Words of Wisdom from the Women at Arbolus

This International Women’s Day, we’re amplifying the voices of the women at Arbolus - their journeys, challenges, and the wisdom they’ve gained along the way.

No two career paths look the same, but every woman’s experience is a testament to growth, resilience and the power of lifting each other up. Whether it's overcoming obstacles, embracing change, or stepping into leadership, the lessons we learn shape not just our own futures but the future of the industry.

Today, we’re celebrating those stories - the moments of courage, the words of advice, and the reflections that continue to inspire women in tech and beyond.

Confidence, Ownership, and Authenticity

“I've stopped apologizing for showing passion and emotion at work. Emotions aren't a weakness—they're a strength and should be highly valued.

Women are often misunderstood as 'too emotional' or 'weak,' but our emotions drive our leadership and bring unique perspectives to teamwork.”

Marissa Lacastro

“Own your flaws, but don't let them define you.”

Gurjeevan Kaur

“Take full accountability for your work. If you have done a bad job, admit it. If you have done a brilliant job, own it.

Being responsible for the job we do and being transparent about it is one of the best learnings I apply nowadays in my job. Blaming external factors when a job has not been done correctly is not only not efficient but a waste of time.” - Elena Carrillo

“One of the first managers in my career always emphasized the importance of 'underpromise, overdeliver,' and it’s a lesson that has stuck with me ever since.

I was fortunate to learn this from her early on in my career, and it has become a guiding principle that shapes how I approach my work.”

Dayana Pingelova

“I’ve stopped apologising for standing up for what I believe in, and I’m no longer afraid to voice my opinion.”

Ellen Bunn

“Don't overthink.”

Yuqiong Tan

The Power of Kindness and Meaningful Relationships

“I have often been advised that building relationships with the right people—those with influence who can advocate on my behalf—is essential for being recognized and advancing within a company. However, I have never subscribed to this idea.

I remain convinced that delivering high-quality work, understanding how to add value to the business, and making a positive impact on others will naturally create opportunities.

If those opportunities do not arise, it may indicate that the organization is not the right fit for me.”

Andreia Cruz

“Kindness goes a very long way, so even if you are upset with someone, try to always be kind. “

B.

Owning Your Journey and Embracing Growth

“One thing I stopped regretting in my career was changing my studies from Engineering to Psychology after my first year. Back then, I felt like I was losing a year of my life.

Over time, I realized it has been one of the best decisions I ever made because it allowed me to align my career with my true interests and led me to a field where I feel fulfilled and can truly make an impact.”

Júlia Martin

“Don't hold back—take risks, speak up, and go after what you truly want without hesitation.”

Neha Shukla

“When I dropped out of university, I thought my future was over. For a while, nothing seemed to work, and I felt stuck. But I kept searching for opportunities, kept learning, and eventually found the right path to success. Looking back, I wish I had taken action sooner rather than later.

If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be: Don’t hesitate. Keep moving forward, keep growing, and keep trying, no matter what. The right opportunity will come, but you have to be out there to find it.”

Hannah Meneguel

“Ex nihilo nihil fit (Nothing comes from nothing)! Because you miss all the shots you don't take.”

Vaishnavi Sudha 

“Just keep at it; there is no limit to what you can achieve. I know it all seems impossible now, but one day, you'll be proud of coming this far.”

Muskan Dahiya

“Curiosity and assertiveness are a great combination. Be curious—listen, ask questions, explore, make room for play, and try new things that spark your creativity, no matter how busy you feel or how “unrelated” or “unproductive” they may seem.

And be assertive. Knowing how to listen and communicate your opinions and beliefs in a clear, respectful, but confident way is a key skill for work and life. When in doubt, choose assertiveness.

Speak up, trust your gut, keep exploring and don’t be afraid to take leaps into new terrain."

Daniela González

Redefining Success: Work-Life Balance and Patience

“We are here to thrive and not just survive. It’s important to have the shift in mindset to foster growth and scale to new heights.”

Manisha Bhambhu 

“Only a high paying salary will mean I am succeeding as an employee". Nothing could be further from reality! And don't get me wrong- we all love for our work to be recognized in a salary increase (and it is how it should be). However, more and more I've come to realize that as human beings, we will never have enough (this is part of our biology). Some other aspects that will keep us fulfilled for a longer period of time are more qualitative aspects such as e.g feeling part of a community, leading a team, leading a specific project that is successful, being given opportunities across the company, attending social events, feeling your voice is heard when giving feedback...etc.”

Elena Carillo 

“Some organizations are not prepared to reincorporate recent mothers into the workforce. And the challenges after maternity leave are endless. This is also a very important topic to discuss.”

Andreia Cruz

“There's no specific timeline for your life, so don't stress about feeling behind. Most people are figuring out their life out as they go!”

- G.

“One piece of bad advice I received was that working overtime yields more and better results.”

Aditi Sharma

“Have patience and acceptance. Life is not easy and never will be, and the best thing we can do is accept it as it is, have the patience to lower our egos, and understand that not everything requires an explanation or a reason why.

Simply giving energy to patience and acceptance makes life more peaceful."

Veronica Cassiani

To the next generation of women:

These pieces of wisdom, shared by the women of Arbolus, are a reminder to all of us that success isn’t defined by a single path. Whether it’s through showing kindness or simply pushing past the challenges, let’s continue to inspire, support, and empower one another. 

Happy International Women’s Day from the Arbolus Team! 💜