Aliza Knox
Aliza Knox built and led APAC businesses for three of the world's top technology firms—Google, Twitter and Cloudflare. Named 2020 APAC IT Woman of The Year, she spent decades as a global finance and consulting executive and is now a non-executive board director, a senior advisor for BCG, and a regular columnist for Forbes, where she shares her wisdom (and humour) to help professionals who dream of "doing it all." She is the author of Don't Quit Your Day Job, outlining 6 mindshifts you need to rise & thrive at work.
Dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders building successful global businesses, Aliza has been dubbed a "kick-ass woman slaying the world of tech."
Recently listed as a Top 100 Women in Tech (Singapore, 2021), she's also been named the IT Woman of the Year (Asia, 2020), honored as the AWA Singapore International Business Woman of the Year (2015), elected to Chief Executive Women (Australia, 2016) and featured in the book Women on Board—Making a Real Difference.
Instagram: @AlizaKnoxSpeaks
What’s your favorite comic strip or graphic novel?
I never thought I would enjoy a graphic novel, but The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye changed my mind. The title character is a fictional cartoonist who illustrates Singapore's history- from early days to almost current times - and the book cleverly uses several styles of comic strips to showcase different aspects of the past. The author offers alternative perspectives and asks big-picture questions about Singapore's political environment, national identity and multiculturalism. The content was deemed sufficiently sensitive for the Singapore government to withdraw an initial grant, leading to public controversy and consequent significant publicity. Ultimately, it won 3 Eisner awards.
Is your go to comfort food sweet or savory? Is it something you make yourself? Does food inspire your writing?
My favorite food is actually a beverage. Diet Dr Brown's Cream Soda has a vanilla-y flavor, no calories, and reminds me of East Coast deli's.
Vacation druthers… City or Rural destination? Why?
Water, water, water. I like cities and mountains, and I like going almost anywhere, but if I have to prioritize, it's the beach (or a lake). I like the warmth of the sun and the refreshing nature of jumping in the water. Paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving, and walking on the beach are other great activities (I'm not big on sitting still for too long - except for to read) I enjoy while at the water.
Have you ever experienced Impostor Syndrome?
I experience Impostor Syndrome a lot. I think many people do. Simply put, it's the same as lacking confidence that you're the right one for the job, the role, the situation you're in at the moment. Over the years, I've heard from many senior, accomplished people that they experience Impostor Syndrome. There are lots of ways to deal with this and to build more confidence over time. These include leaning on your support groups, building a personal board of directors, and life-long learning, all of which (and more) are covered in my book.
What piece of clothing tells the most interesting story about your life?
I have a map of the world jacket, which my family finds very tacky. I don't wear it often but I like it because travel is my favorite hobby. Indeed, I also have shower curtains, note pads, and other paraphernalia with maps of the world on them. Like these other items, the jacket is a symbol of my intense curiosity about other cultures and countries. (photo below) Given that I've spent my life moving between different countries and travelling as much as I can, it tells my story.
