PWN Barcelona and 4YFN Hack D Gap was love at first site.

26 February 2018 13:00 - 14:00

From the first moment that PWN Barcelona found out about the 4YFN Hack D Gap challenge it was love at first site.  A global challenge organized by 4YFN and Women4Tech that encourages startups and/or individuals to create innovative solutions, products or services that drive diversity and gender equality in the tech industry.

Last year, PWN Barcelona attended the awards ceremony and cheered loudly when Francesca Gabetti, a mentee in PWN’s Barcelona took the stage to win the first Hack D Gap challenge.

As we approach a second edition of the Hack D Gap challenge, PWN Barcelona is thrilled to see one of our members, Sandra Arévalo, Founder & CEO of Wisar, take the stage as one of the finalists of this challenge.  Wisar is an innovative way to match top professionals seeking work-life balance with businesses.

Even though her schedule is jammed packed with preparation as the big day to pitch is approaching, Sandra took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few of our interview questions.

PWN Barcelona: It’s been an exciting year for you since Wisar launched in 2017.  Tell us about some of the high points leading up to today?

Sandra:  After launching Wisar at 4YFN in 2017, we closed the year with great joy being finalists at Fontvella's "Eres Impulso" (https://eresimpulso.fontvella.es/finalistas), winning the 1st Prize at the OuiShare Fest Startups (http://bcn.ouisharefest.com) and starting our collaborations within the perks offer at some of the most renowned accelerators in Spain (Conector, Ship2B & EGI Booster). We multiplied by 10 our talent pool, reaching presence in 18 countries within our first year of operation.

I was also recognised by El Referente as one of the 75 most promising female entrepreneurs in Spain for 2017, not only as founder of Wisar but also due to my investments as Business Angels as Founder of Talent Revolution (http://www.elreferente.es/tecnologicos/75-mujeres-emprendedoras-prometedoras-2017-31320)

PWN Barcelona: What is the greatest benefit of being a member of PWN Barcelona?

Sandra:  The possibility to learn and get support from experienced professionals who have faced similar challenges during their careers, validate my business ideas with relevant feedback and support other members on their own professional journeys. 

PWN Barcelona:  Have you participated in our mentoring program?

No, I was new to PWN just after the program started. I had the privilege to work with Patricia Zeegers (PWN Barcelona’s President) as my mentor, her contributions being an experienced business woman and HR specialists have been key for me and for Wisar.

PWN Barcelona:  How did you learn about Hack D Gap and what motivated you to apply?

Sandra:  I got to know Therese Jamal (GSMA General Manager, Mobile World Capital) during the WomanLiderTIC conference two years ago. I was advancing on my idea about Wisar and asked her for some feedback. She saw immediately the connection of our mission with the focus of the Hack D Gap initiative and invited us to apply.  

PWN Barcelona:  How do you hope to impact gender balance?

Sandra: One of the main concerns I have are the limitations that women face to keep track on their career progression when taking key life decisions, like growing a family. I always thought women were really able to achieve their full professional potential being prepared to assume responsibilities if they were on the right place when opportunities arise. Nonetheless, our work culture promotes career progression aligned to full commitment with the companies, despite the sacrifices we need to make on the personal side. I was in shock reading statistics like 1 every 4 women in Spain deciding not to have children to focus on their careers. Having to choose between career and family is not only unfair, it doesn’t make any economic sense and is deeply wrong from a human progress perspective. With Wisar, we want to show people and companies that there are other ways to make a contribution to the businesses at our full potential while exercising our right to live more balanced lives. All thanks to the technology that allow us to connect with global opportunities, working anytime, from anywhere. 

PWN Barcelona:  Do you feel it is important to engage men in the conversation of gender balance?

Sandra:  Despite Wisar (http://wisar.co/) being born with the professional mothers in the center, we found out very fast during our first interactions with potential workers and employers that we were wrong willing to build a solution supporting women around their work/life balance needs, reinforcing the stereotype that women are the ones taking the load of family support sacrificing their careers. It didn’t sound coherent to build solutions for inclusion while excluding men. Men are also experiencing deep changes, willing to take a more active role on their families, looking also for more balanced lives. That’s why men are also welcome to benefit from our solutions, being now 30% of our talent pool. 

Special thanks to Sandra for answering our questions and to Wisar for all their work to impact the gender gap.  Congratulations on being a finalist and best of luck! 

If you’d like to learn more about the Hack D Gap challenge, please visit:  https://www.4yfn.com/event/4yfn-barcelona-2018/women4tech-hack-d-gap-2018/.

 

 

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