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

Lots of meetings! 😊

I’m officially a Tech Lead but find myself doing a mix of Team Lead, Tech Lead, Solution Architect, and development manager responsibilities. In a nutshell, I’m responsible for helping figure out what we need to build, how we are going to build it, and helping a team deliver the final product to the client. 

I’m an early bird, so my day starts around 7:15-7:30 with a cup of tea, during which I check emails and review my day. This usually leads me to make a to-do list of what I need to get done and some stretch goals for the day. 

Before standup, I take care of admin tasks like signing off timesheets or project-related admin. Then I prep for standup by double-checking the board, etc. During the standup with the team, I ensure everything is progressing, identify any blockers, and help the team get unblocked and make progress. 

From standup to lunch, I schedule meetings which could be 1:1 with the team, client workshops, planning sessions, estimations, etc. 

I try to spend the rest of the afternoon on focus work, which could involve creating architecture documents, project and flight plans, doing a bit of coding , sitting with a team member who is stuck on a problem, or bouncing ideas around. 

What motivated you or inspired you to pursue a career in the software industry? And was it always something that you wanted to do? 

Coding has always been something that came easily to me and that I really enjoyed doing. I had an amazing programming teacher in high school. She laid a great foundation but more importantly saw that I was passionate about it and made sure to push me to not just do what was asked but to challenge myself further. 

Can you speak to your journey of entering the field of software development and how you progressed to your current leadership position at Entelect? 

In the last year of my degree, I got a part-time job at a small engineering company (KSES), where I learned a lot about project planning and time management while working on frontend projects. My next stop was Inivit, where I gained valuable experience and mentorship, switching from Java to C# and working with Angular. I then joined a startup called Dreamtec, leading the development of mobile apps for the towing industry. This experience deepened my understanding of design patterns and testing. 

Moving to Entelect was challenging at first, but it was here that I began working with fellow female developers and dedicated BAs. I started as a Senior Engineer and after 2.5 years, I was promoted to Tech Lead. During my 6 years at Entelect, I have worked on 8 projects, continuously growing in my role and responsibilities. 

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

I believe that I’ve been successful because I’m good at seeing not only the current problem but also future ones, and ensuring that we are considering them or planning around them. I tend to have backup plans for my backup plans. 

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? 

Working in a male-dominated field is tough. I was always a tomboy and had similar interests to most guys, so I think it has been easier for me since I’m generally seen as one of the guys. I was also lucky that a lot of the males I work with would generally call out bad behaviour and made sure to ask for my input. However, some people will always be idiots and think that just because you are female, you can’t get the job done. I usually just focused on succeeding and proving them wrong. 

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

I’ve worked on a lot of projects, but I think building the Uber-like app for the tow truck industry was probably one of my best. To have only 4 years of experience and to be trusted to run with the mobile app showed a lot of trust. During that time, I learned the most. I also really liked that it had a positive impact on the world. Many projects just make the rich richer, but those apps also tried to help reduce tow trucks rushing and causing accidents by trying to be the first at the scene. 

In your opinion, what initiatives or strategies can organisations implement to foster gender diversity and inclusivity in tech teams? 

Continue focusing on hiring women, but not just to chase a number—be sure to maintain high standards. I would also like to see more education given to leads on how important it is to make everyone on the team comfortable and to ensure they are aware of any gender-based bias. 

How do you approach mentorship and supporting other women in the tech industry? Did/do you have a mentor?

I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of up-and-coming females in my team. As a lead in Entelect, we are expected to grow everyone on our team, but I do tend to stay in contact with the women on my team so that I can continue to support them and let them know that I’m here if they need my assistance. 

What technological trends or advancements do you foresee shaping the future of software development, and how are you preparing yourself and your team to adapt to these changes? 

The obvious one is AI. I honestly don’t think that it will replace us, but I do think that it will help us become more efficient. It is important to stay up to date with these trends and ensure that you aren’t left behind. 

Finally, 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? 

Leadership and upper management have changed a lot in the last 10 years, and I suspect that it will continue to change and adapt. We need to focus on how every person is different and brings their own strengths and weaknesses to the table, irrespective of gender. 

I would love to see women be totally equally represented in leadership - gender really has no part to play in this day and age. We can all help to lay the foundations to see more equality in the future.