Inspirational Woman: Steph Hallam | Co-Founder of RAAS LAB

As a co-founder of RAAS LAB, Steph Hallam is instrumental in guiding the company’s unique approach to delivering relevance-first strategies across diverse sectors such as Retail, Home Improvement, Travel and Government Bodies. As a dedicated advocate for sustainability and privacy, she actively drives the company’s initiatives towards carbon efficiency and the implementation of cookieless technology. With her forward-thinking mindset and industry knowledge, Steph plays a crucial role in redefining consumer engagement through innovative display technology.

Prior to co-founding RAAS LAB, Steph worked as a programmatic media buyer at leading agencies including, Havas Media Group, Jellyfish, and Romantic.

Tell us a bit about yourself, your background and your current role?

I’m the co-founder of RAAS LAB, an advertising technology company, which is committed to propelling the adtech industry forward through innovation. RAAS LAB empowers agencies and brands to deliver campaigns, which not only captivate marketers but also deliver tangible results for advertisers.

With a background in Advertising Management, I’ve spent 6 years immersed in the marketing industry. My passion lies in pioneering digital marketing innovations and witnessing the impact, be it a campaign execution or implementing new processes.

My current role puts me in novel territories, such as navigating contracts and the legal side of things. However, I primarily focus on strategic planning and product development – driving innovation at the core.

Did you ever sit down and plan your career?

Following university, I took a position in the recruitment sector, which offered stability and higher pay than your typical entry-level position. However, I wasn’t passionate about recruitment and my lack of enthusiasm led me into marketing, where I seized any available opportunity.

I’m very much somebody who wants to try everything. While mentors and family provided guidance, I always pursued what resonated with me. Media and innovation intrigued me, so the fast pace of digital marketing, programmatic specifically, seemed like a good fit. I didn’t really put any restrictions on myself and I embraced opportunities when they arose.

In my agency roles, my need for innovation went unfulfilled. After discussion with Tom (Thomas Ives, co-founder of RAAS LAB), we decided to take the plunge, leveraging our industry insights to meet unmet demands.

Have you faced any career challenges along the way and how did you overcome these?

My ambition and enthusiasm often clashed with being siloed into one department throughout my career progression, which agitated me. Although I did initiate policies and champion innovation in previous roles, there’s only so much you can do. The prospect of breaking down barriers and contributing to a growing company sounded exhilarating. Enter RAAS LAB, a platform centred on dismantling silos and connecting the dots.

What top tips would you give to an individual who is trying to excel in their career in technology?

Be innovative and learn new things, something that stands out to us as a company are people who create and code things in their spare time. From this, we get an idea of what their personality is like, as well as their passion and drive.

Go for the interview! When self-doubt arises, just go for it, even if you don’t feel 100% qualified.

When developing a concept, focus on the desired outcome, persist in problem-solving and don’t hesitate to ask for help. People love sharing ideas, and collaborative brainstorming fuels progress.

What has been your biggest career achievement to date?

As an ongoing process, bringing ideas to fruition at RAAS LAB feels like an ongoing achievement.

However, transitioning from stable environments to chasing my passions stands as a proud accomplishment. Moving from a secure job post-university to pursue marketing exemplifies my determination to just go for it and reach for what I want. 

What do you believe has been a major factor in your achieving success?

Perseverance, along with a deep understanding of industry needs, has been instrumental. Identifying what the market needs and translating that into action drives my success. Passion, optimism and being dedicated to product refinement have all consistently helped me to exceed my own expectations.

What barriers for women working in tech are still to be overcome?

We see when recruiting developers and data scientists, the field remains male-dominated. Young women need more tech role models, and influencers across industries like fashion and travel, facilitated through enhanced awareness in both schools and universities. 

What do you think companies can do to support and progress the careers of women working in technology?

Fostering a supportive company culture, spotlighting benefits and offering flexible hours are all essential.

Tech innovation thrives when it accommodates individual schedules and creativity. A workplace culture built on empathy, collaboration, and innovation can only aid progress. Innovation extends beyond technology, encompassing policy changes that enable advancement, like the Republic of Media’s Period Policy.

What resources do you recommend for women working in tech?

I definitely recommend engaging in networking events and forums such as WACL (Women in Advertising and Communications, Leadership), The Women in Programmatic Network, and Bloom North. Industry-leading publishers are also including more female-focused features such as The Drum’s Women in Tech, which also offer valuable insights.

There are so many free courses out there too, coupled with knowledge-sharing across the web and social media. Don’t be afraid to pursue something even if you’re not sure it can be done.

In an ideal world, how would you improve gender diversity in tech?

At RAAS LAB, championing women’s opportunities is definitely a priority. As a female co-founder, equality in hiring senior leaders remains a priority. Crucially, we must inspire young girls, nurturing the belief that tech can offer them a fulfilling and exciting career path.

Read more from our inspirational women here.