Laying the Groundwork for the Future of Girls and Women in STEM

Editor’s note: Chiaka Ben-Obi was recognized with the 2023 ISACA Technology for Humanity Award for her efforts in connecting with and serving as a mentor for young women seeking careers in STEM fields. Her work as a role model and guide for underserved and underrepresented communities is helping to bridge the digital divide. Ben-Obi and her fellow Global Achievement Award honorees were recognized in May at ISACA Conference North America: Digital Trust World in Boston. ISACA Now recently visited with Ben-Obi to discuss her accomplishments and her plans for the future. To nominate an outstanding colleague for an ISACA Award, visit: https://isaca.secure-platform.com/a/page/awards/aboutawards.

ISACA Now: This isn’t your first ISACA award—you’ve also received ISACA’s “SheLeadsTech” award, and you’ve been named a “Corporate Woman of Excellence in Information Technology.” What do these awards and titles mean to you?

I see the awards and titles as motivation for my continued efforts, personal improvement and continued success. I count them as recognition for my contributions to STEM, especially in technology and leadership therein. It offers me increased opportunities, respect and prestige. In general, the awards and titles give me a sense of accomplishment and validation for my works and dedication.

ISACA Now: What does your mentorship for young women seeking careers in STEM fields look like? Why is it important for you to serve as a mentor in this way?

Mentoring young women seeking careers in STEM requires not just the academic and technical qualifications in the fields, but also a combination of behavioral skills and attributes, such as dedication, patience, guidance and support. It’s a process that involves creating a supportive environment, sharing personal experiences and providing a conducive platform to network and grow continuously. Here are some key factors that guide my mentorship of young women seeking careers in STEM:

1. I am a role model: As a mentor, the most vital contribution that you can make is to be a role model for younger women. They are inspired to take on careers in STEM by watching me carry on with everyday challenges—work, family, motherhood and relationships—demonstrating no stress; hence, they count on me as being able to guide them through the hurdles. 
2. I provide guidance on how to navigate different challenges and situations. Women may face challenges related to job searching, networking, skills development, finding internships, etc., and I am able to support them through constructive feedback and advice.
3. I share my personal experiences: I provide insights into navigating obstacles and new opportunities for my mentees by sharing my personal experiences in the STEM industry at events, especially when I am on different speaking engagements. The most challenging periods for them have been in middle management and starting a family. Sharing my personal experiences motivates them into the mindset that, “I, too, can do it.”
4. I create a supportive environment: Mentors need to create a supportive environment where younger women can thrive and that encourages young women to develop self-esteem, confidence, assertiveness and leadership skills. 
5. I use my office to foster networking and connections by supporting young women to build connections with experts in their fields and providing opportunities to network in various STEM activities. This provides invaluable exposure to the field and access to senior mentors who can further provide a more significant platform to grow.
6. I encourage continuous learning: I encourage young women to develop additional skills and keep up with new technologies and innovations with knowledge-sharing. I exemplified this by sourcing funding for coding boot camps. Continuous learning is fundamental in STEM fields and essential to upgrading their skills.

ISACA Now: Why is it so important to connect with underserved or underrepresented individuals to help bridge the digital divide?

Connecting with underserved or underrepresented individuals is necessary for building an inclusive society where everyone has the potential to thrive and contribute. It is important to connect with underrepresented individuals for several reasons:

1. Equity: Connecting with underserved or underrepresented individuals can help promote equity by giving them access to opportunities and resources they may have otherwise been denied.
2. Diversity: It can also help enhance diversity by promoting the inclusion of different perspectives, ideas and experiences.
3. Education: Underserved or underrepresented individuals may often face unique challenges, and connecting with them can help provide a better understanding of their needs and experiences.
4. Innovation: Connecting with underserved or underrepresented individuals can lead to new and innovative ideas and solutions that may have been missed otherwise.
5. Social Responsibility: It’s my social responsibility to help create a society in which every individual has access to an equitable life and opportunities.
6. All of the above guarantee an improved socio-economic life for the underserved or underrepresented.

ISACA Now: You are the Digital and Innovation Support Group Lead for the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), where you are overseeing its digital transformation. What does “digital transformation" mean to you, and how is it being implemented at FIRS?

Digital transformation in this case is the integration of digital technology into all areas of tax administration, fundamentally changing how we operate and deliver value to our taxpayers and other stakeholders. Digitalization has played a key role in closing the compliance gaps, lowering administrative costs, collecting more revenue more efficiently, enhancing transparency and service to taxpayers, and accommodating big data flows.

The digital transformation reforms that are ongoing in FIRS have their foundation from the modernization program that we carried out many years ago. The modernization agenda projects were aimed at modernizing FIRS into a more efficient and effective tax authority by overhauling the FIRS extant systems, processes and procedures by introducing and implementing new and emerging technology to be able to deal or operate in a digital economy.

Most businesses are going digital in offering their goods and services, so it is natural for us to respond by rejigging our strategies so as to be able to fulfil our obligations to these businesses.

ISACA Now: What’s next for you? What are some of your goals for the future?

I envision a future of 100 percent compliance, when the taxpayers will be happy and fulfilling their tax obligations with no pain. I envision a future with greater transparency between the federal government, the tax administration agency and the taxpayers.

I look forward to a future when no girl or child will have a phobia of taking on science subjects from primary to secondary and, consequently, to taking on STEM courses in university and choosing the STEM career path. My goal is to be part of that future, and to have institutionalized the STEM coaching and coding classes for girls, aged 6 to 18, in all the communities I live and serve.