Building a successful career in technology often means taking chances, trusting your instincts, and finding the confidence to make your voice heard. It also helps to have people along the way who encourage you to grow and remind you of what you’re capable of. In this month’s Precisely Women in Technology (PWIT) feature, learn more about Haleigh Dhaou, Senior Public Relations Manager, who has spent 11 years building her career in the technology industry.
Why did you choose to pursue a career in technology?
For me, it happened somewhat organically as a jumping off point. I started out at a PR agency specializing in technology and financial services and was shortly after hired on full time. I have stayed in the technology space ever since. What I enjoy most is the real-world applicability it has in the things we use every day.
Who has been your greatest professional mentor? What’s one thing you have learned from them?
My greatest professional mentor was a former boss I had as I was transitioning from entry level to a more seasoned role. What made them so impactful was how intentional they were about my growth. Rather than just telling me what to do, they would prompt me to think through situations we were actually dealing with and ask how I would navigate them. After I shared my thinking, they would give me feedback on whether they agreed or how to approach it differently.
That process taught me so much more than being handed an answer ever could have. It built my confidence, sharpened my instincts, and gave me the comfort to show up as an advisor in my own right. I learned that having a point of view, even an imperfect one, is where growth begins. That is something I carry with me to this day.
What’s the biggest risk you took in your career? What was the reward?
It was accepting my first internship. I had initially accepted a full-time job doing social media for a small wealth management company, and on the day I was scheduled to sign my offer letter, I got a call from the PR agency. I knew that for where I wanted to go, the internship would get me there faster. Not many people would give up a full time position with full benefits to take an internship out of state, but it was a risk that turned into a major reward.
As a woman, what challenges have you faced in the technology industry? How have you overcome them?
Earlier in my career, the biggest challenge was feeling like I had a seat at the table and the space to voice my ideas. More often than not, I would share an idea with my manager first to get their input before bringing it to the larger group, just to make sure it wasn’t too far off base. Over time, that process actually gave me the confidence to speak up more directly, try new things, and bring ideas to the room without needing that validation step first.
Careers and Culture
We help market leaders make better decisions and build new possibilities. Want to join the team? Find out about working with us and our current openings.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? How do you apply it to your personal and professional life?
“The worst they can say is no.” That has stayed with me in both my professional and personal life. If you don’t ask for what you want, the answer is already no. But if you do ask, there’s a chance it could be yes. That simple mindset shift has pushed me to advocate for myself, take chances, and go after things I might have otherwise talked myself out of.
What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to younger women entering the industry?
Don’t let imposter syndrome keep you silent. So many women in tech are the smartest person in the room and still second-guess whether their idea is worth sharing. It is. The willingness to ask questions and be wrong sometimes is actually what separates good technologists from great ones.
Find your people, whether that’s a mentor, a sponsor, a community of other women in tech, or all three. This industry is changing, but it still helps enormously to have someone in your corner who sees your potential and advocates for you. Seek those people out intentionally, and when you get further along, be that person for someone else.
As a successful woman in technology, what’s one thing you do to pay it forward and advocate for other women in the field?
Knowledge sharing and mentorship. I am a certified Mentor Collective mentor and have worked with college students from my alma mater. Even when our industries don’t perfectly align, there is real value in connecting with students and helping them prepare for life after graduation. If I can help someone navigate that transition with a little more confidence, that’s paying it forward in the most meaningful way.
Learn more about us on our Careers and Culture page.
