Fastly’s Asia Pacific and Japan Vice President Nicola Gerber shares insights on leadership, Digital Transformation and how trust and customer focus drive her approach to growth.
In 2018, while leading the enterprise sales team for Cisco Meraki in Asia Pacific, Nicola Gerber faced a challenge that reshaped her perspective on leadership. Internal silos were limiting the company’s ability to serve customers effectively at a local level.
Together with her regional peers, Gerber worked to create a unified leadership layer to drive greater customer focus, speed and cohesion across the region. Although she was one of many experienced leaders in the group, stepping forward to drive the change wasn’t entirely comfortable. Still, she felt the customer impact justified pushing ahead.
By nomination, she was selected to present the proposal to global leadership, who approved it as a pilot. She subsequently took the lead on the initiative, which improved customer responsiveness and strengthened collaboration. The model was eventually adopted globally.
“The experience taught me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers or the authority – it’s about being willing to act when the customer’s needs demand it, even when the path is uncertain,” she says.
Gerber’s career in technology began through family inspiration. “My older sister was a major influence in shaping the direction of my career,” she says.
Working at IBM, her sister opened the door for Nicola to intern there while she was still at university. That early exposure sparked her interest in technology and set her on a career path that she continues to pursue with passion.
After graduation, Nicola initially missed out on joining a major IT firm, lacking the Ivy League degree many employers demanded. Instead, she took an inside sales role at a sports hospitality company. “It wasn’t what I had envisioned and I found the work challenging. But those years were formative – they taught me tenacity, how to advocate for myself and the importance of persistence when doors don’t open easily.”
Still determined to enter the tech sector, Gerber found opportunity when she moved to the UK, where a wave of tech start-ups was expanding into EMEA. “I eventually landed a role and that’s where my journey in the tech sector began – I haven’t looked back,” she says.
Building trust through transparency
Trust lies at the heart of Gerber’s management philosophy. “It’s difficult to earn, easy to lose and in my view, the foundation of all successful business relationships,” she says. She leads with transparency, fostering clarity, alignment and a shared sense of purpose.
“When people understand the ‘why’ behind decisions, they’re more empowered to contribute, innovate, and grow together,” she says.
“Equally important is creating an environment where teams feel safe to speak openly – whether it’s to surface challenges or celebrate what’s working well.”
AI, security and Digital Transformation
Gerber believes AI remains one of the hottest topics in technology today, particularly given the growing volume of bot-driven traffic across the Internet. “This shift presents both challenges and opportunities for us and our customers,” she says.
“As a technology partner, our role is to act as a trusted advisor – helping customers navigate this evolving landscape with clarity, confidence and the right tools. It’s also a moment for us to be vocal about the innovation already happening at Fastly.”
She notes that many capabilities now being widely discussed in AI – such as traffic intelligence, automation and performance – are areas where Fastly has been leading for years.
“Now more than ever, it’s important for us to highlight how Fastly is enabling smarter, more secure and AI-resilient digital experiences at scale,” she says.
Maintaining balance
“My family is my greatest source of perspective,” says Gerber. “No matter what’s happened during the day, coming home to them resets everything.”
She starts her day early. “I get up daily at 5am. Those early hours are sacred – about two hours each day that are just mine. It’s when I do my own thing: run, yoga, read and reconnect with myself – not for work, but for balance.”
Right now, she’s reading Superagent by Reid Hoffman. “A colleague and good friend recommended it, and it’s been a fascinating read,” she says. “By 7am, I’ve had my time and I am ready for the day ahead. I feel clear and recharged.”
No regrets, only lessons
Asked if she would change any career decision, Gerber says she wouldn’t. “I’ve always been drawn to technology and inspired by its ability to shape the world. I also believe in the idea that we end up where we’re meant to be. Life is less about perfect choices and more about how we respond to the path we’re on – making the most of every opportunity, embracing the challenges and finding joy in the journey. So no, I don’t look back with regret. Every step has brought me here and I’m grateful for it.”
Investment priorities and regional insights
Security and AI top the list of investment priorities for businesses today, according to Gerber. “For most businesses, the focus isn’t just on how AI can boost productivity, but on how it can be applied meaningfully to serve customers better, deliver smarter experiences, and drive stronger outcomes.”
“As digital environments become more complex, the emphasis on robust, scalable security has never been higher – especially with the rise of AI-driven threats and increasingly sophisticated attack vectors,” she says.
Gerber adds that Asia Pacific remains one of the most dynamic regions globally, with countries such as India, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines driving innovation through their youthful, tech-savvy populations. Yet, legacy infrastructure, linguistic diversity and uneven talent distribution present challenges.
“The opportunity is immense, but success in APAC requires a thoughtful, localised approach – one that respects the diversity of the region and is committed to building solutions that meet people where they are.”
Looking ahead at Fastly
“As someone relatively new to Fastly, I anticipate significant evolution in my role over the next 12 months,” she says. “My focus will be on building and empowering a strong leadership team across the region – leaders who will serve as advocates for our customers and their people.”
She believes proximity to customers enables better experiences and insights. “Ultimately, my goal is to create a structure that is self-sufficient and effective that, as I often tell my boss, ‘You shouldn’t need me by the end of it.’”
Advice for aspiring executives
“Don’t hold back your opinions,” Gerber says. “If you’re in a position to advance, it’s because you bring valuable knowledge and perspective – so staying silent when something important needs to be said doesn’t just shortchange the room, it limits your own impact.”
“True leadership requires the courage to voice what others might hesitate to say. That willingness to speak up, even when it’s difficult, is a key part of earning trust and driving meaningful change.”
