Celebrating the women of Phriendly Phishing

This International Women’s Day we took the opportunity to celebrate the women of Phriendly Phishing whose talent, drive and hard work inspire our clients, drive growth and help us lead the way in phishing simulation & cyber security training. At Phriendly Phishing we’re lucky to have a diverse team with women representing 46% of our team.
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Serena Pillay, Learning Experience & Design Manager

What were you doing before you came to Phriendly Phishing?  
I was bouncing around in L&D but in very different industries. I spent a decade in Banking and 2 years in Hospitality & Customer Service before coming to Phriendly Phishing.

Is there a project or achievement you're proudest of in your career? 
‍Reading the feedback from our learners often makes me proud of the meaningful work we are doing at Phriendly Phishing. Also, being recognised on a global platform for Innovation in Learning does indeed pass on the good vibes 😉.Most importantly, I’m proud to be a woman in cyber security!

What does success look like for you?
‍To me, it’s not an end-point- it’s a trek! A blend of experiences that empowers me to create with meaning, deliver with purpose, and make an impact …. also, to have some fun along the way!

Annie Vercoe, Sales Specialist

Is there a project or achievement you're proudest of in your career?  
‍I’m proud that I left the world of media to try cyber security. This is a challenging role, and I was terrified to start – I felt like I didn’t have all the skills and experience needed (a feeling most women feel when promoted into a new role). Now I feel totally capable, and the move into cyber security has given me so much confidence in both my professional and personal life.

What advice would you give your younger self?  
‍You can, should, and will do it!

Shannon Pinney, Customer Experience Manager

What were you doing before you came to Phriendly Phishing?
‍I was escaping my home in the US to get back to my chosen home of Australia in the middle of a world pandemic. I was looking for a new job, in a new industry, in the middle of a world pandemic and was thankful to land at Phriendly Phishing. My career has always been focused around optimising the user experience and engagement. My time at Viostream involved looking after customers to develop strategic video communications and drive product adoption.  Then to Bupa, to improve the overall employee experience through engagement and amplify the voices of our employees.

What advice would you give your younger self?
‍Don’t be afraid to let your voice heard. Early on in my career I felt I was too inexperienced to share thoughts, frustrations and provide opportunities for improvement. Especially as I’ve been in the minority as a female working in technology. There were times I felt I couldn’t articulate what I was trying to say therefore, I wouldn’t say it. Throughout the years, I realised how important it is to share my thoughts, opinions, and feedback from customers even if it wasn’t a well-crafted response.

Victoria Cole, Business Development Manager

What were you doing before you came to Phriendly Phishing?
‍Before Phriendly Phishing I was coordinating round table marketing events across Aus/NZ/UK within the IT channel.

Is there a project or achievement you're proudest of in your career?
‍Balancing what I am doing now on a personal plus career path. It is definitely not easy to be a parent to young kids while trying to kick start your career and finding direction for long term goals - but here I am!

What advice would you give your younger self?
‍I'd tell my younger self to learn more about the IT industry. At uni I did commerce/arts without realising how much knowledge in basic IT systems I would need.

Laura Blagys, Marketing Manager

What were you doing before you came to Phriendly Phishing?
‍I spent 9 years marketing trade shows across the globe including comic-cons, fitness expos and retail trade fairs.

Is there a project or achievement you're proudest of in your career?
‍Working on the rebrand of Phriendly Phishing is definitely high on the list. Working with the whole team to ensure we delivered a new look and feel for the brand which resonated with customers and the industry was a huge challenge and one I’m proud to have worked on.  

What advice would you give your younger self?
Your time in a day is finite. Choose wisely where and how to use it.

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