Embracing My Strengths as a Woman in a Male-Dominated Industry
By sharing my story of embracing my feminine strengths in a mostly masculine industry, I hope to encourage and inspire other women to do the same. It's crucial that we continue to break down barriers and empower all women to bring their unique perspectives and talents to the table.
As a VP of Experience in the Fintech space, I've been working in a male-dominated industry for years, and it hasn't always been easy. But thanks to my colleagues and mentors, I've been lucky enough to grow and thrive in this space. Shoutout to my amazing friends and family who have been doing great things in their own spaces (you know who you are) for all their advice and mentorship. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today.
Growing up in Iceland, I have experienced firsthand the benefits of a gender-equal society where women have the tools and opportunities to succeed. I was surrounded by strong women who inspired me to pursue my dreams and never settle for anything less than excellence. These experiences shaped me into the person I am today, and I'm grateful for every moment of it.
Looking back on my journey, there is one moment that really stands out to me – taking part in creating the Lucinity brand and go-to-market strategy. As a newcomer in the complex and male-dominated B2B industry, I sometimes felt like an impostor. However, I relied on my strengths of collaboration and empathy, actively seeking input from my team and incorporating their ideas into our strategy. Through hard work and dedication, our team achieved some incredible commercial success before we even won the Icelandic B2B Brand of the Year award in 2022. We secured partnerships with top-tier banks and fintechs globally, a true testament to the strength of our strategy and the unique value we offer to clients. This experience taught me the importance of perseverance and teamwork in achieving success, even when faced with daunting challenges. I am incredibly proud to be part of such an amazing team and can't wait to see what we'll achieve in the future.
I also acknowledge my privileges and opportunities, aware that my experiences and perspectives may be different from those of women of color and those who live in other parts of the world. It is important to recognize these differences and work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable world for all women. Embracing diversity can not only help us all in working together towards our common goal but also creates a positive impact and paves the way for a brighter future for generations to come.
Diversity is key to success. Studies have repeatedly shown that companies with a diverse workforce perform better financially and are more innovative and creative. While Iceland has made remarkable progress toward gender equality, Icelandic women still face obstacles and biases that limit their potential. It's crucial to recognize that gender equality is never a given, and no matter how far ahead we’ve gotten, we must continuously work to improve it.
By sharing my story of embracing my feminine strengths in a mostly masculine industry, I hope to encourage and inspire other women to do the same. It's crucial that we continue to break down barriers and empower all women to bring their unique perspectives and talents to the table. Let's not settle for the status quo, however well we think we’re doing, but rather strive for a more inclusive and equitable workplace and world. We won't stop until we get there, and once we do, we’ll continue to improve because that’s what we as humans should always do.
