Women who lead change

As we take time to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable women who are leading change, not just within our organization, but also beyond it, in March 2023, our unwavering commitment is to foster an environment that supports their growth and empowers everyone to thrive.

Our female leaders are incredible trailblazers, and Martina Di Paola is no exception! They inspire us every day and show us the importance of empowering women and creating inclusive work environments.

But let's take a moment to shine a spotlight on Martina Di Paola and learn more about her journey as a leader. We're excited to hear about her vision for the future and her advice for aspiring female leaders. Let's get to know her better!

What is your current role? Briefly describe in 1-2 sentences.

I am the?Head of Marketing and Communications in Balance, my current role is to develop and execute comprehensive marketing and communications strategies, including event planning and digital media marketing, to promote our brand, products, and services.?

I am responsible for managing internal and external communications to ensure consistent messaging and positive stakeholder engagement while staying up to date with the latest marketing trends and technologies.

What are your thoughts on the UN's Theme for 2023 DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality, and how do you think we can create work environments that prioritize diversity and promote equal opportunities for all employees?

I believe that the UN's Theme for 2023 “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” is a powerful reminder of the critical role that women and girls play in advancing transformative technology and online education. It's important that we recognize the contributions of women and girls to the tech industry and encourage them to pursue careers in STEM fields.

At Balance under the Balance Digital Academy’s umbrella, we are dedicated to supporting the important cause of up-skilling and re-skilling our employees. Our academy provides soft skills training as well as education and training programs in digital skills and technologies, ensuring equal opportunities for career growth and development.?

We are committed to promoting work-life balance and gender equality in the workplace, and to fostering a culture of inclusion. We make a conscious effort to promote gender equality and diversity in Balance, and believe that by empowering women and girls with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in tech, we can help bridge the gender gap and create a more equitable society. To further this goal, we have established partnerships with non-profit organizations such as Valore D, which empowers women and supports them to enter STEM fields of study and careers. Through these partnerships, we aim to improve the participation, achievement, and continuation of women in STEM education and careers, and to reduce the gender gap in STEM professions. In addition, we strive to enhance awareness of the importance of STEM education for girls and women.

Creating a work environment that prioritizes diversity and promotes equal opportunities requires a commitment from everyone in the organization, from leadership to employees at all levels. It's essential to have policies and programs in place that foster inclusion and support diversity, and to continue to work towards a more equitable and just society. Together, we can make a difference and create a brighter future for all.

Did you have any mentors or role models who have helped you on your personal journey?

I didn't have just one mentor or role model who has helped me on my personal journey. Instead, I've always made it a point to observe and learn from the best qualities of the people I've worked with in multicultural, diverse, and inclusive environments.

I believe that exposure to different cultures, skills, and working experiences has helped shape my approach to leadership and problem-solving. Being open to different perspectives and ideas has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.

Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to work with many talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, and I've learned something valuable from each of them. Whether it was their approach to teamwork, their dedication to excellence, or their ability to navigate complex challenges, these individuals have all influenced my personal journey in some way.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

The best piece of advice I've ever received is "When you don't like something, you have to change it, and when you can't change it, you have to change your attitude." This advice reminds me that we always have a choice in how we respond to situations, even if we can't control them directly.

In both our personal and professional lives, we are often faced with challenges or situations that we don't like or that don't align with our values or goals. It's easy to become frustrated or overwhelmed in these situations, but it's important to remember that we can always take action to change our circumstances or our perspective.?

This advice has helped me to stay flexible and adaptable in the face of challenges and to approach each situation with a proactive and positive mindset. It's a valuable lesson that I carry with me in both my personal and professional life.

Over the last few years, we have encountered numerous new and unprecedented challenges. What keeps you motivated or what keeps you inspired??

The past few years have certainly presented unprecedented challenges, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the shift to remote or smart working. However, I have found that focusing on what I can control and staying adaptable has helped me to stay motivated and inspired.

In terms of the “new normal” and smart working, I have been motivated by the opportunity to embrace new technologies and ways of working. While the shift to remote work has presented challenges, it has also created opportunities to connect with colleagues and clients in new and innovative ways. Additionally, smart working has allowed for increased flexibility, which can be beneficial for achieving a better work-life balance.

What keeps me motivated and inspired is a desire to learn, grow, and make a positive impact in my work and personal life. By staying adaptable, focusing on what I can control, and prioritizing self-care and work-life balance, I believe I can continue to meet new challenges with a proactive and positive mindset.

Why do you think it's important that companies prioritize social impact? Do you have any specific stories or examples from your work or colleagues you can share?

I believe that companies have a responsibility to prioritize social impact, not just for ethical reasons, but as a necessity in today's world. With increasing societal and environmental challenges, companies can make a positive difference by integrating social impact into their business strategies. By doing so, they can motivate others, and change the world for the better.

At Balance, we prioritize sustainability as a key aspect of our business. We strive to reduce our impact on the environment and support the communities where we operate. Through the choice of the right partnerships with non-profit organizations, we are able to regenerate ecosystems and promote positive social outcomes. We are always actively seeking and evaluating potential partnerships to ensure they align with our mission and values of sustainability. These partnerships allow us to give back to the community and contribute to a more sustainable future. We see it as our responsibility to do our part in creating a better world for future generations.

We also recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion in fostering an innovative and creative workplace culture. By creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all employees, we can attract and retain top talent and provide opportunities for everyone to contribute to the success of our business.

We believe that it is our responsibility to make a positive impact on the world through our commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and diversity and inclusion. We strive to create a better and more equitable future for all, by taking actions that not only benefit our business but also the environment and the communities we serve.

If you could describe yourself in one word what would that be and why??

If I had to describe myself in one word, I would say "comprehensive." I consider myself to be a well-rounded individual with a broad range of knowledge and experience across different fields. I am adaptable and always willing to learn new things, which has allowed me to succeed in a variety of situations and environments.

I believe that being comprehensive is essential in today's rapidly changing world, where we must constantly adapt to new technologies, industries, and ways of thinking. By being comprehensive, I am able to approach challenges with a holistic perspective and find innovative solutions.

Furthermore, being adaptable has allowed me to thrive in different roles and work environments. I have been able to quickly adjust to new teams, projects, and cultures, which has helped me build strong relationships and contribute to a positive and productive work environment.

Do you have any unique or useful life hacks to help get through your day??

Living in the present moment and being curious are two life hacks that have been incredibly helpful for me. By focusing on the present, I am able to stay grounded and reduce stress and anxiety about the future. This allows me to be more productive and effective in my work and personal life.

Additionally, I find that maintaining a sense of curiosity and a desire to learn new things helps me stay engaged and motivated throughout the day. Whether it's trying a new hobby, reading a book, or simply asking questions and seeking out new knowledge, cultivating a sense of curiosity keeps life interesting and fulfilling.

Finally, I also try to prioritize self-care and make time for activities that bring me joy and relaxation, such as exercise, meditation, and spending time with loved ones. These practices help me stay centered and energized, even on busy or stressful days.

Do you have any go-to apps or tools you love to use??

Yes, one of my favorite apps that I use almost daily is Yuka. It's a great tool for tracking and analyzing the nutritional quality of food and personal care products. Yuka uses a color-coded system to rate products based on their nutritional value and overall quality, making it easy to make informed decisions when shopping for groceries or personal care items. It also allows you to scan barcodes of products to quickly access their nutritional information and see if there are any potentially harmful ingredients to avoid.

I find it to be a really helpful tool in maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any goals (personal or professional), activities, or experiences you are excited about??

As a naturally curious person, I always try to approach life with a sense of openness and excitement about what's to come. This year, I am looking forward to challenging myself to try new things and explore new experiences.?

On a personal level, I am excited to travel more and explore new cultures. Specifically, I hope to plan a big trip to either America or Asia to immerse myself in a completely different environment and gain a fresh perspective.?

On a professional level, I have set goals to improve my public speaking skills and lead a bigger team. I am excited to take on new challenges and continue growing both personally and professionally.