Session: Channelling the power of difference to grow stronger for the future
What is the biggest obstacle in attracting more women to tech? The lack of female tech leaders. But Sandrine Pons is trying to change the tides.
‘Our strength is our difference, and our difference makes us stronger.’ Sandrine Pons is a powerhouse of a businesswoman who has been pioneering the importance of D&I for the last 15 years in the tech industry. Over 30 years ago, Sandrine left her hometown in the South of France and embarked on an international career spanning many industries and yet despite her respectable achievements – she has experienced difficulties at times being the only woman in the team.
As an award-winning female leader for the world’s largest software company, her career story fuels her passion for D&I and unquestionably influences her leadership style with her diverse team – a multi-national team of different generations, variety of cultures and different career backgrounds (both tech and non-tech – including the worlds of media, television and an actor).
Sandrine wants to share her experience of embracing D&I to demonstrate the huge advantageous impact it makes on her as a leader, her team, and the business. ‘I see diversity in my team as the engine behind our success and innovation. No single person can know everything, but together – our collective differences and intelligence builds a strong proposition which makes us powerful.’
Bio
With a career spanning 30 years and a variety of sectors, Sandrine Pons is an award-winning and inspirational female leader at the world’s largest business software company.
Since joining SAP 15 years ago as their first female Senior Manager, Sandrine is now Regional Vice-President Head of Solutions Sales & Innovation where she is responsible for driving customer success, innovation and profitability in the EMEA North region.
A passionate advocate of Diversity & Inclusion, Sandrine won the D&I Regional Champion award in 2021 and aspires to be a positive role model for women in technology.