Stronger together: Midis Group women recognized at the Women in Technology Forum and Awards 2023
Three leading women working for Midis Group affiliates were front and center at the Women in Technology Forum and Awards 2023. Varuna Shah (Group Marketing Director, Mindware), Nichola Banerjee (Regional Marketing Manager – Barracuda Networks META & CEE) and Gunika Arora (Marketing Manager, EMEA Emerging Markets, Quest) all won awards at the event.
According to event organizers Tahawultech.com, the Forum and Awards, held on March 6 at the Sofitel Hotel, Downtown Dubai, were designed to bring together key female leaders and executives from across the IT and technology sector ‘who continue to inspire others to follow their lead.’
The event was organized around two panel discussions involving invited female leaders talking about the best practices women can adopt to ensure they continue to make progress in their quest to restore parity when it comes to gender diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Following the panel discussions, the award presentations took place.
When asked about what it felt like to win the award, Varuna said « It’s an honor to be recognized as a leader among so many talented and inspiring women who are making a difference in the tech industry. » Varuna was named the Senior Marketing Leader of the Year, 2023.
Nichola agreed about the honor of receiving the Marketing Personality of the Year award and thanked her colleagues, too: « I am truly honored and grateful to receive this award for marketing personality of the year. It is a great privilege to be recognized for my passion and dedication in the field of marketing. It is definitely a humbling experience to be awarded amongst such talented and inspiring individuals in the industry. It would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of my colleagues and mentors. »
Gunika felt the same way about the event and award: « I am honored to have been awarded the Brand Awareness Marketeer of the Year Award at the Women in Technology Forum & Awards 2023. This recognition means a lot to me. »
The panel discussions opened up the subject of what is it like to be a woman in the tech sector, and how it is possible to succeed and progress these days. For Varuna, the answers to this come through examining the state of diversity for everyone in the workplace: « It is crucial to support and empower women at all levels and help them achieve their full potential by creating a more inclusive and diverse workplace, that drives innovation, creativity and better outcomes for the community. Being a woman in the tech sector today is both empowering and challenging. There are many incredible female role models in tech industry who are paving the way for future generations of women. »
Varuna added « The unwavering belief and support from my mentors, coaches and family have been instrumental in shaping me as a leader. This award is not only a personal achievement but also a reflection of the efforts of my team and the support of my organization. It is also a reminder of the responsibility I have to pay it forward and make a positive impact on the industry and society as a whole. »
Nichola Banerjee recognized the role that more progressive employers can play in enabling women to succeed in tech: « While technology has traditionally been a predominantly male dominated industry, there are organizations that recognize the value of a diverse and equally representative workforce. The Midis Group is certainly at the forefront of the space, and I consider myself blessed to have worked in various roles across this organization throughout my career. Over these 15 years, I have been encouraged by my managers and colleagues, both male and female, and it is this support that has motivated me to keep excelling and advancing in my career. »
« As a result, my overall experience as being a ‘woman in tech’ has been both positive and rewarding. Yes, given the pace of advancement in the industry, working in tech requires a lot of dedication, and this can be challenging for women sometimes. But it’s not different from many other fields as at the end of the day, it’s just a matter of choice! »
Gunika made a different point about the industry and women: « There is this ideology around technology; everyone seems to respect the industry and hold it in high regard, probably as the impact technology has made so far and will continue to make on the world. So I genuinely believe anyone and everyone that comes under the ‘Women in Tech’ umbrella should be proud, and wear that badge with honor. »
The event and the awards themselves were a prestigious and exciting moment and each of our Midis Group leaders felt the emotion of the moment. Varuna: « This award is a validation of all the hard work and affirmation of my skills and capabilities in the tech world. I hope to motivate and encourage young talent to pursue their dreams. »
« Standing up on the stage, thirty seconds after my name had been announced – I felt inspired » wrote Gunika. Nichola said this about the announcement of her award: « It was a reminder that persistence, creativity, and collaboration can lead to great achievements – and also lots of gratitude to the people who believed and helped in shaping my career along the way. »
