Promoting Gender Equity at MB.io: A Personal Journey

Hello, I'm Ana, a proud mother of two boys, and my home is shared with a delightful set of pets, including two dogs and a cat.

Alongside my family, I'm a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion and today, I'd like to share a glimpse into my journey.

The start of my journey at Mercedes-Benz.io

You first need to know that my path in the IT industry began years earlier when women in tech were underrepresented, and there was a prevailing expectation for a more masculine presence. So, four years ago, when I joined Mercedes-Benz.io as a Product Owner for the Aftersales product unit; coincidently, I was also the first woman in the unit.

In my role, I was tasked with overseeing the internalization of the Mercedes me Assist product, facing a challenging timeline and complex process. Fortunately, I was welcomed into an amazing team where I felt respected and seamlessly integrated from day one. This positive experience was surprising for me, to be honest, considering my past where acceptance and integration in male-dominated teams required time to earn trust and confidence.

After a year and a half as a Product Owner, I assumed a secondary role as People Promoter, guiding individuals in career planning and personal development. In this new role, I had the opportunity to witness first-hand Mercedes-Benz.io's dedication to gender diversity, evident through initiatives to reinforce equity in all areas with a strategy based on skillset and capabilities.

"(...) women in tech were underrepresented, and there was a prevailing expectation for a more masculine presence"

Achieving a personal milestone

Beginning of 2022, I took a temporary leave from the company for maternity purposes and returned to my role on April 2023 within the Aftersales unit, this time as the Product Owner in the B2B sector. For the first time in my professional career, I joined a more gender-diverse team.

In this new team, I had the opportunity to observe the advantages of such diversity. Our team discussions were more open, with a very collaborative environment where diverse perspectives were valued. This diversity translated into more innovative and creative solutions as we drew from a wider range of experiences and insights.

Recently, I had the opportunity to take on the role of Engineering Manager. In July, I was grateful to step into this position, marking a personal milestone.

Embracing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Throughout this journey, I experienced respect for my role as a new mom, with significant flexibility in working hours. My prior contributions were valued, challenging the notion that motherhood is a blocker for career development—a common struggle for many women still.

I see my experience at Mercedes-Benz.io as proof of our dedication to not only gender equality but to a more diverse and inclusive place for all MB.ioneers, valuing different perspectives. We're focused on fairness and promoting people based on their skills, not gender. It's encouraging to see our efforts towards a workplace where everyone can grow without barriers related to gender or personal decisions.