The tech industry of the future needs diversity.
The tech industry cannot build the future if we continue to operate as before. Yet many tech-related career paths repeat the same pattern: too few women, especially in leadership positions.
This is a translation from the original Finnish interview on Elisa’s site.
Could all this change?
What if the tech industry of the future is an environment where everyone has the opportunity to develop, influence and flourish – just as they are? Elisa employees Eija Moisala, Susanna Laukkanen and Golrokh Najafizadeh believe that this can be the case. And they are already living it every day.
Three stories, one common direction
Eija, Susanna and Golrokh come from different backgrounds, but they are united by a strong “can-do” attitude and a desire to develop. They have not chosen the easiest path, but they set an inspiring example for other women working in the technology sector.
Eija Moisala is the Head of Digital Identity at Elisa and leads several digital service development teams. Her teams build, among other things, identification solutions and technologies that improve the customer experience for millions of Finns. “This work feels genuinely meaningful – and it motivates me immensely,” says Eija. Eija has also founded Elisa’s Digimuijat community.
Security Manager Susanna Laukkanen is a pioneer in the truest sense of the word. She has worked, among other things, as the Security and Risk Management Manager at Länsimetro and is one of the founders of the #ElisaWomen community. “We women have enormous leadership potential – but it is only seen if we give it the space to be seen.”
Software developer Golrokh Najafizadeh arrived in Finland from Iran and found a place in Elisa’s Android team. “Here I can be myself. I was immediately told: There are no stupid questions. And that development is important.”
The future technology sector is built through conscious choices
The trio’s career paths emphasize that the future technology sector will not be created by chance, but by actively making room for diversity and abilities. Gender should not matter, but in the absence of role models and communities, the impact is often silent but profound.
“If there are 5 Pekkas in the management team, that is, five like-minded men, it is worth stopping to think about why, and whether it can produce diverse value,” Susanna summarizes. “We at Elisa have enormous potential to be a pioneer in equality, not only in Finland, but globally.”
Eija sees the same need, especially in software development: “When development teams consist of too many similar people, it is easy for solutions to not take all users into account. Diversity is also a guarantee of quality.”
A community that enables flourishing
Elisa is not just a workplace. It is an environment where communities like #ElisaWomen and Digimuijat support, spar, and build space for women to be visible, influential and lead. Mentoring, internal training and active leadership are not isolated projects – but part of everyday life.
“I founded the #ElisaWomen community because I wanted to explore my own career opportunities and help other women at the same time,” Susanna says. “And I was absolutely amazed at how positively it was received – even by male managers.”
Golrokh, for her part, is grateful that development is a genuine part of the job description. “At my previous workplace, there was no time to learn new things – at Elisa, it’s part of the culture. We are even regularly asked where we want to grow.”
No longer ‘just okay’ – but among the best
The stories of three women prove that the diverse technology sector of the future is achievable – but only if conscious choices are made for it. Role models, communities, culture and the courage to hire diversely build a foundation where the question is no longer “will a woman fit here”, but “what skills are we still missing”.
“Do we want to be just okay – or the best in the world?” Susanna concludes.
“If we want to build products and solutions for everyone, we also need to build teams where everyone is represented. Only then will we create a future technology industry where everyone can succeed.”
Interview and photos powered by Elisa
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