Celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in STEM

Closing the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) remains a challenge. However, promoting initiatives such as the International Day of Women and Girls in STEM plays a crucial role in raising awareness, amplifying the voices of women who are breaking stereotypes, and inspiring the next generation by highlighting strong role models.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in STEM, established by the United Nations (UN). The 11th of February is dedicated to promoting gender equality in STEM fields, encouraging more women and girls to pursue careers in science and technology, and dismantling the barriers and stereotypes that have historically limited their participation.

While women have made significant progress in higher education, they remain underrepresented in STEM professions for different reasons such as biases, education, lack of promotion, and so on. By shining a light on this international day, Betsson Group aim to support the women at Betsson who are challenging the stereotypes and paving the way for future generations. It’s important to recognise that a career in this field is not exclusive to men, women are also taking the lead, driving innovation, and making a lasting impact.

Below, you can explore the journeys of three remarkable women and the motivations behind their decision to study and work in STEM roles.

Miranda Rompoti, Senior DevOps Engineer at Betsson Group

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Betsson Group?

I’m Miranda, and I work as a DevOps Engineer at Betsson Group. My role revolves around automating infrastructure, optimising deployments, and ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. It’s a dynamic and ever-evolving field, which is what makes it so exciting!

2. What inspired you to pursue a career in STEM?

I’ve always been curious about how things work, and at some point, I realised that with coding, I could not only understand technology but also create something of my own. The idea that I could build solutions just by writing lines of code fascinated me, and that’s when I knew this was the path I wanted to follow.

3. Have you had any key mentors or allies who supported you throughout your career?

Absolutely. Throughout my career, I’ve been lucky to have mentors and colleagues who believed in me, challenged me, and helped me grow. Their guidance and support have been invaluable, especially during moments of doubt or when facing new challenges.

But beyond mentorship, one of the most rewarding parts of working in STEM has been the friendships I’ve built along the way. The workplace isn’t just about projects and deadlines— – it’s also about the people you share the journey with. Having a strong network of supportive colleagues makes even the toughest days easier and turns everyday challenges into opportunities to learn and grow together.

4. What advice would you give to young women considering a STEM career?

Never give up. There will always be people who tell you that what you’re trying to do doesn’t make sense or that it’s too difficult – but that doesn’t mean they’re right. If it’s something you’re passionate about, keep going. Focus, study, and believe in yourself. Having more women in STEM is essential because representation matters. When young girls see women thriving in these fields, it helps break the stereotype that tech and science are only for men. Women bring unique perspectives, creativity, and problem-solving approaches that drive innovation. The more diverse voices we have in STEM, the better the industry becomes for everyone.

5. What’s a fun fact about your job that most people wouldn’t expect?

That rush of excitement when something you’ve been working on finally works – it’s like an adrenaline boost! Debugging and troubleshooting can be frustrating, but the moment you fix a problem or see your work come to life, it’s one of the best feelings.

Maria Vieira Alves, Lead UX Designer at Betsson Group

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Betsson Group?

I’m Maria and I was hired at Betsson to lead and optimise the user experience amid the technological innovations we are experiencing in Global Payment products and journeys, taking Betsson further to the top.

2. What inspired you to pursue a career in STEM? Was there a defining moment?

Since I was a child, I have always been fascinated by solving problems and creating solutions – I was always fixing things, so it was a natural path. I think part of it comes from my curiosity and my drive to make a difference. Design is about creating solutions, and it’s not just about aesthetics but about turning complex systems into something simple, functional, accessible. Understanding the user and leveraging technology to our advantage – it’s truly inspiring, I love it!

3. What advice would you give to young women considering a STEM career? Maybe something you wish you had known when you started.
My biggest advice would be don’t be afraid to take up space, don’t wait for permission – go for it with courage, curiosity, and passion. Your ideas and perspectives are valuable, and confidence comes with practice and persistence. The tech industry is constantly evolving, and the ability to adapt and innovate will always be a competitive advantage. And most importantly – don’t give up!

4. What is unique about working at Betsson Group as a woman in STEM?
Betsson has a dynamic and diverse environment where collaboration is encouraged. One of its key strengths is the openness to innovation and experimentation – we have space to propose new ideas, challenge existing processes, and work on high-impact initiatives. I feel that the company truly cares about creating an inclusive environment, making Betsson a great place for women to grow and advance in their careers.

Andrea Arboleda, Product Delivery Manager at Betsson Group

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Betsson Group.

I’m Andrea and I’m a Product Delivery Manager. In my role, I act as the main point of contact between the commercial and compliance stakeholders and the platform providers from the technical perspective for the markets I look after. My job is to ensure that requirements are clearly understandable and that all deliverables align with our product strategy.

2. What made you switch in your career? What was your journey into the gaming industry like, and how did you end up at Betsson Group?

I studied communications and hold an MA in branding, and I always worked on marketing and communications. But when I relocated to Malta after eight years in the UK, I made the leap into the iGaming industry. At first, I thought it would be difficult, if not impossible, but my soft skills turned out to be the key that opened the door. This eventually led me to a role where I facilitate product growth, translating complex technical requirements into actionable tasks for stakeholders and product development teams.

3. What challenges did you face during your career transition? How did you overcome them?

Mastering technical language was definitely a big challenge. However, with the guidance of my mentors and a commitment to speaking up – sometimes once, twice, or even three times – I quickly realised that asking the right questions is essential to finding the right answers and driving progress. If you don’t ask out of fear of hearing ‘no,’ you also miss the opportunity to get a ‘yes’. Clarity comes from curiosity, and persistence has been key to pushing projects forward with confidence.

4. What advice would you give to professionals considering a career change, especially women looking to move into tech or product roles.

Forget about stereotypes, don’t take anything personally, and always keep an open mind. Be a good listener, and most importantly never hesitate to ask questions. As I always say: “ask, ask, ask”. Don’t be afraid to speak up when you don’t know something or feel like you don’t have anything to contribute with – you do!

5. What’s unique about working at Betsson Group as a woman in a tech-focused role like Product Delivery Management?

At Betsson Group, you can express yourself with confidence, knowing that respect is a core part of the culture. Gender stereotypes don’t define us here – everyone is valued for their skills, and opportunities are equally accessible to all. What’s particularly inspiring is the growing number of women stepping into leadership roles, driving change, and bringing fresh perspectives. Betsson not only recognises this but actively supports and encourages it.

6. What’s a fun or surprising fact about your job that most people wouldn’t expect?

I’m the only woman on my team! (laughs) A fun fact is that probably people misunderstand my role. There is always a grey area when it comes to responsibilities, which means I end up involved in just about everything – and I love it because I’m always learning. At its core, my job is about bridging communication gaps between teams. Without this role, certain things simply wouldn’t happen, so I make sure they do!