Turning Innovation into Business Value

Gada Lopez, Head of Alliances for the Middle East at NTT DATA says leadership in technology is about translating innovation into meaningful business outcomes. She reflects on the evolving role of partnerships, the importance of emotional intelligence in enterprise engagements, and why confidence and collaboration remain essential for women aspiring to leadership roles in technology

As industry has shifted from legacy systems to cloud and AI-driven models, how have you evolved your own role to stay ahead?

The shift to cloud and AI has accelerated the pace of digital transformation. Staying ahead requires continuous learning and staying closely connected to both technology trends and customer needs.

For leaders today, the key is translating innovation into real business value while helping organizations navigate change.

Beyond the obvious challenges, do subtle structural barriers still exist for women in commercial technology roles?

The industry has made meaningful progress in creating more opportunities for women in technology and leadership. Today, many organizations are actively investing in mentorship, sponsorship, and leadership development programs that support women’s growth.

Continuing to expand access to strategic projects, partnerships, and leadership visibility will further accelerate this progress.

What strengths do you believe are particularly important for women to succeed in technology sales and marketing leadership?

Success in technology leadership requires strategic thinking, resilience, and strong relationship building skills. Women leaders often bring a collaborative approach and a strong ability to connect technology with business outcomes.

Confidence, adaptability, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments are also key to long-term success.

In high-value enterprise engagements, how critical is emotional intelligence alongside technical expertise?

Emotional intelligence is just as important as technical expertise in enterprise engagements. While technology builds credibility, trust and relationships are what drive long term partnerships.

When you look back on your career, what kind of legacy would you like to leave — professionally and personally?

Professionally, I hope to be remembered for driving growth, building strong partnerships, and contributing to innovation in the organizations I’ve worked with.

Personally, I hope to inspire more women to pursue leadership roles in technology and feel confident that they belong in shaping the future of the industry.

 Success in technology leadership requires strategic thinking, resilience, and strong relationship building skills. Women leaders often bring a collaborative approach and a strong ability to connect technology with business outcomes.