Keep Your Tech Flame Alive: Akamai Trailblazer Alex Virley

Alex Virley, please tell us more about your role at Akamai.

I am a Sales Manager on the UK team, focusing on the media and broadcast industries. While my role involves engaging with some of the most exciting media organizations in the country to address their tech and business challenges, my primary responsibility now revolves around supporting and managing a team of sales professionals. 

As a people manager, I work closely with sales representatives, providing guidance and assistance to help them excel in their roles and achieve their targets. Additionally, I collaborate closely with our marketing teams to ensure alignment between our campaigns and messaging, aiming to generate new leads and effectively nurture our existing customer base.

How did you start your career in the tech industry?

More than 10 years ago, I had the great opportunity to join the lead-generation team at Akamai. It was a steep learning curve — it was my responsibility to do a lot of cold calling, find the right customers, and set up meetings. I got to meet with some incredibly inspirational people over the years. 

All this taught me valuable lessons about how to interact with prospects and how to be an active listener by paying attention to their needs. I also learned to be super tenacious to drive results. My start in the industry definitely helped shape who I am today, and I am proud to have been able to grow with Akamai during my career journey so far.

What helps you to keep your tech flame alive?

The dynamic nature of the tech industry is one of the key aspects that keeps me motivated. The industry is constantly changing, and I have personally been thrilled to be part of the evolution of streaming. Having worked with some of the biggest broadcasters in the United Kingdom, I’ve seen firsthand the incredibly thorough prep that goes into the live broadcasting of sports events. 

The opportunities to keep learning and to help shape the tech of tomorrow are what keep me engaged and excited to see what comes next. 

What is your best piece of advice for women who are looking to keep their tech flame alive in the industry?

It is a piece of advice I received from one of my favorite mentors: “You can train skill, but you can’t teach attitude.” I think it’s important to approach everything with an open mind and be receptive to different perspectives as this can only help you grow in your career. 

I encourage women in tech to identify a suitable mentor within or outside their organization to help them find what it is that makes them unique, and then work on nurturing this skill. This is how you can identify your superpower. 

My superpower has been my tenacity and determination to succeed. I have had some wonderful mentors at Akamai, including Alex Gibbons, Lynette Kerry, Natalie Billingham, Brian Lawry, Alex Keith, and many others for whom I am very grateful. They all helped me to get to where I am today.

Who are your role models outside of tech?

I really look up to Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, whose leadership of her country was an inspiring example of tenacity. She was able to couple this determination with a great degree of empathy and care for her people. I was hugely inspired when Jacinda needed to take a step back to focus on other areas of her life, and wasn’t afraid to do so. This takes real courage. 

I also admire Sanna Marin for the same reasons. She did a fantastic job as Finland's youngest prime minister, but was also not afraid to change direction when she felt that the new direction was the right way forward and would allow her to grow.

Why should women in tech follow Akamai’s new initiative FLAME?

There isn’t really another group in the United Kingdom that brings women together in the same way that FLAME does. We have a lot of exciting content planned that will present various possible career paths in tech and showcase some amazing networking opportunities. 

The FLAME initiative resources can help guide you to uncover your own superpower and help you continue to #KeepYourTechFlameAlive while expanding your network of like-minded women in tech.

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