Women In Tech: How Shagorika Heryani Uses LendTech To Revolutionize The Lending Landscape

HackerNoon editorial team has launched this interview series with women in tech to celebrate their achievements and share their struggles. We need more women in technology, and by sharing stories, we can encourage many girls to follow their dreams.

Share your story today!

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Shagorika Heryani. I am an Indian living in Dubai and the Global CMO at Social Loan Company (TSLC). I am also an entrepreneur, promoter of the ESG business model, and a new-fashioned marketer with over 18 years of experience in the marketing industry.

To date, I have had the privilege of using my skills and experience to provide value to companies like Airtel, Grey, Pernod Ricard, Cheil (Samsung), and more. When out of the office, I enjoy writing and have contributed to publications like Campaign, WARC, Brandberries, Little Black Book, etc.

I’ve also been on the jury for Adfest and Asian Customer Engagement Awards in Asia, New York Festival AME Awards, Creativepool Awards, Immortal Awards Globally, WARC Strategy in the Middle East, the MENA Effies, and more.

Why did you choose this field in the first place?

We live in an increasingly unequal, divisive, and polarized world. I believe some of the most critical issues that threaten our society and planet can be solved in record time through technology. I firmly advocate using technology for good and for positive, sustainable change. It’s our moral responsibility to steer business and tech away from a zero-sum game to one that's more equal. My dream and goal are to be that change and create an impact.

What tech are you most excited/passionate about right now and why?

I am always passionate about tech that revolutionizes healthcare and democratizes everyone's access to healthcare, diagnostics, and wellness. In 2020 and 2021, the global pandemic forced healthcare into the future, with over a billion people needing to reskill in medical technology by 2030. The advancement in HealthTech through artificial intelligence(AI) and machine learning(ML), which allows for better and faster diagnostics, and more remote management of patients worldwide, are some of the tech developments I am truly passionate about.

What tech are you most worried about right now and why?

Theoretically, technology should solve the concern of inequality and drive us into a more sustainable and brighter future. However, I fear that automation-fueled inequality and a short-term, profit-only view of many technology giants ironically uphold the very issue we are meant to solve. Technology should enhance people’s skills and performance and not replace them.

What are your hobbies and interests outside of tech?

I love cooking, reading, and traveling, and am passionate about giving back to the community through mentoring. I do this by visiting and sharing my knowledge with students at universities, speaking at conferences, writing practical blogs and social media posts, etc.

Let's talk about breaking the glass ceiling. What were the biggest challenges you faced as a woman in tech, and how did you deal with them?

Being a woman in tech, and especially a successful one, can sometimes be a challenge itself. I was one of those who got recognized early in my career and got on the fast track because I was performing well, I worked hard, and probably also had a pinch of luck. I remember numerous times when people tried to take credit away from my work since, for them, it was more about my gender, looks, and all the other external factors that I had reached my highs in life. So I faced a lot of that, especially in the first ten years of my career, but I believe that through self-confidence and hard work, anything is possible.

Any questionable misogynistic story/situation you faced/handled, and you want to share with the HackerNoon Fam?

I remember for the first 8 to 10 years, while my career started to flourish and I was on the fast track (and I know I deserve to be there), I remember that people would repeatedly be misogynistic, and sexist, indicating that my accelerating success and achievements were not a result of my hard work, my intelligence, and integrity, but merely because I was a woman with good looks, and I came from a certain family. That somehow was prejudice and not an explanation or appreciation of what I’ve done or achieved.

What was the biggest setback/failure that you faced, and how did you manage it?

If there's one thing I've learned in my work and life, it's that self-confidence is the most crucial factor in determining whether you're going to be successful or not. You will inevitably fail, face critics and negative comments, and attract adversaries; I have personally experienced all these, and self-belief is the way to go. When you fully support yourself, you use your challenges to gain perseverance, which is essential for seeking answers and moving forward, and you simultaneously inspire a growth mentality. This way, you invest in yourself to become the best version you’ve ever been.

What's your biggest achievement that you're really proud of?

My journey so far has been a rewarding one. I recently accepted the “Top 10 Indian Women Leaders UAE” award for my efforts toward women's empowerment and financial inclusion in the UAE. I was also awarded “India’s Most Influential Digital Media Professional,” “Top 50 Most Influential Strategy leaders APAC,” and “Top 100 Women Leaders 2022.”

In your opinion, why do we see this huge gender gap in the tech industry, and how can we reduce it?

One of the reasons that we see the big gender gap in technology is a lack of willingness from companies to hire women in an industry that’s traditionally been known as a “man’s playfield,” and women have usually had other careers suggested to them other than tech. Sometimes even when women are hired, they are not supported enough to grow and get promoted. Historically, fewer women have pursued degrees or careers in science, tech, engineering, and math (or STEM).

I believe we can solve this by being imaginative and hiring for skills and talents, not merely degrees. I also believe that this won’t happen overnight, and we have to persist by making it a round-table conversation. Because ultimately, doing better for women means doing better for everyone.

Who is your tech idol? Why?

I don't have one. Because I believe idols are meant to be perfect, and every human being has flaws; idolizing someone will leave you disappointed.

Do you have any advice for aspiring girls who want to join the field?

I advise young girls to be relentlessly curious and use their skills and talents to turn criticism into optimism and make a positive change in the world. So my advice to all young ladies and girls out there is to "be your biggest cheerleader.”

Originally written by Shagorika Heryani.