How men can be allies: Women at Centific AMA recap

The Women at Centific community recently hosted an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session that felt more like a lively coffee chat than a meeting. Colleagues from across Centific showed up to talk openly about what it really takes to support women at work—and how men can be allies.

Alba Guix sets the stage

Our host for the day, Alba Guix, Regional Head, Europe, is both a senior female leader and one of the strongest advocates for Women at Centific. She has been instrumental in growing the group and shaping its voice. While our events are usually designed for women, for this AMA Alba welcomed two male guests to broaden the conversation and show how allyship is a shared responsibility. Her warm, inclusive style set the tone for an honest and constructive discussion.

Eduardo Perdigao on being a proactive male ally

Eduardo Perdigao, Director of AI Data Recruitment, spoke candidly about his journey to becoming a better ally. For him, allyship is both a good intention and a practice. He explained that allyship begins with truly listening, not just hearing. That means paying attention to the subtle ways women might be overlooked, interrupted, or given fewer opportunities to contribute, and stepping in to correct it before it becomes a pattern.

Eduardo also reflected on the growth that comes from joining spaces like this AMA.

Hearing firsthand experiences, he said, helps him ask better questions and build empathy. He encouraged his fellow men to treat allyship like any other skill: practice it, seek feedback, and don’t wait for someone else to “handle it” when you see inequity.

“If you see something, say something—and do something,” was his takeaway.

He also urged leaders to make time for self-education and not to expect women to shoulder the entire burden of teaching. Men can read, listen, and show up proactively. This, he emphasized, sends a powerful message that allyship isn’t just a women’s issue but a company-wide value.

Spring Wu on inclusion through everyday actions

Our second guest, Spring Wu, AVP of Digital Engineering Services, brought a refreshing and practical perspective on inclusion. Spring stressed that while company policies and formal programs matter, real change happens in everyday moments. Men don’t have to wait for big, dramatic gestures to be allies; the culture shifts when they build habits of inclusion.

He offered examples from his own practice: inviting quieter voices into meetings, acknowledging contributions instead of letting them fade into the background, and offering mentorship or sponsorship without being asked. These, he said, are “micro-actions” that collectively create a climate where women can thrive.

Spring also pointed out that allyship is about curiosity. Men should ask respectful questions to understand different experiences but also listen to the answers and act on them. He encouraged his peers to look for patterns—who’s getting the tough assignments, who’s getting credit, who’s missing from the table—and then use their influence to rebalance opportunities.

His closing advice to men was simple but powerful: start small, stay consistent, and don’t underestimate the ripple effect of your behavior. “It’s not about being perfect,” he said, “it’s about being present and intentional.”

Let’s keep talking 

The AMA wrapped up with a chorus of thank yous and a sense that this is just the beginning. Alba invited everyone to keep the conversation alive by posting follow-up questions. Eduardo and Spring both reminded us that allyship is a journey, not a checkbox—and that every small step counts.

A huge thanks to everyone who joined in, and especially to Jenn McCoy, Anh To, Olga Gavrilyuk, and the Women at Centific team for organizing such an energizing, thoughtful hour. We left with new ideas, practical tips, and, most importantly, the motivation to keep showing up for one another.