Katya, at 31 you're already a global VP. Tell me about your journey.

I have been working with Acronis for 9 years. I started my career here as a support engineer and rose through the ranks to become VP of Global Inside Sales. I actually don't have a tech background - I graduated with a degree in linguistics. I applied myself on the job, learnt the business and took on projects that enabled a thorough understanding of the more technical elements of the business. This is something I want women to keep in mind - you don't need to have a technical background to thrive in a tech company. Right now, I'm responsible for worldwide inside sales and manage a team of 200 employees. We primarily sell cloud protection services and educate customers about the latest cyber security best practices and trends. 

How is AI core to your business? 

AI is ubiquitous and is redefining the future of every industry imaginable. We consume and produce tech solutions that leverage AI. For instance, we work with a range of third party providers to improve our sales funnels, and functions like customer analysis and trend forecasting heavily relies on AI. As a business, AI is at the core of Acronis' cybersecurity solutions. We offer backup, anti-malware, disaster recovery, cybersecurity, endpoint management, storage, and enterprise file sync and share solutions, delivered through AI-based active protection technology, blockchain-based data authentication and unique hybrid-cloud architecture. Our team in Singapore is focused on building a suite of AI-based solutions. 

What challenges do women face in building a tech career? How can the business community and society address this issue collectively and efficiently?

I believe women face more challenges with themselves. Many of us lack confidence and need constant encouragement. But once we set our minds to do something, we will deliver. I do think we need to work more on believing in ourselves. And I'm an example of this drawback. I never believed I was ready for a promotion, both times I was promoted in my nearly decade-long career at Acronis. Men, on the other hand, are inherently more confident and don't think twice before being handed out new assignments or promotions. We should stop second-guessing ourselves. As my mum would say, "What's the worse that can happen? You'll get fired, right? You'll find another job. But don't let the fear of the unknown stop you." Every step I have taken in my career has made me more confident of taking on bigger challenges. Opportunity needs to be taken, its not given. 45% of my team are women and I strive to maintain a more equitable ratio in my team between men and women. But when I see job applications, the numbers of women applying is lesser than men. I wish this changes.

What are the most common biases/prejudices women have to face while working in tech?

I see that women take on some very thankless jobs, or tasks that don't really advance their careers. I think they do this to be kinder or more accommodating, but in the long run, this is highly detrimental to their growth. I strongly recommend that one must take on tasks or jobs that are aligned to one's personal goals, and not to placate anyone. A lot of us tend to be overly apologetic, and even for issues that don't require an apology. Again this could stem from the need to avoid confrontation or lack of confidence, but I find this to be more damaging to one's sense of confidence. These behaviours tend to pile on more biases against us.  

What are the qualities women inherently bring to the table that make them assets in a tech company?

Society has become more relaxed about typical gender roles because of the extent of opportunities. I see women who are very career-driven, and men who are very family-oriented. So, it comes down to a person's skillset, education, life goals and objectives, not so much the gender. I believe in meritocracy than token reservations based on gender or any other category. 

How do you think companies like yours are moving the needle in terms of supporting more women to participate in tech building/development?

I believe the first step to inclusion is knowledge. The Acronis Foundation supports schools around the globe. Specifically, Acronis supports female STEM education as this is a sure-shot way of lessening the gender gap in tech roles, enabling opportunities for skilled workers and widen the representation at the leadership level. Within the company are also several programmes that exalt women like cyber leadership sessions and technical guidance on leading projects. We have to build our people to become leaders in their own right. 

What's the one thing that you see AI transforming completely?

This is the hardest question! I believe AI will transform everything sooner or later. But the most sizeable impact will be on data analysis and the role of deep learning to process huge amounts of data in a short period of time, and with more accuracy - this is being seen in banking significantly. I also see sport management and player performance being augmented heavily with AI and ML. 

Your biggest AI nightmare?

In cybersecurity, AI is being leveraged by the bad guys too so that makes jobs like mine incrementally tougher. It is a constant game of the good guys versus the bad guys, and the biggest fear is seeing the bad guys win. 

What's your advice for other women who wants to a journey similar to yours?

Don't be afraid to ask for opportunities. Accept failure with grace and be prepared for it, as failure really does offer more lessons.