Jemma Byrne
Vice president alliances UKI, Salesforce
What has been your business highlight of 2022?
Last month I had the pleasure to attend Dreamforce, a huge event that brings together our customers, partners and employees in-person in San Francisco and online across the globe. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with both new and old friends, and hear what the priorities and focus areas are for adapting to a very different, highly challenging economic environment. A particular highlight for me was hearing the story of golden hoodie winner Sima Samara during the Dreamforce Main Keynote with co-CEO, Marc Benioff. Sima found Trailhead, Salesforce's free online learning platform via RefugeeForce, an organisation focused on teaching Salesforce skills. After five months in the programme and earning 150 Trailhead badges - which represent Salesforce skills and expertise - Samara landed a job at Eurofiber as a Salesforce developer, a title she now holds at the global technology consulting firm Capgemini.
If you were ruler of your own country, what law would you introduce first?
True equality, where every person and child have the right to a warm bed, nutritional food and access to quality educational resources.
Which channel or tech leader (outside of your own company) has impressed you most in 2022?
Accenture's chair and CEO, Julie Sweet, who recently featured in Fortune's 2022 Most Powerful Women List, is someone I truly admire. Her ongoing social and environment commitments very much align with our values at Salesforce. I am very proud that our organisations are working so closely together to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
If you had a warning label, what would it say?
"I am potentially an annoyingly positive person," which is something I'm equally proud of. I am very much a ‘glass half full' kind of person and I invariably see the good in any given situation.
What was your first job?
I had a lot of early jobs, but one of my favourites was selling T-shirts on a market stall. It certainly gave me a good grounding in people skills as well as learn how to negotiate!
What was the last book you read, and was it any good?
I am currently reading Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey. He is also a Salesforce brand partner who launched #TeamEarth, a new global campaign that is aiming to inspire businesses and individuals to help build a more fair, equal and sustainable future. I am really enjoying his autobiography; as well as being honest and thought provoking, it is also very funny.
What's the most important lesson you've learned from another business leader or mentor?
A mentor once told me to always trust my gut instincts - it has served me well.
Who would play you in a movie of your life?
Given how much I related to the hilarious trials and tribulations of Bridget Jones, I would have to say Renee Zellweger