Women Leading Tech: OpenX’s Audrey Michelin On Why Supporting Women In Tech Is Both The Right Thing & “The Smart Thing To Do”
Audrey Michelin is the current director, account management ANZ at OpenX, aka the world’s top ad exchange for data and identity. If there’s anyone who knows the ins-and-outs of the ever-shifting tech industry then it’s certainly Michelin.
From starting her career in a sector seldom led by female executives, or with few female coworkers for that matter, to holding a senior role in one of the world’s leading tech companies, Michelin is a prime example of success in the face of historically unfavourable odds.
“I can understand how wearing and exhausting it can be to always have to fight to prove yourself in a room where everyone else is given trust and respect due to their gender,” she says.
With the 2022 B&T Women Leading Tech Awards happening tomorrow night, we spoke with Michelin about surpassing the cis-gender male benchmark, raising the bar for all women in STEM, and how tech’s gender inequality affects not just the sector itself, but broader society.
B&T: Hi Audrey. What inspired OpenX’s involvement with the Women Leading Tech awards?
Michelin: “You can’t be what you can’t see” really rings true. It’s very easy to identify great men in tech. People make movies about them. People dress like them, adapt their daily routines, read about and listen to their opinions. We want young women to see great women in tech and know that they can get there too.
And for the women who are currently leading tech, it’s so important to acknowledge the contribution they are making to their companies and the industry.
How do awards like Women Leading Tech help gender equality causes in the industry?
While we are still dealing with gender equality issues in the industry, and the world, it’s important to publicly acknowledge the contribution that women are making in an industry that is traditionally very male-driven.
As I entered the tech industry, there weren’t any female tech leaders in my companies for me to look up to. All of the female leaders were in sales or operations. I was often the only woman in the room, often spoken over or ignored. I am a confident person, so even though I was frustrated by the treatment I was receiving, I would still keep going. However, I can understand how wearing and exhausting it can be to always have to fight to prove yourself in a room where everyone else is given trust and respect due to their gender.
I think awards like the Women Leading Tech shine a light on the excellent job that women are doing in the industry. When Women are being seen and celebrated for the roles that they are doing, it will help to bridge the gap and start conversations that will hopefully progress the goal of gender equality.
Brands have often been accused of “performative” sponsorships, relating to important issues (for example, Pepsi/BLM). Why is OpenX’s partnership with WLT different?
Supporting women in leadership at OpenX isn’t something that we do because it’s popular or because we think it will make us look good: it’s who we are. We are successful because of our women leaders. Supporting them is not only the right thing to do: it’s the smart thing to do. Supporting women leaders in the broader technology space helps build successful women leaders, raising the bar for all of us.
How has OpenX ensured women are better represented and championed in the tech industry? Do you have any benefits/rewards policies to attract women into the industry?
We have a Women In Tech employee resource group. It’s a very active group that has been around for several years. That group is active in bringing in guest speakers, providing a space for women to support each other and helping to bring important topics to light. OpenX is a global company so it gives us a great opportunity to connect with women at all levels of the business who we wouldn’t otherwise meet if they are in a different country.
The WIT group recently launched a Women In Tech Spotlight Nominee Initiative with the goal of building a culture of recognition and appreciation toward the women across the organization for their achievements. In addition to recognizing nominees, the monthly spotlight seeks to build familiarity and camaraderie among women across all teams and departments here at OpenX. We are sharing these nominees on our various social media channels, showcasing our culture and support of women in technology.
Why do you believe gender-inclusive participation in tech is of such particular importance compared with representation in other sectors?
I think that for tech – and all of STEM – it’s important to have true diversity, including gender-inclusive participation. Our industry has had such a huge impact on the world. Tech has permeated all aspects of life: how we schedule our days, communicate with each other, participate in the community, solve problems (create problems), etc. The products and processes that affect all of our lives are ultimately green-lit by the leaders in our industry.
If we don’t have diverse experiences and opinions when these decisions are made, the products and processes are inherently flawed, no matter the intention of the creators.
The world in which we live was designed with a cis-gender male as the benchmark but that very much reflects the lifestyles, research and opinions of a time gone by. As our world changes and progresses, it is the inclusion of all genders that will ensure that our lives and society develop in a way that suits all participants and leads to a healthier, happier, more fulfilling life.
What do you think the next decade will look like for tech, particularly if there is great gender representation in leadership roles?
I think if there is great gender representation in tech leadership roles, we will see a more balanced life for all genders. We will see more opportunity, better progress and a more engaged workforce.
We will have products released that are more well rounded (imagine the day when I can speak to my voice assistant at a regular level and it hears me rather than having to shout because it doesn’t register the octave that I speak in, or when facial recognition doesn’t have such a hard time with certain skin tones), processes that suit more of the workforce and in turn, more engaged employees and successful businesses.
Find out more about the Women Leading Tech Awards HERE. Tickets to the awards are now on sale HERE.
As an initiative created to support gender parity and representation across the tech industry, Women Leading Tech is an event inclusive of non-binary and gender diverse members of the tech industry, as well as any individual identifying as a woman.
Thank you to our Women Leading Tech sponsors:
Latest News
Smart Speakers Stung By Ad Fraud Costing Brands $1M Per Month, Says DoubleVerify
Be wary of a Nigerian sounding bloke that claims he is Kochie and pimping crypto on a smart speaker near you.
Contiki Challenges Influencers To ‘Switch On Social Travel’ In New Campaign Via We Are Social
Contiki wants influencers to give up irritating selfies on holiday by funding them to create irritating selfies. Genius.
“We Are In Our Epic Era”: Natalie Harvey On The Big Changes Coming As Mamamia Celebrates 10 Years Of Podcasting
Natalie Harvey has taken on the Mamamia CEO's chair that B&T hopes sports a mashed pumpkin vomit stain.
TV Ratings (08/05/2024) : Team USA Become First Female Team To Win LEGO Masters Australia
It's not been a great day for Australia - out early in Eurovision, crushed by the Yanks in Lego Masters.
GroupM Hires Former Amazon Ads Global Head Of Services
GroupM poaches Amazon's Mark Lomas to lead its retail media business. Says he has no opinion on Jeff Bezos' new yacht.
It’s All About The Indies! Introducing The Best Of The Best Indie Executive Creative Leaders 🎉
Indie agencies are thriving & it's mostly thanks to these industry leaders. And their delegating to the lackeys.
Introducing BrandComms.AI, Forethought Revolutionises How Brands Do Effective Creative
Marketing & strategy agency Forethought unveils new AI offering. Yet can't explain the plot to any of the Matrix films.
Independent Media Agencies Of Australia (IMAA) Announces Record 44 New Group Deals For 2024
The Independent Media Agencies rolls out even more support for its members. Alas, no signs of any discounted arancini.
After Google Search Spike, Reddit Shares Jump 14% In First Quarterly Results Since IPO
It looks like being a top time to be investing in the tech space. Defence industries & missile makers also doing well.
Gippsland Dairy Celebrates The Deliciousness Of Patience With ‘Slow Good’ Platform Via Special
Yoghurt's a lot like online dating, red wine & running marathons - you think it's good for you, but it probably isn't.
Let Them Eat Cake: Cashed-Up Professionals Are Back In CBDs And Airports And They Want Their Audis
Latest study finds the ABs are returning to offices & reveals how brands can cash in. Just not the work from home brands.
Mariah Carey Lends Her Inimitable Voice to ‘Portrait of a Portrait’, Audible’s Latest ‘Words + Music’ Installment
Think Mariah's only good for annoying the shit out of colleagues at Christmas? Think again with this new Audible work.
AiMCO Announces New Member Webinar To Deep-dive Into The Intricacies Of Influencer Agreements
Work with influencers? This webinar's a must. And, thankfully, sporting immaculately white teeth isn't a prerequisite.
TikTok’s Head Of People AUNZ Laura Chuck Leaves After Nearly 4 Years
As much as B&T wanted to use "chucks it in" in this headline, we didn't want the Chinese government coming after us.
News Corp Australia Gets Ready For D_Coded 2024
News' D_Coded event returns for 2024. And that can't be said about Alan Jones, the Masked Singer or plant-based meat.
Ideally Continues high growth trajectory, appoints senior marketing lead
Maura Halpin brings impressive resume to her new role at Ideally. Although her bronze in Year 12 swimming has vanished.
Feel-Good Gin! The Oasis Committee And Spirit of Little Things Collab On Charity Gin
Want to help disadvantaged youth all while drunkenly phoning an ex at 3am? Have we found the gin for you!
TV Ratings (06/05/2024): Emotional Lego Masters Goodbye Does The Numbers For Nine
And we thought Lego could only make you cry when you accidentally stood on a piece.
Lisa Wilkinson AM To Join Cannes In Cairns As Keynote Speaker
Multi-Award Winning Journalist and TV Host Lisa Wilkinson AM to speak at Cannes in Cains, sponsored by Pinterest.
Mamamia Names Natalie Harvey As New CEO
Mamamia has today announces the appointment of Natalie Harvey as Chief Executive Officer.
‘The Media Has A Way To Go On Diversity’ – Diversity Council Leader Lisa Annese On Industry Diversity And Why Sunita Gloster Is An Important Addition To Their Board
Few are more qualified than a Gruen regular to knock adland and the media into shape on diversity.
Mike Shows Up At A Wake And Still Hasn’t Seen That Show, In Latest Instalment Of ‘I Saw It On Binge’, Via Thinkerbell
Why is it we pay for 19 SVOD accounts namely due to FOMO but then rarely bother to watch the shows anyway?
Flexiroam Partners With Specialist Agencies To Launch “Ready For Anything” Global Campaign
Do you return from overseas with Bali belly, a possible STI & a huge phone bill? FlexiRoam may help with the last one.
Samsung Unveils Power Of AI To ‘Upscale Every Moment’ With Neo QLED 8K
Got mates who brag about their 83-inch, 10K resolution, OLED screen TV? You're just as bored & baffled as all of us.
Media-Wize Wins AUSCERT PR Account
Media-Wize calls itself "a media training and technology and cyber security PR agency". Think nerds with better hair.
Snapchat Taps Gelato Messina In New Brand Campaign
B&T needs little tempting to scoff more Gelato Messina. Apart from having to go up a size.
Travel Insurer Trippi Draws Ire From The Brazilian Embassy Over Cheeky Brazilian Ad
There's a very fine line between "playful" and "utterly offensive". These ads are almost a dictionary definition of it.
Racing NSW Hits Tabcorp With Legal Action Over $6 Million Revenue Loss
Here's some horse racing news that thankfully doesn't require a silly hat or passing out in a nearby rose bush.
AI Tools Such As ChatGPT Leading To ‘Content Overwhelm’ Among Marketers
Study says tech leading to an avalanche of content for marketers. Not to mention having to read the instruction manuals.
Stake Appoints 72andSunny As It’s Creative Partner
72andSunny nabs Stake's creative. And by that we mean the investment platform, not the nemesis of all vampires.
61% Of Aussies Want Corporate Australia To Stay Away From Social & Political Issues Leo Burnett Study Finds
Do you love a study that appears to fly in the face of every study before it? Be mesmerised by these results from Leos.
Brendon Cook, OAM, Inducted into the OMA Hall of Fame
Other than Australia's typically pleasant weather, no one's done more for outdoor than the former oOH! boss.
New Campaign Highlighting Renewable Gas As A Crucial Component Of Energy Transition
It's hard not to make a renewable gas ad sound like a tedious Year 9 science lesson. So well done to the agency here.
Love Media Welcomes Alana Dowling As New Client Director
Seasoned media pro Alana Dowling joins the Love Media team. Clearly replacing someone who didn't love it
B&T 30 Under 30 – Where Are They Now? Until Recently, Prison!
A prestigious 30 Under 30 gong can get you headhunted, promoted or, in this instance, a two-year stint in the slammer.
“We Will Never Tell A Journalist What To Write” – Nine’s Aimie Rigas On How Data Is Shaping News
Data becoming the journalist's tool for more engaged content. Still not beating dodgy MAFS contestants or a Kardashian.