Linda Rutkovska: Embracing change and driving excellence

Her diverse and impactful experiences have shaped a dynamic career path that exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to growth. Let us explore the key elements that have defined Linda’s professional journey.

Linda navigated a range of roles in both HR and business leadership, gaining a comprehensive understanding of various aspects of the organization.

She has a bachelor's degree in business administration and finance and a master's degree in human resources. Her career journey began 22 years ago when she took on the role of overseeing HR and Office Administration for Tietoevry’s Riga office. As her career progressed, she took on several key HR leadership positions, including HR Lead for Financial Services, Country HR Head for China, HR Lead for Product Development Services & International Markets and Head of HR for Tietoevry Create. Each of these roles helped her build a solid foundation in HR. Reflecting on this phase, Linda says:

- These opportunities not only deepened my knowledge but also broadened my international experience in areas like change management, organizational design, transformation, strategic resourcing, restructuring, M&A, and HR operations.

After nearly 19 years in HR, Linda was offered an exciting opportunity to transition into a business leadership role. She became the Head of the China Delivery Center, a position she held for three years. This shift proved to be transformative, allowing Linda to expand her understanding of customer business and gain deeper insights into project deliveries, sales, and finance.

- I had the privilege of working with one of the best delivery teams in the company, learning firsthand what it takes to drive successful business outcomes from an operational standpoint.

Her international exposure and experience of leading high-impact initiatives gave Linda a well-rounded perspective on organizational dynamics and success, which have been instrumental in shaping her professional journey.


Some key insights from Linda’s impressive career that she believes are crucial for success

Recognizing the complexities of the modern business environment, she shares:

- Careers do not come with instructions or set formulas for success as we work with other human beings in a complex business environment that is constantly evolving. Building strong networks, both within and outside the organization, and nurturing positive relationships are crucial. Effective collaboration and strong interpersonal skills can unlock new opportunities and promote career growth.

Gratitude, Linda believes, has the power to enhance both personal and professional life. She says:

- Expressing gratitude for the opportunities that come our way, the successes we achieve, and even the difficulties we encounter, can transform our outlook.

Stressing the importance of resilience, Linda notes:

- Failure is not permanent unless we give up. If we treat failures as opportunities to learn and persist in our efforts, each setback can become a stepping stone towards future success.

Advocating for Women in Tech

A strong advocate for diversity, Linda believes that the unique voices of women are vital in the tech industry. She emphasizes the importance of creating an inclusive work environment where all individuals feel valued, regardless of gender.

While she feels that her own challenges have been more related to her location or nationality than her gender, she acknowledges the difficulties women often face in tech careers and advocates for a better gender balance,

- Building an inclusive company culture involves addressing unconscious bias, promoting diversity awareness and implementing inclusive hiring and promotion practices. We should trust our female talent, provide them with equal opportunities and empower them to explore new areas and advance to higher positions.

She also believes that increasing the visibility of female role models will inspire more women to pursue careers in tech by highlighting diverse career paths and achievements. Linda offers some valuable advice to women and girls aspiring to build successful careers in tech:

• Embrace a growth mindset: See any gaps in qualifications as opportunities for learning & growth.

• Be self-assured: Promote your strengths and experience confidently.

• Seek out learning opportunities: Take courses, attend workshops, and stay informed about industry trends.

• Build a strong support network: Seek mentors and connect with communities that uplift women in tech.

• Network actively: Attend events, engage in projects and seize opportunities to gain hands-on experience.

• Stay persistent and resilient: Embrace challenges, learn from failures, and trust your ability to succeed.

• Challenge gender stereotypes: Advocate for diversity and motivate others to pursue tech careers.