My Role as an Ambassador – interview with Maria Ivanova, Director, Product Management, Progress Software

Maria Ivanova has over 10 years of experience in product management and the development of innovative software products. Together with her team of product managers at Progress Software, she leads Progress' product portfolio for application development with .NET and JavaScript, which includes Progress Telerik, Progress Kendo UI, Progress Telerik Reporting, Progress ThemeBuilder, and Progress Fiddler. With a strong focus on customer needs, Maria successfully drives multiple product initiatives, working closely with software engineers, UX specialists, marketing, and sales teams at Progress. She believes that successful products are built by teams who continuously learn, collaborate effectively, improve their processes and experiment.

1. What motivated you and your company to get involved in Women Who Grow, and what does it mean for you to serve as an Ambassador?

We are committed to supporting tech communities and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Joining Women Who Grow aligns perfectly with our dedication to empowering women in tech. For me personally, serving as an ambassador means amplifying these principles and fostering a community where women feel supported to grow both personally and professionally. I have always looked for ways to pay it forward and support the next generation, just as I was supported earlier in my career by strong, skilled, and professional female leaders.

2. What advice would you give to other leaders who want to advocate for women’s growth, but don’t know where to start?

Start by listening and observing. Understand the challenges women face in your organization and then take small, intentional steps to address them. Create mentorship opportunities, encourage open dialogue, and lead by example. At Progress, we have an amazing mentorship program. I’ve had the chance to be a mentee twice, and I firmly believe that the sessions with my mentors have had a profoundly positive impact on my career and professional growth.

3. In what ways does your organization support the mission of Women Who Grow and contribute to empowering women’s growth?

We believe that supporting women in tech is important for driving innovation, ensuring

diverse perspectives, and building stronger, more inclusive teams that shape the future

of the industry. Through one of our key initiatives in that field, our Women in STEM scholarship program, we provide financial support to female students pursuing degrees in computer science, software engineering, IT, and/or computer information systems. As part of this initiative, we also maintain a dedicated Women in STEM fund at the American University in Bulgaria.

Internally, we empower women at Progress by providing leadership and networking opportunities, along with the tools needed for them to create substantial influence both in and out of their professional network. We also offer mentorship programs, flexible work policies that promote work-life balance, and resources for women returning to work after maternity leave.

In addition, our senior leaders and colleagues often speak at events for women in tech and in business overall, sharing their personal experiences and insights to inspire and empower more women to pursue careers in technology.

4. What would you say to others considering joining the Women Who Grow

community?

Joining Women Who Grow is an opportunity to connect with inspiring professionals, exchange diverse experiences and learn from each other. It’s a friendly and nurturing circle where we create space for collaboration, support and empowerment. Personally, I’ve had the privilege of being invited three times as a speaker at WWG events, where I shared insights on product management and lessons from my career transitions. If you value growth and community, this is the perfect place to be.