Launched in 2018, the Equality Impact Awards honor the contributions and leadership of women and allies that are changing historically, and often notoriously, unequal industries.
The awards are given to both women and allies in tech, retail and publishing who are breaking glass ceilings, fighting for equal pay, championing diversity and inclusion and ensuring that the workplace is better for themselves and those who come after them.
Today, we honor one of our 2019 winners, Geeta Randev, Digital Marketing Manager, EMEA at Champion Europe Group. Geeta answered 5 questions about the state of equality in the industry. Take a look!
1. If you could tell 16-year-old you one thing, what would it be?
You are here for a good time, not a long time. You don’t need to wait until you’re older to make a difference.
2. What was your dream job when you were just starting your career? How has that dream evolved?
I wanted to be an interior designer (specialising in functional design) – because I feel your surroundings play such a key part to your mindset & what you output, whether that be gadgets that automate processes, quotes & art on walls that inspire you… the little subtle things count. Even though I have ended up in eCommerce, I still look to apply the same philosophy by focusing on customer experience. It shouldn’t just be frictionless, it should be memorable.
3. What does gender equality mean to you?
To live in a world where we recognise strengths & celebrate what makes us different BUT in the very same breath, not scrape the barrel to find ways to be divided by what we have in common. Imagine getting ahead purely based on your gender? Even writing it here sounds ridiculous.
4. Who is one person in your industry who has inspired you in your fight for equality? How have they done so?
I would say Alice Bentinck. She co-founded ‘Code First Girls’ in 2012 offering female students free web programming courses after recognising that the majority of people that applied for funding in her company ‘Entrepreneurs First’ were male. What better way to balance out gender in our industry than attracting & encouraging females to get involved from such a young age. It’s a forward thinking initiative.
5. What’s one concrete next step that others can take to promote equality (of any sort) in the workplace?
Think about the narrative you use in conversation. You don’t need to ‘Act like a lady, and think like a man’ to succeed. Don’t describe men as great leaders & go-getters, yet females as bossy and too ambitious. It’s a really simple step.
