At NCIA, connecting NATO is our mission. Our experts deliver robust static and deployable communications infrastructure, satellite communications and information technology services across the Alliance, strengthening NATO’s defence and deterrence.
Many of these experts are women, each with their own inspiring stories and career journeys which brought them to NCIA. To mark this day, we asked them to reflect on how their early interests shaped their careers and to share a message with the next generation of women in technology.
Adelica Ndoni
Data Scientist
As a child, I was drawn to math and statistics — I enjoyed puzzles, logical thinking and always asking ‘Why?’. That same curiosity is at the heart of everything I do today as a data scientist. Every dataset I work with feels like a puzzle waiting to be solved. Over time I realized I was drawn to problem-solving and working with data. Discovering AI and data science later on made everything click, as it combined my interests in technology, logic, and real-world impact.
Growing up, I was inspired by teachers and mentors who encouraged curiosity and critical thinking. They showed me that complex problems can be broken down and solved, which gave me the confidence to explore technical fields like AI.
My advice to the next generation of women in STEM is to stay curious and not be discouraged by the complexity of the field. You do not need to have all the answers from the beginning. Building a career in ICT, and particularly in AI, is a continuous learning process. Don't be afraid to be the only girl in the room. Your perspective is not a disadvantage; it's exactly what the tech world needs.
The future of tech/AI/ICT needs girls because diverse minds ask better questions — and better questions lead to better solutions for everyone.
Genika Mihalska
Space Application Developer
As a child I really enjoyed spending time in nature – stargazing and exploring wildlife. I learned from a young age how to be observant and patient and I’ve found that software development is often like a living organism – you “nurture” it from a small idea into a complex system with its own needs.
While struggling with a complex IT project during my studies, I realized that coding is just another form of language. I just had to apply my patience to master it, so that I could “communicate” with the software. That moment of “cracking the code” and realizing I had the tools to overcome the challenge was when I knew I wanted to pursue this career.
My parents encouraged me to be brave enough to step into a field that, at the time, felt completely foreign and even a bit scary. I have learned that persistence is more important than the initial talent. You don’t need to have all the answers now. You just need the courage to start and the resilience to keep going even when you feel like quitting.
Diversity of thought is the only way to ensure that the technology of tomorrow is built for everyone. Tech isn’t a closed club for a certain type of mind, background or gender. If you can stay curious and resilient, there is no limit to where you can go – even all the way to the stars.
Violeta Misheva
Principal Data Scientist
From an early age, I loved math and geometry even more than algebra because I found it more creative. It allowed me to envision different mathematical problems visually and to discover patterns, making connections between complex data structures and finding patterns therein is an important part of a data scientist’s job.
There was not one single person who inspired me but I am lucky to have come from a culture where there were no doubts that women can work in any professional domain. As a result, I had a lot of female teachers, and later professors in technical subjects such as mathematics, physics, informatics, and chemistry.
I hope young girls know that there is no such thing as a ‘male’ or ‘female’ profession and that they are good enough to excel at technical roles. Such roles can be so rewarding and challenging, so I hope young girls feel inspired to pursue them.
If I could tell the future generations of women in STEM something, I would say: Your voice, ideas and perspective are exactly what the future of AI needs, not only do you belong there, you can and should reshape it.
Isabelle Le Pladec
Deputy Chief of Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance
As a child, I developed a strong curiosity about the world, nurtured by traveling with my father, who worked as an officer in rescue operations. Being exposed early to different environments and situations taught me adaptability and awareness of global challenges.
My career path was built step by step, driven by a desire to contribute to something larger than myself. This initially led me to military school, where I developed discipline, and resilience.
My father and mother were my main sources of inspiration. Through their work, they showed me the importance of commitment, resilience, and service to others. They both shared a strong sense of humour, which taught me that in high-pressure environments, the ability to keep perspective, stay human, and connect with others makes a difference.
My advice to young girls interested in a career in ICT is to be curious about how systems work, but also develop skills in communication, coordination, and critical thinking. Defence and international environments need people who can connect technical solutions with operational and strategic needs.
The future of ICT needs girls because security, defence, and global stability depend on technologies that must serve diverse societies, without which, we risk building systems that are incomplete or ineffective. In organizations like NCIA, where collaboration and innovation are key, diversity is not just a value—it is an operational necessity.
