PEOPLE
T
hroughout the past year,
that Finastra sees itself as a regional
Business Chief has spoken to
sponsor of inclusion and diversity.
various business leaders about
“Something very close to my heart is
the importance of gender diversity,
creating a more diverse workplace –
especially in the traditionally male-
how do we get rid of unconscious bias?”
dominated field of technology. Several
50
organizations are taking big steps to
MENTORS AND ROLE MODELS
improve their gender balance and
Aside from efforts made by large cor-
promote female role models, while
porations, Gupta says it’s important for
many argue women must still work
women and men alike to be proactive
hard and motivate themselves and
and keen to learn. “While it’s important
one another to prove themselves in
to have role models, don’t wait for the
male-dominated sectors.
organizations to give you those models.
Speaking to our new FinTech Maga-
Go out and seek a coach who will listen
zine, Finastra’s APAC Marketing Leader
to you, is someone you trust, and is will-
Smita Gupta discusses the cultural
ing to commit time and be part of your
issues in creating a diverse workforce.
career journey.”
“People from each country have behav-
Vicki Batka, Vice President of Cisco’s
iors and attitudes driven by where
AAPJ Partner Organization, echoes the
they come from, but it’s never too late
importance of mentoring, and she her-
to change,” she comments, adding
self acts as a mentor. She has noticed
“ If organisations want to fuel innovation, diversity and inclusion are key” — Smita Gupta, Finastra
FEBRUARY 2019