Introducing Lisa Klotz, Creative Project Manager
What is your role and current job?
I have been a Project Manager for 3 years at, an Wunderman Thompson Commerce eCommerce consultancy/agency. Previously worked with tech delivery teams using Agile and SCRUM methodologies. Earlier this year I moved from a Technical Project Manager role into a Creative Project Manager role and dealt with all sorts of customer experience client projects such as UX and UI re-designs, content and campaigns, research, and data analysis.
How did you get into tech?
I studied Management & IT as my Bachelor’s degree in Austria which looked at combining two principal areas of a business that often work in a silo. The idea was to bring business administration, media & communication, and IT together to learn how to make strategic and tech-oriented business decisions. After coming back from my exchange semester in Australia and when finishing my degree in Austria, I decided to learn more about the French way of doing business and moved to Paris to gain experience in an internship in Sales, Account, and client management.
Eventually, I decided to deepen my theoretical understanding of all these areas combined and this is when I got into Marketing. After finishing my Masters’ degree in International Marketing in London, I saw it as a good opportunity to use my skills from the two degrees and to start my career in the eCommerce industry, a rapidly growing and lucrative market. I started off as a Project Manager in Agile and SCRUM project management, and after two-and-a-half years I moved into the more creative side of the business dealing with UX and UI client projects.
What have the biggest challenges been as a woman or non-binary person in tech?
Being a woman in tech plus being at the beginning of your career and thus, a lot younger than most of your (male) peers was a situation that was a particular challenge for me when moving to Paris. While (tech) start-ups can be a perfect place to grow, get exposure to different areas of the business and gain reasonability in a fast-paced environment, there is also the risk that a “dynamic” environment ends up being a rather exploitative one. The toxic male leadership from the executive level ranged from unfair treatment and workplace bullying to misogynist comments towards young female employees. While I knew that this behaviour was anything but correct, I was too inexperienced to know how to deal with it. In the end, most of us international co-workers back then were relying on this springboard for our careers.
Later when I properly got into the tech industry, I realised early on that I was walking into a territory that will throw up a lot of challenges for someone like me. Getting talked over or interrupted by men would appear every so often and was something I had to learn to deal with. I witnessed situations where my updates or escalations as a Project Manager were simply not taken seriously, and I had no other choice but to seek support from my male colleague. When the same information came from him, people were more trustworthy and receptive. Of course, these experiences didn’t help my imposter syndrome.
Have you overcome any of these issues? If so, how?
Some I have, some others not. I realised eventually that I needed to be more outgoing and confident in dealing with any sorts of technical topics and with dealing with issues from (especially male) developers and technical engineers. I started asking more questions without being self-conscious of what people might think, as well as not letting men interrupt me during meetings. I got more confident within the first 2 years, but also because I became more knowledgeable in the eCommerce and technical areas within my role and the business. Lastly, I was lucky to have supportive and encouraging mentors from whom I have had the opportunity to learn a lot.
What advice would you give others in a similar position?
I would love for the tech industry to be more female-friendly and make women feel like they belong, that they don’t have to change their personality and be more “masculine” to fit and succeed in a technical role. It is time to get over the misconception and outdated idea that women and technology just aren’t a good fit. But, we all know there is still a long way to go for that to change. So, in the meantime, my advice would be to say goodbye to imposter syndrome feelings, ask as many questions as you need to ask, be outgoing, and most importantly, do not take everything too personally. Where possible, if there are any career or personal development training you can take, try to do them, they really have a positive impact on your growth and confidence.
When did you first hear about Triangirls?
Katrina, who is part of Triangirls, who joined our CX team a few months ago and told me more about the organisation.
What have you learnt about yourself since the start of your career?
I learned that it is totally ok if your first job is not your dream job and that every positive or negative experience in the last 5 years was very educational for me and helped me to shape my future. I witnessed poor management styles and great management styles which taught me important principles when it comes to leadership and getting the most out of people. I also learned that I can be a good Project Manager when copying what other good Project Managers do and that I can be a better Project Manager when I bring my own character and personality into the role.
