Most organizations still rely on traditional, yet static, measures of software quality and progress. Sadly, these measures often limit the users to static snapshots that don’t provide enough information for proactive decision-making. Sixsentix’s goal is to help customers move beyond static measures into predictive analytics with quantum improvements in software quality. Only Sixsentix’s predictive QA analytics – a software quality assurance platform delivering analytics and reporting for software testing – capture accurate trends and business risk or highlight where to optimize software quality and how to best deploy scarce resources. “We’re on a journey to take our customers from labor-intensive, manual software testing and reporting to a transformed DevOps environment with the highest level of software quality,” says Filip Milikic, CEO and Founder of Sixsentix.

From the beginning Sixsentix recognized the need of a robust platform for QA reporting and analytics for DevOps as a standard solution for software quality reporting with single-click visual analytics for decision-making. “As we established the criteria for the QACube Platform, we were clear about what the industry needed,” adds Milikic. “In response, we created a Heartbeat Graph that shows when a test case was last executed, how often it was executed and if its status has ever changed from passed to failed.” Flexible widgets were also developed to clearly show “red alerts” for poor quality problem areas and The Time Series, a graph that enables users to see project history and trends and compare that to the ideal plan was added. A Contribution Chart, which identifies “which test cases to test next” guides the clients towards the highest test coverage, to focus on high-risk requirements and to achieve “shift left” with early resolution of software defects.

” We’re on a journey to take our customers from labor-intensive, manual software testing and reporting to a transformed DevOps environment with the highest level of software quality. “

QACube functions like watching television where viewers want to find an accurate weather report with Doppler Radar. For example, any of the DevOps and management stakeholders can switch it on with one click and instantly see where things are heading and what’s coming. Sometimes the software quality looks “sunny” and is ready for “GoLive”. Other times there may be a hidden storm looming on the horizon with critical software defects that could delay the entire release or even pose a high business risk to the client’s customers if left unresolved. QACube uses augmented analytics so that agile Testing and DevOps Teams can make the right decisions quickly. The QACube dashboards feature role-based reporting options. Delivery teams may work on different aspects of the same release, from multiple time zones, and using multiple source systems. “Until now, testing teams didn’t have that option. But, QACube makes this easily possible,” adds Milikic.

In an instance, a large, Swiss based international bank, with multiple international IT programs, vendors and technologies, needed to setup a centralized service structure to provide strategic testing services. As part of the solution, QACube visual analytics was implemented to replace all legacy QA reporting systems across their many legacy testing tools and methodologies. This provided a reliable and controlled information base for go-live decisions. QACube has since become the gold standard for Software Quality Reporting and Analytics as part of the DevOps process.

In the future, Milikic sees the largest enterprises in the world relying on QACube so that they are no longer “flying blind” without reliable instruments when it comes to software quality. Every successful organization today depends on software as a competitive advantage when it comes to bringing offers to market and attracting and retaining customers. QACube was built for complexity and analytics and so that fact-based decisions could be made without the need for outside consultants. “At QACube, we wake up everyday thinking about how to improve software quality to achieve business agility leveraging the right augmented analytics and algorithms. I guess that’s quite a lot to think about but it’s not a dream anymore it’s a reality!” says Milikic.

QACube

Management

Filip Milikic
CEO & Founder

Description

QACube helps drive competitive advantage with predictive QA visual analytics and dashboards across popular ALM/software testing tools.

Stephanie Broyles, CMO, Fidelis Cybersecurity, is smart, talented, and driven. She is an energetic powerhouse who understands market (and human) dynamics, customer needs, business opportunities, and flawless execution. Her energy, innovation, and “get it done” attitude actively transform and improve Fidelis Cybersecurity.

According to Stephanie, every woman confronts gender-related bias and roadblocks in the workforce. “I had an outstanding manager early in my career who recognized that I was not earning as much as a male peer even though I had more responsibility. They helped me overcome that challenge,” she says. “As a woman, you don’t want to come across as combative or defensive. Women need to know the delicate balance of being assertive and not appearing aggressive. Men don’t need to learn this.” She goes on to add, “I developed into who I am today by stepping out of myself to become the person that I would want to work with and admire. How did I do this? I set up a lot of calls and meetings with managers, mentors, respected peers, and leaders over many years to learn from them, and I still do this today.”

Stephanie sees and evangelizes the enormous opportunities for women in business and marketing throughout the tech industry and beyond. Stephanie strives to be an expert in her craft and vocal advocate for personal growth, professional development, and ongoing training. She leads by example in many ways. “She has always strived to be an expert at what she does – to understand as well as improve – which truly makes a difference in leaving her mark and leaving things better than the way she discovered them,” says Maria Romito, Director, Demand Gen (and serial Stephanie team member) at Fidelis Cybersecurity.

“Stephanie has always strived to be an expert as what she does – to understand as well as improve – which truly makes a difference in leaving her mark and leaving things better than the way she discovered them,” says Maria Romito, Director.

She also is incredibly passionate about mentoring others. In particular, Stephanie is deeply committed to the professional advancement of women and mentoring up-and-coming marketing professionals. She is a founding member in chief and an original member of the Cybersecurity Marketing Society.

Her energy, enthusiasm, and “never give up” attitude is contagious. “She has made herself available to me numerous times over the span of my career. She has served as a sounding board for ideas, and given guidance around next-level job growth, as well as how to balance career and demands of raising children. Her insights have served me well, and because I viewed her as a ‘people first leader’, I always knew she had my best interests at heart,” continues Romito. “Stephanie is a forward-thinking and persistent leader who can work successfully cross functionally between internal and external teams. Her mentorship and guidance gave me the confidence to persevere through roadblocks,” adds Amy Heng, Security product marketing manager, Splunk.

Stephanie goes on to explain that many women suffer from impostor syndrome. For her, it manifested itself in public speaking. She was scared of it and would pass on speaking at user conferences, shows, and other events. “I am a natural introvert, and the environment of public speaking, being on stage, was just the last place I believed I should be. As I said before, I am always learning. I watched other people present. Keynotes. TedTALKs. I watched how they command an audience,” she elucidates. “As I gained knowledge, I realized that speaking was not knowledge of all, but experience to know where to find the answers if you did not have them. I overcame my fear of the stage when a couple of situations occurred, and I had to pinch-hit. I learned in real-time. I was able to present and command authority on the topic of discussion. During Q&A, probably what I most feared, I realized I did not have to have all the answers. Instead, I asked for the opportunity to circle back. It was an excellent way to establish an even more robust professional network.” Armed with such a responsible attitude, Stephanie has taken the company to new heights.

Fidelis Cybersecurity was founded in 2002 and is a leading provider of proactive cyber defense solutions that safeguard modern IT environments with unparalleled detection, deception, response, and cloud security capabilities. They help organizations find, study, neutralize and remove threats earlier – whether cloud, multi-cloud, on-premise or hybrid environments. Fidelis Cybersecurity is dedicated to helping clients become stronger and more secure. The company is trusted by many top commercial, enterprise, and government agencies worldwide. IEWL

Fidelis Cybersecurity

Management

Stephanie Broyles
Chief Marketing Officer of Fidelis Cybersecurity

Description

Fidelis Cybersecurity, the industry innovator in proactive cyber defense solutions, safeguards modern IT environments with unparalleled detection, deception, response, cloud security, and compliance capabilities. We offer full visibility across hybrid environments via rich, dynamic cyber terrain mapping and multi-faceted context and risk assessment. These features help minimize attackable surface areas, automate exposure prevention, threat detection, and incident response, and provide the context, accuracy, speed, and portability security professionals need to find and neutralize adversaries earlier in the attack lifecycle. With Fidelis, organizations emerge stronger and more secure. Fidelis is trusted by many top commercial, enterprise, and government agencies worldwide. For more information, please visit www.fidelissecurity.com.

Brenda Lovcik is a trusted senior executive with a bold vision for the future! She is a valued partner to executive leadership and has a strong track record of driving transformational results over her 19 years at Medtronic. From controllership to international operations to business finance, she is known for delivering measurable results by leading with a strategic vision, getting to the root of the issue, driving collaboration, and achieving alignment across diverse stakeholders.

In her current role, Brenda is taking transformation to the highest level. Brenda is responsible for developing next-generation capability for Strategic Finance and championing key cross-functional initiatives expected to drive $500M+ in business impact (improved market share, increased free cash flow, and revenue).

A leader must have expertise and be authentic, relatable, and accessible to inspire women entrepreneurs. A leader must have a passion for inclusion and equity and be willing to champion other women leaders. Brenda exemplifies all these characteristics and more. She is an expert in her field and continually reinvents herself and her team. Brenda recognized the need to create standards and governance around Medtronic’s business processes and was fearless in taking on the challenge of enterprise-wide IBP to drive effectiveness across the organization and serve patients and customers better.

Brenda is an authentic leader, rewards teams appropriately, and provides critical feedback when necessary. She does all this, while being relatable through her honest, transparent, and human interactions. Brenda shows up to work WITH her team and colleagues and delivers excellence in everything she does. She is a champion for diversity and inclusion. She is relentless in her drive for gender equity, helping women at Medtronic see their potential. A strong proponent of women empowerment and equal participation in male-dominated functions, she has mentored and sponsored countless women across the globe to advance their careers and drive work-life integration.

Throughout her career, Brenda has had the good fortune to work with several inspiring mentors and role models who have encouraged her to be her authentic self and think big. One significant influence early in her career was Bob Ryan, former SVP/CFO of Medtronic. He nurtured in her a strong passion for developing talent, encouraging people to think big, be bold and not settle. He also encouraged her to gain diverse experiences and make the most of every opportunity… “make the job what you want it to be and deliver value in everything you do.”

In her childhood, the person who had the greatest impact on Brenda was her Grandmother, Anna Honer. “She had grit, she was tenacious, and she loved unconditionally.” It is important for Brenda to emulate her patience, empathy, understanding, the importance of family and faith, and value of true sacrifice. Armed with these qualities, Brenda is taking the company to new heights.

Medtronic, was born like many of their devices have been born – when an engineer and a physician got together to solve a problem and improve patient outcomes. The world’s largest medical technology company today, it was founded in a garage in 1949 as a medical equipment repair shop by Earl Bakken and his brother-in-law, Palmer Hermundslie. Their deep moral purpose and inner drive to use scientific knowledge, engineering, and entrepreneurial skills to help others evolved into the Medtronic Mission. A key tenet of the mission, and one that drives Medtronic’s strategy and execution, is to ‘contribute to human welfare by applying biomedical engineering in the research, design, manufacture, and sale of instruments or appliances that alleviate pain, restore health and extend life’.

Their first life-changing therapy — a wearable, battery-powered cardiac pacemaker — was the foundation for many Medtronic therapies that use their MedTech expertise to improve the lives of millions of people. Over the last 60+ years, Medtronic has developed numerous technologies, including implantable mechanical devices, drug and biologic delivery systems, powered and advanced energy surgical instruments. Today, their technologies are used to treat nearly 70 medical conditions. IEWL

Medtronic

Management

Brenda Lovcik
VP Finance, Global FP&A and Integrated Business Planning at Medtronic

Description

A global healthcare technology leader — boldly attacking the most challenging health problems facing humanity with innovations that transform lives.

The Community Center at Visitation (CCV) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit located in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. It provides a welcoming community space for Kensington residents to build meaningful connections and access resources to improve the quality of life in the area. In December of 2020, Generocity reported that the Kensington neighborhood’s average annual income was $12,669, making it the most impoverished community in the poorest big city in the nation. In addition to the immense poverty that plagues the area, residents here live in the epicenter of the national opioid crisis. Every day, they must navigate around the used needles, feces, urine, and trash they encounter on their way to work or take their children to school. Many are afraid to leave their homes because of the high level of violence and crime.

“Community Center at Visitation is guided by the strength and resilience of our neighbors. We provide a welcoming space for Kensington residents to build meaningful connections and access resources to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood.”

Katrina Keating started as the Executive Director in November of 2020. Her previous work experiences in software development at Comcast and JPMorgan Chase & Co. brought a fresh perspective on how a non-profit can operate with agility and adaptability, which has been tremendously influential in these times of constant change in needs. At her core, Katrina is a servant leader – she recognizes that only through empowering both her employees and the community members that attend the Center will the organization have sustainable success in achieving its mission. She is exceptionally passionate about alleviating poverty and being part of the solution to make our world a more equitable place.

In the United States, 70% of the nation’s poor are women and children. Women in America are still 35% more likely than men to be deficient, with single mothers facing the highest risk. Currently, 35% of single women with children live and raise their families in poverty. With those staggering statistics, Community Center at Visitation is committed to empowering women with tools and resources to bring their families out of poverty. “Through our food pantry, health clinic, and women’s program, we foster relationships with the incredible members, especially the women, of our community and learn about their aspirations,” says Katrina. “As we develop trusted relationships, we are able to better connect them with resources already provided (whether through partners or internally at the Center).”

According to Katrina, lack of access to education, stable housing conditions, quality healthcare, and a supportive and caring community make it tremendously difficult for families to get out of poverty. “One anti-poverty strategy with evidenced success is the 2-Gen Approach, which essentially posits that when we provide families the necessary supports in the areas of education, economics, health, mental health and social capital, then that family is put on a path to self-sufficiency.” Over time, the goal is that the family would create patterns of intergenerational opportunity, breaking the habits of intergenerational poverty. Our long term goal is to better implement throughout our programming the two-generational approach.

In November 2003, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia opened the Cardinal Bevilacqua Community Center’s doors to serve and engage the community and promote development. The Center brought new life into the once-abandoned building known as the Starlight Ballroom and was then repurposed into a haven that symbolizes family, community, hope, and love. With the community’s support and the help of donors and organizations, the corner of Kensington and Lehigh Avenues was transformed into a thoroughly modernized structure.

For seven years, the Center ran under the leadership of Catholic Social Services. The Center saw the community engaged in sports, education classes, after-school programs, art programs, service opportunities, and more. Stemming from their commitment and hope to have the Center become a more effective and integrated resource for the Kensington community, Catholic Social Services transferred the management of the Center to Visitation BVM Parish in July 2010. Today, the Community Center at Visitation (CCV) is embarking on an exciting new course with a renewed hope and dream to better the quality of life and bring brighter possibilities for our neighbors of all faith, race, and gender. IEWL

Andre Bergmann, Key-Account-Manager, Navicon

Conducting marketing activities at the points of sale and permanent sale promotion via partner network require solid investment. How to plan successful marketing campaigns and assess their efficiency? Our answer is in the article of Evgeniy Golubitskiy, Product Head at the Department of Innovations, Navicon.

For a long time work of medical representatives has been the main way of successful pharmaceutical product promotion. However, now pharmaceutical manufacturers have to search additional ways of communication with clients, in particular, trade marketing campaigns (remedy promotion via partner networks and work with pharmacists). Currently in Russia it is one of the largest budget items on the pharm manufacturers’ budgets: large market players spend on sales promotion from 100 million RUR to 1 milliard RUR yearly.

Obviously, as investment in trade marketing increases, top management wanted to understand, what outcome companies receive from their marketing campaigns. Precise assessment of ROI would be helpful to identify terms of partner marketing agreements afterwards. However, pharmaceutical manufacturers faced the problem of ROI calculation for traditional promotion tools due to lack of reliable data. Calculating ROI, marketers usually count only direct cost of the campaign and sales growth at the end that is incorrect. But how can they calculate sales growth as the outcome of a precise campaign if 3 or 4 campaigns were conducted simultaneously via different channels? Which indirect costs were paid by the company including merchandisers’ and medical representatives’ time spent on conducting and controlling the campaigns? What campaigns will give immediate outcomes? Answers to these questions will help to understand how to organize marketing activities with maximum outcome.

Tip 1. Gather data and use it with maximum outcome

In order to make decisions about marketing campaigns or assess their outcomes, a lot of data should be processed and analyzed in a short term. For instance, it is important to define the right time, place and channel, as well as product, which will satisfy the customer. That is why activities should be planned taking into consideration historical and external data. It is important to understand, what time is the best for selling precise remedies, how the consumer buying behavior depends on the season, what channels are the most efficient in terms of sales: exposure, recommendations or specific signs. Previous experience and data from external sources must be also taken into consideration, for instance, marketing research data provided by the agencies.
Automated trade marketing management solutions, such as Navicon Hermes Pharma, help to collect and process a lot of unstructured data (about sales via distributors and pharmacies), taking into account historical and actual data.

Tip 2. Complementary marketing activities must be considered in analysis It is usually impossible to calculate effectiveness of just one marketing activity. Marketing uses a lot of tools, which include advertising, personal sales, public relations, sales promotion and partner relations. Pharmaceutical manufacturer can organize more than 10 activities at the same time using different channels, heading by different managers and each of them will influence growth of loyalty, sales and purchases.

For instance, TV advertising campaign can be accompanied by special signs in the pharmacy. What will be the reason of demand growth then? Maybe a customer has heard about the product by word-of-mouth and went to the pharmacy then. That is the reason why we use the term “integrated marketing communications”. Only analyzing the mix of activities, which includes all company’s marketing activities, we can make conclusions about incentives of growth or decline of sales, which are closely related to current situation.

Rachel Anderson has successfully transformed many construction operations companies to be more efficient and cost-effective while building a culture of teamwork. The VP of Centralized Operations for Zenernet oversees all operations for a rapidly-growing clean energy company as well as the construction side of the company. When she came into this role at Zenernet, the company had been so phenomenally successful on the sales side that it had outgrown the capacity of the operations side to deliver. Since she joined Zenernet at the beginning of 2022, she has completely revamped the operations department, bringing in new staff and putting new procedures in place to handle the workload, and making the department truly cohesive – which was a challenge since Zenernet is a “virtual” company with almost all of their sales and operations staff working remotely.

Being one of the few female leaders in solar construction, Rachel feels like she is paving the way. “I hope that by being visible I can give confidence to other women in the broader industry that they can achieve and rise through the ranks,” she says. “Proving every day that women can be successful in this profession. Since coming on board I also helped found a “Women of Zenernet” program for leadership development and to help the women on our staff network and get to know each other, which can be more difficult in a company with a distributed remote workforce, and I’m thrilled with the response we’ve had so far.”

Rachel has been through two bouts with cancer, but that did not stop her from advancing her career because she knew that she wasn’t just working for herself but for the women who would come after her, trying to break into traditionally male-dominated fields. “I think it’s so important for there to be a strong female presence in the renewable energy sector in particular because we need female voices heard to build a future that’s truly sustainable for everyone,” elucidates the steadfast leader. “So I would encourage any young women considering their future careers to give solar and renewables a second look, because there are few fields where you can make a bigger impact, and you can be a part of changing the perception of in these traditionally male-dominated fields just as solar is disrupting the energy industry as a whole.”

Rachel has been in this industry for 15 years, and to be successful, she had to learn and be an expert in every aspect of the business. “My advice would be to soak up all the knowledge about every aspect of the business that you possibly can and make yourself invaluable. I learned that for my voice to be heard, I had to prove what I knew whereas a male colleague might simply get the assumption or benefit of the doubt that he has the expertise to actually back up what he’s saying,” she states. “I want to make sure it’s clear, out of all of the leadership positions I’ve been in, Zenernet is the one where I have been the most welcomed and where I never felt that I was treated any differently or as anything less than equal as an executive.” Armed with this unique mindset, Rachel took the company towards productivity.

Zenernet is trying to get solar on as many rooftops as possible across America and become the first truly nationally-known brand in the solar industry. “To do that we have to continue to raise our game in the operations and installation area. We’ve made great strides just in the first quarter of 2022 and the feedback we’re getting from customers shows that, but we’re not satisfied yet,” adds Rachel. “on energy – we’re here to help them get it. We have the expertise to guide homeowners through the complexities of renewable technology and gain access to its many benefits; from financial savings to environmental impact to a more comfortable everyday lifestyle. We’re committed to delivering the best customer experience in solar, and we’re excited to continue helping homeowners achieve energy independence.” WL

Hands down, the No. 1 quality of Janet Chihocky, Founder and CEO, JANSON Communications, would be passion, along with her desire to always do something better. “I never rest on the idea that, ‘Oh, this was such a great year or that was such a great project.’ I always want to do better than we did before, so I’m always raising the bar for myself, as well as for JANSON. I have never liked settling for average. Average to me is like death. I won’t settle for good enough either.”

Janet has a genuine love and problem-solving tenacity for their client’s programs, and she shares this passion with her talented team. Together they have always wanted to tackle their most challenging projects, programs, and initiatives, but also remember that at the end of the day, they are people and are striving for JANSON to be that solid, honest provider that truly cares for each of them.

Talking about gender inequalities, Janet says that there are gender barriers out there — it would be foolish to pretend that they do not exist —but one must push themselves to the absolute best, deliver superior solutions and not allow gender inequalities to become an issue. If you’re smart, honest, reliable and deliver the right solutions then the right customers will recognize and appreciate what you’re offering. JANSON was born because Janet wanted to provide smart communications solutions to complex markets. One of JANSON’s most significant achievements would be breaking into the defense market, specifically, breaking into the Army market without a patch to brag about and not having past years in service to give them a leg up. Not only that, but they have also been able to come into this market and grow continuously.

“ Janet has and continues to encourage and inspire working women to reach heights that maybe they thought were not achievable. Seeing women grow into amazing leaders is truly a blessing for Janet on many levels.”

Janet thanks God for what she has achieved and for the future. “I am where I am today by the grace of God. I aspire to do what God would have me do. I aspire to be convicted when I know my flesh has gotten in the way and I needed to take a step back and go, “Wait, I didn’t handle that in the right way.” I never want to stop growing and learning.” Armed with this bright ideology, Janet inspires women across all industries. “I manage and lead more like a coach and my team knows that I call the plays as I see them. I have women working at JANSON that I have been blessed to inspire and empower them to reach heights that maybe they thought were not achievable. To see them grow into amazing leaders and agents of change is truly a blessing for me on so many levels.”

Whether by phone or in person, she is candid with her feedback when asked for advice. She states that starting a business is easy, but the tricky part is keeping it afloat. With that in mind, Janet advises people to know whether running a business is truly what they want. “For me, it was a lot about prayer and real soul-searching. I asked myself: Is this exactly what God would have me do? And then committing to that.” Janet suggests that young entrepreneurs be sure they are going about it for the right reasons. Alongside strongly advising to follow one’s passion, and then transform their passion in demand. “I think you have to decide: What do I want to achieve? What do I want to transform, and what do I want to help bring to the market? Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do it but be prepared for getting way out of your comfort zone – that is where the growth is found. Yes, be prepared for tough times, be prepared for rejection but don’t give up!”

Janet concludes, “If you’re a person of faith, I would take it before the Lord and really pray about it and know that this is what you’re called to do. Have a plan for your financial success.” For the steadfast leader, she helps homeless families with children; she supports missionaries focused on taking the gospel and meeting the needs of people all over the world in places such as Ireland, the Dominican, Kenya, South Africa, and more. “My next venture is working with Join the Journey which empowers female entrepreneurs in Zambia through mentoring, training, and small loans.” IEWL

JANSON Communications

Management

Janet Chihocky
Founder & CEO of JANSON Communications

Description

Our mission at JANSON is to provide first class solutions delivered with the finest service and at the best price. We’re not trying to be all things to all people. Our solutions are delivered through physical, digital and virtual communications. Put simply, we are Your Communications Integrator.

It’s never been a set of zeros for Rebecca LeClaire, CEO, Start-up to Success Media, Marketing and Consulting Agency, but rather about achieving the goal of helping others change lives. “So, if I am doing that, and I am providing for my family and employees, not just with material needs but emotional ones as well, then I consider myself successful.” A strong quality of Rebecca has been assisting women in getting out of difficult situations where the balance of power is not on their side. “I made it my mission to come alongside other women who could benefit from the reassurance of my and other mentors’ stories and the resources that we could provide and point to,” she says. “I created The Women In Motion Group 9 years ago with my Canadian friend and client, Liz Nicholls, which has grown from a virtual place to engage to in-person meetings where the space is safe, intimate, and empowering.”

“The Start-up to Success Agency is a media, marketing and consulting agency dedicated to start-ups and small to medium sized businesses who want to grow. ​We offer a full array of strategic services to bring a business from conception to recognition and start-up to success!”

Rebecca believes it is essential that women not get caught up in the trap of comparison or being threatened by each other. “Even if you are in the same industry and considered competition, I always say, “they aren’t you,” different people will resonate with different people, and that’s OK. If you can help younger entrepreneurs become successful and be able to provide for themselves and their families, then that is the right thing to do,” she adds. “Taking the extra step to reach out and share something you learned on your journey that they could avoid is how we pave the way. If you see a young woman with much promise, but she hasn’t been given a chance to show what she can do based on forces beyond her control, giver her a chance, find a fit for her. We, as the women who have gone before, can open windows to new worlds and doors that have been closed for her. We can change a life and lives to come.”

Start-up to Success Media, Marketing, and Consulting Agency was started when the economy took a downturn in 2008, and numerous people were left unemployed. Many with the “entrepreneurial spirit” took this as an opportunity to start their businesses but did not have a large budget to do so. “I was one of those entrepreneurs, and I also knew I had the skills to help. For me, it has always been about helping the “little guy” compete,” adds Rebecca.

For instance, the Crossing Resort, a family-owned hotel, and restaurant complex in a remote part of Alberta, Canada, reached out to Rebecca for assistance. For destinations like these, marketing to a worldwide audience is a challenge, as the internet is not reliable, and having a large enough budget to accommodate a marketing professional is challenging. “They had never tried social media marketing but knew it had promise. I redesigned their website to perform better on search engines for both local and international search; and to make a connection with its visitors, influencing them to book a stay,” explains Rebecca. “I executed online marketing for the 2018 tourist season and three months prior to the 2019 tourist season. In 2019 the resort saw a 100% increase in bookings pre-season than the previous year. Fast-forward to 2021, after a devastating year to the tourist industry, the resort is seeing record-breaking engagement and bookings from social media resulting from our agency managing its online marketing.”

Start-up to Success Media, Marketing, and Consulting Agency is working towards changing a person’s life through successful entrepreneurship and being available to more people globally. To that end, they have developed an email course that is part DIY business marketing course, part business consulting, and part one-on-one instruction called the STS Marketing Academy. “We will be expanding that offering to a more personal group video course, where my associates and I will walk entrepreneurs through the Start-up to Success system face to face online,” says the steadfast leader. “I am giving away all the marketing secrets and sharing all the things I have learned through trial and error, blood, sweat, and tears in the last 15 years to the students. In keeping with my company’s mission, we intend to keep these offerings affordable and within anyone’s grasp. Scholarships will also be available according to demand.” IE

Ascent AeroSystems, as a company, is creative and curious, and it values the contributions and insights of its employees as individuals. Vanessa Blakeley is the Director of Operations at Ascent AeroSystems, bringing a unique perspective as a woman, a mother, and coming from a background in general aviation rather than engineering/robotics. Vanessa has an eye for where Ascent AeroSystems fits into the larger aerospace ecosystem, and she is very interested in making our projects compatible with initiatives in the field. For example, Vanessa is focused on the company’s Spirit related to the more significant advanced air mobility space. “It’s exciting to think about bringing people, experiences, and technologies together. My mindset is also more regulatory, and I think a lot about the application and end-user experience—our engagement doesn’t end at shipment.”

“When I started flying at sixteen only six percent of pilots were women, even fewer mothers. I knew then that this was special, and saw being in that small minority as a badge of honor,” adds Vanessa. “At the same time, not everyone sees it that way. Diminishing comments about how a major accomplishment, when made by a woman, especially a young woman is “cute” and other ways in which your advancements and certificates are reduced or dismissed. In the U.S. female representation in aviation peaked in the ‘80’s. Currently, you would have to shake the hands of over 4,000 women before meeting another pilot— that’s incredible and we need to change it.”

The steadfast leader is impressed with how far the aerospace/aviation field has come, where it is going, and all the opportunities are opening up for women. “Opportunities that women are opening up for themselves! Prior generations of women in this space faced a lot of competition, but we’re moving past that now,” she says. “And I know that I try always to encourage diversity in aerospace in general, and make it clear that there’s space for everyone here. There’s an environment of active supportiveness that exists now that didn’t before, in the same way. I would encourage future women in this space, future leaders, to capitalize on this momentum for the sake of their careers and also to help the people who will come after them. Connect with the women in this space: connect with me.”

According to Vanessa, “I love being the person that executes on a theory and plan. I love being the ‘how’ to the vision’s ‘what’. Making a vision work, bringing it to life is where I’m comfortable. But I’ve learned that it is incumbent on us, as women in this field, to be uncomfortable sometimes, to stand out so that others, and those who come next, can blend in if that’s what they want. What that means daily is speaking up when your natural tendency is to be quiet. To highlight your work when it feels unnatural. It will be one of the ongoing challenges of my life personally and professionally and a critical one. One of the amazing things about the leadership position I’m in at Ascent AeroSystems is that visibility as a woman in aerospace and aviation. I hope that visibility will mean that younger women, just starting, can look at me and know that there’s a place for them.” Armed with these unique qualities, Vanessa has led the company to new heights.

Since 2015, Ascent AeroSystems has designed and manufactured rugged “coaxial” drones for the industrial, public safety, and defense markets. The founders saw the need for a new compact, all-weather, high-performance unmanned aerial system designed and built in the USA. Versatile, modular, and based on proven coaxial technology, the Ascent AeroSystems Spirit is the ideal platform for mission-critical operations in defense, public safety, and industrial operations.With a unique cylindrical configuration that’s far more portable and durable than conventional multirotor, the company’s drones are ideal for mission-critical operations in the toughest environments. More than five years of development have made Ascent AeroSystems the premier source for coaxial vehicles, and hundreds have been delivered to professional, commercial, government, and military customers worldwide.

“When I started flying at sixteen only six percent of pilots were women, even fewer mothers. I knew then that this was special, and saw being in that minority as a badge of honor,” says Vanessa Blakely, Director of Operations at Ascent AeroSystems, a Massachusetts based company which designs and manufactures the Global Standard for Mission-Critical Unmanned Aerial Systems.

Vanessa brings a unique perspective to the organization as a woman and mother with a general aviation background. Her experience in general aviation rather than engineering/robotics allows Vanessa to see where Ascent AeroSystems fits into the larger aerospace ecosystem. She is very interested in making projects compatible with initiatives in the larger aviation field and is focused on the company’s capabilities related to the more advanced air mobility space. “It’s exciting to think about bringing people, experiences, and technologies together. My mindset is also more regulatory than an engineers would be, and I think a lot about the application and end-user experience—our engagement doesn’t end at shipment.”

“In the U.S. female representation in aviation peaked in the ‘80’s. Currently, you would have to shake the hands of over 4,000 women before meeting another pilot— that’s incredible and we need to change it.” However, the steadfast leader is impressed with how far the aerospace/aviation field has come, where it is going, and all the opportunities that are opening for women. “Women are creating opportunities for themselves! Prior generations of women in this space faced a lot of competition, but we’re moving past that now,” she says. “I try to always to encourage diversity in aerospace and make it clear that there’s space for everyone here. I would encourage future women in this space, and leaders, to capitalize on this momentum for the sake of their careers and to help pave the way for those who will come after them.” Additionally, Vanessa has noticed a positive shift in mindset towards women in recent years. “So many organizations now—Women and Drones, the 99s, WAI—are working hard to fix gender biases. They don’t just convene women who are in the same field, they make concerted efforts to support them, to support each other, and to encourage women who are just getting started in this space.”

Since 2015, Ascent AeroSystems has designed and manufactured rugged “coaxial” drones for the industrial, public safety and defense markets.

With more than five years of development and hundreds of coaxial vehicles delivered to professional, commercial, government, and military customers worldwide there are bound to be roadblocks. “Of-course there are challenges, at times, but when you’re in an industry you’re passionate about, it doesn’t feel like work. The space I am in is so exciting, the technology is fascinating, and the people are engaged and innovative. Just in this position, for example, I do all the recruiting for our company. Engineers come from all different backgrounds, with incredibly varied perspectives, so I get to meet so many people and hear about so many interesting projects I wouldn’t otherwise be exposed to. Working in aerospace / aviation, with imaginative people who take unusual paths and are focused on solving problems creatively—there’s so much joy.”

Vanessa is excited for the professional and personal growth that Ascent AeroSystems and the aviation industry continues to provide her. “I love being the person that executes on a theory and plan. I love being the ‘how’ to the vision’s ‘what’. Making a vision work, bringing it to life, is where I’m comfortable. One of the amazing things about the leadership position I’m in at Ascent AeroSystems is that visibility as a woman in aerospace and aviation. My hope is that younger women, just starting out, can look at me and know that there’s a place for them.”

Since 2015, Ascent AeroSystems has designed and manufactured rugged “coaxial” drones for the industrial, public safety and defense markets. Our founders saw the need for a new compact, all-weather, high-performance unmanned aerial system designed and built in the USA. Versatile, modular and based on proven coaxial technology, the Ascent AeroSystems Spirit is the ideal platform for mission-critical operations in the defense, public safety, and industrial operations. IEWL

The internet is still in its infancy. Like an infant, it lacks rules and self-control. As it grows, flaws emerge – lack of data privacy, digital monopolisation and cybersecurity breaches. But for Sarah Liberty, Australia isn’t addressing one major concern: online human rights. It’s why she founded JustSociale, Australia’s first federal NGO dedicated to promoting people’s human rights on the internet.

“Ever since I can remember, I’ve been passionate about fairness, equality, inclusion, diversity and human rights. And I’ve always used the internet professionally, even since the MySpace days before Facebook was created! I’ve always been fascinated by how it influences society,” she says. “In Paris last year, I took a course in Internet Governance whilst completing my Master of International Relations (Human Rights) at Sciences Po. It’s the same degree the past 3 French presidents have done – it was intense!”

According to Sarah, “I not only learned about the latest internet trends, but also about the many positive and negative impacts on people around the world. We use social media and the internet daily to connect with friends and loved ones, grow businesses, start movements and create change like Greta Thunberg did. Yet at the same time, tech platforms like Facebook are more powerful than countries, and there is a growing sense of disillusionment and distrust with the major players.”

Her online human rights are no different to our offline human rights.

The UNHCR declared this in 2012, and referred directly to the first International Bill of Human Rights written by the UN in 1948. It declares that all humans are worthy of dignity and respect, and entitled to freedom from fear.

In 1966, the UN General Assembly adopted the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Article 19 stated that ‘everyone holds the right to hold opinions without interference’ and ‘everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression’, which includes the ‘freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice.’

It means that anyone who fails to treat others with dignity and respect online – or makes them feel afraid, threatened or distressed – is abusing another person’s online human rights. Additionally, good digital citizenship (a concept developed by UNESCO) involves respecting others’ freedom of expression and opinions, unless they are detrimental to a person’s reputation or security.

The groups who we see most impacted, and who have their online human rights violated in Australia, are women.

1 in 3 women have experienced some form of online harassment or abuse, along with the LGBTQI community, Indigenous Australians, CALD Australians and refugees or asylum seekers.

JustSociale has developed Australia’s first Online Code of Conduct to protect the human rights of internet users. Can you tell us who the code is intended for, and how to become a signatory?

The Online Code of Conduct is intended for anyone who wants to demonstrate their commitment to Internet governance in Australia. This means showing their audience, clientele and users that they take their online human rights and responsibilities seriously, and will strive to be a good digital citizen – both at an individual and organisational level.

JustSociale prides itself on an inclusive board selected to represent the voices, concerns and needs of diverse Australians. ‘I’m truly honoured to have such a diverse board. I made a deliberate decision to pursue it from the organisation’s early days, when I was still finishing my Masters in Paris,” she says. “We have high profile Transgender Authority Melissa Griffiths, high profile Indigenous Board Member, Former Young Conservationist of the Year and Tedx Speaker Josh Gilbert, high profile Disability Influencer and Model Lisa Cox, Digital Guru and Postgraduate Psychology student Nicholas Riggs, Digital Communications Maven and Online Meditation Teacher Ashley Hunt, Director of Womens’ March Sydney Jaime Evans, Associate Professor John Mikler from Sydney University’s Political Science department, and myself as Chair.” IEWL