{"id":6546,"date":"2025-05-27T09:45:31","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T09:45:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sr2rec.com\/?post_type=womenrock&p=6546"},"modified":"2025-05-29T10:41:52","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T10:41:52","slug":"eleana-sklaveniti-apollo","status":"publish","type":"womenrock","link":"https:\/\/sr2rec.com\/en\/womenrock\/eleana-sklaveniti-apollo\/","title":{"rendered":"Eleana Sklaveniti I Apollo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

\u201cThe reality is, if we don\u2019t value ourselves appropriately, it becomes that much easier for others to undervalue us, too.\u201d \u2013 Eleana<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n


Meet Eleana<\/a><\/strong>, a Data Engineering Manager at Apollo<\/strong><\/a>, who\u2019s carved out a career in tech within the fast-paced world of insurance, and she\u2019s got a story worth reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From moving to the UK at 17 to study computer science, to landing her first placement after 50+ applications, to leading teams in data, Eleana\u2019s journey is full of determination, reflection, and some key lessons for anyone building a career in tech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this blog, she opens up about the challenges she\u2019s faced along the way, the moments that shaped her path, and why recognition like being named a Digital Champion Award finalist<\/strong> is more than just a personal win; it\u2019s proof that progress is happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also explore some important realities, like how women now make up 66% of entry-level roles <\/strong>in insurance, but only 22% at a leadership level<\/strong>, and how workplace culture still plays a big role in who gets seen, heard, and promoted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you’re just starting in tech or looking to grow into leadership, Eleana\u2019s story offers honest insight and a reminder of how powerful it can be to simply share your experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hi Eleana, thank you so much for being part of Women Rock! We\u2019d love to hear about your story so far. Can you tell us about yourself and your journey into the field of data engineering? What inspired you?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I moved from Greece to the UK when I was 17 to study computer science. Growing up, I was obsessed with Photoshop, editing my hair, and turning myself into a mermaid; I could spend hours lost in it. So when it came to choosing my IB core modules, computer science felt like the natural fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I went on to study at the University of Kent, and my time there was simply the best. I secured a placement year, although it wasn\u2019t easy. I applied to over 50 roles and got just one offer, from the very last interview I had lined up. I\u2019d already decided that if it didn\u2019t work out, I would just move on to my final year. That opportunity ended up being a turning point. I was lucky enough to be offered a permanent role at the same company after graduating, starting my career as an MI Developer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Six years ago, I found myself in the insurance industry as a BI Developer. Fortunately, our company is forward-thinking and committed to staying ahead in technology. Two years ago, we adopted a modern data platform, and that\u2019s when I began to deepen my skills in data engineering. That journey recently led to a promotion to Data Engineering Manager, something I\u2019ve always aspired to. Over the years, I\u2019ve gone back and forth between becoming a manager or a technical architect, but I ultimately landed exactly where I had hoped to be since high school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Something that helped shape my decision was starting a business as an Amazon seller during COVID. I built a team both locally and overseas, and created processes to help everyone, from the warehouse team to the online operations, work together smoothly. I loved figuring out how to make everything run efficiently and bringing people together to get things done, exactly what I now get to do as a manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you walk us through the triumphs, struggles & frustrations in the industry, especially for women?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Working in an industry that only allowed women into the Lloyd\u2019s building 50 years ago comes with its own set of challenges, and even more so when you’re working in tech within that industry. The gender pay gap is still very real. While companies are making efforts to improve, studies show that although women negotiate just as often, if not more than men, they tend to ask for less. We\u2019re often conditioned to feel grateful rather than confident in our worth, and that can directly impact how we position ourselves in salary conversations. The reality is, if we don\u2019t value ourselves appropriately, it becomes that much easier for others to undervalue us, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s also a deeply rooted social culture in insurance: drinks after work, golf days, evenings out watching sports. These kinds of events are often male-dominated and, quite frankly, not always enjoyable or inclusive for women. While some people genuinely enjoy them, others, regardless of gender, may not want to spend their evenings out drinking or making small talk at a cricket match. But when these are the main ways people bond, it can lead to unspoken advantages. So, when a promotion or a big client opportunity comes up, who\u2019s more likely to be recommended? Often, it\u2019s the person they\u2019ve connected with socially, not necessarily the most qualified person. It\u2019s not always conscious, but it happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In tech, it can sometimes feel like men naturally gravitate toward each other. There’s still a lingering stereotype that men are more technically competent, and that dynamic can play out in subtle ways. Even during university, in a group with three male classmates, I found myself being completely ignored. I want to be clear: it\u2019s not always like this, and I\u2019ve worked with some incredible allies, but these patterns are hard to ignore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite all that, there are real triumphs. Being named a finalist for the Digital Champion Award at the Women in Insurance Awards last year was a turning point for me. It was an incredible event, an entire evening dedicated to celebrating women! After that, I actively started looking for more ways to connect with others. I found women in insurance communities on LinkedIn, began attending women-led networking events, and saw firsthand how women are lifting each other up. I was genuinely inspired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And we are<\/em> making progress. Women now represent up to 66% of entry-level roles in the industry. But at the C-level, that number drops to just 22%. So while we\u2019ve come a long way, there\u2019s still plenty of work to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it no secret that, currently, women and people from diverse backgrounds still face challenges. What can we do to empower women to get into tech?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As many people say, inspiring young girls needs to start early: at school. STEM subjects should be accessible and encouraged from a young age, and schools need to create inclusive environments. Teachers should treat students equally, not divide boys and girls or compare them in ways that foster unhealthy competition, something I experienced personally. With the rapid pace of technological advancement, education must also evolve. Students need to be exposed to the wide range of new, emerging careers in tech, careers they might not even know exist yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don\u2019t love how much social media has taken over our lives, but I do think it can be used for good. It\u2019s a powerful way to inspire young people, to show them what\u2019s possible, to teach them, and to help them connect with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mentorship is another key. My life changed when I met my first female mentor. She understood me, challenged me, and helped me grow. She pushed me out of my comfort zone in ways that ended up being exactly what I needed. I used to ignore advice about finding a mentor, but now I know just how vital that kind of support can be. Having someone to talk to and guide you is truly invaluable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speak up! It\u2019s impressive how much we, as women, have in common, but it\u2019s not always obvious. The more I talk to other women, the more I realise how similarly we think, how many shared experiences we have. It makes me feel like I\u2019m not alone, and that feeling is so powerful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am trying to help, trying to speak up, I am trying to do something. I recently recorded a podcast episode with 100 Women in Insurance<\/em>, where we talked about the future and how we can support more young women to enter STEM. I also created a LinkedIn group called Data Sisters<\/a><\/strong>, after noticing there wasn\u2019t a space that linked women, data, and insurance. For a while, I waited, thinking someone else might start one, but then I thought, why wait? So I created it. I want to connect more women in data and insurance, and I want to provide the kind of platform my younger self would have benefited from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What book would you recommend for our Women Rock bookshelf?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Surrounded by Idiots \u2013 Thomas Erikson. This book opened my eyes and helped me understand why people behave the way they do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is your favourite song?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0That\u2019s a hard question, but I\u2019ll have to go with any of Avicii\u2019s songs, they always put a smile on my face!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, could you leave us with your favourite quote? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If every woman asked herself, \u201cWhat would my younger self have needed from me?\u201d<\/em> and then acted on it, we\u2019d be unstoppable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interviewed by Anna Waterman<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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