Can you share a bit about what it is that you do and what a typical day for you is like?

In my role as an Entelect Team Lead and Scrum Master at our client, my day primarily consists of various team-related discussions—these are mostly based on what is happening at any given time. I spend a considerable amount of time on team events, discussing project work, supporting the team to get their tasks over the line, and helping wherever it's needed. The extent of my involvement with my two client teams varies depending on each team’s specific needs. 

Additionally, I am involved with Agile initiatives both at Entelect (Agilists Anonymous) and the client, ranging from training and agile journey assessments to lean coffee sessions. 

What motivated or inspired you to pursue a career in software development? 

My journey into software development began with my love for gaming and tech in general. It wasn’t a lifelong dream, more just a way to get into the tech space. 

It turns out that gaming and the software development space I entered weren’t as closely linked as I initially anticipated, but I ended up sticking with software, and I have enjoyed working in this field ever since. 

Can you speak about your career journey and how you progressed to your current leadership position at Entelect? 

I started my professional journey with a short stint in software testing as a Quality Assurance Engineer. About a month or two into that role, an opportunity arose within the company for a Business Analyst position. I decided to give it a shot, and that marked my transition into the realm of business analysis. 

Upon joining Entelect as a Senior Business Analyst, I received excellent support from a leadership perspective and had many opportunities to explore new growth areas, take on additional responsibilities, and develop the skills needed for my eventual progression to my current role as Team Lead. 

As a woman in a leadership role in the tech industry, what unique perspectives or approaches do you bring to your team and customers? 

As a woman in a leadership role within the tech industry, I strive to foster a more balanced and inclusive environment for our clients and teams. We (women) draw from our unique experiences and the challenges we have faced in the tech industry, considering additional factors that influence our people/teams, and actively work towards building inclusivity. 

I believe our collective resilience as women adds valuable strength to our teams, a quality we have built over time working in this industry. 

What obstacles or biases have you faced in your career journey, how did you overcome them, and what advice would you give to other women aspiring to leadership roles in previously male-dominated fields? 

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work in environments where seizing opportunities and consistently delivering my best has earned recognition. This journey has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth, pushing me to embrace new challenges and striving for continuous improvement. 

To my fellow women aspiring to leadership roles, I would encourage you not to shy away from advocating for yourselves.  

Don’t hesitate to speak up about your accomplishments and contributions. In an industry where we may find ourselves in the minority, the path to growth and opportunities isn’t always laid out for us.  

Taking the initiative, raising your hand, and actively building your professional brand can bridge that gap and bring you closer to reaching your goals. 

Remember, your voice and achievements deserve to be heard and acknowledged. 

Can you describe a particularly memorable project or accomplishment in your career, and what lessons you learned from it? 

Some of the projects that stick with me the most are those with significant challenges or obstacles that initially felt almost insurmountable. 

One particularly memorable project involved a strategic initiative to track COVID-19 cases. We had to form a new team quite hastily for this project and faced the challenges of lacking established work processes and having to swiftly dive into the project work and delivery to meet the demands of a high-pressure business focus. 

Despite the hurdles we faced, it was a rewarding experience collaborating on this project. We managed to build a strong sense of team by dedicating time to activities that brought us closer together and fostered a better understanding among team members. 

What do you envision for the future of women in leadership positions in the tech industry, and what role do you hope to play in shaping that future? 

I believe our success in fostering a positive future for leadership is when women holding leadership roles becomes the norm. 

We should ensure that women have an equal and influential voice in shaping the future of businesses in the tech industry, valuing the diverse perspectives that we bring to the table. 

Personally, I aim to recognise the existing challenges that we face and actively work on building practices that foster inclusivity. I also assist by supporting and empowering women in our business who exhibit the potential to become future leaders, helping to contribute to a more balanced leadership landscape.