MEET NADIA NARRANDES, DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER
The power of continuous professional and personal growth and giving back
Whether it’s Women’s Month or any other month of the year, we value and celebrate our female employees at VAS-X. In today’s Wonder Women blog, we speak to our Digital Marketing Manager about her career, what led her to our door and what life is like outside of VAS-X.
Career beginnings and progression
Nadia started her professional life as a journalist and immediately saw the value of working in the growing tech space through online media. It was through online journalism that she discovered her digital marketing “happy place”, and a passion for adding value to any industry through data-driven and performance marketing.
As someone who is continually pushing herself to learn and grow, the opportunity to join VAS-X and upskill in the field of telecoms was an enticing prospect.
“What appealed to me about VAS-X was the opportunity to contribute to growing a brand and its culture, and the chance to make a positive and impactful difference through the implementation of digital marketing. I am excited to be part of the brilliant culture of learning, growth and giving back that is the VAS-X brand.
“I am privileged to have been able to learn from and collaborate with a range of tech and marketing experts during my career, and I relish the opportunity to mentor other digital specialists and help them progress in their careers. I believe in the power of giving back and imparting skills and expertise, and I hope to be able to continue this at VAS-X, while also growing my own knowledge of the telecoms industry.”
Championing women in tech
Nadia states that she is lucky enough not to have faced any gender-based challenges in her career so far. One of the things that she loves about VAS-X is that gender equality is not a forced initiative.
“Executives are fully engaged and the company strives to empower more women through hiring and learning and development strategies, which present numerous opportunities to grow.
“I would encourage other women entering the field of tech to learn EVERYTHING. Don't put yourself in a box, but push your boundaries, utilising all the many free resources that are out there to continuously improve and learn. The more you know, the more you grow and can pay it forward. That is the most satisfying and fulfilling part of my career.
“I think the tech community does a great job of voicing its support for women and offering a variety of equal opportunities, but would love to see more education of school-aged girls on the possibilities offered by a career in tech.”
Work-life balance
Nadia loves spending time with her (very large) tight-knit family as well as friends. She also relishes the opportunity for a dress-up! Halloween is her favourite time of year to showcase her creations and she custom makes all her costumes. She is also big on travelling and exploring but maintains a balance by lazing around with her fur babies, Banshee and Little One. Quiz nights are a huge passion, and she never says no to a 30 Seconds boardgame challenge!
On the fitness front Nadia is a keen Pole Sport athlete, progressing from beginner to intermediate/advanced in over a year. She is proud to be coached by a South African pole champion, Julie Fowler as well as all the amazingly talented instructors at her current and previous studios.
“I have found immense happiness and a profound sense of camaraderie and sisterhood being part of my studio, and the pole and aerial community as a whole. Thanks to Pole Sports, my transition to 40 has been an undoubtedly fit and fabulous one! It also contributes greatly to a steady and thoroughly enjoyable work/life balance.”
