The tech industry is notorious for its gender imbalance, especially in leadership roles.
Despite efforts to increase diversity, women still make up a small percentage of executives in Fortune 500 tech companies.
In this episode of Merging Minds, Javi Diaz sits down with Anna Schlegel, a global tech leader, founder, and advocate for women in leadership.
She shares her journey from a small Catalan town to Silicon Valley, the challenges she faced in a male-dominated industry, and the lessons she learned along the way.
From Catalonia to Silicon Valley
Anna’s story is one of resilience and ambition.
Born in a small town in Catalonia, she had a curiosity for the world and a passion for languages.
She first moved to Germany for postgrad studies in philology, then took a leap of faith and landed in San Francisco at 23 years old.
What started as a short-term adventure turned into decades of work in tech, globalization, and leadership.
“I left for a year. But 33 years later, I was still there,” she recalls.
Starting a Business in a Male-Dominated Industry
Anna’s entrepreneurial journey began out of necessity.
She needed financial stability and job security, so she took matters into her own hands.
She founded the San Francisco Translation Company, an agency that provided translation and interpretation services.
Within a few years, she built a strong client base, including hospitals and major corporations.
Eventually, Cisco Systems acquired her company, launching her into the corporate tech world.
“I was hungry. I needed to survive,” Anna says. “So I created a company.”
Breaking into Corporate Leadership
Moving from an independent entrepreneur to a senior leader at Cisco was a major shift.
Suddenly, she found herself in a room full of executives discussing missions, visions, and corporate strategies—concepts that were foreign to her at first. But she adapted, observed, and studied relentlessly.
“If someone put me in the room, they saw something in me. So I gave myself permission to be there,” she says.
One of the biggest lessons she learned early on was that leadership is about making others successful.
A senior executive once told her:
“You only have one job: make your boss look good.”
Navigating Gender Barriers in Tech
Even with multiple degrees and decades of experience, Anna acknowledges that gender bias is still a real challenge in tech.
She recalls struggling to find female mentors early in her career, which led her to co-found Women in Localization, a global nonprofit aimed at supporting women in the industry.
“It doesn’t matter how much experience you have. You’re still treated differently,” she says.
Her advice to women navigating male-dominated spaces?
- Study constantly. Continuous learning is key to staying ahead.
- Find strong mentors. Whether male or female, having advocates is crucial.
- Build the right team. “Your team will either make you or break you.”
- Speak up strategically. Learn when and how to voice your ideas effectively.
The Future: From Tech to Politics
After years in tech leadership, Anna recently took a bold new step: politics.
She was recruited to run alongside the President of Catalonia and is now serving in Parliament.
“Never in a million years did I think I’d be in politics. But here I am.” - she admits.
While her focus has shifted, her passion for advocating for women and diversity remains strong.
Whether in tech, politics, or business, her story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning.
Final Thoughts: Advice for Women in Tech
Anna’s journey offers valuable lessons for women who want to thrive in tech:
- Imposter syndrome is normal—push through it. “Fake it till you make it, but always be learning.”
- Adaptability is key. Corporate environments evolve, and leaders must evolve with them.
- Be prepared. “Every meeting, every opportunity—come in ready.”
The tech industry may still be male-dominated, but with leaders like Anna Schlegel paving the way, the future looks brighter for women in leadership.
Unlock the power of glocalization with our Translation Management System.
Unlock the power of
with our Translation Management System.
