Reevana Balmahoon

General Info

What will be your most valuable contribution to your TechWomen host company?

I have worked in 6 professional roles, spanning data analysis, data science, strategy, innovation and research. This experience could be used to contribute to the direction of products/services, while adapting to constantly changing environments. I've also largely contributed to building a tech stream at a global social enterprise. I will be able to contribute by providing a diverse outlook to the current approaches and solutions that the company is producing. I will also be able to offer insight into the tech space and what can be done to improve the female capacity.

The Top Three Things I Would Like to Learn or Experience During my Mentorship

1. To learn disruptive techniques for building and managing diverse and inclusive technical teams in the technology space.
2. Exposure to technology solutions (Artificial Intelligence or Mixed Reality) that are on purpose towards creating sustainable solutions.
3. To improve strategic and big picture thinking, enabling more innovative solution conceptualisation.

Mentorship Characteristic

• Have exposure to the company culture
• Focus on leadership skills building
• Expand on a project that I’m working on in my current role at home
• Exposes me to new tools and platforms

Ideal Company Type

A large/small technology company that has a global client base. The product/service sold should be built around Artificial Intelligence or Mixed Reality. It could have a business-to-business or business-to-customer commercial model. There should be a culture of transparency and support for flatter hierarchies. There should be initiatives to increase the number of females and other minorities into leadership positions. It should also have a culture of flexibility and fun.

Additional Technical Skills

Data preprocessing, algorithm design, statistical analysis and related mathematical modelling, predictive/prescriptive analysis, advanced analytics (algorithms, neural networks, coding), SQL, basic python coding on Jupyter notebooks, AI system architecture knowledge, agile product management methodologies, quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, basic AWS knowledge, basic computer vision knowledge.

What are three adjectives that best describe you in the work place?

1. Curious
2. Flexible
3. Polite

What impact will your mentorship have on your career and professional path?

I would like to create technology solutions that address real world problems. The TechWomen mentor opportunity will provide the right environment to assist with technical insights. Furthermore, exposure to companies in Silicon Valley will ensure that the benchmark for African countries is raised, as comparisons of existing solutions can be made and these can be adapted for the African context. I also aim to be a leader that creates an equitable future. The mentorship will largely assist in providing guidance for this goal. There is a shortage of women in technology and I would like to change this.

After participating in the TechWomen program, how will you leverage your mentorship experience to make an impact in your home country?

One of the key issues facing South Africa, which is addressed as a UN sustainable development goal is the lack of females in the STEM environment. I want to be able to provide a more equitable future in terms of diversity by: - Breaking the stereotype surrounding women in the STEM field (physically speaking to young girls and encouraging them to pursue careers in engineering, starting a podcast about being on purpose with technology, etc.) - Creating more role models in the STEM environment (providing courses on tech for female entrepreneurs and providing a platform for female tech developers).

Work History

Years of Full-time Work Experience

7

Primary Professional Focus

• Managing technical employees
• Software
• Technical product design

Education History