Women from Baku shared insights on their careers in IT, stereotypes, and professional development.

In our new article on Women in Tech — the stories of Aynur Aliyeva Ismayilli and Gunay Gadzhieva, who entered the tech field through different paths. They shared insights about their professional journeys, working with startups and international partners, stereotypes in the tech and business environments, and what helped them grow and take on more responsibility.

Aynur Aliyeva Ismayilli, City — Baku, Senior Community Manager at SABAH.HUB, Baku ID Head of Operations, LinkedIn

About Me

Currently, I work as a Senior Community Manager at SABAH.HUB and Head of Operations at Baku ID. At SABAH.HUB, I develop the startup and innovation ecosystem, communities, and interactions with startups and partners. Since 2021, I have worked with over 450 startups and gained experience in startup programs, project management, and event organization.

At Baku ID, I am responsible for operational activities, event management, team coordination, and partner engagement. I joined the project in 2022.

My career began in 2016 when I was introduced to the world of entrepreneurship. At that time, I joined the Youth Inc. Entrepreneurship Program as a volunteer. In the following years, I participated in various initiatives in the fields of entrepreneurship, innovation, and youth work, collaborating with entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and program partners.

One of the most interesting aspects of my work is the opportunity to be in an environment that brings together ideas, opportunities, and people capable of turning them into reality. My goal is to create real value through my work and contribute to projects with long-term impact.

In 2025, I received the Certified Innovation Professional (CInP) certificate from the Global Innovation Institute and took third place in the Woman of the Year in ICT category at the IDDA Awards. In 2026, I received the Presidential Youth Award of the Republic of Azerbaijan for my work in the field of innovation.

I view these achievements as part of a single continuous journey. Gradually taking on more responsibility, learning from every experience, and applying the knowledge gained further — this has become the core of my professional development.

How I Entered the IT Profession

My path into the technology and startup ecosystem began with a personal story. My sister was involved in the startup community; through her, I became familiar with this field and developed an interest in it.

However, I did not enter IT through a traditional technical route — I developed through entrepreneurship, communities, project management, and operations. While working with startups, investors, technology companies, and partners, I realized that technology is not just about code and products. People, communities, investments, and partnerships play a crucial role, and over time, I found myself at this intersection.

Over these years, I have particularly valued the role of communities. Often, everything starts with the right connection — whether it is an investor, partner, client, or new opportunity. A strong community creates an environment for such connections.

Currently, I am also developing in the field of technology, especially AI and automation, and studying how to apply AI tools in operational work, community management, and events.

About Stereotypes

I have encountered certain stereotypes. For example, work with communities and events is sometimes perceived merely as communicating with people and organizing events. But for me, this work is much broader.

If you want to achieve real results with a product or idea, it is important to find the right people, present yourself effectively, build partnerships, find investors, and gain access to various opportunities. A significant part of this can be achieved through effective networking and community development.

Therefore, I believe that the ability to work with people and build meaningful relationships is a much more important competency in the tech ecosystem than it might sometimes seem.

As a woman, I have also sometimes felt that in the tech and business environment, one needs to put in extra effort to demonstrate competence and ensure that one’s ideas are heard.

My main approach has been continuous self-development. Working with different people, taking responsibility, and achieving results have allowed me to demonstrate my abilities through work, rather than just talking about them.

Barriers for Women in IT

I think one of the challenges women may face is the feeling that they constantly have to prove their abilities, especially in environments where men are the majority, such as in technology and business.

For me, one of the most important moments was continuous development and growth alongside different people. Working with entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, leaders, and specialists from various fields, I became better at understanding both my strengths and areas where I still need to develop.

I also tried to surround myself with people who were more experienced than I was and from whom I could learn. I believe that the people you work with and the people you learn from can significantly influence your career.

Another important lesson for me is not to wait until you feel completely ready before seizing an opportunity. Sometimes you may not feel fully prepared for the next step. However, taking on that responsibility and learning in the process can itself become an important part of development.

Throughout my career, instead of waiting for the moment when I would feel completely ready, I tried to take on new responsibilities and learn how to handle them along the way.

Recommendations for Those Just Starting Their Journey

My first piece of advice is not to try to plan your entire career in advance. I started as a volunteer in 2016, and at that time, I had no idea where it would lead. Therefore, it is important to take even small opportunities seriously — volunteering, internships, projects, or event participation. They can be the beginning of something much bigger.

Secondly, work with people and build genuine relationships. The people I met and the connections I made played a major role in my journey. For me, networking is not just about contacts, but about relationships and mutual value.

Thirdly, try to bring real value to your work. What matters more than job titles is what you create, what problems you solve, and what you leave behind.

Do not be afraid to change direction. My career was not a straight line — diverse experiences gradually led me to where I am now.

And most importantly, I never set out to prove anything to others. For me, it is more important to create value for people, the team, and the ecosystem. Therefore, when faced with a new opportunity, I ask myself not “How can I show myself here?” but “What value can I create and how can I make this work better?”

Gunay Gadzhieva, City — Dubai, CEO, Instagram

About Me

I am the founder and CEO of a global wholesale company in the IT equipment sector. I have been working in the IT industry for over 23 years. I founded my company in 2007 in Dubai. Our main office is located in Business Tower in Dubai, and we also have an office in Jebel Ali.

The company specializes in the wholesale supply of IT equipment from leading global brands. We work with clients and partners in CIS countries, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North and Latin America, as well as in Asia.

Regarding my current role, as CEO, I am no longer involved only in direct sales. My main task is the company’s development strategy, finding new markets and growth opportunities, developing international partnerships, managing the team, and determining the company’s future direction. It is particularly important to me that a business that once started with a small team and a few markets has today become an international company with a global footprint.

How I Entered the IT Profession

I have a philological background. I graduated from INIAS, where I studied English and German. Later, I lived in France and learned French.

I obtained an MBA degree from Kingston University in the UK. The education there gave me a solid foundation in business management, strategic thinking, and leadership, and largely helped shape my approach as a manager and entrepreneur.

My professional journey began specifically with sales in the IT industry. I started as a sales coordinator, then developed into international sales, and eventually became a regional manager, responsible for CIS and East African markets. Starting to work with international IT brands, including HP, I gradually came to understand the industry from the inside.

This was a good business school for me. I learned not only about products and technologies but also the specifics of different markets, negotiations, client work, and international supply chains. Most importantly, I learned how to build long-term business relationships. Over time, IT ceased to be just a field in which I worked. It became a business that I understand well and in which I see huge opportunities for development.

At some point, I realized that I was ready to start my own business focused on CIS countries. In 2007, I founded my first company in Dubai, then opened companies in Baku and Almaty.

Initially, we worked primarily with IT products and became a sub-distributor for leading brands in CIS countries, gradually expanding our geography and portfolio.

In 2016, I centralized the business in Dubai, after which the company began to actively enter the global market.

Today, we work with partners worldwide. My path went from a sales specialist and regional manager to an entrepreneur and leader of a global business.

About Stereotypes

Given that I started my business 20 years ago, I undoubtedly encountered stereotypes. International directions have traditionally been perceived as fairly male-dominated fields. When a young woman negotiates, is responsible for an entire region, and subsequently creates her own company, she sometimes has to first prove her professional competence before being perceived as an equal business partner.

This was also my experience. Initially, when I started working in Kazakhstan, I did not even mention that I was the founder of the company. I hid it, to be honest. Partners thought I was just a sales director or held a similar position.

Later, we implemented a major project in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. It was only after four to five years of working with us that partners learned that I was the company’s founder.

But I think that ultimately, the most important thing is knowledge and responsibility for the results of your decisions. Regardless of gender, if you are responsible for your work, know how to resolve issues and make decisions in a timely manner, know your market, understand the product, and fulfill your obligations, the issue of gender gradually takes a back seat.

Barriers for Women in IT

One difficulty is that a woman sometimes has to put in extra effort for her professional qualities to be perceived separately from stereotypes. This is especially felt in leadership positions, international negotiations, and entrepreneurship, where men have traditionally been more numerous.

At the same time, in our field, I did not feel this as strongly. Since I mainly worked with international suppliers and partners, I did not encounter this to such a great extent. But when you are young, as I was when I started my business and founded a company at 25, certain doubts from people naturally arise.

Therefore, I believe that the most important thing is to demonstrate your competence. When partners, clients, and colleagues see a professional and reliable partner in front of them, the issue of gender gradually takes a back seat.

Recommendations for Those Just Starting Their Journey

First of all, invest in knowledge, especially in IT. The industry changes so rapidly that continuous learning is essential here. Even after 20 years in this field, I am studying various AI platforms and innovative tools. It is important to participate in events, take courses, and continuously develop in your field. The most important thing is to invest in knowledge.

Secondly, do not be afraid to start with a small position. I myself started as a sales coordinator. It is not the title of your first job that matters, but what you learn from it and how you will use that knowledge further.

Even when I founded my business, there was a time when we had few employees. I myself worked in the warehouse, opening boxes and seeing how everything was arranged. Initially, we imported goods to CIS countries in small batches, by box. After a year or two to three, when volumes grew, we began shipping containers for each partner. And even when we started small, I myself, as the founder, could do such work. I did not find anything shameful in this. There is no need to be ashamed of starting with simple tasks.

Thirdly, do not be afraid of responsibility. If an opportunity arises, take the next step. Do not wait until you feel completely ready. There is no need to wait for the perfect moment. You need to make decisions and take action.

And finally, the most important thing — protect your reputation. Over 20 years, the business model may change, the company may change, technologies may change, but your reputation and the trust you build with people remain with you.