Not only is Jo Gaines a leader at global technology company Salesforce, she is also a leader when it comes to championing women in the local marketing, advertising and technology industries.
Having spent over 20 years working for and with technology and media companies, Gaines now leads Salesforce APAC’s business development and marketing efforts.
At Salesforce she leads teams across the Asia Pacific region in one of the company’s fastest growing sectors.
During this time Gaines has constantly looked to grow and adapt her management approach in a male-dominated industry. She leads with empathy and her core values of integrity, equality and determination.
“I’ve had some tough female bosses in my career, who tried to emulate more masculine characteristics in the workplace. I think I’ve done this throughout my career too. I have to check myself sometimes because I find myself puffing out my chest and bringing my masculinity to a meeting, conversation or situation. My friends and colleagues have called me on it,” she said.
“As I’ve gotten older, I just show up and be myself, no matter the consequences. I constantly tell myself that we don’t have to conform. It was tough to get to that point, especially when you feel like you really need your job, but once you get past this and realise that you are worth it, that you bring value to the organisation, that you have the freedom to be yourself, it’s really liberating. I am who I am – if that’s not accepted then the fit is not there,” she said.
In 2019 she led a number of important mentoring initiatives, inspiring and helping a network of thousands of women.
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