Diverse teams, better teams

Diversity in the teams has proven to be essential to achieving the best results. However, in technology companies or in positions related to careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) this diversity, more specifically in terms of gender, is still proving difficult to achieve.

According to the Spanish National Stadistical Institute (INE), 54.2% of university students are women. But, if we look specifically at STEM career students, the percentage drops to 36%. As a consequence of this lack of students, in the world of STEM jobs women represent only 26.4%, according to a recent ESADE study.

An innovative and technological company like Cellnex, in which STEM profiles are necessary, is not immune to this inequality. In 2023, women represented 31% of the company’s workforce; while in STEM positions they represented 27.25%, slightly higher than the percentage in the results of the ESADE study, significantly improving the previous year’s figure of 19.6%.

In this context and it’s high speed changing industry, Cellnex is “aware about how far we need to go to achieve more gender diversity and equity. That is why we have set specific objectives to enhance talent and achieve gender equality within the company. And we are partnering with external organisations to insure impact in society at large” says Imen Toumi, Global Lead of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Cellnex.

One clear example is the celebration of International Women’s Day, which brought together group activities and in all the countries in which the company operates. This celebration served to spotlight challenges and opportunities related to gender equality in order to foster awareness and allyship.

In France, a series of articles were published to actively debunk the “clichés” associated with the technology industry. 

The United Kingdom organised an activity called Women Speed Mentoring in which six mentors and twelve women mentees from Cellnex UK held a two-hour mentoring session. The session was divided in several slot of 10-minutes in order to the mentees to have the opportunity to meet all mentors. The initiative aimed to foster advice and debate. “I had the opportunity to hear how mentors approach the same topic differently; it was a real eye-opener to hear their different perspectives” said Pamela Eden, one of the participants.

Italy organised a self-defence course, dedicated to women and led by an experienced instructor. 35 participants started a 10 sessions training where they will be learning essentials techniques and strategies for personal safety. Also in Italy, Giulia Napolitano from the Cellnex Italia sales team participated in a round table on women in leadership positions organised by Genoa city council.

In Spain, the Barcelona-based gender diversity circle WeForWomen held a round table event in which five prominent women from the company shared ideas and experiences about the role of women in predominantly male-dominated working environments. Attended by more than 50 people, the session fostered an open environment for proposing changes, generating solidarity and identifying models that need to change with a collective effort.

Regarding group activities, a round table has been organised on the 8^th of March. This hybrid webinar (online and offline in the headquarters office), with more than a hundred spectators connected, expanded the discourse on gender equality. The round table panel was composed by members of the company’s management committee and professionals from all Cellnex localities but also different age, background and position. The discussion helped to dive in challenges faced by women in the telecom industry but also the opportunities that we have to bring more equity. “It’s time to react. Our mission as leaders and directors is to detect shortcomings and incorrect language in our teams and put an end to them. We have to lead by example” stated Cellnex Spain CEO, Alfonso Álvarez. “Our social behaviour is the most important thing. We have to smash beliefs associated with the idea that some degrees are for men and others for women,” said Brunela Nardi, project director at Cellnex. And she added, “I would tell young women to trust in their possibilities and to be confident.”

An “#IamRemarkable” workshop was also organised during March. This movement which has been created at Google aims to support self-promotion and awareness, both promoted by Cellnex. Jane Nash and Imen Toumi, two Cellnex professionals who are certified facilitators, guided reflective exercises to allow the participants to discover their unique strengths to foster a culture of empowerment and self-affirmation.

Another example is Cellnex participation in the Target Gender Equality (TGE) Program organized and delivered by the Global Compact organization part of the United Nations. Cellnex joined in 2023 four different local network program and one global track which shows the involvement and commitment of the company to learn more about gender equity. Cellnex’s CEO, Marco Patuano, also signed a CEO Statement of Support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles, and joined other global leaders in demonstrating Cellnex’s unwavering dedication to fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for all employees, regardless of gender.

The Cellnex Foundation also celebrate the international women’s day, an internal workshop was held to present the “Technovation Girls Project” in which Cellnex volunteers are participating for 3 years in a row and which is focusing on the importance of supporting girls who show interest in pursuing STEM education. The session was led by Àngels Ucero, Director of Sustainability and the Cellnex Foundation. Several Cellnex volunteers also shared testimonials, experience and encourages colleagues to volunteer in this very impactful programme. “The project aims to improve the representation of women in the innovation, technology and entrepreneurship sectors, supporting groups of girls to acquire and apply the skills necessary to address real-world problems by developing a mobile app”, said Ucero.

In short, a great many activities focused on putting gender equality at the heart of the debate in companies and in society, but aiming not just to be a flash in the pan but rather a catalyst for more transformative debates that can generate real change.