Get to know Rebecca Badgley – Sales Operations Lead

What’s been a defining moment for you as a woman in your career?

I started my career in IT Marketing. After 5 years at my first company, I became the first female to be promoted to Senior Manager, responsible for over 60 people, which at the time was a huge achievement and something I was very proud of. However, now I look back – it’s sad to think that I was the first given the fact there was roughly a 50/50 split of male and females entering the organisation each year. It begs the question, why was I the only woman to make it to senior management by that point? (Oh, how I would love to go back in time, knowing what I know now!)

What’s your own experience of the Three Barriers and what tips would you give women navigating their own barriers?

Although I recognise that I speak from a place of privilege, I have definitely experienced all three barriers in one way or another. From juggling motherhood and a career, to being interrupted in meetings and having my ideas passed off as another’s 3 months later, to the fact I didn’t meet a woman I could recognise as a professional role model until I was almost 10 years into my working life!

My advice? Identify the barriers that exist for you and don’t view them as “just the way it is” (as I did until recently), address them with your organisation, and if met with resistance – find yourself another place to work that will help you thrive instead!

What have you read recently and any top takeaway that our audiences might benefit from?

As a newbie to the DEI world, I’ve fully immersed myself in the must-reads for those who are looking for introductions into the world of gender equity – “Invisible Women”, by Caroline Criado Perez and “The Authority Gap”, by Mary Ann Sieghart.

Do you face the double burden as a woman with a career and if so, how do you manage it?

Absolutely. Although I have a wonderful husband, who is a doting father, he unfortunately has a very inflexible job. This leaves me with 90% of the childcare duties Monday-Friday – school/nursery runs, after-school activities and dinners! Ever since having children, I have always been very lucky to have had flexible jobs which allow me to not only work from home but also flex my hours to fit around my children and family needs. Without this I would definitely struggle to manage both aspects of my life, and so I am incredibly grateful for organisations such as Shape Talent who allow me to excel in both!