In honor of Black History Month, Icertis is spotlighting Black employees who have helped make Icertis the undisputed leader in contract lifecycle management and exemplify our FORTE values (Fairness, Openness, Respect, Teamwork, Execution).
Today we catch up with Letitia Thomas, a Marketing Manager based in London. Letitia has been with Icertis since 2020, coordinating a wide range of marketing activities in our EMEA region.
Tell us a bit about your career path. What experiences led you to the tech industry?
I am proud to share that I was the first in my family to graduate from university, earning a degree in English Literature from The University of Reading. After graduating, I started out my career in recruitment before heading over to research and write reports for procurement and pharmaceutical events. While working in my role, I met many CPOs and procurement executives who educated me on the importance of technology in their functions. It was also at this time that I became familiar with Icertis, a primary sponsor of an event I was managing, which got me acquainted with the innovative world of CLM. Before joining Icertis, I thought I knew a lot about the tech industry and how CLM and other platforms have the ability to shape the future and opportunities at global corporations. In my 10 months here, I’ve come to see I still had so much to learn, and I am more excited about the category than ever before!
What is your favorite FORTE value?
My favorite FORTE value is Openness. I feel the importance of honesty, sincerity, and authenticity is so often forgotten in the corporate world, but Icertis is a company that celebrates these qualities – whoever you are.
Who are the leaders, influencers, executives, or individuals you admire and follow? Why?
My parents are my biggest influencers. I come from a mixed-race family (my mother is White English and my father is Black Ghanaian), and because of their attitude, strength, and support, I am lucky to have never felt held back or prohibited because of my color – that doesn’t mean there haven’t been circumstances when I have felt negative attention, but it has not stopped me from believing in myself. My parents met one another in the ’70s, a time when mixed-race relationships weren’t always popular. They defied many odds to marry, build a wonderful life and business for their family, and teach us the positives and negatives life can throw at you. They have always believed in me, pushed me, and encouraged me to celebrate who I am and what I want to achieve. Their pride spurs me to do better, be better, and support others. The confidence they have instilled in me means there has never been any room in my life for people that want to bring me down. I suppose a “thank you” is needed here, and to also tell them how proud I am of everything they have achieved and continue to achieve.
What advice would you offer to your younger self or to someone looking to break in to B2B tech marketing?
I am lucky to have always had valuable advice growing up (although I didn’t always take it!), but if I had to advise someone looking to break in B2B tech marketing, I would say go for it – you will not be disappointed! It is fast-paced, progressive, and you learn something new every day. Believe in yourself and what you have to offer. If you don’t try, you will never know, and I feel in life there are no boundaries that cannot and should not be pushed. In my experience, I have never regretted trying something, and I believe it’s always better to say “oops” than “what if?”! I am also confident you will not find breaking into B2B tech an “oops”!
Anything else you’d like to share?
‘My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.’ Maya Angelou