Women who inspire with Marília Lara: entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation in water sustainability
Data released by the General Registry of Employed and Unemployed (CAGED) reveals a notable trend: between 2015 and 2022, female participation in the technology sector increased by an impressive 60%.
But despite these advances, a significant male predominance still prevails, with approximately 83% of the market occupied by men, while women hold only 12.3% of positions related to technology.
In this challenging context, Stattus4 emerges as an inspiring example of representation. Under the visionary leadership of Marília Lara, Co-Founder and CEO, the company stands out by developing technological solutions focused on preserving what is truly essential — water.
With a focus on early detection of leaks and anomalies in water resource consumption, this is not only the story of an innovative company but also an example of an entrepreneur who overcame barriers. It’s a journey that inspires others, contributes significantly to building a more sustainable future, and one that we at Domo had the opportunity to invest in.
I summarized what we discussed in these questions and answers:
The burning question: why are there still few women in leadership roles in technology, and what can we do to change this scenario?
Marília: Undoubtedly, it’s the result of a complex combination of factors. It begins in a time when — socially — play, clothing, and careers were rigidly categorized as “boy things” or “girl things,” and unfortunately, technology did not escape this division.
We’ve seen many social evolutions, but I believe we’re still dealing with the repercussions of this issue, as female empowerment and the promotion of gender equality are relatively recent movements. This cultural transformation is an ongoing process, so we still have social and personal barriers to overcome every day.
In my home, for example, my daughter chose to be part of the math club, and my son practices gymnastics. We encourage these “outside the box” choices, and the school also plays a crucial role in this deconstruction, actively supporting equal opportunities and encouraging diverse interests regardless of gender.
We are indeed experiencing a significant shift in how future generations perceive careers and interests. This evolution fills us with hope for a more just and inclusive future. As women continue to venture into other areas, their presence and influence in technological spheres have great potential to grow, leading us to a truly egalitarian and diverse future.
What are the main challenges you face in this male-dominated market?
Marília: The barrier is built with various bricks, becoming a historical legacy with the complex combination of factors I mentioned.
First, there’s the issue of training, as we’re talking about a sector that inherently lacks manpower, let alone female manpower. Even though there is no law prohibiting women from pursuing any profession, we cannot overlook the impostor syndrome, which leads us to question our own abilities, making us take fewer risks in traditionally male markets.
Once we overcome this first obstacle, there’s the challenge of feeling comfortable in predominantly male environments, especially when taking on a leadership position. It’s like we’re in a circle where maintaining a balance of power is difficult. Another layer of this challenge is finding the right way to assert oneself. When a woman speaks firmly, she’s often labeled as “pushy,” while a man in the same circumstances is considered “assertive.”
There’s also the compounding factor of social expectations regarding gender roles, such as motherhood, which often puts us in difficult choices between career and personal life.
In my journey, for example, I noticed that some clients preferred to communicate with my partner and CTO of Stattus4, Antônio Oliveira — who happens to be my husband in his free time, lol — even if the subject was my specialty. This dynamic highlights the obstacles we face to be heard and recognized in a sector that still needs a significant change in terms of accepting individual skills, regardless of gender.
Given all this, how can we break these barriers and promote gender equity in the sector?
Marília: Navigating this scenario requires resilience, determination, and, above all, an unwavering will to break patterns. However, it’s encouraging to see that transformation is underway.
Every day, more women are coming together to challenge the market, sharing their stories and inspiring achievements. We are gaining voice and space, showing that we are capable of contributing significantly to innovation, growth, and economic development.
To continue on this path, it’s essential to encourage the collaboration of everyone — men and women — who believe in the importance of diversity and equality. We need to take responsibility for the transformation we want to see in the world. Creating a support network, even if it’s to share difficulties and build connections, makes all the difference.
That’s why I was thrilled when I was selected to join the Women Entrepreneurs program, created by Itaú, where we share the joys and challenges of this universe, making the leadership journey less solitary. The feeling I have when we’re together is that we can overcome any challenge.
Furthermore, education and mentorship are powerful tools to break gender stereotypes and open doors for future generations. Investing in learning and development opportunities from an early age is crucial to inspire and empower more women to enter and thrive in the technology market.
In that regard, who are your female references, and why are they examples to follow?
Marília: When it comes to female references, I find inspiration in strong and courageous women who have left their mark in various areas. I don’t have a single figure as my reference, but I recognize the vital influence my family had on my journey, especially my mother.
My parents led their own businesses, so I grew up in an entrepreneurial environment. This experience allowed me to understand that entrepreneurship was a possible path but required long-term commitment to achieve success.
The starting point of Stattus4 was eight years ago when Antonio, who is an engineer, conceived the idea of creating the equivalent of “Shazam” for leak detection. This concept involves an algorithm that tunes into water sounds and categorizes whether the noises indicate a possible leak. He took on the technical responsibility, while I, as a professional in the administrative field, worked on the comprehensive business plan.
I got the name of the Director of Innovation at Sabesp, made the phone call, and in a few minutes of conversation, we pitched our idea. It was a unique opportunity, and we needed to be assertive. This conversation resulted in a face-to-face meeting, initially scheduled for thirty minutes but extended to a surprising two hours.
In the end, we left that meeting with a letter of intent to purchase from Sabesp. The document clearly expressed their interest in acquiring technology with the features we were developing. This served as the basis for a project financing request to FAPESP.
This bold approach gave us the first financial support, which enabled the development of the technology. As we progressed in this venture, our passion for the topic grew exponentially, captivated by the challenge and transformative potential it represented.
I attribute this also to my mother, who was a true warrior. Her guidance and advice resonate constantly in my mind, while her determination serves as an example of overcoming obstacles. My grandmother also played a significant role, embodying strength, determination, and assertiveness. These women always stood out for their resolution and courage, profoundly shaping my journey and strengthening my belief that I can achieve any goal I embrace.
Advancements, Challenges, and Inspirations for the Future
Closing our conversation, it becomes evident that the technology landscape, although it has made progress, still needs to advance significantly to achieve gender equity. The numbers reflect not only the current inequality but also the immense opportunity we have ahead of us to promote real and lasting changes.
Marília is a concrete example of how a woman can break barriers and lead successfully in a predominantly male field. Her inspiring journey shows us that determination, focus, and resilience can lead not only to personal success but also to the advancement of the entire industry.
As we bid farewell to this moment of reflection, we want to invite you to share your own insights on gender equity in the technology sector. How can we continue to promote equality? What are the stories of inspiring women that you know? How can we strengthen our support network and encourage future generations to pursue diverse paths?
Stay tuned for the next edition, where I will continue exploring relevant and inspiring themes, bringing influential voices and success stories that shape our constantly evolving world. Until then, remember: change begins with each of us!
