Women in Mobile. Meet Maria Skliarenko, One of the Women Game Changers in the Mobile Industry


Maria Skliarenko, Team Lead DSP UA at MURKA at Aarki's Women in Mobile series

Many women are now building a strong industry presence and taking leadership roles as the gender gap in tech industry leadership roles decreases.

To acknowledge and recognize their contribution and get to know them better, we continue our blog series featuring women game changers in the mobile industry. 

Maria Skliarenko
Team Lead DSP UA at MURKA

  • How did your career in the mobile industry begin?
    Officially my career in the mobile industry began 3 years ago at Murka, to which I transferred from the financial sector. But I think it began a little bit earlier, from my best friend telling me about the company where she had been working for a year. I saw her full of inspiration and with glowing eyes each time she was telling me about this place. This was the impetus to learn more about Murka and start exploring the industry as a whole. Her feeling of dedication touched not only me, but also our friend who came to Murka with me almost at the same time. So here were the three of us like our university years, ready for new challenges and opportunities. After that a series of new learnings and solving interesting missions followed. With every new task we felt support from more experienced colleagues, who involved us in different and tremendous team processes.

  • What do you think is the most important skill needed in your role?
    Actually, I can’t highlight only one skill as in my opinion it should be skills mix; like a wellness cocktail, remove one ingredient and it's no longer as useful and completed.

    First of all, a person should have strong interpersonal skills, particularly influencing and listening skills. The next and no less important is to be a team player, demonstrate a strong ability to support colleagues, be flexible, versatile and able to cope well under pressure.

  • Describe your typical work day.
    I’m really excited that it’s not “Groundhog Day.” As the industry always changing, diversity of challenges stimulates your mind and personal growth daily. In a nutshell, my work day consists of communication with partners, campaigns optimization and figuring out the best way to find the balance between the volume of traffic and its quality.

  • What kind of leader are you?
    A little bit difficult to judge yourself. I feel like a team player, ready to help and support colleagues.

  • Describe the company culture at Murka.
    I’m afraid we will get a several chapters of a book if I list all best components. I’ll try to describe a few bright moments that give a little insight into its corporate culture in general.
    People. The main wealth at Murka is its people. We are very lucky to be surrounded by incredible personalities who are always open to helping. One of the advantages is that a mentor is matched with each newcomer for an adaptation period. The mentor helps new hires understand processes faster and feel comfortable from their first day. Each team member fully understands both his individual and the company's goal as a whole which makes it possible to grow fast.
    ROWE. This is a real prize for those who manage their time well and understand the difference between process and result. The basic idea is that employees can work wherever and whenever they want, as long as they meet their goals. Especially for me, it allows a better work-life balance.
    Care. Tech companies often offer some kind of snacks for employees, but Murka goes further with meals cooked on-site by professional chefs. The first floor of our main office has a spacious hall with a kitchen  where during lunch you can not only enjoy a meal but also watch different cartoons on a projector. And if you are lucky, the chefs will share the secrets to some of their cooking. Every Friday evening it’s a pizza party here with different board games.  


    Maria Skliarenko, Team Lead DSP UA at MURKA

  • Which fictional character are you most similar to?
    A question like when you are asked about your favorite movie, you seem like a newborn with clean memory and don't remember any movie. I try not to compare myself, as I believe that all people are unique, including fictional characters.

  • What is the best piece of advice you have received?
    “Stupid questions do not exist. Never be afraid to seem silly by asking elementary questions.”

  • When you’re having a bad day, what do you do to make yourself feel better?
    I believe chocolate can cheer up and make anyone feel better.

  • What’s the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?
    Rope jumping.

  • If you could time travel, where would you go?
    I prefer to stay in the current time, as there are so many places which are beautiful nowadays and no life is long enough to see all of them. And I definitely wouldn't spend it on the past.

Topics: Women in Mobile