Women in Tech: A director’s journey to leadership and career success

When I started my career as a primary school teacher, I never imagined I’d one day be working in the tech industry, let alone helping to lead a technology consultancy. But here I am. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned along the way, it’s that there’s no single route into tech and no wrong time to make the leap.

From education to executive leadership

Before joining Forfusion, I spent 15 years in education, progressing to Deputy Head Teacher. My days were filled with people management, resource planning, policy development, and above all, problem-solving. At the time, I didn’t see how those skills would transfer into a private-sector, tech-focused role. But they absolutely did.

What I quickly discovered is that strong communication, organisational discipline, and the ability to remain agile under pressure are not just nice-to-haves in tech, they’re essential. You might not know how to configure a network switch or write code, but if you’ve ever led a team, managed a budget, or juggled multiple priorities under pressure, you already have a toolkit that the tech world needs.

Coming from the education sector, I was used to seeing women in leadership roles. The tech sector was a very different picture, and still is. There are more initiatives and awareness now than when I joined, but we’ve still got a long way to go in making women feel like they belong in tech, especially those who don’t fit the “traditional” mould.

Redefining what “Tech Leadership” looks like

That’s why I’m passionate about representation. I don’t have a background in computer science, nor did I follow a traditional graduate scheme. What I bring is a commitment to people, purpose, and progress, which is just as valuable.

In tech, culture and values are just as important as metrics. By challenging outdated perceptions of what a tech career “should” look like, we open doors for diverse talent and build stronger, more innovative, and inclusive organisations. When values and culture are prioritised alongside performance, everyone benefits: the business, the teams, and the individuals within them.

Practical Advice for a Career Change into Tech

If you’re reading this and thinking, "Could I really do that?" Here’s my honest advice:

1. Start with what interests you

Tech is a huge space. You don’t have to become a coder overnight. Whether you excel at leading teams, improving processes, solving complex problems, or driving operations, there’s a role for you. From project management to cybersecurity, marketing, operations, user experience, and beyond.

Think about what energises you. Do you enjoy structure? Creativity? Working with others? Start exploring tech roles that align with those strengths. Your existing skills: leadership, project delivery, compliance, data-driven decision-making, and stakeholder management are highly transferable. When updating your CV, highlight outcomes and impact rather than the sector you came from.

2. Lean into learning

You don’t need a technical degree, but curiosity and a willingness to learn are essential. Transitioning into tech can feel like learning a new language, it did for me, but taking it one step at a time works.

Ask questions, seek explanations without jargon, and take advantage of online courses or mentorship. Continuous learning is the norm in technology, and curiosity will take you further than prior technical knowledge alone.

3. Find values-driven organisations

Culture matters. Tech can be fast-paced and commercially intense. The right organisation will value diverse thinking, invest in development, and recognise that non-traditional career paths strengthen the business.

Forfusion’s people-first approach was a key reason I joined. Prioritising culture and values alongside performance creates environments where teams thrive, and businesses succeed.

4. Use your network (and build a new one)

Changing careers can feel daunting if your current network isn’t in tech. Be proactive: attend events, connect on LinkedIn, join groups supporting women in STEM, and seek guidance. Most people are willing to help, and once you’ve made the leap, pay it forward. Supporting others strengthens the industry and opens doors for more women to enter technology.

Driving impact through community and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Today, I lead initiatives across wellbeing, operational excellence, and corporate social responsibility. A key part of that work involves supporting women into tech and ensuring they're seen and set up to succeed.

This isn’t just about representation; it’s about creating meaningful impact. Diverse teams are more innovative, adaptable, and effective. By combining technical expertise with experience from other sectors and embedding values-driven leadership and CSR, we strengthen organisations and communities alike. Opening doors to diverse perspectives benefits the industry, our teams, and society as a whole.

Success comes from diverse paths

My career wasn’t linear or traditional, but it shows that tech doesn’t require a single background or early career choice. Flexible, agile thinking combined with operational discipline and real-world experience is highly valuable.

If you’re wondering whether you’re too 'different', 'too late', or not technical enough, you’re not. Technology benefits from diverse perspectives, and your next chapter could be more fulfilling and impactful than you imagine. By embracing people with different experiences, we create stronger teams, better businesses, and a positive impact on communities. Representation, values, and purposeful leadership are not just ideals; they’re essential for a thriving tech industry.