In March, the world celebrates Women's History Month and International Women's Day, recognizing the remarkable contributions and achievements of women throughout history. At Mapbox, we are privileged to have a diverse and talented group of women who are breaking barriers, driving innovation, and inspiring change in the ever-evolving landscape of technology. In this blog, we proudly showcase some of the bold women at Mapbox, each sharing their unique insights, experiences, and perspectives on how to lead and navigate the tech world as a woman.
"In my software engineering days, I built an aircraft structural simulation software," Krithika reflects. Transitioning into product management, Krithika spearheaded the creation of 0 to 1 products, including an IoT app for mining and AutoCAD Web. During her tenure at Taskrabbit, she led her team to double the mobile app funnel and successfully launched their product internationally across five countries.
"Switching roles from engineering to design to products meant a significant delta in skills and scope. I lacked confidence, so I built it up with small wins that compound over time—a flywheel effect,” she shared. As she continues to evolve at Mapbox, Krithika is unafraid to push boundaries in product innovation. "Be bold. Take on ambitious and ambiguous projects with a high-risk, high-reward mindset," she emphasizes. “Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo, but don’t overthink it. But we can’t do things alone, so make sure you build authentic relationships through finding common ground and never be afraid to ask for help.”
“Why is tech so important to me and for women as a whole? I grew up in India and now when I go back, I see how technology from mobile banking to access to health services is changing women’s lives and bringing them out of poverty. We in tech get to help make that possible for women everywhere. That’s something I’m privileged to be a part of.”
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Angela’s previous experience as Head of Direction Services and her hands on experience leading engineering teams is what led to her current role as Technical Advisor to the CEO. But she wouldn’t have got there without being bold. “I always encourage women to take risks. Don’t be afraid of failure. Mistakes are better than no action, because we learn from our mistakes. When we do this and we lead by example, we can pave the way for other women within tech,” she says.
But that hasn’t always been easy. Being one of the few women on any team can impact your confidence, but Angela feels strongly that the industry needs more diverse perspectives, “Diverse ideas drive innovation. Even though it can be difficult at times, have confidence in your abilities. You are here for a reason, don’t forget that. Don’t be afraid to bring these diverse ideas to the table; your voice and experience are valid and invaluable.”
“Make sure to step away from your work and to get an objective view on what you’re doing. This will help stop you from being too hard on yourself when it’s undeserved. This will also help you build your own confidence and in turn you can help build confidence in others when you see them being too hard on themselves too,” she advises.
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Tech can be a difficult environment for women where roughly three quarters of the industry is male. But in the face of adversity, Ali has stayed true to herself, “Do your best work possible and focus on the problem at hand independent of the people’s reactions, that is how you stay resilient and relevant. Don’t be afraid to take risks - inaction is worse than doing the wrong thing.”
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions to fully understand the context. You are at the table, in the conversation for a reason,” Ali likes to remind people, “not asking any questions is a much bigger waste of time than asking many. I jump in early and don’t hold back with questions to make sure I have the full picture and can contribute.”
As a leader on the Mapbox People team, Ali is responsible for bringing in the best talent to help drive Mapbox’s innovative technology. She plays a direct role in ensuring that Mapbox is an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment by helping drive initiatives and processes that reduce unconscious bias throughout the hiring process. This work creates new opportunities for women and others where they previously faced an uphill climb into the technology sector.
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As we commemorate Women's History Month and International Women's Day, we invite you to join us in celebrating the achievements and contributions of women in the tech industry. Share their stories, amplify their voices, and advocate for greater diversity and representation in all spheres of life. Together, let us commit to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where women can thrive, innovate, and lead with boldness and confidence. Explore ways to support women in tech, mentor aspiring professionals, and champion initiatives that promote gender equality and empowerment. Your actions today will help shape a brighter and more equitable future for generations to come.
Thank you for joining us in this celebration of bold women in tech, and let’s continue to march forward with courage, conviction, and unwavering determination.
