Odessa’s Path to Advancing Leadership Through Innovation

As we step into May, marking the beginning of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in the United States, we celebrate the myriad contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander Americans to the United States' history, culture, and technology.?

This year the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) announced 2024 National AANHPI Heritage Month Theme as"Advancing Leaders Through Innovation” to explore stories of leadership and progress in the tech industry.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Odessa, a prominent figure in digital strategy and revenue at Fox Corporation . Odessa’s journey through the evolving landscapes of entertainment and technology offers us a unique glimpse into the world of innovation.

Liliya: What kind of work do you do in the technology industry?

Odessa: I'm a member of the Digital Strategy & Revenue team at Fox Corporation , where our focus lies in providing comprehensive executive reporting on the digital landscape. This entails analyzing digital reach, engagement, and revenue across all facets of FOX's digital business units.

Our primary objective is to distill insights into the factors propelling digital revenue growth within FOX, thereby informing strategic decisions.

Liliya: Who did you want to be when you grew up?

Odessa: As a child, I didn't have a clear vision of my future career path. Initially, I contemplated following in my mom's footsteps as an accountant, but once I entered college, I discovered that it wasn't my passion.?

Instead, I found myself drawn to the intersection of psychology, sociology, and data analysis. I became fascinated with unraveling the "why" behind phenomena and harnessing data to validate these insights.

Liliya: Can you share your journey into the tech industry? What or who inspired you to pursue a career in technology?

Odessa: My early career actually began in entertainment, primarily doing box office analysis in theatrical distribution for Universal Pictures. However, as technology began reshaping the entertainment landscape, I became increasingly fascinated by the transformative role of technology in this field.?

Witnessing the rise of FAANG companies and the proliferation of tech startups during this period piqued my interest in being part of the evolving tech landscape.

I also began to see streaming services dominate the way consumers watched content, adding to my want to pivot more toward technology.

I then transitioned into my current role within the FOX tech team. This move allowed me to combine my love for entertainment with a newfound passion for technology.

In this dynamic field where technology evolves rapidly, there are always new things to learn and explore, keeping the journey exciting and full of opportunities for growth.

Liliya: What are some of the accomplishments you're most proud of in your career?

Odessa: One of the accomplishments I'm most proud of in my career is streamlining workflow processes. Early in my career, a manager emphasized the importance of working smarter, not harder, and that principle has guided me ever since.?

By finding ways to simplify our processes, we can focus on the more rewarding aspects of our work, such as uncovering insights from data.

Liliya: How do you balance the demands of a high-pressure tech job with your personal life?

Odessa: Before the pandemic, my career held significant weight in defining a large part of my identity. However, the pandemic prompted a profound realization: I shouldn't invest all my energy solely into my career.?

This realization spurred me to explore diverse interests outside of work. I began dedicating time to volunteer work, fulfilled my long-standing desire to adopt a pet, joined a wine club, and prioritized spending quality time with my significant other, friends, and family.?

By diversifying my activities and investing in personal relationships and hobbies, I found a more balanced and fulfilling outlook on life.

Liliya: What challenges have you faced as a woman in tech, and how have you overcome them?

Odessa: In the early stages of my career, I noticed that men were often more assertive in advocating for themselves, especially when it came to salary increases and promotions.

Meanwhile, many women, including myself, tended to let their work speak for itself, sometimes resulting in contributions going unnoticed.?

I've since recognized the importance of self-promotion and advocating for oneself in the workplace. I've learned that in order to ensure recognition for my achievements, I need to actively market my skills and accomplishments, as no one else will do it for me.

Liliya: In your experience, how has the landscape for women in technology changed over the years?

Odessa: Over the years, the landscape of technology for women has undergone significant transformation. I used to see mostly men in leadership positions but am starting to see many more women fill these roles.

This is likely a result of efforts to promote gender diversity and inclusion on a much wider scale at most companies.

Despite these advancements, the percentage of women in tech still hovers around the 30% mark, indicating that there is more work to be done.

It's essential that we continue to provide mentorship and support to the next generation of women in tech, fostering an environment where they feel empowered to thrive and remain in the field.

Liliya: What motivates you to keep pushing forward in your career?

Odessa: What keeps me driven in my career is the dynamic nature of the field I'm in. Technology is constantly evolving, presenting new challenges and opportunities for learning.

I thrive in environments where my efforts contribute to a larger goal, and where I'm continuously expanding my skills and knowledge.?

Additionally, being part of a supportive team plays a crucial role in my motivation. No matter how fulfilling the work may be, it wouldn't be sustainable without a positive and nurturing work environment.

Liliya: What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the tech industry?

Odessa: For young women aspiring to enter the tech industry, it's crucial to cultivate a genuine interest and passion for their chosen field within tech.?

Embrace curiosity, seek out learning opportunities, and attend women in tech events to expand networks and gain insights from women at various career stages. Keeping abreast of the latest industry trends and constantly adjusting skill sets accordingly is also essential.

Liliya: How can men in the tech industry be allies to women and underrepresented groups?

Odessa: Men in the tech industry can support women and underrepresented groups by amplifying their voices and recognizing their contributions. They should actively advocate for diversity within their teams, understanding that diverse perspectives lead to greater innovation and productivity.?

Listening to the experiences of women and underrepresented individuals, as well as providing mentorship and support are crucial steps.

It’s also important that they challenge bias and discrimination whenever they encounter it by speaking up against inappropriate behavior or comments, and actively work to create a culture of respect and inclusivity.

Liliya: What emerging technologies or trends are you most excited about and why?

Odessa: The big buzzword now is Generative AI and it seems like every company is utilizing it in some form or fashion. While I’m a person who loves efficiency, I'm also mindful of the need to address potential biases inherent in these models.?

It’s crucial to proactively consider and mitigate any biases that may arise to ensure fair and equitable outcomes. Despite this challenge, I'm optimistic about the transformative impact Generative AI can have in streamlining processes and driving innovation across diverse fields.

A question from Nilofar Jargela who was recognized in Women in Tech prior. You can read her journey here.

Nilofar: How do you manage work and taking care of your family?

Odessa: As I do not have children of my own, I am fortunate to not have the added responsibility of balancing work with childcare.?

However, when balancing out multiple priorities like volunteer work, a dog, a significant other, family, and friends, having a priority list has been a lifesaver. I also make an effort to plan out my calendar in advance to know when there will be larger gaps in time than others.

Liliya: What else would you like the readers to know about you?

Odessa: I also serve as the Director of the Women In Big Data, Southern California Chapter. My passion for ensuring equality in the data field drives me to actively support and empower women in our local community.?

Through providing valuable resources and fostering a supportive network, we work towards promoting diversity and inclusion, including in the tech industry.

Here’s a blog we did in one of our past Women In Big Data SoCal Speed Mentoring Event: Empowering Women in Data, One Connection at a Time.

Women In Big Data

Become a member of Women In Big Data.

Join Women In Big Data, Southern California Chapter on Meetup.

RSVP and attend the next Women In Big Data event:

Gen AI in Creative Workflows: Balancing Innovation and Ethics

• Speakers Laura Shanae Randant, Founder and CEO of Mythulu and Faith 'Aya' Umoh, CEO & New Media Artist, Creative Aya
• May 9th 2024 at 7 pm PT in Santa Monica at BLANKSPACES Coworking - 1450 2nd St · Santa Monica, CA
• RSVP: Meetup or Eventbrite

When Odessa sent me pictures for this newsletter she shared a photo with her pet. I thought everyone would love to learn more about it.?

Liliya: What are the psychological and physical health benefits of owning pets? How old are your pets and what are their unique traits?

Odessa: I have one dog, and her name is Glenda. She's almost 2 years old and is a German Shepherd mix with some Siberian Husky and other working dog breeds. She keeps me active! Because she is such an active breed I walk her a lot and take her to the dog park at least 2 times a week.

She's also taught me patience and empathy. When she does something out of character I have to understand why she's doing it by reading her body language since she can't use words to communicate with me.?

She's also the best cuddler, multiple studies show positive activities with your dog release oxytocin. She loves playing with other dogs, chewing on her toys, and sniffing everything in sight.

Conclusion

Odessa’s narrative is a compelling reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of tech and the significant roles Asian American leaders play within it.?

Her story not only celebrates her individual achievements and challenges as a woman in technology but also highlights the broader progress and ongoing efforts towards diversity and inclusion in the tech sphere.?

As we continue to observe Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, let’s draw inspiration from Odessa’s experiences and insights, encouraging more young women to enter and flourish in the fields of technology and entertainment.