The 5th and final blog post in our Woman's World series features Naomi Sabherwal, Head of Marketing & Communications, GCC and North Africa at AIG.
Please note this post was first published in March 2020 when Naomi was Head of Commercial Marketing, Communications & Government Affairs, AIG.
Where did you start your career?
After I graduated, marketing jobs were few and far between. It’s a tough field to break into, so I actually started my career working for Irish Life in their group risk department. I always knew I wanted a career within marketing so I immediately started expressing my interest, meeting different marketing managers/executives in the business and going above and beyond wherever I could. A few months in and a hundred meetings later, I was then promoted to their marketing team where I worked closely with the sales department supporting their large corporate clients.
How did you get to the position you are in now?
I was always very eager to work on large sponsorships particularly around sport so AIG was certainly the right fit for me! I also had experience in the business to business marketing space and dealing with broker partners/clients so it just made sense In terms of my progression. I was ready to create and execute my own strategy. I came across the position on LinkedIn and low and behold, I’m three years in the role now. It’s terrific that my remit has expanded year on year within AIG Ireland where I now lead commercial marketing, communications and recently took on responsibility for government affairs.
How would you define being a modern professional woman?
To be assertive, ambitious and creative.
What is the best piece of career advice you’ve ever had?
I was told not to sweat the small stuff. I think we can all sometimes dwell on little things not going your way or take things personally. Take a step back, look at the bigger picture and keep going.
What do you wish people would stop telling women?
That it’s great were involved to provide “diversity”. I’m not here just because I’m a woman, I’m here because I’ve a point to make or a unique perspective to provide given my experience.
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