The 2018 African Women in Technology (AWIT) Conference, Nairobi, theme is “Be Bold”, so we are asking our female leaders and guests – panelists, speakers, moderators, and mentors – to reflect and share the early days of their careers, advice for younger women in tech and/or the most crucial need of their businesses today.
These women have proven commitment to building and scaling tech businesses or growing social enterprises on the continent and they come from diverse backgrounds and sectors with different levels of experience.
It is our hope that these short interviews show a glimpse into the everyday lives of African women in tech and builds bridges between organizations and individuals who are looking to partner, fund, mentor or simply interact with these pioneering women.
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This week we shine the spotlight on Cynthia Dieyi as she shares her multifaceted career journey in media and technology with the AWIT team.
Cynthia Dieyi
Welcome Cynthia, it’s our pleasure to have you. Tell us a little about career journey.
Thank you for having me. I have over 10 years experience working in media and technology. I was a Supervising Producer at The Go Big Project – an award-winning production company based in Los Angeles – where I oversaw the production of 8 UHD television series for the world’s first 4K, UHD streaming platform, Insight TV. I managed operations on projects worth multiple millions of dollars and by association, my work has been featured on HBO, ABC, ESPN, NBC, and FOX, to name a few.
I have also served as a research associate at PMK*BNC, a multiple award-winning media company and the world’s leading authority on popular culture and entertainment. At PMK*BNC, I teamed up with three colleagues to spearhead proprietary examination of the Digital Native cohort and establish narrative themes that are popular with that generation.
I got a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Multimedia from the American University of Nigeria, a certificate in Economics and English from the University of Oxford and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Public Relations from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
At the American University of Nigeria, I received the Green Angel Award for Athletic Achievement combined with Academic Success for my graduating class of 2011, and at the University of Southern California, I was an Annenberg, full-ride, merit scholarship recipient. I secured first-class honors across all levels of my higher education and am a member of Lambda Pi Eta, The National Communication Association’s Official Honors Society in America.
Currently, I am President of Digital Narratives where I spearhead, coordinate and execute hands-on media training programs, modified to match the specific needs of the subject organization, with the purpose of equipping/enhancing multimedia and digital storytelling skills. I am the Founder of Slate Seven Media, a TV/Film/Content Production and Digital Strategy Company which works with organizations to relay their narrative to their audiences and navigate the digital landscape.
How have women conferences helped you in your business/career so far?
Anyone who risks going beyond his/her comfort zone is bound to receive some push-back. This is even more so for a woman and in the reality of our shared challenges, the value of community cannot be overemphasized.
Women’s conferences provide the opportunity to connect and commune with women with similar experiences. They provide the opportunity to mentor and be mentored. They give room for women to uplift and nurture one another.
What’s your big career/business goal for 2018 and how we can help you stay accountable and get it done?
My biggest business goal is to launch a fully functional community and notification app for my latest venture, Okanga Live. Putting the goal out there is enough to keep me accountable but periodic check-ins will also be very helpful.
Dipping into the pool of tech competency within the AWIT ecosystem for advice will be extra icing on the cake. I look forward to meeting the ladies from all industries in technology who will be at AWIT Nairobi this year.
Join Cynthia and other pan-African women in technology at the 2018 African Women in Technology (AWIT) Conference, Nairobi this July.
