Throughout March, University Centre Leeds hosted a series of inspirational talks as part of our fourth annual Women in Leadership programme.
The talks aimed to inspire women who are looking to launch their career in the industry, at a time where only 5% of tech leadership positions are held by females.
Staff and students got the chance to hear from female industry leaders, who shared their own career journeys and advice for budding tech professionals.
The series kicked off with a talk from Sarah Hauge, COO of Blackdice, a specialist cyber defence company. Sarah was recently named as one of the top 100 most influential women in UK tech and has an impressive track record in technological transformation.
She spoke about the importance of building your professional network and continuing to learn as you progress through your career.
Sarah said: “In a world where all organisations are digital, digital skills are not optional.
“We need diversity in the workforce, across all levels and sectors, to ensure that the broadest range of perspectives, skills and ideas are brought to the table.
“It took me years for me to finally realise that my non-technical skills are exactly what is needed to drive successful digital transformation.”
The programme’s second event led by CEO of Frame AI Hannah Brately, who focused on inclusion and diversity within the sector.
Hannah said: “Empowering women to step into tech careers is pivotal for fostering innovation and driving change within the industry.
“My personal experience in technology has shown me the immense value of diverse perspectives in solving complex problems and creating impactful solutions.
“The Women in Tech Leadership events at UC Leeds are crucial in inspiring and guiding the next generation of women to break barriers and shape the future of technology.”
Attendees said they found the sessions very insightful, and enjoyed hearing a fresh perspective from a largely male-dominated industry.
