International Women's Day with UBC IT - Interview with Laleh Mosadegh

In honor of International Women's Day, we are delighted to spotlight Laleh Mosadegh, Director of Project Delivery, a remarkable leader at UBC IT, who has dedicated 12 years to shaping the future of technology and innovation of the department. Her journey is an inspiring testament to dedication, resilience, and a commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace. Her core values of kindness and growth contribute to why she is an integral leader here at UBC IT.  

 Laleh began her career here at UBC IT as a Client Engagement Sr. Manager. Over the years, she transitioned into leadership roles, delving into Salesforce and MuleSoft Project implementations and leading the Integration Enablement Center. As part of her current role at UBC IT, Laleh also oversees the Project Management Office, provides leadership in supporting automation platforms, and Workday platform, focusing on applications delivery and support within the technology landscape. Her education in computer science and computer networking has laid the foundation for her success, and it's her unwavering commitment to leadership that truly stands out. 

For Laleh, gender equality in the innovation and technology industry means affording equal opportunities for all genders. She advocates against discrimination, and biases, and stresses the importance of evaluating individuals based on skills and capabilities, regardless of gender. Throughout her leadership journey, Laleh has faced many challenges, some stemming from societal expectations tied to being a woman. One such attribute being kindness and leading with empathy—a value often associated with femineity that sometimes leads to misconceptions that they are not capable of making tough decisions. However, despite any criticism she has seen in the past, she continues to stay true to her core values of kindness and resilience. Laleh's unwavering commitment, hard work, and effective leadership serve as a powerful force challenging stereotypes and exemplifying a profound dedication to fostering a positive workplace culture. 

When asked about her sources of inspiration, Laleh draws inspiration from the diverse array of women leaders across various organizations. She believes that having women in senior leadership positions contributes to workplace culture by bringing in diverse experiences and perspectives, fostering innovation and holistic decision-making. 

Reflecting on her leadership role, Laleh actively works to empower and support other women through mentorship and setting a positive example. She acknowledges the hesitancy women may face in their roles and strives to create a supportive environment for their growth. This is why, as a leader, she strives to lead by example and make it easy for her team to connect with her directly for support. For women struggling to find a balance between their careers and personal lives, Laleh imparts valuable advice—prioritize self-care. Taking care of one's health and well-being is crucial for strength and resilience, emphasizing the importance of nurturing oneself before giving to others.

Laleh's favorite part of her job lies in witnessing the growth of individuals she has encouraged. The diverse connections she has cultivated at UBC IT highlight the importance of kindness and growth as core values, making her a source of inspiration for women in the technology industry.  

On this International Women's Day, let's celebrate leaders like Laleh who continue to break barriers and shape the future of technology with passion, dedication, and kindness. 

International Women's Day at UBC

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Article written by Aisha Ismail.