From Design to Development: When You Thought Tech Wasn’t for You

What does it really look like to build a successful career while also making space for family, relationships, responsibilities and a life outside of work?In this episode of Spilling the T, we’re joined by three women from the MathWorks UK team — Tanya, Laura and Jess — who have each built their careers over many years, while navigating the realities of life beyond the workplace.Tanya Morton is Global Director of Customer Success Engineering in the Education team, Laura Dempsey is Regional Manager for Application Engineering in Northern Europe, and Jess Welding is Senior Engineering Technical Writer in the Documentation team. Three very different roles, three different career journeys, but with plenty of shared experiences when it comes to professional growth, managing change and balancing work with everything else life brings.They chat openly about how their careers have evolved, the choices and challenges they've faced along the way, what they've learned about progression and leadership, and how family and personal commitments have shaped — rather than necessarily limited — their careers.It’s an honest conversation about the reality of building a career over the long term, finding a way of working that fits your life, and recognising that there isn't one right route to success.SheCanCode is a collaborative community of women in tech working together to tackle the tech gender gap. Join our community to find a supportive network, opportunities, guidance and jobs, so you can excel in your tech career.

What happens when a self-taught coder, working musician and entrepreneur decides to build AI for an industry she knows first-hand?In this episode, we’re joined by Zoë Wrenn, founder of Tamber, an AI-powered creative technology company helping musicians turn ideas into action without taking the human creativity out of the process.Zoë started coding at just 13 and went on to build a venture-backed AI company, becoming a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree along the way. As a female and openly LGBTQ+ founder, she also brings a perspective that is still too rare across technology and venture capital.We talk about her journey from musician and self-taught technologist to CEO, what it’s like raising investment as a founder from an underrepresented background, and why she believes the best AI can enhance human creativity rather than replace it.We also explore the bigger questions around ethical AI, authorship, consent, representation and the importance of building technology that reflects a wider range of human experiences.And, of course, how an early version of Tamber helped Zoë create her own breakout track, Hailey, which has now surpassed 30 million streams.A fascinating conversation about technology, creativity, entrepreneurship and what happens when the people who understand a problem best decide to build the solution themselves SheCanCode is a collaborative community of women in tech working together to tackle the tech gender gap. Join our community to find a supportive network, opportunities, guidance and jobs, so you can excel in your tech career.

In this episode, we’re joined by Jiřina Nedbálková, AI Use Case Architect & Customer Intelligence Lead at Bull, to explore how AI and data are transforming the way businesses make decisions, engage with customers and shape the future of technology.Jiřina shares her own journey as a female leader in tech, from navigating a rapidly evolving industry to working at the intersection of AI, data and business transformation. We discuss the importance of diverse perspectives in building responsible AI, and what it takes to lead and thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world.We also explore how businesses can move beyond the hype to turn emerging technologies into real-world impact — from smarter customer journeys and more personalised experiences to faster, data-driven decision-making.SheCanCode is a collaborative community of women in tech working together to tackle the tech gender gap. Join our community to find a supportive network, opportunities, guidance and jobs, so you can excel in your tech career.

Technology is changing lives in more ways than we often realise.In this episode of Spilling the T, we're joined by Jay from SheMatters to explore how confidence, skills, mentoring and supportive communities can help women build new futures after prison.We talk about why employment is one of the biggest factors in reducing reoffending, the barriers women face when rebuilding their lives, and why the tech sector has a unique opportunity to open doors for people with talent, determination and potential.We also discuss how communities can help create pathways into digital careers through mentoring, learning and encouragement.This conversation is about opportunity, inclusion and the belief that a person's future should never be defined solely by their past.SheCanCode is a collaborative community of women in tech working together to tackle the tech gender gap. Join our community to find a supportive network, opportunities, guidance and jobs, so you can excel in your tech career.

What does it take to build a successful tech company, scale it, and then embrace the next wave of innovation?In this episode of Spilling the T, we're joined by Asha Kalidindi, Co-founder of Aggne and Flarre.AI and a technology leader with a proven track record of building and growing businesses in the insurance technology sector.Asha shares her journey from scaling a successful company to leading the development of agentic AI solutions for enterprise transformation. We explore the leadership lessons she's learned along the way, how AI is changing the way we work, and what today's professionals need to thrive in an AI-driven future.Whether you're leading teams, growing your career, or simply curious about where AI is taking the tech industry, this conversation is packed with practical insights, honest reflections, and inspiration for women looking to make their mark in tech.SheCanCode is a collaborative community of women in tech working together to tackle the tech gender gap. Join our community to find a supportive network, opportunities, guidance and jobs, so you can excel in your tech career.

Graphic designer turned front-end developer, Ella Marke, Frontend Developer at Feeld, never expected to end up in tech - and definitely didn’t expect to enjoy it.Now working at Feeld, she reflects on the myth that tech is intimidating or only for a certain kind of person. She shares how learning to code started as a side hobby, became a career shift, and ultimately unlocked a new kind of creative confidence.Ella shares her journey from design to development, how she overcame imposter syndrome, and what it’s like working at a company that actively supports her growth.This episode is a reminder that sometimes the biggest barrier into tech isn’t skill - it’s assumption.SheCanCode is a collaborative community of women in tech working together to tackle the tech gender gap. Join our community to find a supportive network, opportunities, guidance and jobs, so you can excel in your tech career.

Who gets seen, heard and backed in tech — and who gets overlooked?In this episode, we speak with Olivia Hervy, Chief Ecosystem Officer at VivaTech, one of the world's leading technology and startup events. Having spent more than two decades building innovation programmes, supporting over 100 startups from pre-seed to Series A, and creating platforms that connect founders, investors and global tech leaders, Olivia has had a front-row seat to how influence is built within the ecosystem.Together, we explore the difference between visibility and genuine power, who gets access to the biggest stages in tech, and why representation alone isn't enough to drive meaningful change. Olivia shares insights from a career spent shaping opportunities for entrepreneurs, discusses the barriers women still face when it comes to recognition and influence, and reflects on what needs to happen for the industry's most important conversations to become more inclusive.A candid conversation about platform, perception and power — and who gets the mic.SheCanCode is a collaborative community of women in tech working together to tackle the tech gender gap. Join our community to find a supportive network, opportunities, guidance and jobs, so you can excel in your tech career.

What happens when a scientist leaves academia to pursue a bigger mission: making science accessible, inspiring and deeply human?In this episode, we speak with Dr. Niamh Shaw, an Irish engineer, scientist and award-winning science communicator whose career has taken an extraordinary turn—from academic research to analogue astronaut missions, zero-gravity flights and international space exploration.Originally trained in engineering and science, Niamh stepped away from full-time research in 2003 in search of more meaningful ways to connect people with science, curiosity and discovery. A pivotal moment in 2011 reignited her childhood dream of going to space, setting her on an unconventional path that blends science, storytelling, art and public engagement.We explore how Niamh transforms complex scientific ideas into compelling narratives, the lessons she's learned from astronaut training and simulated Mars missions, and why communication is just as important as discovery itself. From theatre stages to NASA, her journey demonstrates the power of following ambitious dreams and bringing others along for the adventure.Join us for an inspiring conversation about curiosity, courage, and the art of making science matter.SheCanCode is a collaborative community of women in tech working together to tackle the tech gender gap. Join our community to find a supportive network, opportunities, guidance and jobs, so you can excel in your tech career.

In this episode, we’re joined by Jenny Herbison, SVP of Global Marketing at Exclaimer — the email signature management platform trusted by 9M+ users across 75,000 organisations worldwide.Jenny shares a refreshing perspective on career growth in modern tech: women are still being encouraged to follow linear, “well-rounded” career paths in an industry that increasingly rewards the opposite.Drawing on her experience across agency life, hypergrowth at Skyscanner, scaling SaaS at Craft, and now leading global marketing at Exclaimer, Jenny explores how combining strengths — rather than fixing weaknesses — has shaped her career and leadership style. This conversation is a must-listen for women navigating growth in tech, leadership, marketing, and the evolving future of work.SheCanCode is a collaborative community of women in tech working together to tackle the tech gender gap. Join our community to find a supportive network, opportunities, guidance and jobs, so you can excel in your tech career.

What does it really take to reach the top in a male-dominated corporate world—and how do you do it without losing yourself along the way?In this episode, we're joined by Patty Azzarello, former Hewlett-Packard executive, tech CEO, TEDx speaker, and author of Why is SHE Still Here? Patty became the youngest general manager at HP at just 33, ran a billion-dollar software business by 35, and stepped into a CEO role at 38. But behind the impressive titles was a journey marked by sexism, self-doubt, workplace bullies, and the constant challenge of proving she belonged.Patty shares candid stories from her career, including moments when she was literally overlooked and forgotten in the workplace, and reveals the lessons she learned about leadership, resilience, and staying true to yourself while climbing the corporate ladder. We discuss overcoming imposter syndrome, managing social anxiety, navigating toxic work environments, and why success shouldn't come at the expense of your wellbeing.Whether you're aiming for the boardroom, building your confidence, or simply trying to thrive at work without burning out, this conversation offers practical wisdom and inspiration from someone who has lived it.SheCanCode is a collaborative community of women in tech working together to tackle the tech gender gap. Join our community to find a supportive network, opportunities, guidance and jobs, so you can excel in your tech career.