Haiilo is a software development company creating solutions to strengthen employer branding, with companies across the globe benefiting from their mission to help companies build their unique culture through the stories of their employees and empower their workforce to be the best version of themselves.

On March 8, International Women's Day, I was invited to address the intersection of feminism and identity in a field where women represent only approximately 25-30% of the tech workforce within the world's leading tech companies. Even in the world of entrepreneurship, there is only a small percentage of tech startups founded by women.

With these statistics in mind, I embarked on a journey with the 40+ attendees representing almost all units of the organisation and discussed the "feminism+" concept. I designed the F+ concept to understand the art of protecting, actively supporting, and creating visibility for the needs of those affected by social concepts that challenge and interfere with the idea of equality, equity, and inclusion without compromise.

Pinterest, the social network founded in 2010 by Ben Silbermann, Paul Sciarra, and Evan Sharp, has evolved into the go-to platform for people seeking inspiration for their dreams, homes, looks, and businesses. It is grouped among the social networks that allow people to share and get inspired.

In 2022, I had the honour of being invited to speak to Pinterest EMEA employees on "Inspire, Growth, and Resilience." With approximately 60 employees, I shared my personal entrepreneurial journey. As I discussed my path of outgrowing my comfort zone, pursuing my dreams, and yet feeling trapped and bound by limitations I didn't have answers to at the time, we engaged in a lively conversation that concluded with a commitment to giving birth to ideas, even as small as a note on sticky notes.

During this session, I took the audience on a time ride of approximately 20 years, sharing experiences about inspiration as the fuel for personal dreams. I emphasised that without surrendering to the adventure of becoming, one will never achieve anything or grow. Inspiration, as the first step, is crucial for creation or innovation. I mapped my personal journey of feeling different in various rooms, turning that into my superpower. I walked through my four zones of growing resilience: the comfort zone, the fear zone, the learning zone, and finally, the growth zone. By sharing personal events, I invited everyone in the room to come forward, get personal with me, and embrace the internal turmoil that shaped me as a person—a transformative journey that could do the same for those fearful of staying the same and shying away from the unknown.

Apple is the leading software and hardware development company at the global forefront of innovation in consumer electronics, dominating the world since its inception in 1976.

As part of an initiative I led with a great team while I was an employee at Apple, I was invited to discuss my identity and experiences in a country where I was considered part of a minority—being a black woman in Germany. I shared insights into the effects of stereotypes and sexism on my personal and professional life, emphasising the importance of maintaining authenticity and ensuring that narratives and experiences promote inclusivity across the board. This initiated a series of honest and authentic conversations on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and how it impacts us as employees and colleagues.

Future Female Africa is a collaborative journey. Women leaders from all fields are invited to join and grow a collaborative circle of "Sheros" who embody the claim, "The future is female and African," actively contributing to sustainable collaboration across sectors.

As a guest speaker at the annual Millerntor Gallery Opening, an international art, music, and culture festival initiated by Viva con Agua de Sankt Pauli e.V. and FC Sankt Pauli in Hamburg, I hosted a conversation in collaboration with Future Female Africa on "Fashion for Good." We explored how fashion can serve as a canvas to educate, promote change, and transform societal perceptions.

I shared my enlightening story on why I arranged my collection around individuals stigmatised by mental health illnesses and how these individuals' lives have been transformed through arts, fashion, the power of community, and my vision for the fashion industry to address societal challenges.

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