This week’s inspiring women in tech interview is with a sustainable success coach, an international speaker and an entrepreneur with 20+ years of experience.
Sian Young is the CEO of the Centre for Sustainable Action and one of the founders of tech startup SDG Assessment. The latter was covered by eWeek UK in a scoop in June. SDG Assessment offers sustainability and ESG reporting for small businesses.
The Centre for Sustainable Action is a cooperative business where members are also owners. It supports the wellbeing of entrepreneurs and business leaders to achieve profitability and a social purpose through the development of products and services that are inherently sustainable.
How and where did you start your career in tech?
I have been an entrepreneur for over 20 years, winning multiple awards and speaking on global stages. I am an accidental techpreneur, after surveying over 100 female entrepreneurs and finding out that 39% did not know where to start to implement a sustainable strategy and a resounding 51% having no sustainable business goals in place.
This inspired our team and I to develop the SDG Assessment app, an easy to use intuitive tool backed by years of research based knowledge. By knowing what our target audience really needed to take action on sustainability/ESG reporting I was then propelled into the tech world.
Are there any women in tech that have particularly inspired you?
Osmin Callis, Managing Director of Satoshi Block Dojo, is my first inspiration in the tech world because she gave her time and expertise to our team and her advice has helped us move forward. She has inspired me through BSV Academy lectures, where I have been developing my understanding more about the powerful business solution of blockchain.
What’s the most pressing issue for women in tech today?
In a study carried out by TrustRadius it was confirmed as were many other studies that when push comes to shove, women are left with the majority of childcare and domestic duties, making it a challenge to show up in the way they want both in the technology space but also in the world as a whole.
What challenges do you face in your role at SDG Assessment?
The challenge I have faced is that I have had a steep learning curve but one that has fascinated, stretched and developed me. Being accepted as a semi-finalist in QBE AcceliCITY Resilience Challenge was a great confirmation of how far I have progressed in the world of tech. Presently, I have been shortlisted for Phase 2 of the Decelera GreenTech incubator as well. Tech world watch out because I love it here!​
What advice would you give to women looking to get into tech?
Ask yourself this question: do you have a solution to a problem that your audience or indeed this planet is facing?
If so, think about how you can develop this into a tech-based solution, don’t overcomplicate it, and take a big breath and get started. Following this proven methodology ‘Learn, Develop, Implement, Optimize & Sustain’, will ensure success. There is a wealth of resources and support for women in tech out there.
Check out the previous tech-themed interview with Agata Nowakowska, Area Vice President EMEA at Skillsoft, here.
