Women Leading Tech: Resolution Digital’s Olia McDonald On Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & Putting Your Best Foot Forward

The B&T Women Leading Tech Awards is back for another year, celebrating and championing the droves of talented women leading the charge and producing consummate work in the ever-shifting tech landscape.

For it’s third year running, the B&T Women Leading Tech Awards will focus on the simple, yet effective mantra of “Be The Change You Seek”.

Given the sheer volume of women tackling this mantra head on and leading the charge from day dot, B&T decided to get in touch with such talents.

Olia McDonald (featured image) is the current creative technology director at Resolution Digital, who will be sponsoring the upcoming Women Leading Tech Awards.

We spoke to McDonald about the importance of the Awards, how the tech industry can change for the better, and how she overcame the challenges of international work and motherhood to make her mark in the industry.

B&T: Why is it so important to support Women Leading Tech (WLT)?

McDonald: Traditional male domination in the industry can eradicate confidence for women to participate, contribute and lead transformation. Due to this, I often see women remaining “under the radar” when they have so much more to offer.  Supporting WLT provides a platform of encouragement, inspiration, and visible support to instil the confidence needed for women to reach their full potential, thus accessing untapped opportunities for the industry.

This year’s WLT theme is “Be the change you seek”. What steps are you and your business taking to ensure greater inclusiveness and equality in the industry?

It begins at a hiring level, where a candidate’s situation is not an obstacle in obtaining the role they are qualified for. In my case, being a toddler’s mother – whose husband is mostly away with work and family abroad – joining a demanding, high-paced role could have been an intimidating experience.  Instead, I felt supported, safe, and welcomed. I was confident that I would be able to focus on my role rather than worry about being excluded and limited based on my situation and work requirements.

Our business recognises that employees are whole people, not just workers. Flexibility is an essential part of building an equal workplace. The business’s accommodation to the employee’s individual’s needs is stress-free and supported.

Resolution has a People’s team that has built a culture with communication styles, training, encouragements to seek support when needed, and ensures diversity is always celebrated.

What’s been the biggest challenge, or obstacle you’ve faced?

Not long after starting my career in media in South Africa, I moved across to Singapore to peruse my love for digital advertising technology and had quickly grown in my role to expand a Baltimore start-up across the APAC region. I had spent most of my time away on business trips and learning about cultural business etiquettes and processes, which was was the key to success. With an acquisition of the company, I was offered an opportunity to relocate to the Australian entity.

My fascination and inspiration grew for how technology impacts users’ experience in the digital space, and the important role it plays for brands’ ROI. I have been fortunate to build on the perfect role at Resolution Digital, focusing on delivering the best ROI for our clients through the best tools and technology in market.

Most recently, we have established an Australian-first partnership that will move our industry to reduce the amount of energy consumed by digital advertising, an imperative move to reduce our carbon footprint, the forefront of what will become standard practice in the near future.

With the fast growing and competitive landscape, the biggest challenge is to sustain consistent growth in a market where sourcing the right candidates, with the right skills could take months. This is why supporting Women Leading Tech is so important. There is an abundance of talented young women that need the inspiration to join and lead the technology space. Women can bring new ways of thinking to technology roles.

What is your most-career defining moment? How has this changed you?

Becoming a mother. I had to prioritise, deliver on commitments in record times, and most importantly engage my team to sustain their trust in my focus, priorities, and leadership. I had learned to stop and celebrate milestones, the small wins, and not just focus on the big and final outcomes.

What advice would you give to young women hoping to become leaders in a statistically male-dominated technology space?

Show up, put your best foot forward, voice your opinion. Find a mentor, network, remember to be proud of your accomplishments and don’t be afraid to promote yourself.

Being in a management position, what is the best way to promote and nurture women’s careers?

Mentors, aspiration, flexibility and safety. Mentors identify strengths, provide confidence needed to peruse the path of success. Networking with likeminded women will help you stay focused and inspire career development. A lot of women have commitments, providing a flexible and safe workplace is imperative for them to advance in their careers.

Considering that, how can we empower and encourage more young girls to consider a career in tech?

Technology is everything. Girls seeing women in leadership roles, accomplishing goals, being at the forefront of innovation in the technology space is inspiring and encouraging. Creating environments to promote technology opportunities to girls to help them feel more motivated and capable of success in this industry.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

‘You can do it and you’ll be the best’. I had often encountered opportunity for my career advancement but had felt a lack of confidence to peruse. My mother had always told me I can be anything and the best at it too, as I am just as capable, if not more, than anyone.

Which women have inspired you most to become the leader you are?

My mother. She is a highly respected leading civil and structural engineer working in a highly male-dominated industry and is, of course, an amazing mother. No matter how challenging [or] busy work or home life gets, my mother always finds the time to pay attention and support the people around her. Her people-first approach has inspired those around her, including myself, to be the best version of themselves.

My door is always open as connecting, supporting and inspiring is important in leadership, to help people reach their personal and career goals.

Any additional thoughts you’d like to share?

Imposter syndrome is something many women that have had the pressure of accomplishing “firsts” or achieving success, have felt. Too many times, I have heard women saying they are “not qualified enough”, making them feel overwhelmed and not confident at presented opportunities. To overcome imposter syndrome, we should focus on creating environments that foster a variety of leadership styles, in which diverse gender identities are seen as just professionals, turning self-doubt into positive motivation .

Find out more about the Women Leading Tech Awards HERE, and get started on your submission HERE.

Tickets to the awards are now on sale HERE.

KEY DATES 

Entry deadline: Tuesday 22 February 2022
Late entry deadline: Tuesday 1 March 2022
Shortlist announced: Thursday 24 March 2022
Early bird tickets end: Wednesday 30 March 2022

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: