Eliane Gerges, Regional Director – Middle East at Dynatrace touches upon building a team with diverse backgrounds and experiences, who bring different perspectives to the table
What are your views on this year’s IWD 2025 theme “Accelerate Action”, how can we truly achieve diversity and inclusion in the workplace?
Eliane Gerges: “Accelerate Action” resonates deeply with me. It’s not enough to just talk about diversity and inclusion; we need to implement tangible changes. At Dynatrace, we focus on creating a culture of respect, celebrating and valuing both team wins and individual successes. For me, a big part of this comes from building a team with diverse backgrounds and experiences, who bring different perspectives to the table. This diversity of thought challenges us to move beyond conventional solutions and will lead to more innovative outcomes in the long run. By establishing an environment where different perspectives are not just welcomed but actively sought, we can accelerate action towards a more inclusive workplace.
Can you share your journey into the tech world and what inspired you to pursue this, where did it all start?
Eliane Gerges: My journey into the tech world began in childhood, heavily influenced by my father, an IT professional at a bank in Lebanon. I was always fascinated by the mainframes in his office and he made sure we had the latest computers at home. I was in awe of the possibilities’ technology offered, and seeing both his dedication and the impact he made inspired me to follow in his footsteps. His influence instilled in me a deep fascination for IT, and I knew I wanted to eventually build a career in this dynamic field.
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 )
Eliane Gerges: My parents are my ultimate role models. Growing up during the war in Lebanon, they started with nothing, but through sheer determination and hard work they managed to build a fulfilling life for themselves, and for our family. They taught me the importance of resilience, never giving up, and always giving back to the community. Seeing this first-hand taught me that you can overcome anything with determination, whether it’s an external obstacle or your own self-doubt – that kind of strength and perseverance is what truly inspires me.
Rapid Fire Questions (Let’s get to know you more)
- Dinner with a famous personality, who would it be? It would be a roundtable dinner and drinks between 3 of us: Ada Lovelace, Reshma Saujani and my future self. It would make for an incredible discussion between the woman who first wrote about programming, to the woman who runs “Girls Who Code” and me who managed to make it into tech.
- One skill you wish you could learn instantly? To speak German fluently. My husband and kids are German, and its something that takes time and practice to learn. I’ll eventually dedicate more time to this skill, but the ability to bypass the learning stage would be amazing.
- Android or Apple? 😃 Apple
- WhatsApp or Telegram? WhatsApp
- Phone call or text message/email? Phone call always
- Beaches or Mountains? Definitely beaches, specifically in the sea scuba diving
- Coffee or Tea? Tea 100%, I’ve never had coffee in my life.
- Early Bird or Night owl? Early bird
- Books or Movies? Books
- Winter or Summer? Summer
- Online shopping or in-store shopping? Online
What advice would you give to women starting off their careers, aspiring to enter the tech/business field?
Eliane Gerges: My advice is simple: don’t be scared. The tech world is vast, but you don’t need to know everything at once. Start by exploring your interests and connecting with people in the field. Reach out, ask questions, and learn about different career paths, technology is constantly evolving, so develop a love for learning and explore your curiosities. Most importantly, trust in yourself and your capabilities – find your passion and follow it. You belong in this field and your unique perspective is invaluable.
