. Don't be afraid to take risks or try something new - those are often the experiences that lead to the most growth and development. It's important to stay confident, stay connected, and keep pushing forward.
What is your role at Mesh-AI?
As People Director one of my key priorities is making sure that Mesh-AI is a business where everyone feels supported and empowered to succeed.
What do you see the most important part of your role as?
Listening and supporting individuals in the organisation throughout their employee journey. This looks slightly different for each individual and part of my role is understanding what we should be prioritising from a People perspective based on conversations and feedback.
With Mesh-AI being just over a year old, we are building the blocks to create a culture we are proud of. Equally important to this role is creating processes and structures that allow team members to do their best work.
What do you think makes an inclusive culture?
An inclusive culture means people can feel accepted and valued. It should mean there are structures and spaces that allow individuals from different backgrounds equal opportunities to contribute in the way that is most authentic to them. It is often also simple acts of acknowledging the way in which individuals may have different needs based on their multiple factors, whether that be religious and holiday celebrations, neurodiversity or cultural factors, to name a few.
I believe every team member in the organisation should take responsibility for creating a safe, inclusive culture where everyone can feel a sense of belonging. This sense of inclusion and belonging from a diverse range of perspectives helps shape and develop new ways of thinking and resolving solutions.
Find out more about working at Mesh-AI and our latest vacancies at
https://www.mesh-ai.com/join-us
To read more about this year’s International Women’s Day visit https://www.internationalwomensday.com
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