Keep Your Tech Flame Alive: Akamai Trailblazer Elizabeth Padley
The Akamai Female Learning and Mentoring Experience (Akamai FLAME) was created to support and empower female tech talent to help shape the future of our industry. The FLAME Trailblazer blog post series shines a light on inspirational women in the tech industry. They will give advice on how to keep your tech flame alive and share the most valuable lessons that they have learned during their trailblazing career journey.
This month’s blog post comes from Elizabeth Padley, Lead Counsel at Akamai, who tells us how she actively seeks out new projects and experiences, continues to work on setting boundaries, and always makes time for Taylor Swift.
Elizabeth, can you tell us about what led you to a career in the IT industry?
I am the first in my family to pursue a career in law. When I considered my career options, I aimed for a professional qualification that I could rely on, no matter what. So I studied law, and received a master’s degree in international business.
I obtained a training contract with a law firm and, upon qualification, gravitated toward work that had an international focus for which I could also use my language skills. I have always been deeply curious about different cultures and how legal problems are addressed differently across the world.
I joined Akamai in 2017, marking my first in-house role and my entry into the tech industry. I originated my role at the time, which involved taking on responsibility for employment law matters across 16 jurisdictions in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. As well as interesting tech, Akamai has strong corporate governance and ethical standards that align to my own purpose and empower me to lead with fairness and empathy.
What sparked your passion for IT, and why did you decide to stay in the industry?
My passion for IT stemmed from the dynamic and rapidly evolving nature of the industry. From artificial intelligence (AI) to social media, the industry shapes how we live and work. There is no playbook for these up-and-coming topics, and I get to participate at the forefront of the world of work’s transformation.
As an employment lawyer working internationally, I also expect the unexpected. The unpredictability of the job keeps me engaged. On my first call, I might be discussing a thorny topic with our local Japan legal expert, Akane Izu-san, and on the next call, I might be partnering with Human Resources to integrate employees from a newly acquired company across the globe. The constant change and the need to stay ahead of new trends and legislation make it an exciting place to be.
What advice would you give to others?
Don't wait for opportunities to come to you. Raise your hand and seek out new projects and experiences. For example, participating in Akamai's internal women's development program, AccelHERate, was one of the most fulfilling experiences for me, and gave me the self-confidence to put myself forward for more career growth opportunities.
Working in-house, you can often be the “kitchen sink” for queries in your area of expertise. It’s okay not to know the answer to that discrete query in the Czech Republic, or how best to approach that new situation in India. You should, however, know how to get the answer, which includes closely collaborating with your colleagues.
I believe Akamai has a world-class legal team, and I will not fail to reach out to take advantage of their global expertise to best support Akamai and our people.
How do you manage work-life balance in such a demanding career?
In a hyperconnected world, it’s really important to disconnect from work, reconnect with yourself, and find renewed energy for professional endeavors. Outside of work, I have many and varied interests, including supporting Arsenal football club. Another great passion of mine is wine. I am the youngest and only female chancellor for wines from Saint-Émilion in France, representing London and the South of Great Britain.
Spending time on my interests keeps me energized. As with my work as an international employment lawyer, my interests allow me to meet new people, visit new places, and learn and experience so many things from around the world. It is separate from my work, but at the same time nourishes it.
How do you set boundaries and have a life outside of work?
I don’t get the balance right all the time. I continue to work on setting boundaries and reflecting on where my time is best spent. My aim is to add maximum value at work and have a full life outside of work.
While responsiveness is crucial in a global company like Akamai, as my career has evolved, I've learned the importance of not being constantly available, and I’ve learned how to distinguish between urgent and important tasks. Communicating my priorities effectively to colleagues helps manage expectations and ensure I allocate my time wisely.
I am also happy to share with colleagues when I am out of the office to attend a Taylor Swift concert, for instance, so they know to expect my responses to their emails the next working day. It’s about being responsive without sacrificing personal time.
Why are programs like AccelHERate and FLAME important?
These programs are essential because they offer a structured environment for growth and reflection. You can pitch your ideas and values, gain confidence, and build a support network of like-minded individuals who have both the capability and courage to put themselves forward as future female leaders in tech.
Programs like AccelHERate and FLAME also give you visibility and access to senior leaders and possibilities for mentoring relationships, which can be instrumental in taking the next step on your career path. My mentors at Akamai, Laura Howell (Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer), and through AccelHERate, Sabine Sitterli (Vice President Networking Infrastructure), have greatly supported my career development through sharing their learned experiences as highly respected tech industry executives.
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