Say 'Why not?' and take the leap!

At the occasion of Black History Month, we spoke with Vanessa Sanyauke, an inspirational expert in global community building, innovation, sustainability and workplace culture development. Vanessa is a long-term partner of Zalando in empowering women* to choose a career in tech, especially by organising online and in-person events at our Zalando campus in Berlin: Black Girls Tech Summits (BGTS). 

Events like these are essential because they place community at the core of driving meaningful change. They provide a platform for all women to forge authentic connections, access inspiring role models, and engage with companies genuinely committed to diversity and inclusion. These gatherings foster an organic, global network where individuals and organisations can collaborate to create lasting impact.

*At Zalando we recognize gender identity beyond the binary, so we take an intersectional approach and refer to all those who identify as women.

What's the origin story of Black Girls Tech Summit?

In 2013, I founded Girls Talk as a community initiative to bring young women together in London and connect them with role models in traditionally male-dominated industries like music, media, tech, and finance. It became clear to me that the gender gap in tech was immense, and women of colour faced even more significant barriers. At the time, women of colour made up just 0.7% of tech roles in the UK, and women in STEM accounted for only 14% of roles overall.

Determined to drive change, I launched award-winning mentoring programmes that have since helped over 300 women secure graduate scheme roles in tech at leading companies such as Vodafone, BT Group, Cisco, PwC, and Virgin Media O2. What began as a local initiative has grown into a global community, now spanning 37 countries and engaging 60,000 women.

In 2019, I introduced the Black Girls Tech Summit to create a dedicated space for Black women to connect, learn, and thrive. The Summit has since expanded to Germany and reached a multitude of women virtually, partnering with companies like Zalando, Amazon, Meta, and more. Our mission is to provide a safe space where Black women can support and upskill one another, learn career and application advice and connect with organizations that are committed to hiring diverse talent. 

Why are such events for specific communities (still) necessary? 

Over the years, we’ve gained valuable insights into the specific challenges faced by women in tech. It’s become clear how vital our organisation and community are in filling the gap for supportive spaces — not only for women in tech but also for women of colour, who often face additional barriers in this sector. One key learning is how deeply our curated safe spaces are valued. These spaces - created with Zalando's support - have provided women with a platform to connect, share experiences, and feel seen. This feedback has allowed us to better understand the barriers they encounter and use these insights to drive meaningful change. 

For instance, we deliberately chose a hybrid setup to ensure our events are as inclusive and accessible as possible. We’ve noticed that hosting both in-person and digital events allows us to cater to those who may face barriers to attending face-to-face, such as health considerations, family responsibilities, or lifestyle constraints. Additionally, the digital component connects our global network, enabling women from different countries to build relationships, share insights, and collaborate across borders. 

For companies like Zalando, engaging in such events is not just an opportunity—it’s a necessity. These spaces represent the future of brand strength, both from an employer branding and marketing perspective. To stay relevant and authentic, companies must connect deeply with the needs of their customers, society, and future employees. By participating in events where communities feel safe, valued, and heard, organisations can demonstrate our commitment to inclusivity while building trust and credibility in ways that resonate far beyond traditional outreach.

How would you describe your experience working with Zalando thus far?

I can honestly say it’s a relationship built on mutual trust, innovation. We have a shared vision for advancing gender equality, creating equal opportunities and driving lasting change. Over the last 3 years, our Women in Tech community in Germany has grown to over 2,000 members. The rapid growth of this community is a testament to the resources, support, and collaborative efforts of Zalando's team and different Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). I want to specifically mention these incredible women that are part of the Women In Tech, Black Employee Connection, Women’s Network and Women in Finance ERGs - I appreciate it so much that they take the time to give back to the communities!

You like to keep things fresh and are not afraid to innovate - can you share an example of this can-do mentality?

Indeed, I do like to shake things up! Together, we’ve explored a range of initiatives, including events, digital content, interview and talent attraction strategies, and community-building efforts. 

A couple of months ago, we organised the "State of Women in Tech in Berlin" series to illustrate the unique experiences of a diverse set of women working in the tech industry in Germany. Video, as one of the most consumed and impactful mediums, provides an engaging platform to share these powerful stories. Our goal was to amplify the voices of these women, allowing them to contribute their perspectives to the ongoing conversation about the challenges they face in the tech sector. By doing so, we aimed to create an opportunity for leaders, colleagues, and allies to learn and understand how they can actively participate in reshaping the narrative and fostering an inclusive environment.

Additionally, we wanted the women in tech in Berlin to feel represented and acknowledged when they watched these stories unfold on screen. Throughout the series, I gained profound insights from hearing their experiences. Despite facing numerous obstacles, these women demonstrated remarkable resilience, teaching me invaluable lessons about strength and perseverance. The series not only highlighted their struggles but also celebrated their achievements, making it a deeply enriching experience.

Talking about enriching experiences, what would you have loved to know at the beginning of your career?

At the start of my career, I wish I had known that career paths are often less of a straight line and more of a winding journey filled with twists, turns, and unexpected opportunities. I initially pursued a career in medicine and earned a degree in biomedical science. However, along the way, I discovered my passion for social entrepreneurship. At the age of 20, I founded my first business, dedicated to supporting young people and my local community in London. This experience shaped my path and ultimately led me to a fulfilling career in social impact and sustainability. Embracing the unpredictable nature of a career journey has been one of the most valuable lessons I've learned.

What are your three key career takeaways?

1. Embrace failures as lessons: Ask your failures, ‘What are you here to teach me?’. Every failure carries a lesson, and by reflecting on our mistakes, we grow stronger and wiser. Learning from setbacks is an essential part of building resilience.
2. Say 'Why not?' and take the leap: There will always be stretch opportunities that seem daunting at first. My mantra is, ‘Why not?’. Take the chance, give it your best, and even if it doesn’t go as planned, you can look back and say, ‘At least I tried.’ That mindset helps minimize regrets and opens the door to unexpected growth.
3. Have a flexible plan: I believe in setting clear one-year and five-year goals to guide your career decisions. However, it’s equally important to remain adaptable. A flexible plan allows you to seize new opportunities and pivot when necessary while staying aligned with your broader aspirations.

What’s the best way to keep growing in your career?

Be curious, read lots of books and listen to podcasts or shows that are outside your areas of interest. A broader view can help you better navigate the world of today, it sure helped me. 

As a final note - at Zalando, we value a mindset that evolves around “Dare to” - (dare to grow, evolve, think outside of the box,...). what would you like people to “Dare to” more?

Dare to be vulnerable. Taking risks often comes with the possibility of great rewards, but it also requires courage to step outside your comfort zone. Whether it’s pursuing a role with more responsibility or embarking on a bold new challenge, vulnerability can feel uncomfortable—it exposes you to potential failure or judgment. However, there’s immense beauty and power in being vulnerable. It’s in those moments of uncertainty and openness that the greatest growth occurs, enabling us to evolve both personally and professionally.

Thank you for sharing your insights with us, Vanessa!

To find out more about Vanessa’s work, please check out Black Girls Tech Summit on Instagram, The Hill app or State of Women in Tech in Berlin on Youtube.