Women In ERP

In Episode 4 of the Women in ERP x SAP Business Women’s Network International Women’s Day series: Give to Gain, Abigail Allman and Meena Confait explore a challenge many professionals experience in enterprise technology and SAP environments — the credibility gap.Why are some people assumed to be experts the moment they walk into the room, while others feel they must repeatedly prove their technical knowledge and leadership capability?This episode examines credibility, bias, confidence and voice in technical and ERP careers, and how these dynamics influence who is heard, trusted and promoted in complex global organisations.Our panel of senior SAP leaders share honest experiences of navigating credibility in technical discussions, building authority in male-dominated environments, and finding the confidence to contribute when the room doesn’t automatically expect you to speak.Featuring:• Marleen Verhag – VP, Head of Industry – Services Industries EMEA, SAP• Alina Iager – Global Director, Strategic Programs for Cloud ERP, SAP• Celina Cazali – Chief Partner Officer UK & Ireland, SAP• Antoaneta Radoslavova – Regional Lead Israel, Turkey & Greece, SAP Concur• Pilar Navarro – Business Development, SAP EMEA Demand Management OfficeTogether they discuss:• The credibility gap in technical and enterprise environments• How bias and assumptions shape leadership opportunities• Finding your voice in senior technology discussions• What leaders can do to create more inclusive and confident workplacesThis episode is part of the Women in ERP International Women’s Day series – Give to Gain, exploring how community, leadership and opportunity shape careers across the SAP ecosystem and the wider ERP industry.

What does visible leadership really look like inside a global organisation?In this special International Women’s Month episode of the Women in ERP x SAP Business Women’s Network podcast series, Abigail Allman and Meena Confait explore how leadership presence, attention and access can shape culture, opportunity and inclusion across large enterprise ecosystems.Recorded in Lisbon during SAP’s GTMKOM, the conversation brings together senior leaders from across SAP to discuss the signals leaders send through how they spend their time - who they meet, which conversations they prioritise, and whose voices they amplify.Joining the discussion are:• Rita Feio – Global Head of BTP Delivery at Scale, SAP• Carlos Lacerda – SVP & Managing Director, Southern Europe, SAP• Jorge Silvestre dos Santos – Global Head of Business Data Cloud & Data Management Delivery at Scale, SAP• Sanjay Kulkarni – Global Head, Delivery Hub, Customer Services and Adoption, SAP• Pablo Signorelli – Corporate Head SAP EMEATogether they explore:Why time and presence are powerful leadership signalsHow leaders can create inclusion through access, visibility and attentionThe role senior leaders play in shaping culture across global organisationsWhat visible leadership looks like in practice inside the SAP ecosystemThis episode is part of the Women in ERP International Women’s Month series, created in collaboration with the SAP Business Women’s Network, highlighting leadership perspectives from across the enterprise technology community.

Episode OverviewWhat does it really mean to be the first? The first woman in a role. The first from your background in the room. The first to raise your hand when no one else will. In Episode 2, Abigail Allman and Meena Confait are joined by four SAP professionals who have navigated the unique blend of opportunity, risk, and isolation that comes with being a pioneer in enterprise technology and leadership. This is an honest examination of what being first actually costs, what it demands, and what it creates for those who come after.GuestsEkin Erim Tayali — Executive Communications Lead, SAP Southern Europe Chetna Singh — Head of Human Resources, EMEA, SAP Kathleen Muller — Global VP, Head of Demand, Corporate & Indirect, SAP Mohammed 'Redouane' Khrifi — SAP Presales SpecialistKey Questions AnsweredWhat does being "the first" look like in enterprise tech? Guests share experiences of stepping into spaces with no blueprint — and what they built in its place.How do you manage the isolation of being a pioneer? Being first is rarely celebrated in the moment. The guests explore the quiet weight of navigating environments where you don't see yourself reflected.How do you balance opportunity with risk? From presales to global VP, guests examine how they backed themselves and moved forward without certainty.What role do male allies play? Redouane brings a distinctive perspective on what it means for men in the SAP ecosystem to show up as genuine allies.How can organisations support those who are first? Chetna Singh offers an HR leadership view on making being first less isolating and more sustainable.Core Themes🔹 The Weight of Being First — An honour and a burden. Guests reflect on moments with no map and no guarantee of what came next.🔹 Isolation as a Hidden Tax — One of the most common but least discussed experiences of those who break new ground. This episode names it and begins to dismantle it.🔹 Risk as a Career Accelerator — Every guest took a risk others around them did not. Risk reframed not as recklessness, but as calculated self-belief.🔹 Pressure and Identity — When you are first, the pressure to perform is amplified. Guests explore managing professional expectation alongside personal identity.🔹 Creating the Path for Others — Being first carries responsibility for those who follow. That purpose is what sustains pioneers through difficulty.🔹 Male Allyship in Enterprise Tech — Inclusion is not a conversation for women alone. Redouane's perspective makes that case with clarity and conviction.Why This Matters for SAP ProfessionalsAcross the SAP ecosystem — from S/4HANA and presales to HR technology and executive communications — professionals at every level will recognise these experiences. Essential listening for SAP customers, partners, and professionals who understand that diversity is not just a value — it is a performance driver."Someone's got to be the first. This episode is for everyone who has been that person — and for everyone who can make it easier for the next one."Related: SAP S/4HANA | Women in ERP | Enterprise Leadership | Presales Careers | HR Leadership EMEA | Male Allyship | Psychological Safety | Inclusive Culture | Career Risk | Executive Communications

When Someone Truly Listens - Career Inflection Points | Women in ERP X SAP Business Women's NetworkPodcast: Women in ERP Series: In collaboration with SAP Business Women's Network Host: Abigail Allman | Guest Co-Host: Meena Confait, Co-Chair, SAP Business Women's NetworkKeywords: active listening, psychological safety, women in tech, ERP careers, inclusive leadership, SAP Business Women's Network, career inflection points, senior allies, HR strategy, enterprise leadership, S/4HANA, SAP ecosystemEpisode OverviewThis episode explores how being truly listened to can become the most defining moment in a career — particularly for professionals in enterprise technology, ERP, and SAP environments. Host Abigail Allman and guest co-host Meena Confait are joined by senior SAP leaders to examine how listening, belonging, and inclusive leadership drive individual career growth and measurable business performance.GuestsManos Raptopoulos Global President, Customer Success — Europe, APAC, MEA, SAPCarla Masperi Managing Director, SAP ItalyYvonne McArdle Global HR Business Partner, SAPClaire McPeak Director of Communications, SAP Middle East & North AfricaKey Questions AnsweredWhat is a career inflection point? A moment — often triggered by a leader genuinely listening — that unlocks confidence, opportunity, and professional momentum.How does active listening affect performance in tech? It builds psychological safety and trust, often achieving more than a formal promotion ever could.What responsibility do senior leaders carry? Manos and Carla explore how executives shape environments where diverse voices are amplified, not just invited.How can HR drive talent acceleration? Yvonne McArdle examines how HR identifies potential, creates stretch opportunities, and turns listening into action.Why does internal storytelling matter? Claire McPeak on how narrative and visibility inside organisations shapes who gets heard — and who progresses.Core Themes🔹 Listening as Leadership — Active listening is a leadership competency. Career acceleration often begins with "I hear you," not a promotion.🔹 Belonging as Commercial Advantage — Inclusive environments where people feel safe to speak and challenge translate belonging from aspiration into business outcome.🔹 Senior Allyship — Executives in the SAP ecosystem have outsized influence over whose voices are amplified. This episode makes the case for intentional allyship at the top.🔹 HR as Strategic Catalyst — HR can identify high-potential talent and create conditions where listening becomes tangible opportunity.🔹 Narrative & Visibility — How stories are told inside organisations directly impacts career progression for underrepresented professionals in tech.Why This Matters for SAP ProfessionalsWhether you work in S/4HANA implementation, customer success, enterprise HR, or communications, this episode reframes inclusion as a commercial and operational priority — not just a cultural one. Essential listening for anyone navigating leadership and career growth in the SAP ecosystem.About the SeriesThe first episode in a series produced in partnership with SAP's Business Women's Network — a global community advancing women in technology and business. Grounded in practical action, honest reflection, and shared accountability."The most career-defining conversation isn't the one where you speak the loudest. It's the one where someone truly listens."Related: SAP S/4HANA | Women in ERP | Enterprise Leadership | Psychological Safety | SAP Partner Ecosystem | Inclusive Culture | Career Development in Tech

In this engaging episode of the Women in ERP podcast, hosted by Abigail Allman, we are joined by Kelly Dowling, the Director of Strategic Topics and Communities at ASUG (the American SAP User Group). Kelly shares her inspiring journey from event coordination at the University of Notre Dame to becoming a pivotal figure in the SAP community. She emphasizes the transformative power of community in navigating the complexities of SAP transformations and how ASUG serves as a vital resource for SAP users.Kelly discusses the crucial role of SAP user groups in providing invaluable resources and expertise, streamlining access to critical information, and saving valuable time for organizations. Through real-world examples, she illustrates how community guidance has significantly benefited businesses, including assisting volunteers in attending impactful SAP events. The episode also highlights ASUG's dedication to fostering connections at the Sapphire conference and empowering women in the SAP community.Listeners will explore how embracing change and continuous learning can be superpowers in the ever-evolving world of enterprise technology. Packed with insights, the episode delves into how businesses can navigate the overwhelming landscape of AI through SAP solutions, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and networking. Kelly encourages women in enterprise technology to embrace curiosity and seize new opportunities, sharing her personal superpower of embracing change.Join us as we delve into the essential value of community in the SAP world, the empowering initiatives of ASUG, and the promising future for women in enterprise technology. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of SAP transformations and community engagement.

Recorded live from the Next Generation Enterprise Architect Forum at SAP, Newtown Square. Kristen Scheffler, Vice President of Customer Engagement for SAP North America, joins Abigail Allman for a compelling discussion on transitioning from SAP ECC to S/4HANA, shedding light on both the fears and opportunities this move presents. Many businesses grapple with the daunting prospect of change, often shackled by the mantra of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Kristen shares her journey from Business Objects to SAP leadership, emphasizing the importance of proactive engagement and utilizing existing resources within SAP to their fullest potential. Her insights into the evolving world of customer interactions will have you rethinking the way you connect in today's digital age.We explore the critical balance between technological upgrades and business functionality improvements, encouraging companies to see beyond the technicalities and envision a future with enhanced capabilities. The looming end of mainstream maintenance for SAP ECC highlights the urgency of planning a seamless transition to S/4HANA. With the SAP Customer Evolution Kit offering invaluable tools like Process Insights Discovery Edition, Kristen assures listeners that it's not too late to prepare for this pivotal change. The importance of strategic collaboration between IT and business units shines through our conversation, as we stress the need for alignment in the face of organizational transformation.In a personal and inspiring segment, Kristen opens up about her experiences as a woman in the predominantly male realm of enterprise tech. Her journey from feeling overlooked to confidently asserting herself underscores the value of having allies and mentors. We discuss the significance of speaking up constructively and fostering an inclusive environment where contributions are recognized regardless of gender. As we wrap up, the power of networking through platforms like LinkedIn and ASUG surfaces as a key tool for industry connection, leaving listeners ready to embrace new opportunities with open arms.

Join us on Judy Asher's episide, Pioneering Change, Empowering Women, and Balancing It All, where we explore the inspiring journey of a pioneering woman in the tech industry. This episode delves into the life of Judy Asher, Senior Director of Baxter International, President of The Michigan Council of Women in Technology and Michigan State University alum who skilfully merges her passion for computational math and computer science with a fulfilling career at Ford. Discover her strategies for managing childcare while advancing professionally, emphasising the value of flexible work arrangements and a supportive network.As an influential leader with the Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation, Judy Asher shares her dedication to fostering diversity and empowering women through initiatives like the "Girl Solve It" virtual robot competition. We discuss the significance of male allies in creating inclusive workplaces and the transformative potential of diverse perspectives in tech. Tune in to gain insights into authentic leadership, the importance of experiential learning, and the continuous journey of blending personal and professional ambitions in the technology field.

In this episode of the Women in ERP podcast, host Abigail Allman is joined by Anja Schneider, Senior Vice President at SAP, to discuss her inspiring journey and influential role in customer engagement and digital transformation. Anja shares her insights into SAP's strategies for guiding over 1,500 complex customers through seamless digital transitions, likening premium engagement to a fitness coaching partnership that emphasizes honest feedback and trusted relationships. The conversation also delves into the empowerment of women in enterprise technology, exploring Anja's personal experiences balancing career and family, and the pivotal role of curiosity and networking in career growth. With a focus on overcoming barriers in tech leadership for women, Anja highlights the importance of allyships, upskilling, and continuous learning. Join us for an insightful discussion on how technology enhances customer self-service capabilities and the exciting future of customer engagement at SAP.