In industries where fire and safety take center stage, women are still fighting to claim their space. But what happens when two trailblazers decide to create a movement to empower the women shaping the future of fire protection?
In this inspiring episode, Giulia welcomes Niina Beltowski, Key Account Manager at Viking Nordic and co-founder of K(vinn)-Faktor, an association dedicated to supporting women in the fire protection industry. From the first female salesperson at her company to a key supporter building a fast-growing community of over 60 women, Niina shares her journey, challenges, and bold vision for a more inclusive future.
Niina opens up about the pressure of navigating male-dominated spaces, the power of authenticity, and how clear communication and shared purpose can help foster respect in even the most traditionally male-dominated environments. Whether you’re in tech, engineering, or any other male-heavy industry, Niina’s story will inspire you to show up as yourself, and create room for others to do the same.
Topics Covered:
- From the Ground Up – Niina’s path from Finland to Sweden and her 15-year rise through the ranks at Viking Nordic, becoming a pioneer for women in sales within the fire protection world.
- The Birth of The Queen Factor – How a LinkedIn group evolved into a growing association aimed at giving women a safe space to connect, support each other, and push for change.
- Breaking the Mold – Niina’s personal journey of trying to fit into a “masculine” mold—and how embracing her true self unlocked greater success and confidence.
- Creating Inclusive Cultures – Why gender-inclusive communication, respect, and mission-driven workplaces are key to retaining women in technical fields.
- Bringing in the Next Generation – Niina’s call to action to attract more young women, especially engineers, into fire protection—and how role models and visibility are essential to that goal.
- Words of Wisdom – Niina shares heartfelt advice for any woman stepping into a space where she’s the “first” or “only.”
Resources Mentioned:
- Connect with Niina on LinkedIn
- Follow KnowThyBrand for more episodes
Episodes similar to this one:
- Mastering the Pitch: How Female Founders Can Flip the Script on Investor Bias
- Breaking Gender and Age Barriers in the Workplace
ABOUT THE SHOW
KnowThyBrand – Championing gender inclusion in business by Giulia Iannucci
Discover the facts behind gender inclusion, listen to incredible guests as they share their unique stories and expertise about the challenges that women face, and learn what we can all do to foster gender equality.
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