With almost 20 years of experience in the industry, Marianna Siouti, Lead Product Manager – Domains & DNS has seen a lot of changes.
Some, however, have taken longer than others.
What were your initial thoughts about the industry when you first started?
I started back in 2007, right out of university and not from a STEM background. I was very lucky to have two women engineers in the first company I worked for – even one of the co-founders was a woman. That early exposure made a strong female presence feel normal. Outside of the company, however, especially at conferences, things felt different.
I quickly realized that domains were complex, demanding keen attention to detail, data, and proof to make a point. Most of my initial contacts were men, which made that early female influence even more significant for my confidence and growth in my role.
I had the chance to collaborate with many women who were experts in sales or digital marketing. In that company, the “macho” role was more associated with the sys admin/DevOps side, and I recall that we often had to work extra hard to prove our points by collecting data and doing research that sometimes seemed unnecessary.
Regardless, I feel very fortunate to have been in that environment, and of course, I cannot forget my then-CEO and mentor, Dimitris, who was a wonderful person, empowering women and everyone with his incredible culture and actions. It ultimately helped me reach the level of Chief Product Officer.
Have you noticed a shift in the industry over the past decade in terms of female representation?
Ten years later, I remember there were still only two women in engineering at my old employer. However, things had indeed evolved by then. Eventually, I saw myself leading a team of female product managers for a long period. Eventually, after the company was acquired, more female colleagues appeared.
Personally, I have observed more women rising through rankings and stepping into managerial roles, as well as entering product management. More importantly, I feel women are now more heard and promoted compared to the past. We see inspiring examples in both small and large companies where women lead departments that make a real difference for the brand.
The IWD 2025 theme is “Accelerate Action.” In your opinion, what key actions are needed to achieve gender equality in the domain industry?
Statistically, fewer women are entering our industry than men, which certainly makes numerical equality a challenge. But if we provide everyone with the same opportunities and rights, focus on developing more objective hiring processes, and create better managers and role models, the results will start to show.
Most importantly, we must actively encourage and uplift the talented women in our industry. We should celebrate their achievements more, but ensure we are not held to lower standards than our male peers. In my view, true equality comes from both the input (the opportunities we provide) and the output, which is the high quality of results we see in practice.
What advice would you give any female graduates considering a career in the domain industry?
Go for it and stay curious. While the domain industry might not seem as glamorous as AI, it opens up immense opportunities to learn on multiple levels, from UI/UX and strategy to partnerships, automation, and beyond.
Domains are the building blocks of the digital world, creating a lasting stickiness that makes customers come back, and even small domain add-ons can have a significant impact on the bottom line.
Plus, the industry offers a range of services around web presence, such as email, hosting, and website-building solutions. Ultimately, everything starts with domains!
So, stay curious, learn, create, and never stop exploring.
How can organizations and industry leaders support and empower women to drive faster progress toward gender equality?
It starts with managing both conscious and unconscious bias. Put on your detective hat; observe, reflect, and double-check that you’re treating everyone fairly. Embrace radical candor to point things out, ensuring that you’re not only heard but also contributing to an environment where all voices are valued.
It might sound a bit silly, but ask yourself: would you compliment your male colleague in the same way you did for a female? Would you require the same level of proof or data for a project from a man versus a woman? These small, thoughtful steps are essential to creating a truly equitable workplace.
Then, the whole organization should have clear policies in place to avoid bias and encourage correct behavior. Ultimately, progress requires both a commitment to equal opportunities at the hiring stage and ongoing support that nurtures equal growth.
Are there any female colleagues or industry figures who have inspired or influenced you in the past?
I’m inspired by Elizabeth Stone, the current CTO of Netflix. She’s probably the first female economist to take on a CTO role in a tech company, and she had a meteoric rise in four different companies within just a couple of years. That kind of trajectory is incredibly rare and speaks volumes about her dedication, skills, and personality.
When I watched Lenny’s podcast featuring her, I was in awe of her demeanor and her unwavering commitment to excellence. She described herself as an observer and learner, traits I see in myself as well. Her careful, ever-learning mindset, coupled with her candor and directness, left a strong impression on me.
Marianna is one of the most respected industry professionals in her field, and you can keep up to date with her insights across exclusive ebooks and blogs by signing up for our monthly newsletter here.
