Even though the statistics are still not representative of women in the workforce, the number of women in leadership roles has steadily increased each year for the last eight years. Despite a global pandemic, 2020 provided women with a creative way to move up in their careers either by forming their own businesses or by being able to work from home. Since most companies still have yet to fully bridge the gender gap, more women than ever before are switching companies and demanding more from their companies.

Fortunately, there are a handful of companies that are putting gender equality at the forefront of their values and helping their team members succeed. One such company is Cyberbacker, which prides itself on its inclusive and progressive approach to business, providing administrative support and virtual assistant services from anywhere in the world to anyone in the world.

Closing the equality gap through inclusion

Gabrielle Salazar, Vice President of Growth at Cyberbacker, is a living example of how companies can bridge gender inequality the right way. Gabrielle is a trailblazer in more ways than one. She is a successful businesswoman who has broken through glass ceilings to become the VP of Growth of Cyberbacker, but what makes Gabrielle's story truly remarkable is that she met her husband, Teejay Salazar, on her second day at Cyberbacker before she would eventually replace him in his role as VP of Growth.

Gabrielle's journey to becoming a VP at Cyberbacker was not an easy one. She started her career in the call center industry before she started working from home. When she started at Cyberbacker, she says, “I didn’t know anything about what a VA was supposed to do. I didn’t even know how to sell. I didn’t have much experience in sales.” But Craig Goodlife, the company’s founder and CEO, asked Gabrielle to join the sales team and provided her with the support she needed to succeed in her new role.

When Gabrielle joined Cyberbacker, she quickly saw that the company was a perfect fit for her. The company's mission was to empower entrepreneurs and small business owners by providing them with the support they need to succeed. Not only that, but Cyberbacker provided Gabrielle with the tools she needed to further her professional development and advance in her career.

Although, what truly stood out to Gabrielle was Cyberbacker's commitment to diversity and inclusion. “Craig, and Teejay — my husband — are incredibly progressive,” she says. “They take a chance on people and provide them the education they need to succeed.” Cyberbacker is actively working to promote gender equality and create a safe and welcoming environment for all members of the team, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

As Gabrielle got to know Teejay in her new role, she quickly realized that they had a lot in common. The two shared a passion for business, a dedication to their work, and a commitment to building a company culture that valued diversity and inclusion. They quickly became friends, and before long, they realized that they had feelings for each other.

After working her way up in the company, Craig offered Gabrielle the position of VP of Growth. Meanwhile, Gabrielle and Teejay’s relationship outside of work blossomed. The two bought a car together in 2019 and a house in 2021 after receiving news that they were expecting their first child. In 2022, the new couple moved into their new house, got married, and welcomed their baby girl.

“Teejay stepped down from his role as VP of Growth because he wanted to take care of our new baby,” Gabrielle recalls. “He made the sacrifice and stopped working so I could pursue my career in Sales.”

Helping others succeed

In her role as VP of Growth, Gabrielle states, “I really have to know how to do everything, which is why I started in sales and then worked my way up in Cyberbacker. For example, if for any reason someone is out from any position, I need to know who can sub for that person, otherwise — if no one else can — I step in.”

As VP of Growth, Gabrielle oversees Cyberbacker’s Growth division, Client Relations division, Client Education division, and the Leadbackers division. “We take our training seriously and we want everyone to succeed,” she says. “Anyone training to be a Growthbacker also trains in sales because Growth’s primary responsibility is sales. As a Growthbacker, one has to know how to sell contracts, make phone calls, host virtual events, do admin tasks, generate leads, manage database, handle complaints, and prevent cancellations.”

Gabrielle confides that her role as VP in Growth can be somewhat complicated, but she loves that she can work from anywhere and spend time with her baby. “There’s a lot going on in Growth,” she shares. “I mean, you can tell just from how many divisions I oversee. The most complicated part about my role is that I need to make sure to keep an eye on everyone and make sure they’re all doing their part. But more importantly, I need to understand their role and what they need to do. I help them when they need it because I want to see them succeed.”

At Cyberbacker, inclusivity is not just a buzzword or a marketing tactic — it is a core value that is embedded in every aspect of the company's operations. From hiring practices to company culture, Cyberbacker is committed to promoting diversity and creating a safe and welcoming environment for all.

Gabrielle's story is a testament to the power of inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. By creating a company culture that values everyone — regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity — Cyberbacker has become a beacon of hope for those who want to work in a more progressive and accepting environment.