Mandy Grewal, country manager for SoftwareONE
When Mandy Grewal sought out change, she sought it in a big way.
Sixteen years ago, the country manager for SoftwareONE, whose background is in financial sales, packed up her bags and left her native England to work at the Canadian office of a large multinational game studio.
As Grewal puts it, entering tech was all about finding the possibilities that were out there.
“Sometimes you get really stuck in what you do, you forget to look at what you really want to do,” she said.
For Grewal, the fast-paced environment of tech was what she had been looking for.
“I like the solution aspect; I like how tech drives change in the world,” she said. “The strategy and business element, how to build a team, collaborate, execute, make impact in the market; this industry gave me all that.”
What helped along the way, she said, is credibility.
Doing the job well, showing results and passion, and meeting expectations were always key.
Then there’s the piece about pride.
“You have to be humble to understand who you are and your environment too,” Grewal said. “It allows you to see with clarity, to understand how to contribute, put the work and effort in and doesn’t cloud your judgment.”
On the flip side, she noted, a lending hand can be helpful, especially when women are holding themselves back due to stereotypes.
“It takes people to say, ‘I want women to not have to go through what I went through,'” she said.
For Grewal, who has been previously honoured by CDN, this is something she says she is conscious of.
“The repeat recognition feels really good,” she said. “It’s solidified that what I’m doing is the right thing. I’m very proud.”