MEET one such woman – Fiona Jacobs, wife, mother of three, and Director of Procurement, International Trade and Business Development at EMVAfrica.
Round bar, stainless steel, specialist metals and valves – it is in this non-traditional female environment where Fiona has thrived for the past 30 years. Her passion not only for the business but also for her colleagues is unmistakable. Sales, accounts, software development, the products, employee support and not forgetting, customer service – this is what motivates Fiona to come to work every day.
“I admit that it is more difficult for women to work in a male-dominated field. As a woman in industry you may not always get the necessary support. It was particularly tough during the 1990s when I was calling on customers. I encountered a lot of gender bias and dismissive attitudes. However, as more and more companies embrace diversity & inclusion, I can honestly say that, with the odd exception, it has certainly become easier to excel in this largely male dominated environment. I find that my seniority, experience and directorship certainly help to earn respect. I can say without any doubt that EMVAfrica is a company that is both diverse and inclusive. It stems from Hugh who believes that as long as the person can do the job, their gender, race and religion are irrelevant.
In a nutshell … where does your learning journey lead?
“The knowledge and experience that I have gained over the past 30 years is invaluable and it still continues to serve me today. In addition to growing my own abilities, I am able to pay it forward, adding value to the company as well as to my fellow employees who are my extended family. I am passing my know-how on to the next generation – the future of EMVAfrica.
A lasting thought:
“Most of us have to work and we spend a large part of our lives at the office. So make it your happy place. A positive environment nurtures growth and forges successful careers.”
