AND for Inspiration: 6 AND Digital Leaders Share Their Tech Journeys
In celebration of International Women’s Day, and to demonstrate just how much opportunity the tech space offers women, AND Digital has been talking to six of its women leaders about their personal and professional journeys into the world of tech.
Antonia Walt, Club Hamilton Executive AND Arts Lover.
1. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Crack how to make those around you the superstars.
2. How did you get your start in tech?
I was working for a traditional IT consultancy by day and exploring how to build a dating app called Match My Mates by night.
To get my idea off the ground I started talking about it to anyone I could and eventually met the co-founder of The App Business (TAB – a new mobile agency in London) at a party. For a while, I sought investment to take the idea further but soon got swayed into joining TAB as a Product Owner.
It was a brilliant step into building consumer-facing products and I loved solving big people and business problems via the latest technology solutions.
I’ve not looked back!
3. Who most inspired you to choose a career in tech?
I wasn’t overly conscious about choosing a career in tech – I just felt buzzed by all of the new opportunities technology was bringing to the table and wanted to be at the heart of helping to figure out what this could mean for business and people alike.
4. What do you think is the key to success for women in tech?
Finding what you’re most passionate about in the space and looking for ways to make your ideas heard.
5. What’s the biggest difference being at AND has made to your digital career (as opposed to working elsewhere)?
Working somewhere you can bring your whole self to work means I’ve been able to lean into and develop my own authentic leadership style, rather than trying to emulate others because you feel that’s the way to get ahead.
6. What would you say to women who are considering a career in tech?
Don’t let anything put you off – there is so much creativity and opportunity in tech no matter your skillset or preference.
Wendy Stonefield, Club Turing Executive AND Daschund Fanatic.
1. What is the best piece of advice that you have ever received?
My father told me from a very young age to forget about taking shortcuts and put my energy into hard graft as that and consistency are the factors that make a real difference! He is 78, still working full time and loving it. Watching him in action has been a great illustration for me of what he told me all those years ago.
2. How did you get your start in tech?
It was by complete chance – I worked in a university in an international marketing role. The university had spun out an ltd company focussed on tech and I was offered a role to move over to that company. My gut told me it was the right thing despite it being a completely new sector to me and I have never looked back in over 25 years.
3. Who most inspired you to choose a career in tech?
No one individually inspired me. It was more about the work that was happening to transform education and knowledge acquisition that interested me.
4. What do you think is the key to success for women in tech?
Take every opportunity you have to learn, push yourself out of your comfort zone, follow your passion and have lots of fun in the process! Do try new things and don’t be intimidated by the fear of failure. In the words of Brene Brown: ‘Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen’. Also, don’t stay in a space where you feel compromised personally or professionally. We all deserve to be able to truly be ourselves and all that entails.
5. What’s the biggest difference being at AND has made to your digital career (as opposed to working elsewhere)?
Joining AND was like coming home in so many ways. I find the culture truly empowering and I have felt a tremendous sense of autonomy as well as support at the same time. Our model is built on creating autonomous, self-starting and entrepreneurial business units that deliver amazing digital products and thinking but there is so much more that happens around this work. Our D&I journey in my Club has been phenomenal and the antithesis to a corporate box-ticking exercise. Our AND She Can initiative has such an impact on the young women that we work with but equally for the members of the team that are engaged in supporting the initiative to broaden access for young women into our sector.
I do have a real sense of excitement and optimism about my career here at AND. Growth brings opportunity for everyone. To be part of a tremendously successful UK tech story is a massively exciting journey.
My son has now gone to university and I think for a lot of women this affords you time and space to really lean into your career with less of the juggle we all experience as parents. I am loving my AND journey. I can breathe, be creative, have fun and grow in a vibrant and inspiring culture.
6. What would you say to women who are considering a career in tech?
I firmly believe that the tech sector offers women the opportunity of financial stability, longevity and diversity of career. Many, particularly women, shy away from talking about the financial aspects of their careers and the impact they can have. It’s important to celebrate the fact that women can do really well financially by working in the sector. We need to ensure the stories and work of women in our space get elevated and celebrated equally alongside our colleagues.
As Sheryl Sandberg famously said, “The word ‘female,’ when inserted in front of something, is always with a note of surprise. Female COO, female pilot, female surgeon — as if the gender implies surprise … One day there won’t be female leaders. There will just be leaders.” That is the time I am truly waiting for!
Mairaid O’Connor, Cloud South Executive AND Snow Enthusiast.
1. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Do you want to win an argument, or do you want to get something done?”
I try to remember this advice when I’m working in a team and we disagree on an approach. I remind myself that I’m not always right, and that there are usually multiple valid ways to approach a problem. If we can step back and keep focused on the bigger picture we’re not only more likely to hit our short term goal, but also to strengthen our team in the long term.
2. How did you get your start in tech?
I’d done a few roles that were ‘tech adjacent’ but my big breakthrough was coming to work at The Guardian. I joined as they were beginning their transformation into a tech and product-led organisation. I was working alongside world-class engineers in agile teams using extreme programming techniques. The work was incredibly mentally satisfying; analysing business and user needs, creatively problem solving as a team, then working together to achieve a common goal. It’s been the blueprint for me ever since.
3. Who most inspired you to choose a career in tech?
I can’t say there was a specific person, but I was definitely aware of the economic case for choosing a career in tech. I knew that I wanted to be financially independent and be in demand with secure employment. I thought it was a pretty safe bet that the tech industry would grow and provide lots of opportunities, and I was right. I think it’s even more true today for people just starting out.
4. What do you think is the key to success for women in tech?
It’s really, really easy for women to get pushed into certain types of roles, away from hands-on engineering, “because you’re such a good communicator!” or “you’re so organised!”. Recognise that this is a stereotype trap, and push against it. Those ‘soft skills’ combined with technical skills will make you a formidable engineer if you choose to be. Choose the path that motivates and inspires you, not the path that other people think you should take.
5. What’s the biggest difference being at AND has made to your digital career (as opposed to working elsewhere)?
In the past I’ve been sadly accustomed to being the only woman in the room – not at AND! It’s one of the few places I’ve worked where I’ve not felt that I’m expected to ‘represent women’ – I get to be myself, and know that I’m being judged on my work, not on my gender.
6. What would you say to women who are considering a career in tech?
There’s no industry that isn’t being transformed by technology now. Successful companies are ones where technology is in the driving seat. You don’t want to be a passenger on that journey! Choose a career in tech, where you will be directly influencing the strategy and success of your business.
Zoe Kelleher, Club Executive in the South AND Wannabe Runner.
1. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Think about how the recipient will receive/interpret your comms before you hit send!”
It’s such a simple thing but all too often we can quickly fire off something or say something without putting ourselves in the recipient’s shoes.
2. How did you get your start in tech?
Many moons ago I went travelling around Australia with my then-boyfriend. While I had many awful temp jobs, he got a job when we landed in Brisbane and kept that job all through the trip while we travelled the length and breadth of Oz – all because of the internet (and dial-up at that). I thought to myself ‘this internet thing seems big’ so when I came back I did an MSc in internet technologies and the rest is history.
3. Who most inspired you to choose a career in tech?
I don’t think there was one person really but early on in my digital career I was working with UXers and engineers and I was so inspired by what can be done through research, design and technology coming together. I knew it was a space worth staying in.
4. What do you think is the key to success for women in tech?
To know what you bring to the table and be confident in this. Recognise what impact different skills have – know that being empathetic doesn’t mean emotional, being vulnerable doesn’t mean being weak and being open, honest and transparent builds trust, not panic. Everyone brings something different to the table and it all counts in creating a great team, generating ideas, validating ideas and bringing an alternative perspective.
5. What’s the biggest difference being at AND has made to your digital career (as opposed to working elsewhere)?
I’ve only been at AND for a relatively short period but would say that AND gives you the autonomy to grow – to test yourself, to learn but with a huge amount of support around you. This is the best type of environment to be in – supportive and positively challenging in equal measure.
6. What would you say to women who are considering a career in tech?
Do it, it’s an amazing space to work – it’s fast-paced, you’re working on things that change people’s lives, you never stop learning and you are challenged to think smartly and differently all the time. And we don’t even know what careers will emerge in tech in the next 2/5/10 years!
Jenny Boateng, Head of Client Partnerships AND Football Mum.
1. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
My whole career has been in fast-moving industries, banking and then consulting. Although I am a high-achiever and wanted to build my career, I also desired to have children. I married at the age of 23 and had my first child at 24. I was still an analyst and the most junior on my desk. There was an unspoken culture, which made me feel that I hadn’t earned my stripes yet to take maternity leave. I became anxious about this perception but was encouraged by my ex-(female) boss, who had waited before having children to be an MD, that there is never a right time to have children.
Do what is right for you and your family. Don’t do things on a company’s timeline, but do it according to your own. I have managed to work my way from that analyst to an Executive Director in one of the best Investment Banks in the world. I have recently started the role of Chief of Client partnerships in Tenzing South at 33 years old AND with 4 children.
2. How did you get your start in tech?
I started a career in tech by making a career move. I didn’t think about roles, I thought about skills that I had and then opportunities that could make use of those skills in the tech sector. I made a strategic move to bridge the industry gap, which enabled me to get closer to the tech world.
3. What do you think is the key to success for women in tech?
To understand that women are a rare commodity in tech. If you can position yourself well, you will be extremely valuable. Assess what your skills are, and what you can do to become even more relevant in a world where AI and Data Science are infiltrating our everyday lives. Keep learning and rebranding. Actively network and look for new opportunities so that you are always relevant.
4. What would you say to women who are considering a career in tech?
Don’t be afraid to learn new skills. Don’t be afraid to retrain. It is never too late. What doesn’t challenge you won’t change your prospective career or opportunities. Don’t be afraid of what sounds hard. Just take the plunge and with the right support, you won’t drown. You will come out more valuable.
Sarah Butlin, Club Ada Executive AND Fulltime Juggler.
1. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I’ve been fortunate with so many inspiring mentors across my life. For me, the most meaningful moments have been when people have given me the confidence boost that I needed. ‘You’ve got this’ – has always been the best encouragement I’ve needed. In particular, when I came back from maternity leave I felt apprehensive. I felt like I was slow and had regressed. My manager was incredible (and still remains one of my mentors) – demonstrating her confidence in me and giving me the boost that I needed.
2. How did you get your start in tech?
I loved my academic life and wanted to ensure I was considered in what career I choose. I took several months post-uni researching different avenues. I was drawn to consulting where I could explore so many different industries, different roles and different opportunities. I got an offer from Accenture, but in parallel came across this awesome start-up that truly empowered people. I loved the culture of the company and the level of empowerment – it was by chance it was in technology.
3. Who most inspired you to choose a career in tech?
I’ve had lots of great influencers in technology. Growing up my father was a farmer but always invested in the latest computers to ensure we had a great head start in life. My brother used to build computers and network them up for gaming. Then both my sister and brother chose careers in technology; my sister as a developer in Cobalt and my brother leading an IT function. I still remember the first time walking into a server room and thinking it was the coolest thing.
4. What do you think is the key to success for women in tech?
I think there are so many great allies for women in technology – I’ve had great support from both men and women. Leverage them all – and if you have an idea/challenge / input – share it. Lean in (one of my favourite books).
5. What’s the biggest difference being at AND has made to your digital career (as opposed to working elsewhere)?
I think our model is based on empowering people and I love that. For me it starts with the ANDIs – we have such a great community of inspirational people and there are so many opportunities to grow. I’ve loved working with such a great range of clients, with some awesome ANDIs and undertaking a variety of different roles across my time with AND – from defining team structures, mobilising new clients to account management and now club exec.
6. What would you say to women who are considering a career in tech?
Jump in – there’s so much to learn and so many opportunities to grow. Make the most of every role. I took every role given to me so I could learn something new. I’ve loved it. I’ve never been focused on titles/hierarchy but on new skills, new opportunities and new ways to try to help those around me.
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