"In 2023 we will continue with initiatives to promote diversity of background and mindset, and serve our community with powerful sources for pivoting with positivity and proactivity".
As 2023 begins, we’re pleased to welcome the new President of Women in Digital Switzerland, Dr. Andrea Rubik. She succeeds Karen Bhavnani, who continues to have a strong impact in our community as Vice-President.
As an entrepreneur, digital marketer, consultant and CEO of a tech start-up, Andrea brings a diverse range of experience and a tireless commitment to advancing the representation of women in digital leadership. Here you’ll find her opening statement as she begins her tenure as President, and we also took the chance to ask her a few questions - we hope you’re inspired!
Andrea's Opening Statement
It is undeniable that we are living in an era of unprecedented change. Tradition is being tossed in favor of technology and innovation, igniting transformation in our businesses, careers, and communities.
Unfortunately, many workplaces still need to transform to reflect modern culture. With five generations in the workforce for the first time in history and growing expectations from young employees, parity in the workplace is both a social cause and a business imperative.
Navigating change can be difficult, mainly when it's in uncharted territory. However, as women, we have the unique ability to tap into our feminine strength during times of change. This innate power can help us to guide our way through change more effectively and come out stronger on the other side. It's important to remember that we all have this strength within us, and to not be afraid to use it when needed.
WDS is a living and breathing community. A community powered by collaboration with industry leaders, business experts, and employees at every level of the corporate pipeline working together to disrupt the current work culture, activate next-step solutions, and create accountability standards for progress.
Tech Trends & What to Expect at WDS in 2023: A Conversation with Andrea
Why is Women in Digital Switzerland important to you?
I firmly believe that we must reimagine the work life for today's modern workforce and the future longevity of careers. Both men and women must work together to activate change. And as we strive to create inclusive cultures, we must recognize the role our unconscious biases play in shaping our perceptions and actions. By becoming more aware of these biases, we can take steps to mitigate their impact and foster greater inclusivity in our workplaces. But true transformation requires more than just awareness - it requires accountability. We must take responsibility for making change happen and actively work to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all. WDS is a community of modern leaders who want to elevate diversity, advance careers, and create equal business opportunities for women working in the digital economy in Switzerland.
What are your hopes for women in the digital space in the coming years? What do you see as key trends and opportunities?
I truly believe that a diversity of ideas and thinking will unfold more incredible innovations. Companies and brands that are innovation-led and entrepreneurial know how critical diversity is to driving innovation. There are some trends in technology and AI that have been gaining momentum in recent years that I see as opportunities for many businesses and careers:
Advancements in natural language processing (NLP) will enable AI systems to understand and generate human language with higher accuracy and fluency, leading to more natural and effective human-AI interactions.
The integration of AI and Machine Learning (ML) into various industries will continue, with an emphasis on using AI to improve efficiency, decision-making, and automation, particularly in areas such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.
The importance of edge computing will continue to grow, as more devices and sensors are connected to the internet, and the need for real-time data processing and analysis increases.
As the use of AI in critical areas such as healthcare, finance, and security continues to expand, explainable AI and the development of methods to make AI models more transparent and accountable will become increasingly important.
Adding to these trends, I expect that OpenAI will enable the use of AI for many businesses and eventually become the kind of provider that AWS (Amazon Web Services) is for on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs (application programming interface).
What should members look forward to in 2023 at WDS?
In 2023 we will continue with initiatives to promote diversity of background and mindset, and serve our community with powerful sources for pivoting with positivity and proactivity. Encouraging women's participation and advancement in the digital economy helps to break down barriers and create a more inclusive and representative workforce. We trust this can lead to more innovative solutions and better decision-making, and provide role models and support for women in the field. Additionally, promoting women's careers and supporting career change in the digital economy can also help address issues related to modern leaders.
From your experience, what advice would you like to share for women working in tech and digital?
Pursue confidence over conformity. You must be confident in who you are and what makes you different from the mass and willing to expose that in various business situations.
Probe the possible: Explore options around you. Have the desire to add value to a brand and society at the same time.
Be ready to help people, not only sell them things: If you have a solution to a consumer problem, you have their attention.
Re-evaluate relentlessly: no idea is good forever. Generate many new and exciting ideas, even if they seem absurd.
Celebrate curiosity, empathy, and creativity: plan less and coordinate more.
Find out more about our new President, Dr. Andrea Rubik, at her website andrearubik.com.
For WDS members, you can interact directly with Andrea in the member Forum, where she's an active part of community discussions.
