World's Most Influential Women in Tech, 2022

SuccessesoftheWomenwhoareExcellinginthe TechnologyIndustry

It'sanexcitingmomenttobeawomanintechnology.More womenareenteringthebusinessthaneverbefore,andfemale representationcanbeseenatalllevelsoftheindustry. However,ifyouarenotadeveloperorengineer,itmay appearthatyouhavelittleoptions.Thispostwilllookatfive waysthateveryone,fromstudentstothosewhohavebeen workingintechnologyfordecades,maygetengagedin helpingwomenintechnology.

Femalesareafraidtoseekcomputercareersowingtoalack ofunderstandingaboutwhatitincludesandbecausenooneis offeringitasanoptiontothem.Theabsenceoffemalerole modelsisalsocontributingtotheperceptionthatacareerin technologyisnotforthem.Accordingtooneresearch,just 22%ofpupilscannamearenownedwomanworkingin technology.Incontrast,two-thirdscannameawell-known computerscientist.

Accordingtothisreport,aquarteroffemalecomputerscience studentsarediscouragedfrompursuingacareerintechnology becauseitistoomale-dominated.However,ifyouwantto attractmorefemaleteenagerstotheITbusiness,demonstrate howtechnologycanbeusedforgood.Halfofthewomen polled(49%)saidthatfeelingliketheirjobmakestheworlda betterplaceisthemostimportantconsiderationindecidingon theirfutureemployment.

Moreyounggirlswillbemotivatedtofollowtheirhobbies andcareersinSTEM(science,technology,engineering, mathematics)andcomputersciencewhenwomenhonortheir femaletechleaders,whichwillassisttobroadenthepoolof employmentcandidates.

Beingawomanintechnologyisn'talwayseasy,andbeingthe onlywomanatthetablemayputanextraburdenonyou. Whenyouelevatewomenintechnologytoprominent positions,you'retellingtheworldthatotherwomenhavea shot.

World's Most Inuential Women in Tech, 2022

World'sLeadersrecognisedthemostinfluentialwomen techleadersinitslatestissue“World'sMostInfluential WomeninTech,2022”basedontheirvisionand achievement.

ThecoverfeaturesCeciliaCamillucci,CEOand PresidentofTIPSSalud,asoftwarefirmthatworksat thecrossroadsofinformaticsandhealth.Itbeganin2011, whentheHospitalPrivadoUniversitariodeCórdoba'sIT Departmentwasseparated.

Cecilia'sroleasPresidentofTipsSaludistoguarantee thatthefirmachievesitsgoalsandobjectivesby imprintingacultureofgrowthandinnovation,andthatits productsarepracticalandaccessibletoLatinAmerican healthorganizations.

Ceciliasaysthatdevelopmentandinnovationprojects exciteheratwork.Sheenjoysworkinginagroupand exchangingideas.Itexciteshertoseebrilliantideasor goodresultscomefrompeopleshehaswatchedrise throughtheranksofbusiness.Shelikestoseemotivated andparticipativepeople.

Inthisspecialissue,we'llsharesimilar,inspirationaltales andinterviewswithmanyofthesededicatedwomen leaderstoraiseawarenessabouttheireffortstomakethe workplaceanabodeimprovementandgrowth.

Also,whileyouflipthroughthepages,don'tforgettoread thearticlescreatedbyourin-houseeditorialstaffand industryexperts.

HappyReading!

ANKITASINGH DR.INGRIDVASILIU-FELTES HELENPRINCE JENNIFERBARNES MARIZAFOTIOU NOORALMUHAIDEB

Dr.

Helen Prince

Determined to Highlight Effective, Explicit Teaching of Vocabulary

An English teacher, senior leader and advisor, Helen Prince, Founder and CEO of ChaerStars, has led English, literacy and drama provision in schools for over 20 years. Her experience as an Ofsted Inspector, top leader, author, trainer, and speaker has benefited her work. Helen's work has benefited over 300 school leadership teams in the UK. Helen presents a series of the Oxford Educaon Podcast called “Word Up”, where she chats with various educaonal experts, actors and authors to explore what they can do to bridge the Word Gap from Early Years to Key Stage 4.

Chaerstars gives schools and parents a pleasant, entertaining way to deal with the word gap while increasing vocabulary confidence, which is the best indicator of future success. Games that allow students to dissect layers of meaning and connotaon—the cornerstone of English assessment—can be played alone or as a way to spark conversaon. Through a range of targeted puzzle types, it tracks each child's progress and reports a unique 'Vocabulary Age', providing schools and parents with the informaon needed to help bridge the word gap and improve life chances.

Helen asserts, "We have also just launched ChaerStars 11+, a fun, engaging soluon for 11+ and entrance exam success. ChaerStars11+ develops the skills needed to idenfy synonyms, compound words, odd ones out, anagrams, word connecons, and more."

Belowarehighlightsoftheinterview conductedbetweenWorld'sLeaders andHelenPrince:

Describewhoyouareasaperson, insideandoutsideoftheworkplace. Reflectingonwhoweareandour charactertraitsisquiteatask!Forme, Iamguidedbyanunwaveringbeliefin ourmission,aclearvisionforthebest versionofourselves,andtheresilience toovercomebarriersalongtheway Creativethinkingandeffective communicationarevitalformeand giveclaritytoeverystep.Whenthe wayaheadseemsunclear,these attributesallhelpinspire,calm,and conquer.It'sjustthestartfor ChatterStars,butIknowthisisthepath Iwasmeanttofollow.Inthewordsof thebrilliantfilmLaLaLand,"Here'sto theoneswhodream!”

Mythreechildrenaremyworld.They providetheheartandfocusofmylife andareallgrowingmuchtoofast!Iam partofanacapellasinginggroupand performregularly.Iloveswimmingall yearroundwithmyfabulousmermaid friendsandalsoenjoyreading,theatre, goodwineandevenbettercoffee!

Tellusabouttheinceptionofthe company.Howdiditallstart?

Aboutsevenyearsago,throughmy workwithOfstedandacademytrusts, thewordgapanditsimpactonthelife chancesofincreasingnumbersof youngpeoplebecamefrighteningly

Bclear.Academicachievement,selfesteem,confidence,andwell-being wereallsufferingfrompoor vocabulary,limitingourchildren's abilitytoexpressthemselvesandtheir ideas.

Isearchedhardforafewlittleand oftendigitalresourcestobuild vocabulary,butsoonrealisedwhatI wanteddidnotexist.Ispentayear craftingtheplansforagamified, puzzle-basedapptomeettheneedI sawinschoolsandtheirfamilies.Our brillianttechentrepreneur,MattSalter, cameonboardandChatterStarswas bornwithaclearmission-toequipall youngpeoplewithaneloquent,brave, world-changingvoicethatenables choice,regardlessofbarriers.

Nowin2022,weareelatedtohavea partnershipwithTwinklHive;adding theirtwinkletoourstarsmeanswecan takeevenbiggerstridestobridgethe languagegapformillionsofchildren.

Whathasmadeyousuccessful? Whatdoyouvalue?

Theworldofstart-upsisn'talwayseasy tonavigate!Attheheartofourjourney areclarityofvision,relentless optimism,andtotalbeliefinour mission.Wearealsosothankfulto havetheexpertiseandguidanceof someincrediblecolleagues–teamwork reallyistheanswer.Havingthebenefit ofpartnerslikeTwinkl,OUP,and Pobblegivesrealinsightanddepthof experienceandknowledgeinthese earlydaysandbeyond.Wearestronger together.

Whatarethemostimportantaspects ofacompany'sculture?What principlesdoyoubelieveinandhow doyoubuildthisculture?

Wearebuildingateam.Ourteamis unitedbyaclearvision,unwavering optimism,andacompletebeliefin whatwedoandwhywedoit.Weare

mission-driven.Webuildthisthrough recruitingtherightpeopleandplaying totheirstrengths,througheffective communication;andbyensuringeach ofusfeelsvalued.

Whatisthesignificanceof innovativeideasinthecompany?

Creativityisessential.OurUSPs,such asourvocabularyage,arenoteasyto createbutvitaltopositionusasan integralpartofthetoolkitforteaching vocabulary

Giveusyouropinionon;do organizationsrelyheavilyon individualheroicsorteam processes?

Weneedtobeinspired.Weneedtofeel wearemakingadifference.

Whatareyourresponsibilitiesasthe Founder/CEO/ManagingPartnerof thecompany?Whatisthehappiest partofyourdailyroutine?

Rightnow,abitofeverything!Iamat myhappiestbeingcreative,exploring newcontentideas,talkingtoteachers andpupilsandlearningfromtheir feedback,andmovingourmissionand teamforward.

Whatadvicewouldyougive someonegoingintoaleadership positionforthefirsttime?

Bebrave,befocusedandbekind.You willgetthingswrong—that'sOK! Theimportantthingistolearnfrom themandkeepgoingwitharelentless optimism.

Jennifer Barnes

Offering Outsourced Accounting, Fractional CFO, and COO services along with Human Resources Support

OOptima Office was established by Jennifer Barnes in 2018 and is woman owned business. From 2011 until 2018, Jennifer served as the company's founder and CEO before establishing Optima.

Since her graduation from the University of Arizona in 2001, Jennifer Barnes has worked in the accounting and financial industries. She was appointed Controller for a mortgage company that grew quickly When the housing market crashed she wrapped up her involvement with the organization and began consulting. After five years of consulting, she was forced to go off on her own. She says, "Being fired from a consulting firm that we now compete with was the best thing that happened to me because it forced me to start my own company. "

Belowarehighlightsoftheinterviewconductedbetween World'sLeadersandJenniferBarnes:

Describewhoyouareasaperson,insideandoutsideof theworkplace.

I'matenacious,driven,andextrovertedpersonwhovalues friendshipsandrelationships.I'manaturalconnectorwho reallyenjoyshelpingothersandmakingadifferenceinthe world.Beingkind,loyal,andgenuineiswhoIaminside andoutsideoftheworkplace.Igenerallywanteveryoneto likemeandlovebeingaroundfriendsandfamily.Iaman avidsnowboarder,regularlygotoOrangeTheoryFitness, havebeenboxingforoveradecade,andIhavemyfirst babyontheway togobeforebabyMasonarrives. Amonth

MyhusbandandIarereallyexcitedtobeparentsandhave spent14yearstogetherhavingfunandenjoyingone another

Tellusabouttheinceptionofthecompany.Howdidit allstart?

Optimaismysecondcompany.In2012,Ibecamethe managingpartnerofanexistingcompanyandwasgiven

50%equitytorunthatorganization.Inthefirstthreeyears ofthatcompany,Igrewitsingle-handedlytoover$3 th millioninrevenue,andwewerethe5 fastestgrowing companyinSanDiegoin2016.Thepartnerwhoownedthe other50%finallygotinvolvedintheorganizationinearly 2016asourfulltimeCOO.IwasgrowingresentfulthatI wasdoingalltheworkandheownedhalfofthecompany. Duringthatsametimeframe,wegaveaway10%equitytoa CFOwhowefeltwouldbringvaluetothecompany.This wasahugemistakeonmypartbecauseIgaveupcontrol. Longstoryshort,theguysdecidedtooutvotemein2018 anddidahostiletakeoverofthecompany.Ionlyowned 45%ofthecompanyIbuiltonmyown,whichalloweditto betakenfromme.Ifoughtextremelyhardandspent18 monthsinlitigationwiththeguys,butIendedup prevailing.Itturnedouttobeahugeblessingindisguise, andnowOptimaistwicethesizeandIdiditinhalfthe time.Itcertainlyhelpedthatacoupledozenemployeesand manyclientscamewithmefromthebeginning.Ourfirst th year'srevenuewasover$3million.Wewillcloseour4 yearofbusinesswithrevenuesofcloseto$10million.

Whathasmadeyousuccessful?Whatdoyouvalue?

Resilience,Tenacity,Drive.Irefusetoletanyonepushme downandIstandupforothers.IamstrongandIfightfor whatIbelievein,alwaysdoingtherightthingandbeinga goodpersonnomatterwhat.

Whicharethemajorservicesofthecompanyandhow dotheythecompanytogetaheadinthecompetition?

OptimaprovidesfractionalCFOandCOOservices,along withoutsourcedaccountingandHRsolutions.Wehavea teamofover90employees,frombookkeepersto accountingmanagersandcontrollers,tohigh-level executiveswhoareCFO'sandCOO'swithextraordinary backgrounds.Wedifferfromthecompetitioninthatwe personalizeoursolutionforeverysingleclientanddon't believeinaonesizefitsallapproach.

Whatvalue-addedservicesdoesthecompanyprovide?

Ofthe90employees,45ofthemareatthecontrollerlevel orabove.Wesliceanddicedatatohelpourclientsachieve higherprofitsandstronggrowth.Ensuringourclientshave accurateandtimelyinformationiscritical.Puttingtogether personalizedfinancialsforthemhasreallyhelpedthemwith theirsuccess.

Whatarethemostimportantaspectsofacompany's culture?

Ourvisionistohavethehighestretentionintheindustry, whichIamprettysurewehaveachieved.Idonotthinkany ofourcompetitorscansaythattheyhaveashighofa retentionrateaswedo.Ourfocusistokeepourteam extremelyhappysothattheyneverwanttoleave.Happy Staff=HappyClients.

Whatprinciplesdoyoubelieveinandhowdoyoubuild thisculture?

Takecareofothersandbeagoodperson.Focuson relationshipsanddothebestyoucanforthebusinessesyou workwith.Beacollaborativeandkindco-worker Youare neveralone,andtheexecutiveteamisalwaysopento feedback.Flexibilityiscrucial.

Whatisthesignificanceofinnovativeideasinthe company?

Well,weareaccountants,sowecan'tbeallthatinnovative, butwedoaimtopersonalizeourservicesforeachcompany weworkwith,andwecomeupwithmeaningfulkey performanceindicatorsthatwillhelpabusinessmakebetter decisions.

Giveusyouropinionon;doorganizationsrelyheavily onindividualheroicsorteamprocesses?

Alittleofboth.WeneedstrongCFO'sandcontrollersatthe organizationwhocancomeupwithreallygreatmetricsand ideasforhowacompanycangrowandbecomemore profitable,butwealsoneedteamworksothatthenumbers beinginputatthestaffandbookkeeperlevelsareaccurate. WeareahappyteamhereatOptima.

WhatareyourresponsibilitiesastheFounder/CEOof thecompany?

Ihavetoomanytoname,butIdotendtostayprettyhigh level.Ibringinmuchoftherevenue,amthecompany ambassador,andsupportmyteamasmuchastheyneed.I delegateasmuchaspossible.Idotendtospendquiteabit oftimeansweringemails,whichseemslikeanever-ending part-timejob.

Whatisthehappiestpartofyourdailyroutine?

HiringpeopleIabsolutelylovegivingnewemployeesan opportunity.Seeingtheirfaceslightupwhentheyare offeredapositionheremakesmereallyhappy.Icare tremendouslyaboutrunningagreatorganizationthatshows appreciationtoitsteam.

Whatadvicewouldyougivesomeonegoingintoa leadershippositionforthefirsttime?

Takethetimetolistentoyourteamandtaketheiradvice andfeedbackseriously.Stayoutoftheweeds.Youneedto delegateandfocusonwhatyoudobest.

Founder CuriousIQ

Mariza Fotiouisthefounderof CuriousIQ, aDigitallearning platformandemploymentsupport organisationforpeopleinneed. Mariza’sworkingexperience expandsover16yearsacross financialservices,technology,energy andphilanthropy.Overtheyearsshe directed global,complex,strategic transformationinitiativesinvolving organizational,investmentproducts, process,andtechnologychangesin multinationalcorporations.Herdrive andpassionaboutphilanthropyled hertowhatshebelievesasher missionofbeingofservicetoothers andhelpingimprovepeople’slives.

Belowarehighlightsoftheinterview conductedbetweenWorld'sLeaders andMarizaFotiou:

Briefouraudienceaboutyour journeyasabusinessleader.Tellus aboutyourbackgroundandwhat didyoudobeforeyou started/joinedtheCuriousIQ?

MycareerstartedintheUS,whereI movedaftergraduatingfrommy bachelorsinGreece.Ithenpursueda MastersinFinance,whichI graduatedin2009fromBaruch CollegeinNewYork.After graduating,IjoinedHSBCPrivate Bankandworkedthereforabout10 years.Imovedalotwithinthebank andhadsomeamazingrolesthatkept megrowingprofessionally.Ialso gainedexposurefromworkingintwo

continents:NY,USandLondon,UK, eventuallyleavingasChief OperatingOfficeindigital.Thisrole exposedmetothetechnicalaspectof productcreation.Ipossessedthe necessaryskillsandcouldapply themtoanyindustry AsCOO,I receivedacompletelydifferent perspectiveonallfacetsofrunninga digitalorganisation.In2020,I decidedtochangeindustriesand joinedBP.HereIleadthe organisation'sspecialiseddigital productdevelopmentteamsto efficientlyconstructnewdigital services.Digitalisoneofthemost vitalskillstohaveifyouwantto makeadifferenceintoday'sworld.

Whatwastheideabehindstarting CuriousIQ?

Socialmobilityisarealissueofour time.Withalltheincreasing geopoliticalunrest,moreandmore peoplewillbeinneedofintegration. TheothergapIseeisthatdigital skillswillonlycontinuetodrive demand fortechtalentintheyearsto come.Thesecondthingisthatdigital skillswillonlycontinuetodrive demandfortechtalentintheyearsto come.Thesetwoparameters,andmy strongdrivetohelpthoseinneed,led metocreateCuriousIQ.Istrongly believethatsocialentrepreneurship bringstheevolutiontheworldneeds andboostsinclusion.So,Ifounda waytocombineandapplymyskills tomakeadifference.CuriousIQwas foundedinresponsetoanunjustand ongoingsituationinGreece,a countrywithenormouspotential.For everymarginalisedpersonwholives ontheedgesofsociety Thegoalisto upskillunderprivilegedpeoplein digitalskillsandadvancetheir employabilitybyhelpingthemfinda jobinthemarket.

AsaFounderofCuriousIQ,what areyourmajorrolesand responsibilities?

Myrolecanbedividedintothree mainthemes:teamleadership, strategicmanagement,and partnerships.Eachonehasitsown setofchallenges.Icreateactive citizeninvolvementandfavourably impacttherateandreachofour objectives.Itransformthevisioninto actionthroughtheidentificationof therightpartnershipsthatcanhelpus meetourgoalsandexpandourreach. Fundraisingisabigpartofmyrole, somethingthatIfindcriticalforthe successfulexecutionoftheprogram. Itwouldbereallydifficulttoachieve resultswithoutstabilityofresources. However,afounder,besidesbeinga visionary,shouldalsobeself-aware andcapableoflearningandselfdeveloping.AndthisisthepartI enjoythemostaboutmywork,asit helpsmetocontinuetogrowasa person.

Howdoyoubalanceworkandlife responsibilities?

Iprioritisemymentalhealthbecause itmakesmeabetterpersonand betteratmywork.Also,exerciseis veryimportantforme.Ineedtokeep moving,otherwiseIlosemyenergy Icanfititinnomatterwhat.Iknow thatifIdon't,Iwillnotbeashappy andasproductiveasIwanttobe. Lastly,Imaketimeformyfriends andfamily.Itisveryeasyformeto getlostinmyworkbecauseIgeta lotofsatisfactionwhenthings progress.ButImakeaconscious efforttostopandspendtimewith peopleIlovebecauseitisvery important.

Tellusaboutyourvisionforthe company.Howdoyouensurea cultureofintegrityandinnovation inthecompany?

CuriousIQ'svisionistoimprovethe livesofthosewholivein underservedcommunitieswhilealso

involvingtheminthedesign, implementation,andexecutionofits projects.Asaresult,wenotonly haveareliable,in-depth understandingoftheneeds,butwe alsoensurethatthecommunitiesare preparedtotakeonfutureinitiatives ontheirown.Theworldiscurrently undergoinganethicalrevolution. Manytimesinmycarrierandmost recentlyasafounderIhaveopenly addresseddiscrimination.Itistrue thatwedonotliveinanequalworld. InCuriousIQequality,transparency, integrityandinclusivityarepartof ourmoralcompass,partofthe culture.Iapproachtheteamasequal playersbyalwayslisteningtotheir ideas,concepts,andfutureplans. Basedonmyprofessional experience,thesehumblebeginnings serveasthecornerstoneforasolid foundation,wheretheteamquickly learnstheprinciplesof experimentation,innovationand empowermentwhicharethen positionedasthefundamentalpillars ofourculture.

Whatadvicewouldyougivetothe emergingentrepreneursand enthusiastsconsideringacareerin anindustry?

Myadviceistoremindthemselves dailyoftheir''why''.Why-theydo whattheydo.Ifwhatyoudoisyour purposeinlifeorwhatpeoplecall your''calling'',youhavemore strengthtokeepgoingandmore chancestosucceed.Weallknowthat startingabusinessishard.Thatit takesemotional,psychologicaland financialstrengthtogetthrough.And bybeingafounderyoustretch(and sometimesbrake)allthree.So believinginwhatyoudowillhelp yougetthroughhardshipand eventuallyshineandsucceed.

Noor Al Muhaideb

Noor Al Muhaideb

Striving To Craft the Ingredients of Absolute Luxury, Creating Spaces

That are not Only Beautiful, but Breath-taking

NNoor Al Muhaideb is the CEO & Founding Partner of Opaal Interiors and Detay Living. She earned a Bachelor of Interior Design degree from the American University of Sharjah in 2002. She gained her remarkable portfolio over her fifteen years of professional expertise by implementing and completing several residential, hotel, and commercial developments for Emaar Properties.

Clients and coworkers alike hold Noor in high regard for her extraordinary inventiveness, design sensibility, organizational prowess, and capacity to lead diverse teams. With an eye for elegance, craftsmanship, and quality, she is renowned for her world-class visionary style and designs that set trends whilst remaining fresh and timeless year after year

Belowarehighlightsoftheinterviewconductedbetween World'sLeadersandNoorAlMuhaideb:

Describeyourprofessionaljourneyasabusinessleader. Ihavealwayshadaneyeforbeautyandadeepappreciation forlovelyspaces.Throughoutmychildhood,this dispositionblossomedintoaskill-setasmycreativemind exploredthepossibilitiesofdesign.Isetmysightsonthe AmericanUniversityofSharjahandpursuedaBachelorof InteriorDesigndegree.Aftergraduatingin2002,Iwas hiredasInteriorDesignDirectorwithEmaarProperties. MyfifteenyearsofextensiveexperienceatEmaarfurnished animpressiveportfolio.Irelishedtheopportunityto implementanddelivercountlessresidential,hospitality,and commercialdevelopments.Asmyconfidenceandfirst-hand knowledgegrew,sodidarealdrivetocompleteeach projectinatimelymanner.Now,atthehelmofOpaal Interiors,Ilovetonurturetheyoungdesignershere.Ihave notforgottenwhatitwasliketobeafreshgraduateandI giveeachyoungdesigneravoiceandopportunitiestouse theirgifts.Ilookforstrong,creative,competentthinkers. Theyeachbringimmensevaluetothetable,andmyhopeis thattheyareempoweredhereatOpaaltostepbravelyinto theworldofdesign.Itakegreatcareinthehiringand trainingprocess,ensuringthateachcandidateunderstands ouruniquebusinessmodel.Whenwefirstbegan,Ifocused mainlyondesignforpropertydeveloperssothatIcould buildastrongbusinesscaseinonespecificarea,butnow wehavereallybranchedoutintoallkindsofprojectsand developments.Iknowthisisonlythebeginningforus!

Whoinspiresyoutowakeupeverydayandkeep makingadifferenceintheinteriorspace?

Iamamotheroffour,andmyfamilyisabsolutelymy greatestinspirationandsupport.Thisprofessionisso

rewarding;seeingthevisiontakenfromroughsketchesall thewaythroughtotheendresultisjustanincredible feeling.Ialsolovetoreadbooksaboutsuccessfulbusiness leaders.Thereisabitofarealitycheckinobservingwhat hasbeensacrificed,butthereissomuchwisdomand inspirationinseeingtheroadtosuccess.I'vebeen particularlyinspiredafterreadingShoeDogandthe challengesPhilKnightfacedandovercamewhilebuilding theempirethatisNike.Ineverassumedthatsuccesswould beinevitable.Therearemanyfactorsoutsideofourhands, asbusiness-owners,butIdoknowthatwhatIcancontrolis mydedicationtoputinfocusedtimeandeffort.Andithas trulypaidoff.

AstheCEOandFoundingPartnerofOpaalInteriors, whatchallengeshaveyoufacedwhileestablishingand runningthebusiness?

Thebiggestchallengeprovedtobetheveryearlystagesof thecompany.Buildingclientlistsandrelationshipswith thoseclientstakestime,andthereisnowayaroundit. We'reupagainstwell-establishedfirms,soproviding excellentcustomerserviceandbeingwillingtogoabove andbeyondhelpedusbuildourreputationfromthe beginning.Iamhappytosaythatthepatienceand determinationtostickwiththeprocesshaspaidoff.We'll stillloseapitchoccasionally,butI'mfarbetterathandling thosemomentsnow.Myreactionstoachallengingmoment likethatarenowfarmorerootedinmyknowledgeofthe complexityofthedesignworldandthemanyfactorsthat contributetothosedecisions.

BriefusabouttheoperationsofOpaalInteriors,its mission,vision,andcorevalues.

AtOpaalInteriors,wearecommittedtofindingthebalance betweentheambitionsoftheuser,theneedsoftheindustry,

andtheshapeofthephysicalspace.Withingenuity, enthusiasm,and50yearsofcombinedexperience,we desireeachclienttofeelasenseofpartnershipinthe processofdesignandcreation.Webelievethatanexpertly designedinteriorisfundamentaltoalastingfirst impression,andtakeonthisresponsibilitywithgreat gladnessandgreatseriousness.Eagertorealizeeachclient's vision,wecombineourunderstandingofmaterials, textures,finishes,andcolorstoelevatethespaceinaway thatauthenticallyrepresentseachclient'svision.

WhatexactlyOpaalInteriorsisdoingdifferentlyin acquiringandsustainingcustomersforitself?

Ibelievewhatsetsusapartis,mostimportantly,thevitality ofourclient/designerconnection.Bothstrongcreative leadershipandrealclientpartnershipsexistside-by-side. Thisisourgreatestmotivationtohirewell-rounded professionalswithstrongcommunicationskills.Workingat Emaaralsogavemeinsightintowhatwasmissinginthe market.Quickexecutionandtimelinessareofhigh importance,butweneverrushtheplanningprocess.Weare especiallymeticulousintheconceptphase,listening carefullytotheclient'sneedsandrequests.Wecantakea veryroughideaandpatientlycollaboratewiththeclientas thevisionbecomesmorespecific.Duetothesubjective natureofdesign,weneverassumeweknowexactlywhat theclientwants,butwecommunicateseveraloptionswe knowcouldsatisfytheirneedsandplaceahighvalueon theirinput.

Whatcreativewayshaveyouemployedtomakethe workenvironmentofOpaalInteriorsvibrant?

Virtualworkhasreallyhelpedwithbrainstorming;itmay soundcounter-intuitive,butawayfromdistractionsinthe office,ourteamhasreallybeenabletobeproductiveinthe idea-generatingstageofeachproject.Evensincewe returnedtotheofficesinAugust,theideashavecontinued

toflowmorefreely.Perhapsthere'sacollectivesenseof confidencenowthatwehavesurmountedtheobstaclesof 2020.Thequestionweareaskingourselvesnowis,"How canweenhanceevenfurtherthewaywe'reoperating?"We believethatgoodideascancomefromanywhere,andwe areopentocreativeproblemsolvingandinnovationofall kinds.

Intermsoffuturegrowth,wheredoyouseeyourself andOpaalInteriors?

AsIlookintothefutureofmyowncareer,Iseesomany thrillingopportunitiesforgrowth.Threeyearsago,we openedasistercompanytomanagefurnitureprocurement. ItistheperfectcomplementtoOpaalInteriors,andI'dlove togrowthatbusinesssothatwecanofferanevenmore robust,holisticexperiencetoourclients.Anotherhuge developmentinthenearfuturewillbetheopeningofan officespaceinSaudiArabia.Weseemanyexciting opportunitiestocontinueexpandingglobally,andhaveour sightssetonaneventuallocationinNorthAmerica.Iknow thisisonlythebeginningforus.

Whatdoyouthinkaretheessentialsofbeinga trendsettingbusinesswoman?

Astrengthmanywomenembodyisthegiftofpreciseand insightfulcommunicationwithothers.I'velearnedthatas businesswomen,wecanharnessthatforthesuccessofour endeavors.Clientpartnershipsareacriticalaspectofmost businesses,sotheabilitytoplaceourselvesintheshoesof theclientwillgiveusarealedgeonthecompetition. Stayingontopoftrends(orbetteryet,settingtrends)can seemdaunting.Keepyoureyesandearsonconsumers' desiresandremaintruetoyouruniquevision,andyou'llbe suretostaycompetitiveandrelevant.

SusanneSkovDiemerisaninternationalspecialistand advisorinriskmitigation,crisismanagement, intelligence,andsecurity.Overthecourseofhermore than25-yearcareer,shehasworkedgloballywith previousbaseinWashington,D.C.,andLondonandis currentlybasedinCopenhagen.Forherefforts,whileshe wasemployedbytheU.S.DepartmentofState, DiplomaticSecurity,shehasreceivedmanyaccolades fromtheAmericangovernment.Shehasaccumulated substantialconsulting,managerialandcrisisexpertise overthepast3decadesandfoundedPraesidioGroup12 yearsago

Themostelitecorporate,private,andpublicsectorsall overtheworldmakeupherimpressiveclientele. SusanneSkovDiemerisasecurity,crisisandrisk specialistontheAdvisoryCommitteeforPACTESUR (ProtectionAlliedCitiesagainstTerrorisminSecuring UrbanAreas)withinEFUS(TheEuropeanForumfor UrbanSecurity).

Belowarehighlightsoftheinterviewconductedbetween World'sLeadersandSusanneSkovDiemer:

Describewhoyouareasaperson,insideandoutside oftheworkplace.

Ihaveadutyandaprivilegemorethanajoband workplace.Iamalwaysoncallformyclientsand collaborators.Thatisthenatureoftheintelligence,risk andsecurityworld.Iamthesamepersonwithanyone andanywhere,atworkorathome,onvacationoron duty

Iamabsolutelythesamewitharoyalaswithaguard,the presidentorpostman.ItisastrongconvictionthatIhave –totreateverybodyequal,withrespect,andtoalwaysbe thesame.Inmybusiness,peoplewhochangeindifferent situationsandwithdifferentpeoplecanbeseenas unreliableanditcanbeawarningsign.

Bynature,Iamverycalm,attentive,instinctual,joyful–andprepared.AsIamalwaysprepared,Icanenjoylifeto thefullest.

Tellusabouttheinceptionofthecompany.Howdidit allstart?

Mycompanyhadawonderfulstart.Smooth,organicand thetimingwasjustrightformycompany,theindustry andme.Creatingmyowncompanygavemethe opportunitytohelpmorepeople,companies,governments andorganizations,ratherthanworkingexclusivelyforone part.Itenablesmetobroadenmyexpertisegloballyasan advisorandcrisis,riskandintelligenceexpert.Iamalso abletogatherthebestteams,thebestexpertsintheirfield toworkonabroadrangeofcrucialprojectsclosetome heartandfieldofexpertise.Iworkgloballywithabasein Copenhagen,afterbeingbasedinWashingtonD.C.and Londonpreviouslyinmycareer Theworldismy workplaceandIenjoythattoitsfullest.

Ihavealsofulfilledalifelongdreamastheauthoroftwo riskguides.

Whathasmadeyousuccessful?Whatdoyouvalue?

Confidentiality,reputationandthehighestmoral standardsandvaluesareessentialinmyindustry.To alwayswalkthetalk.Iliveandembodythesestandards andvaluethemfully.Iamthecompany–thecompanyis meandtheindustryismylifeandalwayswillbe.Ialso valuemyfamilylifetremendouslyandfortunately;they gohandinhandandbalancewell.

Mysuccessisverymuchduetomyreputation.Itisa smallworldandasmallindustry.Isurroundmyselfwith thebestcollaboratorsandvaluepeopleandexpertiseof allfields.Ithrivetobecomebetterandworkwithpeople whoraisethebarandwantonlythebest-nottheeasiest orthecheapest.

Setting New Standards for Consulting, Security and Intelligence

Expertiseiskey.IhaveacraftthatImasterwithinrisk, intelligenceandcrisismanagement. Thatisapowerand commitmentthatassuresdurablesuccess.

Whicharethemajorservicesofthecompanyand howdotheythecompanytogetaheadinthe competition?Whatvalue-addedservicesdoesthe companyprovide?

Wepreparepeople,companiesandorganizations.We minimizerisksandmaximizesecurity Weconstantly stayinformedandupdatedatalllevelsandallaspectsto foreseethepresentandfuture.Whatisatstake?What willbeatstake?Itis360degrees.365daysayear,24/7. Stayingalertandinformed.Weprovideprotectionin manyshapesandforms.Weprovideexpertiseand knowledgesothatpeoplecanfocusondoingwhatthey dobest.Wemakebusinessesresilientanddurableby

contributingtoassureturnover,brandandpeople. Fromkidnappingstostaffvetting,intelligence, emergencymanagement,travelsecurity,fraudand corruption,intellectualproperty,surveillance,espionage, andriskassessment,whichattheendofthedayisall aboutpeople.

Whatarethemostimportantaspectsofacompany's culture?Whatprinciplesdoyoubelieveinandhow doyoubuildthisculture?

Iamthecompany–theleader,thefounder,thefaceand thefoundation.Itransmitaverystrongcultureofhigh moralsandethicalstandards,oftrustworthiness, transparency,expertise,valuesandconfidentiality.That iswhoIam,thatisthefoundationandcoreofthe company Anditisourpast,presentandfuture.

Morethaninnovative,wearechallenged,updatedand upgraded.Wedevelopalongwiththeworldandtherisksat stakethatareconstantlychanging.Meanwhile,ourcore valuesandfoundationremainthesame.Wearenotoutto innovative.Weareheretoserve,toguideandtolead.Forthis purpose,Ihavewrittenaguidetodemocratizemyexpertise andtoservemorepeople:“YourUrbanCrisisSurvival Planner”.Apracticalcrisisawarenessandpreparednessguide.

Give

Iworkwiththebestintheirparticularfieldandtogetherwe thriveforexcellenceonanindividuallevelaswellasteam level,localandglobal,presentandfuture.Asindividuals,we workwithconsciousnessfortheteamprocess.Wecontribute. Weworkcrosssector,crossborders,crossculture.Together

WhatareyourresponsibilitiesastheFounder/CEOofthe company?Whatisthehappiestpartofyourdailyroutine?

Iconsidermyselfresponsibleforeverysingleaspectofthe company.Clientsandculture,valuesandinvestments, developmentandexecution,financesandrecruiting,service andbusiness.

Ivaluemymornings,gettingstartedbeforetherestofthe worldwakesup.Iverymuchvaluemycollaboratorsandour exchangesandexecution.Andthegratificationofmyclients.

Whatadvicewouldyougivesomeonegoingintoa leadershippositionforthefirsttime?

Beyourself-theperfectlyunperfectyou.Betransparent, genuineandbold.Followyourinstinct,intuitionorgut feeling,whateveryoucallit.Letthatbeyourcompassand youwillnavigatesuccessfulthroughleadershipandlife. Goals,borders,mapsandGPSschangeandyourinner compasswillguideyouthroughitall.Stayopen,strongand connected.Balanceandconsciousnessarekey-staying balanced,stayingconnected–andrelativelysane-throughit all.

Whatisthesignificanceofinnovativeideasinthe company?

usyouropinionon;doorganizationsrelyheavilyon individualheroicsorteamprocesses?