Having a Seat at the Table: How Female Leaders Have Transformed My Career Trajectory and Aspirations

Written by: Gabriela Henriques , Revenue Intelligence Analyst at Sana Commerce

As a young professional, I always thought that having a “seat at the table” meant that I needed to climb the corporate ladder and reach a position of power and influence to make a difference. However, as I get closer to completing a year working at Sana Commerce, I have learnt that true representation, diversity, and role models is really what makes a significant impact.

Working at Sana Commerce as a member of the intelligence team has been an exceptional journey, further amplified by the presence of remarkable women in leadership roles. Their mere presence has had a profound impact on my experience, elevating my aspirations and reshaping my understanding of what it truly means to lead.

Growing up, I had a solo entrepreneur mother who always showed me that with determination, hard work, and a little bit of grit, I could achieve anything I set my mind to. Seeing her work and grow her business from scratch was inspiring and boosted my ambition to be a successful leader one day.

However, my experience at Sana Commerce brought me face-to-face with a harsh reality. Before joining the company, I had convinced myself that I didn't possess the characteristics of traditional leaders, nor did I see myself or my female colleagues being stimulated and welcomed into “the boys club”.

Sana Commerce completely changed that. Not only was I lucky to work with a diverse team, in which women alongside men are in leadership roles and act as role models, but I was also able to experience a mentality shift of what the definition of a leader is. They have shown me that leadership is not just about getting results but also about empowering and supporting your team. I was now introduced to a leadership style that is inclusive, collaborative, and in which there is a constant effort to create an environment where everyone is represented and feels valued and heard.

I do feel I belong now. I can honestly say that having women as leaders in my early career steps has had a significant impact on my experience and ambition. But I also know that not every woman is faced with the same reality early on, and that's why it's so important for companies to create a space where women are represented and can take that seat at the table. By doing so, we can provide role models for young girls and show them that both men and women can reach the top of their respective fields.

Of course, there's still a lot of work to be done to ensure that women and other underrepresented groups are represented, and barriers keep being broken down. In short, having women in leadership positions isn't just the right thing to do, it's also the smart thing to do. By embracing diversity and inclusivity, companies can create a more innovative, creative, and successful work environment. And as a young woman starting my career, I'm committed to doing my part to make that happen.

Be sure to check out the impressive collection of articles authored by the brilliant women of Sana Commerce! #elevateher

• Women of Tech: Top influential players shaping the future of the industry | LinkedIn written by Kyla Armstrong, Customer Success Manager at?Sana Commerce
• How the women of Sana Commerce are changing the narrative | LinkedIn written by Brandy Perry, Content marketing specialist at?Sana Commerce