Empowered voices: Bitpanda’s inspiring women share their stories #IWD2024

Meet Tatiana Katiukhova - Engineering Manager

"I believe inclusion isn't just a buzzword; it's about creating a workplace culture where everyone, irrespective of gender, seniority, or cultural background, feels not only heard but genuinely valued."

Can you recall a moment in your time at Bitpanda when you brought something unique to the table? How did that moment make you feel about your role in shaping our company's success?

Before joining Bitpanda, I spent over ten years in IT, covering different roles like quality assurance, data analysis, and product management.

My diverse background turned out to be very useful when I moved into the technical product owner role at Bitpanda. When I started, the job was fast-paced and things would change a lot day by day, but I adapted by relying on my previous experience and my ability to quickly learn new things. I’m always open to new challenges, so early here, I found myself handling the responsibilities of the engineering manager role. 

I’d say adaptability was the key factor in moving up to the position of engineering manager. My ability to understand technical concepts and explain them to business users in simplified terms as well as being organised and detail-oriented, played a big part in my smooth transition. In fact, these qualities really shone when managing a very tricky migration project, showing how my role contributed to the company's success.

Looking back at my journey has reinforced my belief that having a truly diverse mix of skills can make a real impact on steering your career and a company toward success.

We sometimes encounter moments where we have to break barriers to progress - During your career, have you ever felt particularly passionate about promoting inclusion?  

I firmly believe that inclusion is not about policies and practices, but also about culture and should be ingrained in our daily activities. Essentially, it should be a fundamental part of our work culture. 

I believe inclusion isn't just a buzzword; it's about creating a workplace culture where everyone, irrespective of gender, seniority, or cultural background, feels not only heard but genuinely valued.

Throughout my career, I have strived to create a safe working environment where every team member can express their opinions, ideas, and concerns without fear of being judged. At Bitpanda, we have a workplace that promotes transparency, collaboration and mutual respect.

What's one thing you wish more people knew about being a woman in the tech industry? And how do you think we can all work together to make it a reality?

Working in tech isn't easy for anyone—it requires a certain mindset, a love for learning and staying updated on new skills and technologies. As for being a woman in tech, I've been lucky to have supportive colleagues, both men and women, and I can't recall any situation where my gender held me back from getting a job or promotion. And even if it did, I wouldn't let it bother me too much.

I do agree that sometimes women get asked different questions than men, which can be annoying. To fix this, everyone should ask themselves, 'Would I ask this to all my coworkers, no matter their gender?' Also, in bigger meetings, I’ve seen it can be harder for women to make their voices heard. If you notice this happening, try to jump in and acknowledge your female coworkers' great ideas.

Remember, we're all in this together. Women in tech aren't asking for special treatment, just equality. It's important for everyone to work together to create a fair and inclusive environment where everyone, no matter their gender, feels valued and has the same chances to succeed.

Meet Bec Perkins - Senior Product Manager

"Embrace the moments when you don't understand something. Change your perception so you don’t see them as obstacles, but see them as opportunities to challenge yourself and learn something new."

From your perspective, what role do allies and supporters play in creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace environment for women?

Allies and supporters are absolutely crucial here & both play important roles! Whilst allies may take a more active and vocal stance, supporters have your back and show up in solidarity. Having this type of support really contributes to a positive workplace culture. 

From promoting mentorship opportunities for women, to challenging you to do something that might be out of your comfort zone, to just having your back & genuinely rooting for you - they're always there to jump in and ensure your voice or contributions don't go unnoticed! Some clear faces come to mind when I think of allies and supporters within Bitpanda! 🥰

Was there a time in your career when you were part of a team or work environment that felt fully inclusive?  

Looking back at the last 14 years of my career, focused on software development within Scrum teams, I’ve realised that there’s a real scarcity of women software engineers. Fortunately, during this time, I’ve had the privilege to collaborate with some amazing women in this field. Unfortunately, there were only six of them! 

However, amidst this scarcity, what stands out to me is the unique perspective and skill set that women software engineers typically bring to the table. Their approach often encompasses a blend of creativity and attention to detail, which can add a distinct layer of innovation to projects. Moreover, I feel that the capacity for profound empathy helps immensely in creating user-centric designs. The diversity in thought and experience that women contribute to mixed teams is invaluable. It enhances team dynamics, fosters richer discussions, challenges groupthink and ultimately leads to more robust and inclusive solutions.

Whilst there is a better representation of women in other positions, such as product management and quality assurance, sadly this diversity still isn't mirrored in software engineering. 😢

What's one piece of advice you'd give to your younger self about navigating the tech space as a woman?

If there's one piece of advice I could offer my younger self about navigating the tech space in general, it would be this: 

Embrace the moments when you don't understand something. Change your perception so you don’t see them as obstacles, but see them as opportunities to challenge yourself and learn something new. 

There will often be concepts, technologies or methodologies that feel unfamiliar, confusing & daunting. Instead of feeling discouraged or overwhelmed, approach them with curiosity and a willingness to learn!

Meet Klaudia Koniarek - Deputy Compliance Officer 

" I can’t help but feel a sense of duty to encourage young aspiring women to not be afraid to take on new challenges, stay confident and always lead by example" 

Let's rewind. Think back to a time when you were like, "Yeah, that's right—I'm a woman, and I'm rocking this!" What was that moment like, and how has it shaped your journey with us here at Bitpanda?

The moment I thought  “Yeah I'm a girl and I'm rocking this” came to me for the first time when I was 6 years old and earned a place on the podium at the Polish National Chess Championship. From that moment on, I knew that women could be very successful in the fields requiring enhanced cognitive, analytical and tactical skills, which was opposite to what I heard before. I believe that this early-age perception of success has definitely shaped my personality and beliefs. Reflecting on my career path to where I am today at Bitpanda, I can’t help but feel a sense of duty to encourage young aspiring women to not be afraid to take on new challenges, stay confident and always lead by example - no matter if leading others or individual projects. The “you go girl!” type of mentality 🙂

Life can throw a few curveballs at times -  Can you share a moment when you faced one of those curveballs and how you handled it?

Curveballs…there have been a couple of them, for sure! It definitely felt as if life had thrown one of those at me when, in my previous role, a former coworker left the job unexpectedly, and we were working on a very important project. While I had never performed similar job duties before, I knew I had to make the best use of my leadership experience and step in. The project required not only people management skills but also strategic planning and problem-solving skills. Before I jumped into the execution, I decided to take one step back and reassess the whole new situation we were in. It turned out to be the key ingredient to the future success of the project as I managed to bring the entire team on the same page and get the project moving in the right direction before any rushed decisions were made! We delivered not only great results but also truly connected as a team.

If you had a magic wand and could change one thing about the tech space to make it more inclusive for women, what would it be? And how do you think we can make that magic happen?

It would certainly be the introduction of a company-wide female-centric mentorship program to help women in tech develop the necessary skills and progress into senior or even leadership positions. The more female mentorship opportunities we have, the more leaders will serve as role models for the next generation. How could this be implemented at Bitpanda? We could roll out and promote a Bitpanda-wide Mentorship Program, where mentors and mentees from all various areas (not only Tech) can sign up and offer something in exchange. Both sides could be granted Panda Growth Club NFT certificates at the end of the mentoring journey 🙂

Meet Birgit Limp - Commercial Accounting Manager

" Embrace your uniqueness. Be courageous and bring your authentic personality into the world. Your individuality is what the world needs." 

Imagine you're talking to someone who's never worked at Bitpanda before. What's one story you'd tell them about being a woman in our Den that would make them go, "Wow, that's pretty cool"?

I started working at Bitpanda in November 2019 as an accountant for 30 hours a week because my youngest son was only one year old and I needed the flexibility. My usual day-to-day tasks included booking invoices, handling cash, and managing travel expenses. At that time, Bitpanda only had about 100 employees, but we had a huge backlog and an audit was looming. We had to book all invoices manually because there was no automation or workflow established. As we gradually caught up with the backlog and completed the first audit (looking back, I'm not sure how we managed it!), my interest in the Fiat wallets and our entire backend was piqued. I spent a lot of time acquiring knowledge about the processes.

One day, while working from home due to COVID-19, I found myself staring at a list of thousands of transactions, trying to make sense of them. My husband, a Java developer, then mentioned that there were better ways to handle this... That's when I was introduced to SQL and databases for the first time in my life. A new world opened up for me - one that I immediately fell in love with and haven't left since. In close collaboration with our BI department (thanks to Daniel), we quickly automated many tasks, and I was able to independently create queries. I increased my hours and established my own team, which didn't exist until then. Today, there are four of us, and we've become an integral part of the finance department.

I'm truly grateful to Bitpanda for allowing me to pursue my dream, both personally with my family and professionally as a team lead of a team bridging accounting and data.

So, let's dream big: what's one thing you hope to see change for women in the tech space?
Implementing policies that prioritise work-life balance and actively accommodate the diverse needs of women, particularly in terms of caregiving responsibilities, is paramount. Recognizing that women often juggle multiple roles, including those of caregivers for children, elderly family members, or relatives with disabilities, it's crucial for workplaces to establish supportive frameworks. These frameworks might include flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting options, flexible hours, or compressed workweeks, enabling women to fulfil their caregiving duties while remaining engaged in their professional efforts.

Can you share advice or encouragement you would offer to young women entering the workforce today? What lessons have you learned that you wish someone had shared with you earlier in your career?

1. Embrace your uniqueness: Be courageous and bring your authentic personality into the world. Your individuality is what the world needs.

2. Stay ready to learn: The world is constantly changing, and you should evolve with it. Ask yourself regularly: When was the last time I did something for the first time?

3. Be flexible and adaptable: The workplace is dynamic and constantly changing. Instead of resisting change, be open to new situations and adapt.

4. Find the right balance: Create a balance between perfectionism and willingness to take risks. Strive for excellence, but be aware that perfectionism can sometimes be counterproductive. Be willing to take risks, try new things, and learn from mistakes.

5. Harness the opportunities of technology and digitisation: Be open to using new technologies and digital tools to work more efficiently and meet changing demands. Don't be afraid of being replaced by technology.

6. Seek regular constructive feedback: Active feedback is a valuable tool for your personal and professional development. Don't hesitate to ask for it; it helps you strengthen your strengths and work on your weaknesses.

Meet Elisabeth Engl - SEO Manager 

"There will always be setbacks, but the key is not letting them discourage you. With determination and the right support system, you can overcome obstacles and succeed..."

Think back to a moment when you felt like you were really making a difference as a woman, whether it was here at Bitpanda or in your personal life. What was that moment like for you?

As a woman with serious health issues, I've learned to speak up and advocate for myself with doctors. There have been times when they brushed off my symptoms as just stress or hormones. Standing up for myself as a woman in those moments and insisting they take my concerns seriously was difficult but so important. I'm proud to have found my voice even when it means calling out biases. Learning to say "No, listen to me - something is wrong here" has been crucial to getting the care I need. Though not easy, advocating for my health makes me feel empowered.

Sometimes there’s a moment where we identify an opportunity for positive change.  Can you share one of those moments and how you seized it?

It is a very simple one: Hiring inclusively. During interviews, we focus on qualifications, not demographics. We always aim to build our team with varied backgrounds and perspectives. 

If you could have a superpower that would instantly make the tech space more inclusive for women, what would it be? And how do you think we can all work together to make that superpower a reality?

Giving everyone the ability to see the true potential of a person regardless of gender, looks, skin colour and all other attributes that make marginalised groups become marginalised.

How can we do this? We can only ever control our actions, so let’s be brave and authentic, show up, show them, and be there for one another—every day.

What strategies have you found effective in encouraging dialogue and understanding among team members from diverse backgrounds and perspectives?

I've found that open and respectful communication is key to encouraging meaningful dialogue among team members. Actively listening without judgment and asking curious questions go a long way as well. Leading by example is also effective - if I model openness to learning from my team and admit when my own perspective is limited, they feel more comfortable doing the same. Admitting I don't have all the answers creates space for us to gain collective understanding.

At the end of the day, I aim for my team to feel respected, valued and engaged regardless of their background. That sense of belonging leads to greater trust, collaboration and creativity. Our diversity becomes our strength when we commit to lifting each other up.

How have you navigated challenges related to inclusivity in your career, and what lessons have you learned along the way?

Early in my career, it was challenging at times to get support for new approaches and technical solutions I proposed. My ideas and expertise were often doubted or dismissed, and I had to defend my perspectives repeatedly.

I learned to choose my battles wisely and stand firm when I knew I was right, rather than let it consume me. Sometimes the best option was to wait patiently for the right moment or find a more receptive environment.

These experiences taught me the importance of believing in myself and picking environments where I can thrive. As tough as it was in those moments, they pushed me to become more resilient and self-assured.

I try to channel those challenges into mentoring others facing similar struggles. By building allies and advocating for inclusion, I aim to make it easier for those following behind me. There will always be setbacks, but the key is not letting them discourage you. With determination and the right support system, you can overcome obstacles and succeed on your own terms.