#IWD2025
What, if any, mentors did you meet along the way? Two really stand out for me, both at Corning. The first mentor saw the business skills in me that I’d forgotten I had; he coached me into managerial roles and provided me that flexibility and support that I needed as a working mother in the nineties. A rare thing back then. He made things possible, seeing things in me that I couldn’t see in myself. And then the second one realised that I had executive leadership potential; he coached me to where I am today. Two incredible people. At Corning we have a core value of valuing and developing the individual and these two people literally live and breathe that. What have you learned as a woman in a male-dominated industry? That it’s only when people point out to me that I’m the only female in the room that I realise I’m the only female in the room. I don’t act like I’m different, and I don’t see myself as different. But the critical thing is to actually know that your difference is a superpower. I’ve only realised that later in my career. I know now is that my female colleagues and I see things in ways that potentially male colleagues can’t. It is well known that diversity on board memberships enhance the business governance and business performance across the globe. If you listen and get engaged you can find that you will see things in ways that men don’t, and you can therefore overcome obstacles by contributing to conversations in ways that they couldn’t on their own. I’ve also learned that if you see discrimination, call it out, take appropriate action. In driving progress for yourself, you’re driving progress for the people that come behind you, just like others have done before you. You’ve accomplished so much; is there any one thing that stands out to you? One of the things at Corning we’re proud of is that for 170 years we have been using our world-class expertise in glass and ceramic science, and optical physics, to innovate products and processes which transform industries and change
people’s lives for the better. In my 30-year career at Corning, it’s been a privilege to be involved in transforming people’s lives by connecting the unconnected across the globe. Seeing that happen where I have worked, not just in Europe but in the Middle East, Africa, India and the US has been an amazing privilege. I’ve been part of an amazing transformation that’s changed the way people work, live, interact and enjoy their lives. How do you see things developing for women in this sector? There’s no doubt it’s a fast-moving sector. If you like technology, you are never going to be bored. There is now so much more workplace flexibility and appreciation of the value that the diverse opinions, views and thinking of women brings to the workplace, that there’s never been better a time. Where are we going to see you in five years?
Merrion Edwards Vice President and EMEA Business Director Corning Optical Communications What first attracted you to this industry and how did you get into the business? I sometimes joke that I’m the accidental scientist. I wanted to focus on international business at university, but where I studied didn’t offer the course, so I did physics instead. I realised then I was quite good at physics, fell in love with optical communications and went on to do a PhD in photonics before joining this industry. Now I have the the best of both worlds, because I lead an international business for Corning Optical Communications. Thirty years ago it wasn’t that easy to be a female pioneer in the industry, but my success was made possible by some very flexible, avant-garde thinking at Corning which made it possible to keep going and be successful as a female scientist, and then later as a mother as well. But the critical thing is to actually know that your difference is a superpower.
AI is driving a new era of data and communications, and Corning’s
innovations are at the heart of enabling AI. To be part of driving the technology and driving the future that’s going to further improve lives across the globe is very exciting. I hope to be continuing to make a positive difference to people’s lives through the power of communications. What advice would you give a new female entrant to the industry? I have two mantras. One: be seen and be heard. Two: if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Women don’t do that enough. We must shout louder than the men a lot of the time. Use both to make sure your working environment supports your success. An HR executive once said to me, “I can’t support your career growth unless I know what you aspire to be.” You need to be clear, be vocal on your needs and aspirations, and then seek out strong advocates to help you to be successful.
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Volume 47 No.1 MARCH 2025
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