To celebrate Women’s History Month, we asked the women of YouAppi about the women in their lives who inspire them, the advice they would given to other women looking to work in Mobile AdTech, and what #ChooseToChallenge means to them. Here are their responses:
Account Manager, Japan
Who are the women in your life (past or present) that inspire you?
Beyonce, always. Not only is her music amazing, but she uses her platform to positively influence others and spark change.
What advice would you give to women looking to work in Mobile AdTech? Strive to keep learning and pushing your dreams forward. With the right mindset and hard work, you can achieve any goal you set your mind to.
What does "Choose to Challenge" mean to you?
To me, choose to challenge means ''Step Up''. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes because each mistake is an opportunity for growth. So show up, step up, and put yourself on the path to becoming stronger and wiser.
Director of Business Development & Strategy, US
Who are the women in your life (past or present) that inspire you?
There are so many women in my life that inspire me with their individual qualities/strengths within my personal and professional worlds. I want to honor my grandmothers who really inspire me and I wouldn't be here without them.
What advice would you give to women looking to work in Mobile AdTech? Recognize and know your own capabilities and be your own presence within this space.
What does "Choose to Challenge" mean to you?
Inclusion and the gif of women climbing ladders and bringing other women up with them! You can picture it, right?
Content Editor, US
Who are the women in your life (past or present) that inspire you?
There are so many! To name a few: My Mother for her independence. Both of my Grandmothers for their fearlessness (one brought her family of 8 children from the Philippines to the United States, the other practiced yoga and astrology in the 1950s in the Midwest and was just generally ahead of her time). Every misunderstood and/or maligned woman who has let go of being liked in order to be in alignment with herself.
What advice would you give to women looking to work in Mobile AdTech? There are double standards in this industry and if you're doing it right - that is, acting boldly like the boys do - then you will run into them. Many other women in this industry have faced them too. Find them. Build community. And, remember: Illegitimi non carborundum ("Don't let the bastards get you down").
What does "Choose to Challenge" mean to you?
To me, it's about Choosing to Challenge yourself to bring your whole self to every part of your life. Total integration requires an honest evaluation of your self-worth. I feel like a lot of women compartmentalize their experience: they are a mother at home, a boss at work, etc. For so many years I was a mobile marketer and an astrologer *on the side*. I thought if I revealed that part of my experience in my professional life, people would judge me as girlish, stupid. It really was a projection of my own self-doubt. In the end, it required me to let go of other people's measure of who I was. That letting go of what other people thought and fearlessly facing the possibility of judgment - was what allowed me to honestly integrate all the parts of myself. Yes the destination was wholeness but the process itself showed me how much of a bad bitch I really was. It was the journey that changed my life.
Director of Marketing, US
Who are the women in your life (past or present) that inspire you?
My kick ass boss and team of amazing boss ladies around the globe that continue to push themselves and each other to be great, successful, powerful and influential women.
My grandma for instilling in me this drive for a future that I can create myself. She always told me she was told to get married and have kids but was not really told she can go to college or have a big career. While having a family is important, it's equally important for me to be happy and be financially stable, on my own, and be happy doing my work. I think she's the reason I am the woman I am today.
What advice would you give to women looking to work in Mobile AdTech? Speak your mind, be bold, stand up for yourself, lead with determination. This industry can be tough, from its ever changing themes, rules and trends, to its volatile nature with companies coming and going. High goals with even higher budgets to manage, can be high stress and highly competitive.
In a male dominated industry, stand firm in your decisions, show everyone how hard you can work and prove to everyone that with passion and motivation, women can be successful in this industry and be leaders!
What does "Choose to Challenge" mean to you?
Choose to challenge stereotypes... that women can’t be leaders or be productive members of a work society... That women belong and home and not in the workplace.
Strategic Sales Representative, US
Who are the women in your life (past or present) that inspire you?
My grandma was always an inspiration to me - she showed me that you're never too old to laugh, love and find new things in life that excite you! She made sure to keep her mind and body active into an old age and never was afraid to speak her mind. She taught me that having a strong opinions isn't a negative trait, it's something that gives you strength and power.
What advice would you give to women looking to work in Mobile AdTech? Be a sponge! There's a lot to learn and things change constantly.
What does "Choose to Challenge" mean to you?
To me, #choosetochallenge means that there is nothing I can't do in this life! I shouldn't be afraid to have a voice.
Mobile Marketing Specialist, US
Who are the women in your life (past or present) that inspire you?
My grandmother, who is a wonderful painter and artist, has always inspired me to explore my own creativity. My mother, who brought me along to her Saturday morning pottery classes, taught me that with your own two hands you can build the live you envision for yourself. My sister who shows me every day what it means to live with conviction, passion, and the knowledge that no goal is set too far to reach.
Lastly, but not least, the YouAppi women who are bold, undeniably smart, and hold the titles of successful and influential women with grace.
What advice would you give to women looking to work in Mobile AdTech? Simply put, don’t be afraid to go after what you want. Challenge yourself and take risks, and you will achieve more than you thought possible. Surround yourself with a team that makes work challenging, exciting, and fun. Let curiosity fuel your mission, and continue to fight for what you deserve.
What does "Choose to Challenge" mean to you?
To choose to challenge is to make a conscious choice each day to put your best foot forward and tear down any boundaries that are keeping you from your goals. It’s to put aside that voice that may discourage you, and instead believe that you are capable of greatness, and act on it.
Personal Assistant to the CEO, Israel
Who are the women in your life (past or present) that inspire you?
My daughter, she has always been an inspiration since the day she was born, she's so strong, smart and always goes in the direction she believes in, never gives up!
What advice would you give to women looking to work in Mobile AdTech? Believe in yourself, the sky is the limit.
What does "Choose to Challenge" mean to you?
Choices we make are always a challenge, life wouldn't be the same if we had everything handed to us. I pass this challenge on to all the other wonderful women surrounding me.
Senior BD Manager, China
Who are the women in your life (past or present) that inspire you?
My Mom has always been an inspiration to me.
What advice would you give to women looking to work in Mobile AdTech? Where there is a will, there is a way.
What does "Choose to Challenge" mean to you?
Having passion, motivation, and courage in everything you do.
Account Manager, Tokyo
Who are the women in your life (past or present) that inspire you?
My elementary school teacher. When the internet wasn't as widespread as it is now, she taught me not only English but also the current situation overseas. I knew that children of the same generation were living in different situations every day, and she helped broaden my horizons.
What advice would you give to women looking to work in Mobile AdTech? There are many men in the Mobile AdTech industry, but many women are also active, and the strength and delicacy of women is absolutely necessary.
What does "Choose to Challenge" mean to you?
What I can do is trivial, but I want to pass on history to the next generation and create a world that is more and more gender-free.
Chief Marketing Officer, US
Who are the women in your life (past or present) that inspire you?
My mom has been the single biggest influence in my life. She always challenged the limits. Growing up in a convent and being raised by nuns at her all girls Catholic school, she was always told that she would one day make a great nun. This vision was built by the confines of the world they lived in. My mother never felt the calling. Instead, at 22 years old, she fled a war torn country with my father and left everything she knew behind.
I'm also inspired daily by the strong women at YouAppi. There is no shortage of wickedly talented, intelligent, and beautiful women here.
What advice would you give to women looking to work in Mobile AdTech? Find your tribe. Surround yourself with people who will give you strength, advice, help lift you up and make you feel like a better person just by knowing them. They will be the ones to push you to pursue your dreams, go beyond your comfort zones, and encourage you to challenge yourself. Above everything else, believe in yourself! You are strong, you are worth it, and you are brave!
What does "Choose to Challenge" mean to you?
Choose to challenge the stereotypes whether they are labels others put on you or ones you put on others. Challenge the gender bias that runs deep in our psyche and makes us believe our own self doubt and powers imposter syndrome. Challenge the social constructs that point to no
Just remember, you can't spell Challenge without CHANGE.
Director of Programmatic, US
Who are the women in your life (past or present) that inspire you?
My Omi (grandmother) has been a constant inspiration throughout my life. She is a holocaust survivor, widow to 3 husbands and endured the loss of a child in her lifetime. So many challenges had hit her life but none of them kept her down. Through the immense pain and struggles she endured, she was constantly a positive light in my life. Giving up was never an option and she showed me that there was always a way to get through the hard times. She was the biggest form of support and a home for comfort. I love her dearly and am in awe of all she has survived and accomplished in her life. She inspires me and every member of my family. If/when life gets tough, as it always does, I think of her and her strength. I hope to never know her struggles but for whatever lies ahead, I have my Omi to inspire me through it.
What advice would you give to women looking to work in Mobile AdTech? Always believe in yourself.
What does "Choose to Challenge" mean to you?
To always self-reflect and be aware of how we can each help make the world a better place. Let us all do to others as we would like done to ourselves.
