During my five and a half years at Avature, I crossed paths with many inspiring and powerful female figures all across the globe, from my amazing leaders to my wonderful colleagues. They all have a story to tell and have contributed to my professional and personal growth.
At Avature, I’ve always felt supported and valued for my skills, never defined or limited by gender. Working in a male-dominated industry such as technology, I’ve never felt pressured or “less” because I’m a woman. On the contrary, I’ve always felt welcome and heard, and I know firsthand that many Avature women agree with me.
So, in light of Women’s History Month, our team interviewed some inspiring Avaturian women from diverse backgrounds, teams, and regions. They walk us through how they’ve built their careers and how Avature has supported them in their growth as they navigate their own paths. Their stories are about resilience, self-discovery, and following their true passions, even if that was not always the path they were supposed to take.
I hope their journeys resonate with other women and inspire them to follow their lead to forge their own paths. Let’s hear them out:
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When and how did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in your current field? Have you ever felt pressured to follow a specific career path? How did you navigate that?
Leaward Awid, Customer Training Specialist
Cebu, Philippines
I realized I wanted to pursue a career in training and development during my time as a customer service trainer. There's something incredibly fulfilling about watching people develop their skills, gain confidence, and eventually become experts in their fields, knowing that, in some small way, I contributed to their success.
While there were moments when I felt pressured to follow a more “traditional” career path, I always felt most passionate about helping others learn and improve. I navigated those pressures by staying connected to my purpose and continuously seeking opportunities to grow as a trainer. Eventually, that led me to the tech industry, where I now get to combine my love for training with my curiosity for innovation.
Lin Xin, Marketing Director
Shenzhen, China
My path into marketing wasn’t marked by one dramatic “aha” moment. It was a gradual transformation shaped by the guidance of inspiring mentors and a series of unexpected opportunities that came along and helped me pivot toward a field that truly resonates with who I am today. I started out in investment banking, a field that, given my Asian upbringing, was seen as the safe and “correct” choice. Yet, as I built my career in investment banking, I found myself increasingly drawn to the dynamic energy of startup cultures—environments where I could work on innovative products and explore creative problem-solving, which gradually revealed that my true passion lay in blending strategy with creativity.
Embracing change wasn’t always easy. It meant stepping into uncertainty, feeling the sting of self-doubt, and at times wrestling with the fear of the unknown. But leaning into that discomfort and listening to my inner voice pushed me to question the challenges I was willing to take on.
Alicja Nijak, Partners Training Specialist
Cracow, Poland
Early in my life, I felt the weight of expectations. My parents saw potential in me and encouraged me to study law, believing I had what it took to succeed. But for the first time, I struggled—not just with the material but with the realization that my heart wasn’t in it. Eventually, I made the difficult decision to quit law and carve out my own path.
That decision led me to a career in talent acquisition, where I finally found fulfillment. Working in an international environment, surrounded by incredible women who seamlessly balanced work, social life, and family, I discovered that success wasn’t about following a predetermined route—it was about finding what truly inspired me. I learned, grew, and advanced into management, proving to myself that formal studies in a field weren’t the only path to success.
Izabel Angelova, Implementation Consultant
Sofia, Bulgaria
My career path unfolded naturally. I always thought I’d work in law, but after studying it for a few years, I realized it wasn’t for me. I started applying to tech companies, drawn by a deep curiosity about startups, and one day, I was in the right place at the right time, with the right application, and the right hiring manager. That’s how I found my way into HR tech. Many of the personality traits I had at the time were shaped by that first job and later became my biggest strengths.
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Our passions and interests often evolve over time. Have yours changed throughout your career, and how have you navigated those shifts at Avature?
Leaward Awid, Customer Training Specialist
Cebu, Philippines
My passion for training has always been constant, even as my career evolved and I transitioned into the tech industry. What has changed, though, is the level of complexity in what I need to learn to train others effectively. Tech can be tricky since there’s always something new to understand and sometimes it feels overwhelming to keep up. But I’ve learned to embrace that challenge as part of my growth. I stay curious, ask questions, and give myself grace when things don’t click right away. At Avature, I’ve found support from my team and the resources to keep learning, which helps me build the confidence I need to guide others and make a difference in someone’s development.
Lin Xin, Marketing Director
Shenzhen, China
Of course, our passions and interests naturally evolve as we gain more experience and see more of the world. But one thing that has always stayed the same for me is my interest in patterns and problem-solving. At Avature, that love for problem-solving has played out on a much bigger scale. When I joined in 2017, I was the first member of the Product Marketing team in the region. The entire APAC team was small, and we operated with a startup mindset—constantly adapting, finding creative ways to do more with less, and solving challenges without a playbook. Whether it’s refining our go-to-market strategy, shaping how we position our product, working with development teams on features designed for the region, or figuring out how to connect with different audiences, the common thread is the same: spotting patterns, identifying what works, and adapting as we go.
Alicja Nijak, Partners Training Specialist
Cracow, Poland
Over the years, my understanding of my strengths and passions has evolved significantly. Talent Acquisition gave me confidence, but joining Avature as an account manager brought new challenges. Stepping into more traditionally male-dominated spaces, I encountered moments where customers looked at me skeptically or even hung up when they didn’t hear what they expected. Despite these moments, I had unwavering support from my managers and colleagues.
A turning point in my career came when I was given the opportunity to train customers on-site. This was a major milestone for me. After the struggles I faced after the pandemic, stepping into a real, high-pressure environment again was both daunting and exhilarating. But in the end, I loved it. It reignited my belief in myself and my capabilities, proving that I was not just good enough—I was great at what I did.
Izabel Angelova, Implementation Consultant
Sofia, Bulgaria
At first, I was focused on mastering processes and tools, but over time, I became more interested in the strategy behind implementations, problem-solving for customers, and improving cross-teams collaboration.
I’m also passionate about working with diverse people—the more different, the better. Avature gives me the best of both worlds: the freedom to work from my village while being surrounded by brilliant minds across different cultures and perspectives. Every project brings a new challenge, allowing me to grow in both technical and consulting aspects while staying adaptable.
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How has Avature supported you in exploring new skills or career opportunities?
Leaward Awid, Customer Training Specialist
Cebu, Philippines
The support I’ve received at Avature has been unparalleled, and it’s something I never take for granted. My team has been amazingly encouraging, always ready to share knowledge, answer questions, and guide me through the complexities of the tech world. That support has given me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone and explore new skills head-on. Knowing I’m in an environment where growth is not just encouraged but actively nurtured pushes me to keep improving and exploring every opportunity to become better at what I do.
Lin Xin, Marketing Director
Shenzhen, China
Avature has been instrumental in my continued growth, offering opportunities to further push my boundaries. One standout experience was creating a Chinese podcast featuring Avature customers. As someone who’s usually more comfortable behind the scenes, hosting a podcast was a challenge I never anticipated. After five months of preparation, the Talent Talks Podcast is now live. As a platform for meaningful conversations about HR, talent acquisition, and the future of work, this experience pushed me to lead discussions, think on my feet, and build deeper connections with both speakers and the audience—expanding my skill set in unexpected ways.
Alicja Nijak, Partners Training Specialist
Cracow, Poland
One of the most transformative moments of my life was almost two years ago when I was diagnosed with ADHD. Looking back, so many of my struggles made sense—the moments I felt overwhelmed, the times I believed I was failing when, in reality, I was simply wired differently. For years, ADHD in women went undiagnosed because it often presents differently than in men. Understanding this about myself allowed me to stop seeing my challenges as personal shortcomings and instead recognize them as part of who I am.
At Avature, I was met with nothing but support. Being open about my diagnosis allowed me to advocate for myself, and my managers and HR team were instrumental in helping me transition into a role that played to my strengths. I found a new path in training, where I could use my firsthand experience as a recruiter to help our customers navigate the system more effectively. Avature didn’t just give me a job—it gave me the space to grow.
Izabel Angelova, Implementation Consultant
Sofia, Bulgaria
Avature provides a lot of autonomy, which creates space to take ownership and grow in areas beyond the initial job description. Whether it’s diving deeper into technical solutions, leading customer discussions, or collaborating across teams, there’s always an opportunity to stretch and develop new skills. That level of trust has helped me build confidence and refine my approach.
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What’s one decision in your career that made you feel truly empowered?
Leaward Awid, Customer Training Specialist
Cebu, Philippines
One decision in my career that made me feel truly empowered was stepping into the world of training and development. Choosing to pursue this path allowed me to turn my passion for helping others grow into a fulfilling career. There’s something truly powerful about realizing that the work I do—sharing knowledge, guiding people through challenges, and celebrating their wins—can have a lasting impact on someone’s evolution. It gave me a sense of purpose and confidence, knowing that I have the ability to make a difference. And every time I see someone I’ve trained thrive, it reaffirms that I made the right choice.
Alicja Nijak, Partners Training Specialist
Cracow, Poland
Speaking up. Whether it was about my struggles with ADHD, my desire to shift my career path, or even simply standing my ground in difficult conversations, finding my voice has been the most empowering decision of my career. It’s easy to doubt yourself when you don’t fit into the "traditional" mold, but I’ve learned that my intuition, empathy, and ability to build relationships are strengths—not weaknesses.
Izabel Angelova, Implementation Consultant
Sofia, Bulgaria
Taking the leap to join Avature after eight years at my previous job. Moving from a smaller, familiar environment to a fast-paced, global company was intimidating at first, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. The challenge of adapting, learning, and finding my place in a new space has been incredibly rewarding.
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What advice would you give to women looking for a workplace that allows them to grow and thrive?
Leaward Awid, Customer Training Specialist
Cebu, Philippines
My advice is to seek out a company where you feel a true sense of belonging, a place where management genuinely cares about its people, not just as employees but as individuals with unique strengths and aspirations. Find a workplace where your contributions are valued and where the work you do has meaning. When you’re in an environment where you feel supported, inspired, and connected to your purpose, work stops feeling like just a job and becomes something you truly love.
Lin Xin, Marketing Director
Shenzhen, China
Find a place where you can be unapologetically you, quirks and all. A place that values your voice, supports your growth, and challenges you to step out of your comfort zone.
Alicja Nijak, Partners Training Specialist
Cracow, Poland
A workplace should be a space where you can speak your mind, ask for support when needed, and be encouraged to grow in ways that make sense for you. Surround yourself with people—colleagues, mentors, and leaders—who lift you up rather than make you doubt yourself. And most importantly, trust your instincts.
Izabel Angelova, Implementation Consultant
Sofia, Bulgaria
Look for a company that values curiosity, problem-solving, and collaboration over just a salary. A workplace that trusts you to take ownership and supports your growth makes all the difference. And trust your inner instincts.