Role Model: Floriana Ferrara

Personal Details  

Expertise  

  • Your role/job title: CSR Manager and Master Inventor
  • ​​Company name: IBM
  • What is your field of expertise? Computer Science, Social Innovation, and Patent Development (21 patents).

​​​Company details

  • ​​​LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ibm/about/
  • ​​​Link (and information) to any initiatives your company may lead that relate to empowering women in ICT: P-TECH and SkillsBuild – IBM-led programs focusing on digital competencies, cybersecurity basics, and AI certifications for young women. https://skillsbuild.org/ ​

Introduction

Please tell us a few things about yourself. 

I am a self-proclaimed "nerd" and a passionate computer scientist! Currently, I have a job I absolutely love as the Corporate Social Responsibility Leader for IBM in Italy, where I lead pro-bono projects that use technology for the greater good. We've created projects to support hospitals, associations, and centers in need, addressing issues such as Parkinson's, cancer patients, and premature babies. Our post-COVID commitment is to help people find jobs, allowing them to take courses and earn certifications on the free IBMskillsbuild platform. We're working to break down gender stereotypes. This is a crucial commitment during this time, supporting high school students in learning about Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity.But I’m also a creative soul—I’m a "Master Inventor" with 21 patents to my name! Every time I see a problem, my first instinct is to solve it using my computer science skills. I’m also dyslexic and actually failed the second grade because I was told I wasn’t "intelligent enough". My path shows that your start doesn't define your finish!

Inspiration

What motivated you to enter the cybersecurity field, and how can we make that journey more accessible and visible to young women today? 

For me, computer science is a way of opening up a world of possibilities for oneself and for others. Although I didn’t start my career in the field of cybersecurity, I’ve realised that today it’s a ‘key skill’ that every young woman needs, just as knowing how to use Word or PowerPoint used to be.

To make this field more accessible, we need to show its real-world impact. I often tell girls that just as we learn not to open the door to strangers or talk to them on the street, we must learn to protect our "digital doors". Through initiatives like Project NERD and online workshops, we’ve reached 65,000 girls—even in remote places like little islands as Lampedusa—showing them that tech is for everyone, everywhere. The nerd project is wonderfully managed by 100 IBMer volunteers, who are committed to helping girls develop a passion for STEM subjects. It has numerous partners in Italy, including private companies, NGOs, universities, and schools.

Career Growth

Beyond technical knowledge, which soft skills - such as teamwork, problem-solving, or ethical awareness - are most valuable in your day-to-day work? 

Problem-solving is at the heart of everything I do; it’s about having a creative mindset. Teamwork and project management are also essential because no one builds a complex solution alone. You need to know how to make decisions for the good of the project and how to support your team. Above all, the desire to help others—using technology as a tool for donation and support—is what gives my work meaning.

Memorable Achievements

Share a project or moment that reflects the impact of your work. 

One of my most emotional moments was realizing the potential of one of my inventions: a "nose" for cell phones. It can detect dangerous chemicals or fire alerts in the air. It could be useful for issuing alerts in crowded situations and helping people to get to safety.

Another highlight is seeing the impact of our training. Once a young girl messaged me on Instagram because she saved her grandmother from a phishing attack. After protecting her family, she decided she wanted to become a cybersecurity engineer!

​Challenges

How do you stay ahead in a competitive field, and what obstacles have you overcome? ​​

​​​My biggest obstacle was early in life, being failed in school and labeled as "not smart" girl. I overcame that by never giving up and proving that a "failed student" could become a Master Inventor. Staying ahead means staying creative and always looking for new ways to solve problems that haven't been solved before.

​​Work-Life Balance

How do you manage the demands of career and personal life?

My work is my passion, and I love integrating my desire to help others with my technical skills. I am also a mother, and I use my experiences to better understand the younger generation. For instance, talking to my son about how he would react in an emergency situation helped me realize how much we need technology to guide and protect young people.

​​​Personal motive

What’s your personal motto, or favourite motivational quote, that can also inspire the younger generation to follow studies and a career in an ICT / Cybersecurity field? 

My motto is simple: "Mai mollare" (Never give up). If I had listened to those who told me I wasn't smart in second grade, I wouldn't have 21 patents today. Every obstacle is just a problem waiting for a creative solution.

Future

Which emerging areas in cybersecurity, such as AI security, data protection, or social engineering, will be most relevant for the next generation of professionals entering the field? And what role can gender diversity and inclusion play? 

Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity are the top priorities now. We shouldn't fear AI; it’s a support tool that can improve our professional and private lives. Cybersecurity is even more critical because it protects our families, our data, and our finances.

Gender diversity is vital because women bring reliability and a concrete approach to these fields. Having more women in cybersecurity means having a more prepared and reliable workforce to fight off the hackers of the future.

Downloads:

- Floriana Ferrara Role Model Poster

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