Jurga Žilinskienė MBE: Entrepreneur, software programmer and founder of Guildhawk

In the fast-paced, rapidly changing technological landscape, Jurga Zilinskiene's career stands out among others within the industry. Putting her heart and soul into creating a more ethical and balanced approach to the development, application, and use of AI as a means to establishing better cross-cultural understanding in an increasingly interconnected world. She is a self-taught coder, entrepreneur, software developer, and founder of Guildhawk and Evernoon Hong Kong, and staunch supporter of women in tech. Making her an obvious choice to receive the JESSICA Most Successful Women award. From her early days navigating multiple languages to founding a tech startup, her experiences offer invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities for women in tech.

"Our mission for Evernoon is to eliminate death on construction sites. That's our vision."

Written by: Rachel Wade

Edited by: Jeremy Chapnick

Photos by: Raymond Chan

Venue by: SPACES

Passion for Languages

Jurga's love of languages was fueled by a natural curiosity early instilled in her from a young age. Growing up bilingual, with Lithuanian and Russian as her native tongues, she quickly realized the power of language as a tool for connection and understanding. Reflecting on her early travels to the Middle East, Jurga uncovers the revolutionary impact of language in unraveling cultural nuances and fostering meaningful interactions.

Jurga also offers a refreshing perspective on traveling, advocating for a balance between research and spontaneity. "When I'm traveling to a new place, I try not to do too much research because I like to discover it," she muses, emphasizing the thrill of exploration. She highlights the profound impact of language on the travel experience, noting that "especially when you speak the language somewhere, you kind of have a new experience that otherwise you would not be able to see." Indeed, Jurga emphasizes the radical power of language, asserting that "when you speak the language, it just opens a completely different new perspective." This sentiment resonates with travelers seeking authentic encounters and cultural immersion, reminding us of the richness found in linguistic connections during our journeys.

Moreover, she provides a fascinating insight into the intricate relationship between language and personality. She reflects on her experience of embodying different personas when conversing in various languages, remarking, "I do feel like I have different personalities when I speak different languages." This revelation extends beyond mere linguistic proficiency, delving into the profound impact of language on self-expression. Jurga elucidates how even her voice undergoes a subtle yet significant metamorphosis with each linguistic switch, observing, "even to the level where the tone of your voice changes as well. Instantly." This observation highlights the dynamic nature of language acquisition, wherein one's linguistic repertoire influences not only verbal communication but also non-verbal cues such as intonation and pitch. Furthermore, Jurga acknowledges the fluidity of identity, noting that "your voice changes but yes you change your personality as well." This acknowledgment speaks to the complex interplay between language, culture, and self-perception, highlighting the multifaceted nature of human communication that Jurga is so deeply interested in.

Transition to Tech Entrepreneurship

Her foray into the tech sector was driven by a deep-seated belief in the potential of technology to address pressing societal challenges. Drawing on her early experiences with technology in the early 2000s, Jurga recounts her journey of integrating technology into her language education business, Guildhawk. However, it was her vision to revolutionize the construction industry through innovative tech solutions that ultimately led to the founding of Evernoon.

She articulates Evernoon's ambitious mission with clarity and conviction, stating, "Our mission for Evernoon is to eliminate death on construction sites. That's our vision." This declaration encapsulates the company's overarching goal, emphasizing a commitment to safety and innovation within the construction industry. Jurga emphasizes the importance of maintaining a long-term perspective, asserting that "one of the reasons for success is about a long-term vision."

She elucidates the power of visionary thinking, highlighting how incremental changes may lead to short-term progress but fall short of realizing a grand vision. By juxtaposing the magnitude of her ambition with the available resources and technological advancements, Jurga conveys a sense of optimism and determination, stating, "Yes, it's a great big ambition. However, one thing that is very important is that we have all these tools now, and the gifts, and the ability to succeed by really helping people on the ground to be careful." This alignment of purpose with capability reflects Evernoon's, and therefore her, commitment to their calling, stressing a proactive approach to addressing safety concerns and making a meaningful impact within the tech industry.

Overcoming Challenges

Reflecting on the obstacles she encountered throughout her career journey, she candidly shares her experiences of facing scrutiny and skepticism in the early days of her business ventures. From grappling with project management challenges to navigating gender biases in securing funding, her journey is punctuated by moments of adversity and resilience, "The biggest challenge was actually when we decided to go for an investment…the questions that were asked were too detailed. Almost as if they were looking for ways to discredit your vision." Her narrative sheds light on the disparities and biases encountered in the entrepreneurial landscape, especially concerning gender. She elucidates the nuanced dynamics at play, recounting how she perceived reactions from funders during investment discussions. She shares a poignant anecdote from an acquaintance in a similar position, "A friend of mine who runs a family business, so confidentially told me if I was a man, I would have attracted investment quicker," highlighting the systemic obstacles faced by women in securing investment.

Her experience calls for a greater need of inclusivity and equity within the venture capital ecosystem, where detailed questioning and skepticism can disproportionately affect female entrepreneurs, potentially hindering their access to vital resources for business growth.

However, Jurga is not that easily dissuaded from achieving her goals, "I think probably one of the reasons we succeeded, and continue succeeding, because my favorite answer that really fires me up is when somebody says no." This statement illuminates a key aspect of her character: the ability to channel rejection into motivation. Rather than being discouraged by setbacks, she becomes energized by the challenge, fueling her relentless pursuit of achievement. Her unwavering belief in her vision serves as a driving force, compelling her to persist despite obstacles, "If I know I'm right and I know that my vision is right, there's no flaw, I just think that might be fine, I might speak to different people, but I will get to whatever needs to be done." This unwavering determination underscores her commitment to her goals, illustrating the resilience and resolve required to navigate the uncertainties of entrepreneurship and ultimately triumph.

Empowering Women in Tech

As an advocate for gender diversity in the tech industry, Jurga stresses the importance of fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for women in technology. She highlights the need for concerted efforts to address systemic barriers and biases, from promoting STEM education to advocating for gender quotas on corporate boards.

She articulates a multifaceted approach to fostering gender equality in traditionally male-dominated fields. She emphasizes educational reform, "There are so many things we must be doing, starting from the school level. Girls, when they go to school, they need to understand that there's no such thing as a gender-specific profession... We need to change the work environment and how we engage women, like bringing women onto company boards...Women need that encouragement, and we need to spend time trying to understand how we can support them."

Jurga's path inspires women entrepreneurs and tech professionals alike. Through her unwavering determination, resilience, and commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion, she exemplifies the revolutionary power of women in technology. As we strive to build a more inclusive and equitable tech industry, her firsthand encounters offer priceless perspectives on the obstacles and prospects facing women in technology, emphasizing the importance of collective action in driving meaningful change.