The tech gender gap gradually decreases, and the mobile tech industry nowadays creates more opportunities for women to lead the innovation of the future.
Being passionate about strengthening women’s voices and leadership, we continue our initiative featuring women in the mobile industry.
Rachael O'Meara
Senior Account Manager, Platform Demand Channel at Google
Rachael O’Meara is a Sr. Account Manager for Google Authorized Buyers. She is also a transformation coach who empowers professionals to learn and build emotional intelligence skills to thrive at work and beyond. Her book Pause was named one of 2017's top business books for your career and was featured in the New York Times, WSJ.com and on the TEDx stage in 2019. She is certified in Transformational Coaching from the Wright Graduate University for the Realization of Human Potential and currently working on her MA in Transformational Leadership & Coaching. Rachael also has an MBA from Fordham University. Rachael lives in San Francisco with her husband and pauses as much as possible to ski, road bike, and BE (which is a lifelong challenge!).
Q: What do you love most about the work environment and culture at Google?Hands down my team! People really make the place you work, and Google is no exception. I have enjoyed working with my Authorized Buyer team and other teams as well. The atmosphere is can-do and we’re very growth-mindset oriented. It helps me stay motivated and willing to support my team and clients knowing my team is there to support me.
Building a culture of sustainability is important and I feel that at Google. I also know I create that by setting my boundaries and what I am willing/not willing to do for any role - in or out of Google.
Q: What do you see as the biggest challenge for women in tech and how do we overcome it?Belonging and making work for you. If you’re the only woman on a team or don’t feel like you are included, we need to change that. Belonging is a choice each of us needs to make, and I would ask what am I willing to do (or change) in order to belong.
Q: How do you stay ahead of changes in technology?
It can feel like a never-ending cycle of catch-up. Carve out time each week to read up and catch up with those in your industry. Say yes to industry and client events but also if you are feeling tired or need personal down time, respect that too. Ask good questions, stay curious, and keep current using our strengths: collaborating, asking questions, staying curious, and learning.
Q: What do you see is the next big thing in mobile marketing?
Self driving cars! I am kidding. I think anything that helps us know more about our well-being is hot. Wearables and marketing that helps us learn more about what’s out there is helpful. There is app-fatigue happening, so standing out matters and something that benefits my well-being is a trend that I don’t think will go away.
Q: What do you wish someone taught you before starting your career?
How to pause, and intentionally shift my behavior. Now, I’ve learned that lesson and teach it to others to avoid overwhelm and help others thrive.
Q: What words do you live by?
Carpe Diem (Seize the Day).
Q: How do you manage your work/life balance?
Carefully and mindfully. When I’m feeling fatigued, I make sure to not overschedule and rest as I need to. I create boundaries that serve me, and practice saying no a lot. This is a lifelong skill, and I am still mastering it. I also focus on meeting my deeper hungers at any given moment, which helps me feel more fulfilled and present in the moment.
Q: How would you describe yourself to people who don’t know you?
I am an ENFP! (Myers-Briggs fans, anyone?) I would share my vision that I am an agent of change who helps others transform while I transform myself. This is challenging but worth it!
Q: What is one thing you are most proud of?
My personal growth and development since 2011, when I burned out of Google and decided to take a three month pause to look at what I needed to change in my life. It has been a rewarding journey, and I am so grateful for all I have learned about myself since. You can check more out about my story at bit.ly/pausethebook
Q: What is the craziest thing you've ever done?
After college I got a working permit and went to the French Alps to find a job in a ski resort. I got one, got fired, and then got a new job. I learned if I can navigate getting a job in a foreign country, I could probably do anything.
Runner up: Having a TEDx talk (it’s called Push Pause how to turn Burnout into Personal Fuel) - it was exhilarating and I would do it again in a heartbeat!
.gif)
