IWD 2021: Meet Alex Olley

Closing our week of IWD interviews with inspirational women from the Eljays44 executive team, we have Alex Olley.

Alex is our HR Business Partner – Alex has a ten year old daughter, three dogs and four cats! In her spare time she loves taking her dogs to the beach and playing board games with her family.

What does IWD mean to you?

I think it is important to celebrate the achievements made by women not just on International Women’s Day but every day to promote gender equality across the world.

How did you get to where you are in your career?

Starting out at a young single mother it was a struggle to begin my career, it has taken juggling childcare, determination, commitment to studying, working hard and understanding the importance of work life balance so I can satisfy the needs of both work and home. I am passionate about my field and that gives me the drive to continue and succeed.

What’s your career highlight? 

Succeeding in my career whilst bringing up a beautiful, strong, confident daughter.

What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a woman at the very start of her career?

Don’t give up on your dreams.

What do you think is the biggest issue today facing women in management roles? 

I feel that women getting management roles can still be an issue in certain sectors, certainly still in the UK and that we still have a long way to go globally to improve gender equality. We need to continuously challenge gender stereotypes and bias to ensure women have an equal platforms in management roles.

How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does this mean to you?

It’s incredibly important for women to champion one another and their achievements. It is important to me that as women we take action for equality to achieve a gender equal world. I believe setting an example for my daughter and future generations to raise one another up and not tear them down is so important and very powerful.

Which woman inspires you most and why?

As an avid Harry Potter Fan I must say that J.K. Rowling is a massive inspiration to me. Mainly because she believed in her dreams, didn’t give up despite knock back after knock back and through determination and not giving up or taking no for an answer she got where she is today.

What barriers have you faced, as a woman in becoming successful in your field & how did you overcome them? 

Work-life balance raising a young child has been a huge challenge in my career and having the support of a loving family, excellent child minders and flexible workplaces I have worked with the people around me to overcome this.

Finally, we know that work isn’t your whole life! So, what are your hobbies outside of work?

I love to sing! I used to sing in a band but have been missing karaoke and looking forward to the karaoke bars reopening after COVID so I can get on the mic! I am also a Harry Potter Super Fan.

To read yesterday’s IWD feature with head of sales Jess McCabe, click here