In a realm where innovation intersects with perseverance, women in technology stand as pioneers, shaping the future of an ever-evolving landscape. Meet Pratima Arora, a visionary leader whose journey embodies resilience, determination, and an unwavering passion for building a better tomorrow.
From challenging societal norms to spearheading groundbreaking projects, she shares her insights on navigating the tech industry, overcoming obstacles, and advocating for diversity and inclusion. In this exclusive interview, she sheds light on the transformative power of grit, the need for more women in tech roles, and the imperative of fostering an inclusive culture for the generations to come.
Tell us about what got you interested in technology, why did you choose the space and field of technology?
There are three things that define me — I am a builder, a lifelong learner, and a mom. I was a geek growing up and I say that very proudly. I have always loved Mathematics and when I got introduced to coding in middle school, there was no looking back. The technology industry has always interested me because there are endless possibilities that could be achieved with technology, and when you apply creativity, the potential increases so much more.
The rate at which technology evolves keeps you on your toes and challenges you to learn something new every day — which is incredibly exciting for me. The only thing constant is change and so over the years, I’ve actively built an environment of continuous learning and improvement, both at work and at home. At work, I foster a culture of celebrating failures and inclusion.
Could you share your journey in technology, the challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
When I was studying computer science at university, there were only three girls in my entire class of 50. I did not have role models or mentors who looked or acted like me. It was very lonely and to be honest, it still is. While my dad had always supported me through all my decisions, he did discourage me from taking computer science as a major due to the lack of girls in the course, as he thought I would have no friends. I was adamant about pursuing my passion, and I told him “I don’t need friends”. My passion for technology helped me stay on course.
I started my career as a software engineer which was what really sparked my passion for building innovative products. Much of my career has been centered around delivering strategic products that bring real value to customers, at companies like SAP, Salesforce, and Atlassian. I thoroughly enjoy the process of understanding tough customer problems and solving them with simple and intuitive solutions, which eventually led me to my current role as Chief Technology Officer at Chainalysis and overseeing the R&D function. My team and I are focused on building products and services on the blockchain that enable our customers to safely interact with digital assets.
All through my career, I had to prove myself and my technical abilities to my peers, which I thought was normal. It was very late in my career that I realized that none of my male peers had to go through this. In hindsight, it made me better at what I do, and stronger as a person and a professional.
It was never easy and it is still not. There are loads of sacrifices that women make each day. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to not be afraid to ask for help, and indeed, I found support along the way. Through my journey, I’ve come to realize that grit and resilience are my superpowers. I do my best to share this with others, too, through dialogues and discussion on how women, and women of color, can lead a technical function in a male-dominated industry.
What is your take on women in technology and how is the landscape changing? What can be done to ensure there are more women in tech roles?
My take is simple — we don’t have enough women in technology. The landscape is not changing fast enough. The percentage of women representation in technical roles has been stuck in the high teens for over a decade now.
This trend starts at a very young age. Research shows there is a drastic drop in STEM interest amongst young females in middle and high school. A lot of it is due to a lack of encouragement, the confidence gap, outdated societal stereotypes, a male-dominated culture, and most importantly, a lack of role models. We need to work with future generations by leading by example and nurturing them to break these norms. I do my best to support the hiring of underrepresented talent by launching a series of community events designed to bring women and folks from underrepresented groups into the blockchain industry. I also regularly speak at industry events and recruiting conferences about the importance of building diversity in the blockchain industry. We need more advocates, and it doesn’t just have to be women advocating for women.
There’s also a drop off in middle management when women start having kids because they have to take on more responsibilities in their personal lives. As a mother of two kids, I’ll be honest in that the same dilemma crossed my mind multiple times. It has been, and is still, tough, but I persevere because I aspire to be a role model for my daughter. We need better support for parents (both males and females) at work if we want women to stay in the workforce and succeed.
What is the biggest obstacle that women in technology face?
The biggest challenge for women in technology is they don’t feel they belong, hence they opt out of STEM-related professions very early in their life. We need to change our mindset, our norms, our school systems and embrace diversity. The confidence gap that occurs in young girls towards math and science is a real problem at a very young age.
Those who do pursue a career in technology, don’t have enough support. There needs to be a stronger drive for an inclusive culture and enough role models to motivate women to keep going in their roles.
What advice would you give women?
Build growth into your mindset, be open to learning, and don’t let the fear of uncertainty, or not having all the answers, keep you from pursuing greater heights. Technology, especially blockchain technology, evolves every day, so we need to keep pace with that by learning every day.
We all have to do our part, it is hard but we have to keep going for our sisters and daughters and the future women to come. Ask for help and build a support network. The industry needs more women.
