Amir Abdel Baki
on 11 July 2025
Career progression doesn’t follow a single path – and at Canonical, we embrace that. Our culture encourages individuals to explore roles aligned with their evolving skills and interests, even if it means stepping into a completely new technical space. Internal mobility is more than just a policy here; it’s something we actively support and celebrate.
In this edition, we’re excited to spotlight the journey of one of our team members who took that leap and shaped a fulfilling new chapter at Canonical. Meet Mariam Tawakol.
Mariam is a Renewals Account Executive at Canonical, where she helps drive customer retention and supports Canonical’s global customer base.
Mariam’s journey with Canonical
When did you start with Canonical and what was your original role?
I joined Canonical just over two years ago, in July 2023, as a Sales Development Representative (SDR) for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. SDRs are the first point of contact for our prospects at Canonical, with a focus on inbound leads. Their goal is to qualify prospects and secure meetings. As an SDR, you work closely with our Marketing and Sales teams, bridging departments and building pipeline.
The role is demanding but rewarding, as you’re often the first to connect with prospects and identify potential customers. At the same time, you play a pivotal role in Canonical’s growth. What attracted me most to join Canonical as an SDR was the chance to be part of an important mission and contribute to the company’s growth both globally and in the MEA region.
What did you switch to and when?
When I first joined Canonical as an SDR, I didn’t want to rush into deciding my next step. Being new to both the role and the industry, I wanted to take the time to truly understand the job, the company, and the different paths available to me. About six months in, I began thinking more seriously about what I wanted to do after completing my SDR and Business Development Representative (BDR) terms. I spoke with different teams, explored the options, and found myself really interested in the Renewals team.
After finishing my SDR term, which focused on inbound leads, I moved to the BDR team, focusing on outbound lead generation. While in that role, I also began training for Renewals. After one quarter as a BDR, I officially joined the Renewals team full-time. Overall, the transition from SDR to BDR to Renewals took about a year and a half.
What was the reason behind your decision?
I was really drawn to the Renewals team because it offered a great opportunity to build relationships with customers. As an SDR and BDR, the relationship-building part of the job was always my favorite, so moving to Renewals felt like a natural way to keep doing what I loved the most. It’s especially rewarding working as a Renewals rep at a company like Canonical, where many users have a long history with Ubuntu. In this role, I get to hear their stories firsthand and understand how much the product truly means to them.
Also, I may be biased, but the Renewals team is pretty great. I enjoy working alongside people I can learn from, and having such a supportive and encouraging manager definitely makes the job even better!
What was the process and how long did it take?
Since I had been joining in-person work sprints as an SDR and already knew a few people on the Renewals team, I ended up having a casual chat with two team members to learn more about the role. At the time, I still had to complete my SDR term, and there wasn’t an open position, but expressing my interest early on really helped. A few months later, when a spot did open up, the people I had spoken with recommended me for the role.
From there, I had an interview with my current manager where we discussed my interest in the role, expectations, and next steps. I’d say the application process was pretty straightforward. The actual move took about three months, and after completing a full quarter as a BDR, I officially joined the Renewals team full-time.
What advice would you give to readers considering a career at Canonical?
Canonical is a fantastic place to work, and the SDR team is an excellent place to start your journey. As an SDR, you’re perfectly positioned within the organization because you work across multiple teams, serve as the first point of contact for customers, and gain a great opportunity to learn about the company. The SDR team at Canonical is truly incredible!
Join the team
At Canonical, growth is encouraged through a mix of personal initiative, supportive leadership, and a wide range of opportunities. The story you’ve just read is one of many. We look forward to sharing more journeys like this in future articles as we continue highlighting the diverse paths our team members take.
If you’re thinking about your next move, or even your first one, take a look at our open roles. There’s no telling where that first step might lead.
