Alexia is a developer with fifteen years of industry experience, having progressed through various leadership roles before transitioning into coaching and mentorship. Driven by a passion for guiding others, she now focuses on nurturing talent and promoting a culture of collaboration and innovation.
Motivation to Speak at the Conference
Are you excited to speak at the Women in Tech Global Conference and what motivated you to join our community of 100,000 women in tech, minorities, and allies?
Over the years, I took part in several tech events online and in person but there is something special about being surrounded by people who share and understand your journey. It comes with a feeling of being connected with everyone instantly that you don’t really find in other settings, at least not as strongly. It is a privilege for me to be a part of this community and contribute to an event of such scale with other women and allies.
Background and Inspiration
Share with us about your background, your journey in tech, and what inspired you to develop your career in this direction?
When I started school, I knew that the tech field was heavily male=dominated, but I was not prepared to find myself the only woman in my classes. I was lucky enough to have a 2nd-year student, another woman, as my mentor to guide me and it changed my experience. I knew from then on that I was going to make coaching/mentoring a central part of my work and that I would take on leadership roles and contribute to paving the way for others.
After a few years as a developer, I was ready for more responsibilities and went through various team lead positions. I enjoyed being in those roles and welcoming the newcomers, supporting my teammates’ growth, and fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing ended up being my favorite parts of it.
Three years ago, a strong growth within my company allowed me to focus on these facets of my work and I eventually transitioned from software development to learning and development. I now overview the onboarding and training of all roles within our department, and I combine my mentorship, coaching, leadership, and management experiences to support our teams in their career growth and professional development.
Why is the topic “Onboarding or How to Train Your Champions of Tomorrow” important to you?
Onboarding a newcomer is a pivotal step in their journey in an organization, and ironically, it's also one of the most overlooked. Investing in onboarding not only supports your business growth, but it also solidifies the existing team, offers opportunities for personal and professional development, and is a privileged channel for promoting inclusion
Who could you advise to attend the Women in Tech Global Conference and why?
As a woman, you’ll find representation and inspiration, and you’ll meet people who look like you and who are facing challenges like yours, past present and future. As an ally, you’ll be more in touch with women’s reality and will learn ways to get involved and be part of the solution. At the end of the day, it’s a great opportunity to combine what you’d expect from any tech conference with a mission of inclusivity and bettering the tech field for everyone.