Meg Davis, Product & Industry Marketing Director at Bentley Systems, shares her insights on International Women’s Day and faster strides toward gender equality in a chat with Techitup ME
What are your views on this year’s IWD 2025 theme “Accelerate Action”, how can we truly achieve diversity and inclusion in the workplace?
Meg Davis: “Accelerate Action” is an important theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 with a focus on the urgency of making faster, more effective strides toward gender equality. While progress has been made, we still have a way to go, especially in certain parts of the world, to achieve equality in the workforce. Access to affordable childcare and flexibility in the workplace are important elements that enable women to succeed and advance in their careers. I’m proud to work for a company like Bentley that recognizes the challenges women and families face and provides flexibility for our colleagues.
Education is another key aspect to achieving diversity and inclusion. We need to make girls aware of career opportunities when they are young and overcome the gender bias that implies certain careers are for women or men only. STEM programs are an important and effective way of raising awareness in young women of how technology skills can help them succeed in the workforce of the future. We as individuals, our governments, and organizations can all have an impact on this issue if we work together. In the words of the wise Margaret Mead “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Can you share your journey into the tech world and what inspired you to pursue this, where did it all start?
Meg Davis: Following completing my MBA at University of San Francisco I started my career working for PACCAR, a manufacturer of large commercial trucks, in operations and product management roles. I was able to leverage that knowledge to make the leap into software, working at several companies specializing in transportation asset management and ultimately coming to Bentley in 2011. I credit my coursework, professors and fellow students during my MBA program for opening my eyes to the variety of interesting opportunities in technology. I also had great mentors all along the way who encouraged me to take risks and try new challenges. For example, when given the opportunity as a product manager at PACCAR to get a commercial drivers license to be able to drive big rigs with customers, I was excited to do so and had the full support of my management. I was the first woman in product management, and the first to obtain a CDL, but was certainly not the last!
Who would you consider your role model, someone who constantly inspires you? (Does not really have to be from the professional world only, can be someone at home too)
Meg Davis: My role model was my mom. She became a physician during the 1940s, a time when women were not often encouraged to work outside the home. I was inspired by her intellect, tenacity and kindness. I often channel her when making a difficult decision.
Rapid Fire (Let’s get to know you more)
- Dinner with a famous personality, who would it be? Ina Garten – she is so charming and a great cook!
- One skill you wish you could learn instantly? Being fluent in multiple languages
- Android or Apple? 😃 Apple
- WhatsApp or Telegram? WhatsApp
- Phone call or text message/email? Text message/email
- Beaches or Mountains? Beaches!
- Coffee or Tea? Green tea during the week, coffee on weekends
- Early Bird or Night owl? Early bird
- Books or Movies? Books
- Winter or Summer? Summer
- Online shopping or in-store shopping? In store shopping (I love to support local businesses)
What advice would you give to women starting off their careers, aspiring to enter the tech/business field?
Meg Davis: Don’t be afraid to try something new and outside your comfort zone. Be tenacious and keep striving for your goals. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t achieve your goal today – the opportunity you are looking for may be just around the corner, or something new may come up you never anticipated. Ask lots of questions, volunteer for projects and most of all, believe in yourself!
