Tay Chia Chia – From Zero to Shero Leader in SEA Tech World

Tay Chia Chia –
From Zero to Shero
Leader in SEA Tech World

ArmourShero – Malaysia

Home » Blog » ArmourShero » Tay Chia Chia – From Zero to Shero Leader in SEA Tech World
Tay Chia Chia - Country Director of Veeam Software
Tay Chia Chia, the Country Director at Veeam Software

Tay Chia Chia,  the Country Director at Veeam Software covering Malaysia, Brunei, and Emerging Markets. She just celebrated her fifth Anniversary in Veeam Software in January 2022. 

Chia Chia graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration, and now she has been in the IT industry for close to 30 years, mainly covering Malaysia Large Enterprise and Commercial Markets. 

We are honoured to have Chia Chia to share with our readers her experiences and journey to be one of the Women in Tech, especially in South East Asia.

Here is our dialogue with her.

#1 How did you end up in this Tech World?

I graduated from a local university in Business Administration. I never imagined I could engage and stick to the IT industry for almost the entirety of my career since I graduated. I’ve been working mainly with IT infrastructure, services, and software principals. It has been a fantastic journey from the beginning, and if I choose to turn back the clock, I will still choose IT as my career path as it continues to enrich my life after almost three decades.

I love the IT industry and the ecosystem that has given me a great and exciting platform to get to know many successful mentors and IT icons. Tech World is the industry that continues to provide you with surprises, challenge the norms, and push you to learn and adopt new knowledge every day. You will never feel bored and stagnant in this industry! 

#2 What kind of challenge(s) have you faced throughout your career journey?

I am very fortunate to have a smooth career journey with good mentors and tribes that have supported me along the way. To be honest, I do not give myself an aggressive goal to whom I would like to be in the Tech World. As I believe in doing what I love, success will follow. Passion is the fuel behind a successful career.  My definition of a career woman in IT is a woman that can enjoy the work-life at its fullest, work-life balance and yet maintain my family by allocating enough time and effort to it. 

I believe we don’t demand respect through our titles and positions; rather, we earn respect through our actions and the positive impact we have created in this community. Hence, believe in what you are doing, be confident and bold, we can mark our success in our way in our definition. Victory belongs to someone that is ever ready and always prepared. Treating people with pure heart, you’re already winning half of the battle.

#3 What is the biggest mistake you have ever made?

As a leader, one must appreciate every team member’s strengths, bring out the best from them and guide them to achieve their business and personal goals. In this case, we embrace diversity from them with their unique character and yet lead them towards achieving the business goal.

Many years ago, when I was a young manager, I tended to pre-assume and judge a person by thinking certain characters and personalities will determine how good and how far they can excel. 

Now, I believe a good leader should be able to coach and bring out the best of the individual to improve and accelerate. This is more meaningful than what I accomplished in my life, as it is about what I inspire others to do and help them grow. 

#4 How do you manage your career and family?

Time management is critical, and career women must manage this well, or it will be hard to sustain over time. Set priority with big rocks and small rocks methodology and empower and delegate to the team members, taking charge and being accountable for their tasks and goals. In this case, they can grow faster, and we have the breather room.

Career women must build the “supporting unit” at home to reduce the workload for being a mum, spouse, or caretaker at home to allocate equal time to focus on the career. When you have the enthusiasm and the passion, you will figure out how to excel.

Follow your heart and be bold to take up the challenges. You will be surprised how women nowadays can cope with multitasks!

#5 What is your advice to fellow Women Leaders?

Women are generally perceived as micromanaged managers and not delegating tasks and trust to the subordinates. In my view, we should trust our subsidiaries and empower them to carry out specific tasks. We could attend to the details but not overall manage in a micro way until we lose sight of the macro picture. 

Get a mentor and seek help should we face any challenges. Building the network and community is essential to help each other be more competent and ready to take up a more significant role if opportunities arise.

We can never be 100% ready to pursue a leadership role. Sometimes, we just have to walk out of our comfort zone to try something new. Never be afraid to fail, and we can always climb up from where we fell. 

We don’t demand the leader role position just because we are “women” and fill the “quota” to reach the target. Instead, we are there because of our capability, and we don’t demand any privilege because we are women. Let the result say the word. 

Tay Chia Chia Advice for Women Leaders especially Women in Tech

#6 What do you think about cybersecurity? 

The Cybersecurity industry is booming in the new era, and it is a new wave that drives the IT infrastructure and solutions to a new height. Whether you are working in cybersecurity-related companies or as a “target” for cyberattackers, we need to upgrade our knowledge and take necessary prevention steps in minimising the risk.

Tay Chia Chia Quotes - Country Director of Veeam Software
“When your passion and purpose are more significant than your fears and excuses, you will find a way! Follow your heart and define what success means to YOU! Not others.” - Tay Chia Chia


Share this post



Related Posts

Faiby Jauw Kartadinata Shero

Faiby Jauw – Shero’s Growth Blueprint for CEOs

Faiby Jauw, Founder and CEO of HiDimas (The Best Creative Digital Marketplace in Indonesia), shares her growth and journey as a shero in the tech industry.

Read more

Velli Ong, Empowering Voice Consulting Indonesia

Velli Ong – Shero Embracing Tech and Personal Growth

Velli Ong, Co-Founder of Empowering Voice Consulting Indonesia, shares her passion within the dynamic tech landscape, embodying the role of a shero in tech.

Read more

Nabila Hishamuddin, Respond.io

Nabila Hishamuddin – The Shero of Unstoppable Growth

Nabila Hishamuddin, Customer Support Team Lead at Respond.io, shares her journey and spirit of a tech shero while spearheading exceptional customer support.

Read more

Melly Ling, Mole.is

Melly Ling – Entrepreneur Shero in the Digital Landscape

Melly Ling, Co-Founder and COO of Mole, shares her inspiring journey and ideas as an entrepreneurial shero in the tech industry.

Read more