An exceptionally diverse resume: Eman-Al-Hillawi
Eman-Al-Hillawi, the CEO of Entec Si and our trailblazing woman of entrepreneurism, boasts an exceptionally diverse resume that captivated me. She possess a unique blend of knowledge and experience with a PhD in Biochemistry, a certified pilot license, and an impressive 26-year journey within the entrepreneurial landscape.
She starts her interview by talking about her upbringing.
“I was born into a progressive family and we relocated to the UK [from Iraq] when I was 13. My family was all about education, education, and education. My father encouraged me to complete my PhD and instilled the power of knowledge in me from a very young age.
“While I enjoyed science, I also found it quite slow moving and later realised that this is not the career for me. I started looking at a career change in the 90s just when the digital was revolution was starting.
“A relative of mine was working for a big IT company at the time and mentioned the need for a business analyst considering my analytical background through my PhD.
“I took the job and leaped to the new career and the rest is history. I got my feet under the table with consulting and moved from different projects from business analysis to project and programme management.
“It wasn't what I set out to do from my teenage years, but when you see an opportunity and a gap in the market, you home in on that and then you start to grow the business around that.” Her entrepreneurial mindset well on point.
Eman also has firsthand experience witnessing the changing landscape for women in IT over time.
“When I started in IT in the late 1990s, only 9 per cent of the industry was made up of women.
“In 2019, it went up to 19 per cent.
“Fast forward to today, that's now 26 per cent. I can visibly see the difference in the number of organisations that not only employ female workers, but also female leadership. I see a lot more women who are in executive positions today more so than certainly 20 years ago.
So, it's improving seemingly a little bit exponentially, but nowhere near where it should be in my opinion.
“Our generation is a generation that needs to work continuously to make that change. It’s all in our hands.”
Eman leads by example. The women employment at Entec Si stands tall at 62 per cent and two of the three directors in the business are women.
“We at Entec Si are all about relationships and people,” Eman remarks.
“We treat the business as a family. We see each other as colleagues, and we appreciate and play on the different skill sets and experiences each individual has. It's all about finding the right person for the job, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, background.
Beyond her role at Entec Si, Eman is an active participant in networking and mentoring groups, including initiatives by Santander, the Women's President's Organisation, and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.
And her story behind the cockpit?
“It was something I took up as a hobby a few years ago and late in life. I wanted to do it because I like to break barriers and not only challenge myself but challenge the misconceptions that women can't be pilots.
“There are no reasons for these misconceptions and false narratives. There’s nothing in our physical makeup that stops us from being pilots.”
Eman’s message to Inspire Inclusion is to call out bad behaviours and preconceptions.
“We need to discuss the burning issues openly in a way that's non-confrontational. It’s a continual drip feed process; more like turning a tanker. It takes time but when it does, the ramifications will be huge.”
As we wrap up, Eman shares three essential tips for budding entrepreneurs: “Call out any discrimination you face, build a supportive network with peers, and seek guidance from mentors who've faced similar hurdles.”
Reflecting on her journey, Eman underscores the importance of having someone believe in your success and ease your worries.
“It's about realising that others have gone through similar struggles, reassuring you that you're not alone in facing challenges.”
