Photographer: Carly Wollaert ©
Make-up artist: Sharmila Vooren
REAKTOR
This campaign is important because it showcases and highlights women in the types of roles that they’ve historically been excluded from. The tech industry still has a long way to go to reach gender parity — especially at senior levels — so campaigns like this are essential to create public awareness about the diversity debt, while also promoting representation of women in these positions. If we as a society rarely see women in STEM roles how can we help girls, women, and non-binary folk on their path to reaching them? There’s so much power in representation, and platforming underrepresented folk as role models in tech paves the way for more diversity in tech overall.
Tamara Glasbergen
Senior Software Engineer at Reaktor
About
I started my career in retail and tourism to quickly realize that my eagerness to learn and solve complex problems was better suited for a faster environment: the tech industry. Switching careers has enabled me to wear multiple business function hats, which helps me to navigate uncertainty and change. In addition, I learned how to transfer everything I had learned in my previous jobs to my current job. Now, I help my clients solve complex, exciting challenges with a fantastic team of experts. The work can be building a website, managing peak traffic, or creating an internal tool. What I like most about my job is the variety; one moment, I’m coding or giving a workshop to my colleagues, another I’m coaching the client or providing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training. The variety is what makes this job fun!
Why do you think is important that Role Models need to be visible?
Like many others, my journey into technology was not a direct one. However, I believe that if I had seen more women like myself in the field, I may have pursued this path earlier. Despite excelling in science courses in school, I was influenced by gender biases and stereotypes that led me to believe that the tech industry was not for me. Now, I found the place I thrive in and that changed my whole life. I wish that for others as well.
Interview with Reaktor
Equals interviewed Cassandra Shapiro, global head of DEI at Reaktor. This global software and technology consultancy company works with clients all over the world, helping to solve critical business problems. With a workforce of around 700 people globally, Reaktor has spent the past several years implementing DEI initiatives and are currently rolling out various programs aimed at increasing the diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas of the organization. Cassandra has played a crucial part in this, and shares Reaktor’s story with us in this interview.