Reflecting on My Journey
As a Women in Tech Global Awards 2025 winner, what does this recognition mean to you, and how does it reflect your journey and impact in tech?
Recognition like this is never really about one person. This award reflects the hard work of the entire product and technology team at Xero. It takes a team with a shared obsession for solving customer problems to build products that truly make a difference. I’m grateful to be able to do that every day to empower small businesses, which are the backbone of every economy.
Tech Industry's Most Rewarding Aspects
In your experience, what is the most rewarding aspect of working in the tech industry, and how has it influenced your career path?
The most rewarding aspect is seeing the tangible impact technology has on people’s lives. Growing up, I saw this first hand whenever I helped my father with his biomedical business and saw how software saved him time. That experience taught me that technology can be a lifeline for business owners. Today, with my team at Xero, that’s something I get to experience every day. When we automate a manual accounting task for a small business, we are giving entrepreneurs time back to be with their families or grow their business. Leading a product team that is working towards this purpose every day is incredibly rewarding.
My Tech Career Milestone
Could you share a defining moment or a key achievement in your tech career that has been particularly impactful or meaningful to you?
To continue to grow and develop, sometimes it has meant following my own intuition and making decisions that don’t make sense to others. One significant moment for me in this regard was when I left a really safe and successful job at Microsoft to go to a small startup. Though many questioned it, I felt it was right and would get me out of the comfort zone I’d built for myself in this more secure and structured role. That time at a startup ended up giving me decades worth of experience in just a few short years, because of the tremendous amount of hats I wore.
Empowering Women in Tech: Real Stories, Career Advice, and Tips
From your experience, what essential advice and practical tips would you offer to women aspiring to establish a successful career in tech?
Two things come to mind. First, rethink how you choose your roles. Too many people optimize for a brand name or what is “hot” (especially in tech). I encourage women to optimize for learning and impact instead. Ask yourself, “Who will I learn from?” and “What impact can I drive here?” That formula is what leads to the most challenging and rewarding opportunities.
Second, don’t wait until you feel ready. Often women will wait until they check every box before accepting a promotion or applying for a challenging role. But, growth only comes when you put yourself at risk. If a role scares you slightly, that is usually a sign you should take it. When I’ve taken on challenging roles, it’s been humbling, but those were the periods where I grew the fastest.
Who would you recommend to join the WomenTech Network, and why?
I would recommend this network to women who are ready to step into decision-making roles but feel the friction of the current industry landscape. Networks like this are vital because they help break down the unconscious bias that women face and provide access to opportunities that have historically been exclusionary. I recommend joining if you want to build a community where we can ensure the next generation of women in tech has a wider, more inclusive path to leadership.
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