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International Women’s Day is a moment for celebration, reflection and calls to action.
This year’s theme “give to gain” has prompted me to look back on my own journey. I don’t view “give to gain” as transactional, but more the belief that when we show up as ourselves, invest in others and act with purpose, the returns come (and often in ways we can’t always predict).
Early Days
I grew up with crippling anxiety as a child and teenager. I left school at 15 (which, at the time, felt wildly controversial), worked part-time in industry and went to university alongside it. I completed my bachelor’s degree but left before my final year because I didn’t fancy the dissertation - and because I’d been offered a full-time job. The Dean of the University told me off. Politely, but firmly.
Soon after, I moved away from my home in Scotland to take a job in England, without knowing a single soul. That was over a decade now. It was a turning point in every sense.
In joined an organisation that gave me exposure to an incredible breadth of work: data and analytics, automation, digital transformation, account management and years of travel across the UK and US. I learned fast, met some exceptional people and built skills I still rely on today. But - as many women will recognise - some bad apples can ruin the barrel.
That environment eventually became toxic and led to burnout. Think: managing male colleagues who were paid more than me; being spoken to disrespectfully by senior staff; being asked to attend meetings in different countries purely for the, and I quote, “optics” of having a female in the room. Sigh. To be clear, this wasn’t everyone in the organisation, far from it! Some of the best managers and colleagues I’ve ever had were gained during my time there and remain lifelong friends.
Finding Purpose
That experience taught me the importance of living your values and speaking up. I did that often - for myself and for others - before realising that real change only comes when people are willing. It’s a hard lesson, but one that has been key to my growth.
It also forced me to reflect on purpose. I found myself asking: how can I use my skills for good? Luckily, along came an opportunity to lead public sector go-to-market and sales at a consultancy in Leeds. A new door opened.
Fast forward a few years, Robiquity appeared in my inbox. The opportunity was too good to refuse - and my biggest challenge yet: build public sector as a vertical from scratch.
Since then, we’ve delivered genuinely transformational work with real societal impact that I couldn’t be prouder of - supporting police forces, central government, national healthcare bodies, regulators and more. Our very first public sector project still holds a special place in my heart: helping Durham Constabulary use Microsoft technology to speed up average time to disclosure for public information requests under Clare’s Law and Sarah’s Law. Genuinely lifesaving technology that helps women and children.
Be Yourself
So why am I sharing all of this? Because my biggest learning is that authenticity is everything. If you’re considering a career in tech or sales or are afraid to make the leap to leadership, I hope you see that being yourself - messy, nonlinear, imperfect - doesn’t hold you back. It helps you find the opportunities that are right for you.
My greatest blessing has been the people I met along the way- those who saw something in me, backed me and gave me a shot. I said yes, everytime and did my best to pay that back.
Pay it Forward
And now? I’m committing to Robiquity’s mentorship scheme to pay forward what I’ve learned. Because give to gain isn’t just a nice phrase, it’s a responsibility: build others up, create opportunities and leave every team you join healthier than you found it.
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