Women in Tech: Azize Sultan Shares Her Inspiring Journey from Architecture to Tech Leadership

Tell us about yourself!

I'm Azize Sultan, and I currently work as a Data Analyst Team Lead at Hepsiburada in Istanbul, Turkey. Together with my team, I assist the entire before sales journey in e-commerce by providing data and insights to teams across various disciplines, such as development, product, and user experiences/interface. I’m passionate about using data to drive impactful decisions, and I love collaborating with others to solve complex problems.

Why did you choose this field in the first place?

Spoiler alert: Because I couldn’t find a job in the field I studied! 😅 But honestly, this is a story I love sharing. It’s both fun to tell and makes me think, “Wow, I’ve really come a long way.” I’d love to share it with you because it reminds me that nothing is impossible. With a bit of motivation and planning, anything can be achieved.

I originally studied interior architecture and fully intended to build my career in that field after graduation. But things didn’t go as planned. The moment I realised that, I started thinking about my own skills and what I could do instead. I was always good at math, and thanks to my interior architecture background, I had experience using different tools, preparing projects, solving different problems, understanding customer needs and presenting them to clients. So, I started researching professions where I could leverage these strengths and that’s when I discovered data.

Of course, that meant going back to being a student again. With lots of learning, certifications, a master’s degree, and plenty of blood, sweat, and tears, I’ve made it to where I am today. Along the way, I’ve gained experience with everything from small scale to big data, from e-learning to e-commerce, and from tools like Power BI to Tableau, Oracle to BigQuery. It’s been quite the journey, but one I wouldn’t trade for anything. 😊

What tech are you most excited/passionate about right now and why?

Right now, I’m most excited about generative ai and its applications across various fields. The way tools like chatgpt, midjourney, and dall-e are transforming creativity, productivity, and problem solving is fascinating. I’m also deeply interested in how streaming data platforms like Kafka and tools like Streamlit are enabling real-time data analysis and interactive applications.

These technologies are not only innovative but also provide endless opportunities for automation, personalization, and scaling solutions making data more accessible and actionable than ever. Aaand of course new A/B testing methods, everytime ❤️

What are your hobbies and interests outside of tech?

Outside of tech, I love going to concerts, traveling to explore new places, and trying creative hobbies like ceramics. I also really enjoy making things for my family and friends. It’s so rewarding to gift them something I’ve created. I even gave piano a shot by learning from youtube videos, but I think my fingrs were a bit too short for it to work out! 😅 Still, it was fun to try! 😊

Let's talk about breaking the glass ceiling. What were the biggest challenges you faced as a woman in tech, and how did you deal with them?

Honestly, I think if we see the challenges we face as being just because we’re women in tech, we end up reinforcing those biases. I try to approach these situations as general professional challenges instead of tying them to my gender.

When I do face bias or assumptions, I focus on addressing it directly and showing my skills through my work. I think it’s important to communicate in a way that shifts the focus to capability and teamwork, not stereotypes. For me, it’s about creating an environment where everyone is judged by their contributions, not by who they are.

Any questionable misogynistic story/situation you faced/handled, and you want to share with the HackerNoon Fam?

Unfortunately, yes, I’ve come across something like this before. Here is what happened: during a casual coffee break meeting, a new team member made a comment along the lines of, ‘Women should work in comfortable environments and retire from there if everything is going well.’ (What a perfect idea, lets frame it 🙃) I wasn’t there at the time, but the rest of the team was understandably uncomfortable with what was said.

When I heard about it, I addressed it directly in a one-on-one conversation with that person. I made it very clear that such views are not acceptable in our workplace. This was someone who reported to me, but honestly, even if it had been my manager, I wouldn’t have hestated to have the same conversation. I believe it’s so important to confront these situations head-on to ensure we maintain a respectful and inclusive work environment.

What was the biggest setback/failure that you faced, and how did you manage it?

Like everyone else, I’ve made my fair share of mistakes like underestimating timelines, missing deadlines, or having projects go off track because of miscommunication with non-technical stakeholders. But I don’t want to focus on those today. Instead, I want to share something that’s been a real eye opener for me, no matter what stage of your career you’re in.

When I first started out, I used to think that the work I did my projects and contributions would automatically get noticed by my peers, managers, and teammates. I thought there was no need to speak up or highlight it. Looking back, I now realise that this way of thinking was one of the biggest things holding me back in my career.

What's your biggest achievement that you're really proud of?

As a data analyst, I’ve had the opportunity to work across various areas where interpreting data and combining technical skills with analysis led to profitable strategies. I’ve created many dashboards, and the feedback I received was always either very positive or constructive. However, beyond these achievements, there’s one implementation project that I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced.

Three years ago, at a company I worked for, I was the only one with prior experience in A/B testing—setting up tests, analysing data, and interpreting results. The process started when I identified critical flaws in the in-house solution the company was using. What followed went far beyond my initial role: we initiated a project to adopt a 3rd solution. From vendor selection to implementation and go live, I led the entire process.

I played a key role in defining data structures, working closely with engineering teams on implementations, conducting POC tests, rolling out the tool across the company, and ensuring its adoption and integration into workflows. Looking back, I can say it was a rewarding experience not just for the company but also for my personal growth. I’m also deeply grateful to the colleagues who supported me throughout this journey.

In your opinion, why do we see this huge gender gap in the tech industry, and how can we reduce it?

The gender gap within different domains of industries can vary significantly. For instance, when we look at data analysts in e-commerce, the number of women working in before-sales domains (like search, homepage, checkout, etc.) is noticeably lower compared to post-sales domains. This pattern is quite similar across other industries as well.

When I collaborate with engineering and product teams, I notice an even starker imbalance. Product roles are often filled by women, whereas developer positions are predominantly occupied by men.

To address this, I believe we need to focus on improving career awareness during university years by increasing the quality and frequency of professional introductions to tech-related roles. As for the workplace, diversity should be prioritised during the hiring process. Ensuring balanced and diverse teams not only creates a fairer work environment but also leads to more successful and well-rounded outcomes.

Do you have any advice for aspiring girls who want to join the field?

Absolutely! My biggest advice is to believe in your potential and not let stereotypes or doubts hold you back. The tech field is vast, and there’s space for every skill set whether you’re interested in coding, data, product management, or design.

Start by exploring what excites you, and don’t be afraid to try different areas. Learn the basics through free or affordable online resources, build small projects, and keep experimnting. Networking is also key connect with other women in tech, join communities, attend events, and don’t hesitate to ask for guidance or mentorship. Start by exploring what excites you and take advantage of free or affordable online learning resources. There are also plenty of non-profit organisations offering free mentorship programs to guide you as you start your journey.

Most importantly, focus on your skills and confidence. Your voice and perspective are valuable, and diversity is what makes tech thrive.

You’ve got this! ❤️