Women currently make up only a small percentage of the technology workforce, and an even smaller fraction of these women are in leadership roles
Catherine Lian cuts an impressive figure in the Malaysian tech scene. With almost 24 years in the industry, her illustrious career with Dell Technologies has taken her around the region, from Malaysia and Indonesia to the far corners of Mongolia and Bhutan, where she played a part in driving the technology movement that was sweeping through the region.
In April 2019, Lian was appointed as managing director of IBM Malaysia. But she joins only a small minority of women in executive positions in Malaysia, let alone the industry. In this new role, Lian continues to push for more diversity and representation in Malaysia's tech industry, especially from the top down.
"Equality for me means that men and women are on the same level of knowledge and opportunities," said Lian, "It is irrefutable that diverse teams produce better business results."
A strong supporter of numerous initiatives rolled out by IBM, including STEM for Girls and Tech Re-Entry, Lian shares her journey as a woman in tech and her vision for a more inclusive global tech industry.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in tech?
I've always believed that technology and human progress are inextricably linked. Technology is always evolving and providing digital solutions to make things easier, whether it is for businesses or our daily lives. If you take a look at how we live today, where would we be without technology? From navigating the roads to delivering food, technology has positively impacted every aspect of our lives.
That opportunity to create positive impact is why I wanted to work in the technology industry.
What has been the biggest challenge you face as a leading woman in tech?
Work-life balance. For women, especially Asian women, we face the pressures of taking on the role of mother, sister, wife and daughter—something that men don’t experience. When I had to move around the region, the biggest challenge was the family element. Relocating and adapting to a new environment was not always easy but luckily, I had a solid support system.
To this day, they make me feel that anything is possible.
See also: Asia's Power Women: How These 10 Female Bosses Are Shaping Malaysia
Do you think the tech industry has changed to become more inclusive of women?
The IT landscape in the late '90s was very different. The ratio of women to men was incredibly low and there were questions on whether women could even handle this fast-paced industry, with its ever-changing trends.
Over the course of my career, I have seen how the mindset about women in tech has changed, from industry leaders to government. More organisations are acknowledging the power and value of having women at the table and making gender diversity a formal business priority. And Malaysia announced a series of initiatives under the 2021 National Budget to value the contribution of women to nation-building.
Women have more opportunity than ever to take their rightful place as tech leaders and innovators
See also: International Women's Day 2021: Kate Spade Celebrates 5 Inspiring Malaysian Women
