myGwork speaks to Ivana Bitunjac at Colt Technology Services about her career
BY DYLAN MANN-HAZELL
Meet Ivana Bitunjac, the Interconnect Manager at Colt Technology Services, who’s been making her mark in the telecom industry for over 15 years. In this interview with myGwork, Ivana shares her unique journey – starting from her childhood in Germany, where she developed a love for technology, to her current position, and then her employee network role advocating for LGBTQIA inclusivity in the workplace. She talks openly about the twists and turns of her career, the challenges she’s faced, and the moments that have really shaped her perspective.
Hi! Could you introduce yourself, and tell me a bit about your background and career journey leading up to your current position at Colt?
My name is Ivana Bitunjac, and I work as an Interconnect Manager for Colt Technology Services. I have been at Colt for 11 years and my role has changed several times, from managing German-speaking telecom accounts and leading the Voice Trading team, to Interconnect Management in the UK, the Nordics and Internationally.
I stumbled into telecommunication purely by accident, and via a political stint in the House of Commons working as a researcher. I always had an affinity with tech, so with the development of new technology in the late 90s and early 00s, I grabbed the opportunity to enter the telecommunication world. I joined a small start-up in Berlin where I learned about “VoIP technology”, the back end works of a working telephone connection and mobile phone communication. All very alien to non-business insiders, but interesting and engaging.
Can you tell me a bit about your childhood – where did you grow up; did you have any hobbies?
I was born in Bremen, Germany, to Croatian immigrants, where I spent my childhood. We moved to Croatia in the mid-80s, as my parents wanted to give my sister and me the Mediterranean flair to life. I was lucky to have spent my youth and Uni days enjoying the joys of living by the seaside. Challenging too, as back then, the country was still Yugoslavia and I lived through the war that sprang up in the early 90s.
I was always a bit of a tomboy, so my hobbies included a ton of DIYing, always changing my room, always working on repairing appliances, connecting music hi-fi boxes, speakers etc. Much to my parents’ despair, I did not conform to their expectations to have a “girl job”, a family and a traditional marriage.
I did a ton of sport, played handball, always cycled and did art. Today, I am still cycling. Last year I started running marathons, and I do have a very active sporty life, which is balanced by creating modern art pieces and walking my lovely Shih Tzu Alfie.
Can you share your personal journey with the LGBTQIA community?
My personal journey was not too easy, if I am honest. Being born in the 70s, the freedom that women and the LGBTQIA community have today was unthinkable. It took me a while to understand that I am not sick, different, an outsider, and that I am normal and that there are a lot of other people like me. I learned to accept myself, and although my family deny and mostly don’t know, they will probably never accept my life, but I no longer feel resentment or anger. I moved to the UK as a young adult, and I am at peace with myself and my world. The heteronormativity and current climate for LGBTQIA people make me wonder though about the future, but my UK surrounding and my work are supportive.
What has been a standout moment in your career so far?
Finding the personal courage to engage in our Pride Network and openly stand up for my life and beliefs.
How does Colt strive for inclusivity and provide an open space for LGBTQOIA employees?
Colt is an exemplary company for inclusion and diversity. We have a well-established Pride network with a global presence and from my point of view, we have created a safe space for all employees. We raise awareness through initiatives and events, we co-operate with other networks and global LGBTQIA organizations and have allies throughout the business.
Throughout your career, have you noticed any developments in attitudes towards the importance of diversity and inclusion?
Considering that my working life now spans about 30 years, I have seen many changes within the working industry. As they say, times have changed not just in terms of equal rights between genders, but also times have changed in raising awareness that we, as humans, differ and that that difference and variance can bring up the best for all of us within a company. I think most companies are aware that if they want to pick and hang on to talented people they need to develop and change their attitudes towards acceptance, diversity and inclusion. They need to keep educating generations and adjusting to the new generations’ demands and wishes.
What immediate improvements would you like to see being made for LGBTQIA equality in the future – both in the workplace, and wider society?
This topic is still a very important and burning issue with people pushing back on efforts to drive inclusion. Right now, all of us have to rally together and simply defend and enhance what we have already achieved. We need to think how we can persevere with our development towards inclusion and acceptance globally.
Companies have to continue to strive towards equality and share that push and flow of information with their Global partners, within their Global offices and work force.
Is there anything we haven’t discussed already that you would like to include?
I would just send out a message of positive and good energy to all. Believe in yourself and find your path and never have anyone tell you that you can’t do things because you are a girl; a woman or LGBTQIA!
Colt Technology Services is a proud partner of myGwork, the LGBTQ+ business community. Find out more about LGBTQ+-friendly jobs at Colt Technology Services.
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