Sponsor Spotlight: Meet Brittany Marley from Equinix

Well, ITW 2019 has come and gone and now we’re in the full swing of staying on top of our to-do lists while peppering in Summer Fridays when we can because let’s be real, on top of empowerment and support, there’s nothing like some good old fashioned vitamin D to keep our spirits (and sanity) up!

We truly didn’t know what to expect with ITW being in a brand new city this year. But what we’ve come to learn is no matter where we are, as long as we have our WTF fam with us it’s guaranteed to be a fun, engaging, and inspiring time.

Our community brought the heat in the form of support at our June 23rd event in Atlanta and we are still buzzing from the inspo and feeling of comradery we got from that day (holding onto it for as long as we can!)

One of the elements that made this event so special was our panel discussion with a group of amazing women, including Brittany Marley from Equinix. Check out the below Q&A to get to know Brittany and be sure to dive into the treasure trove of fantastic sources she left us with.

Brittany Marley, Sr. Global Account Manager @ Equinix

Brittany Marley, Sr. Global Account Manager @ Equinix

What’s something that has helped you tackle the gender divide in our industry and succeed in your career?

Typically I tackle the divide by framing my participation in any business discussion by first focusing on an analytical or quantifiable response, followed by my own intuitive or qualitative point of view if warranted. Both are important in collaboration and influence towards a particular assessment, whether tactical or strategic.

What does mentorship mean to you?

What’s one thing you wish you could teach your younger self upon entering your career?

If there’s anyone who can do it, then why not you? Although we might all have our own innate skills and aptitude, success often comes through patience and perseverance.

With that, know what you bring to the table and respect your contributions to the conversation - they are unique and valuable. In addition, respect is earned by consensus, but often it’s one relationship at a time. So take the time to understand each person’s goals & responsibilities and how they are motivated or rewarded regardless of gender. 

How do you see WTF helping the gender gap in our industry?

WTF can play an important role that is unique to technology sectors which have historically been male dominated and tend to be data-driven. WTF member’s have a platform to share best practices, industry knowledge, and provide personal encouragement, to help each of us make the most of our current role and uncover career advancements.

What is a WTF (in the original meaning) moment you had to endure as a woman in your career and what did you learn from it?

To be honest, there have been so many moments, ranging from downright harassment to the more subtle undercurrents of gender or age bias. What I have learned is that there is a difference between deliberate behavior and lack of awareness. Before being ‘judge and jury’, I try to understand what is really at play, get outside perspective and/or support when necessary, and then determine how to address. For example, in my early 30’s, I acquired a team of union workers at a major telco company, making me the only female manager as well as them working in this role longer than I had been alive. I learned to adopt their protocols and practices that supported the company’s new goals while respecting the camaraderie of the team, and was able to demonstrate the ability to adapt and earn their respect by aligning their contributions to the growth of the business.

What are some of the programs your company has implemented to support diversity and inclusion efforts and what outcomes have come from them?

Check out these sources that Brittany recommends:

What is Inclusion?

Men as Allies

Women at Work

Belonging Cues

    • Book: Chapter 1: The Good Apples from The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle

In This Together

    • Book: Introduction: Men Aren’t the Enemy; Chapter 1: Secret Lives of Women (a Primer for Men) That’s What She Said by Joanne Lipman

Together We Win

    • Book: Chapter 2: She'll Make You More Successful from That’s What She Said by Joanne Lipman

Unconscious Bias

Respect

She Deserves a Raise, but She Won’t Ask

    • Book: Chapter 6: She Deserves a Raise, but She Won’t Ask from That’s What She Said by Joanne Lipman

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