MagicBrief’s Maddie King said she was “lost for words” after being crowned Woman of the Year at the Women Leading Tech Awards on Friday.
King’s win followed a remarkable period of growth and expansion for martech firm MagicBrief. King joined as employee number six and was instrumental in building the firm’s brand reputation and presence in market before it was acquired by Canva last year for more than $20 million.
Her work also saw her take home the Rising Star trophy. Here’s what she had to say.
Check out the rest of the Women Leading Tech Awards winners here, as well as the Women Leading Tech Power List.
“Looking at that nominees list, there’s so many incredible people there, and a lot of them have, in my eyes, just achieved beyond what I could ever imagine,” she said.
“It is really special, and I think as someone who has had a bit more of a non linear career in tech, and I haven’t had a perfect straight path here, and I’ve had this portfolio career across e commerce and starting my own business and media and all these other things, I think it just goes to show that people who don’t fit into a box deserve to be in this industry. And I’m really proud to be representing little misfits like myself.”
King stressed that increasing female participation in the sector starts with one simple move: more visibility.
“I think that it’s very hard, particularly when you’re younger, to aspire for something that you can’t actually see in front of you,” she said.
“So being able to pedestal and champion people from all different backgrounds, and I mean that in a diversity sense, but also different skill sets and what they bring to the table, and show that you can have a really flexible skill set and come, as you are, to a workplace in tech and feel welcomed and make an impact.”
Her advice to the next generation? “Be loud, be obnoxious,” she said.
“Go for the job title that feels like a little bit out of reach for you, because you are able to step up to the plate, and particularly if you’re young, you have your entire career ahead of you. Going into a startup at an early stage is one of the best things that I ever did, and the opportunity that that has afforded me is beyond words. So go for it back yourself, and you can do it.”
When asked if she would change anything in her journey, she admitted every twist, both personal and professional is what’s brought her to this point.
“I wouldn’t change a thing,” King said.
