International Women’s Day: Spotlight on Klaudia Wrona

Across the STEM industry, a persistent gender gap in digital careers restricts women from unlocking technology’s full potential.

With this year’s theme centring around “DigitALL: innovation and technology for gender equality”, we caught up with Klaudia to unpick what empowerment within the workplace means to her and the steps we can, together, take to eradicate gender bias in tech.

Making a difference behind the scenes

Klaudia Wrona first joined the BT Media and Broadcast team with a passion to deliver the best technology-driven customer solutions. Today, she’s proud to represent a demographic of women working in the media industry. A focal point of her role centres on forging partnerships with major broadcasters, whose content captivates billions of viewers worldwide.

“Through this, I quickly learned that at the core of great connectivity and innovative tech is talent,” says Klaudia, speaking of the intricacies of the role.

As a keen spectator of sports content, Klaudia says one of the perks of the job is getting to peek behind the curtain of the stage.

“It’s incredible to experience the complexity and creativity that happens behind the scenes,” she says. “To see the intricacies that allows content to be delivered to television screens seamlessly is something that still fascinates me.”

Driving for change: industry developments

To Klaudia, driving for change within the industry is vital. And after attending the IBC Tradeshow on behalf of the BT Media and Broadcast team, her focus on driving change has only amplified. ?

“The International Broadcasting Convention is an opportunity for visionaries to come together, share ideas, and discuss the latest trends and innovations,” she explains, speaking of the wide talent represented at the event. “For me, it was fascinating to learn more about the exciting innovations and new perspectives that developed under the cover of the covid pandemic.”

The event, which is held in Amsterdam each year, is also a forum for debate on important issues the industry faces, such as the skills gap and gender bias.

In 2022, BT Media and Broadcast hosted a panel discussion in conjunction with Rise – an organisation supporting gender diversity across the media technology sector with representatives across the industry to discuss the skills crisis, sharing insights and action needed to combat the issue.

Speaking of BT’s own initiatives, Klaudia stresses the importance of representation within the industry.

“As a relatively recent graduate, it’s great to see BT Media and Broadcast collaborating with universities to help shape the curriculum and develop courses that give students the hands-on experience and necessary skills to succeed in the industry.? There are brilliant mentors and role models inspiring future generations.”

Thinking back to the purpose of diversity and inclusion, Klaudia emphasises the importance of deploying initiatives that create a desire for women to join the industry.

“Effective measures have been taken to ensure our recruitment, marketing, and TV content generally reflects the diversity of our audiences,” she explains.

Klaudia, what does empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means different things to different people. To some, it represents strength and resilience. At its core, Klaudia acknowledges true empowerment is something that can only be achieved by eradicating gender bias for good.

“True empowerment is about creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential. Individuals should be equipped with the appropriate resources to have autonomy in pursuing their goals.

“To stay ahead of the curve, we must first future proof. And in order to future proof, we must continue to develop and disrupt,” Klaudia explains, crediting the diverse talent at BT as an essential contributor to BT’s success. “I’m delighted to be a part of an organisation that’s committed to diversity and inclusion, one that takes necessary steps to address these issues.”

“When we embrace diversity and create an inclusive setting, we’re able to better serve our customers and our communities. We have a clearer understanding of the needs and perspectives of all our stakeholders, and we are better equipped to innovate and stay ahead of the curve.”

Celebrating IWD at BT Media and Broadcast

For Klaudia, this year’s IWD theme – innovation and technology for gender equality – is one that’s close to home. In her view, recognising the potential of transformative technology and digital education is not only crucial to empowering women in tech but also vital in driving much-needed, positive change.

“IWD spotlights the commitment that’s required to address the systemic barriers that have historically limited women’s opportunities and undermined their rights. Equality is not just a matter of fairness, but a tangible goal of social and economic necessity. Innovation and technology play a crucial role in advancing this goal.

“I'm proud to be part of an organisation that’s leading the way in promoting diversity and inclusion in the media and broadcast industry, and I’m excited about the work we’ll continue to do in the years to come.”

Offering encouragement to women who may be facing roadblocks in their own professional setting, Klaudia says the key to development lies in mentorship.

“Believe in yourself,” she urges those who may just be starting out in their career. “Having confidence in your abilities is key. Don’t let setbacks discourage you, use them as opportunities to learn and grow. And get a mentor who’ll act as a guide as you navigate your journey.”