Niamh Parker of Altada Technology Solutions A Finalist in the Matheson WMB Female Entrepreneur Award Category
8th March 2022
At WMB we are celebrating female role models and in particular, our 26 WMB Awards Finalists across our five Award Categories – WMB Businesswoman Award; Matheson WMB Female Entrepreneur Award; Expleo WMB Woman in Technology Award; Sodexo WMB Female Newcomer Award and WMB Empowering Women Award.
Over the coming weeks, we will introduce you to each of our Award finalists. Ultimately there will be one winner in each of our five Award categories, to be announced at our Conference & Awards on May 16th. If you’d like to attend our Conference & Awards, you can book here>>
In the meantime, let us introduce you to Niamh Parker of Altada Technology Solutions – A finalist in the Matheson WMB Female Entrepreneur Award category.
Title and company name
Co Founder & Chief Legal and People officer, Altada
Sector & size of operation
Artificial Intelligence / Technology Start-up
You originally hail from
Cork, Ireland
Single or relationship
Relationship – Married
What is the best part of your job
Altada is leading the way in our category for Artificial Intelligence adoption and acceleration.
It’s very exciting to be leading an innovative and ambitious team during the evolution of this incredible emerging technology.
The best part of my job is empowering our leadership team to develop our people, through our culture of family and collaboration.
And the most challenging
The most challenging part of my job as Co-founder of Altada is ‘time’ in a fast paced industry when projects are moving so quickly. It’s difficult to support every person in the organisation while we are scaling. I find it challenging when there is not enough time to reinforce our vision and mission.
Your definition of success
My definition of success is contentment. When I’m enjoying working with great people and genuinely making a difference in my family, community, country & the world. I’m a contribution, that’s important to me.
Best trait
I think my best trait is ‘resilience’ .
I have been an entrepreneur since 21yrs of age in multiple industries and I have no fear of failure because I learn from every interaction, meeting and relationship.
Worst trait
I believe my worst trait is ‘dominance’ . I have excellent intuition so I’m inclined to influence others to act on my suggested approach. I don’t play chess so I’m learning to hold back my ‘gut feeling’ until I have heard from my team. The room doesn’t need to know what your next move is.
Biggest ‘win’ to date
My biggest Win to date was working on the High Court Examinership petition for Altada and winning. It was really hard fought. I love the Law and justice being served.
Who inspires you most
Sara Blakey is a huge inspiration, she was passionate about solving a problem, didn’t give up, secured the trademark and patent for Spanx and is the youngest female self-made billionaire in the world. She was resilient, passionate but above all an amazing salesperson. She gained valuable door to door sales experience in her early career.
Name two things on your ‘bucket list’
I’m very spontaneous and live life to the fullest. I want to produce some projects for film and television. I love writing. I also would love to create a lifestyle fashion brand that empowers women to be unique.
What does it mean for you to be a woman in business today
It means a lot to me to be part of a change I want to see. Creating opportunities for diversity and inclusion as well as equality in the work place is a privilege. I am a role model to my son and three daughters. I believe that compassion can move mountains in the work place and it’s possible to win in business by being fair and kind.
Best advice to pass on.
The best advice I can pass on to other women in business is to see yourself and your worth. It’s important to know what you bring to the table and be passionate about it.
If that is not received with respect, then find another table or build your own table and set boundaries with rules of engagement. It’s very old, but there is no ‘I’ in (TEAM) and together everybody achieves more (TEAM).