Nishika Chettry | Firmware Engineer | Renesas Electronics
As a kid, I always had a keen interest in science and maths and dreamt of becoming an astronaut like Dr Kalpana Chawla.
I grew up in India and completed my A-levels equivalent in Physics, Maths, Chemistry, Computer Science, English and Hindi. I moved to the UK after my A-levels and had to undertake a gap year due to financial issues in my family. After a year-long wait, I finally got the opportunity to study at university and I knew I had to make the most out of it.
My aspiration of becoming a top Robotics engineer like Dr Cynthia Breazeal led me into the world of Electronics. At the commencement of my degree, I did not have any prior experience in the field. However, I persevered and became the top student in my course. I secured the UKESF scholarship during the second year of my degree, which offered me a year-long placement at a global semiconductor company, Renesas. During my placement, I worked as a Firmware engineering intern, and contributed to the development of two microprocessors called the RZN2L and the RZT2L, which are out in the market. The scholarship scheme also introduced me to outreach work, promoting engineering to young children. I have secured three awards so far for my contribution to the STEM industry.
Currently, I work as a Firmware engineer at Renesas. I also volunteer as a STEM ambassador with STEM Learning UK, and as a Diversity Ally at my company.
Nicola Ironside-Skene | VP, Quality Assurance Engineer and Practice Lead | Bank of America
I'm a Quality Assurance Engineer and Practice Lead at Bank of America in Global Information Security (GIS).
I Lead a global team of QA specialists and play a pivotal role in coaching on the importance of quality in in aspects of software development.
With almost 20 years in technology, I`ve held various roles in technology, with a special interest and dedication to Quality Engineering and Software testing. I`ve built test frameworks for gaming platforms on Azure and created scalable and sustainable automation frameworks for global banking services. My passion lies in building high-performing teams, investing in people, leveraging strengths, and embracing diversity to optimize outcomes whilst maintaining a hands-on skillset.
I take an active role in embedding community and belonging at Bank of America. As Co-Founder of Women in GIS, I organize events supporting women in cybersecurity. Additionally, I contribute to our internal Employee Networks as a volunteer lead, and mentor.
I now volunteer for Restore, who provide aid and support to women during breast reconstruction following mastectomies, and participate in the PROTECTOR medical research study for ovarian cancer. I co-founded the `Women in Test` community which now has over 1,000 cross industry members . I contribute to the Test Society, advocating for Quality Engineering recognition through the Engineering Council.
As a mother to three children, I find the balance between family priorities whilst excelling in my career and being a positive role model in all I do.
Mariam Hussein | Software Engineer | Slalom
Before starting as a tech switcher, Mariam worked as an Enterprise Assistant at the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre - the UK’s leading University-based startup-incubator.
Presently, Mariam is a passionate software engineer at Slalom_build, dedicated to advancing social mobility through tailored digital skilling initiatives for women, girls, and non-binary individuals. Within her professional career, Mariam focuses on building products and providing digital transformation to clients through Slalom. As part of her work, she has focused on delivering high value transformation work as part of a wider team of engineers, project managers and consultants.
Since switching careers, Mariam has focused demonstrating her diplomatic acumen, developing her technological knowledge, and giving back to the community by highlighting pathways into tech. Through her work as a MIRAI Delegate and a JCI TOYP Delegate, where she has presented and spoken with high-profile political figures on digital skilling. As a Code First Girls Ambassador, she advocates for accessibility in digital skilling and mentors those from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue careers in technology. Alongside this role, she has taken part in several initiatives, whether that be a UN Women Delegate, collaborating with local Universities, or mentoring 1-1, to help understand how to further equalities in the digital sectors for women.
Her relentless pursuit of positive social change echoes the her commitment to creating a more inclusive and empowered future for all.
Dhruvi Mutta | Software Engineer II | S & P GLobal
I am a motivated individual, a curious learner & a skilled professional with a background in engineering and a strong focus on technology.
Certified and experienced in software development, QA, and project management, I`ve established versatility in my career.
At the start of my career in Oracle, I was the top performer two years in a row. After which I had to take a career break. My journey is unique also because with the career break, I never knew I would get back to coding! Despite the huge learning curve, I quickly regained momentum and achieved top performance at S&P Global within two years and was chosen for promotion. Additionally, I spearhead technical decisions in the education and career consultancy start-up, P R Consultancy, which helps provide organic guidance for students and healthcare professionals. I have worked with Java 11, Spring, Quarkus using a distributed architecture based on AWS lambda functions, and Oracle SQL.
Throughout my career, I have been driven by a passion for solving problems and a desire to create impactful solutions. I constantly strive to stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in technology, attending conferences, participating in workshops, and engaging in continuous learning.
Beyond my career, I actively contribute to Employee Resource Groups, climate change awareness, and education within the Jain community.
Reflecting on my journey, I am grateful for the opportunities that shaped me both professionally and personally. I am committed to making a meaningful impact through my work and community involvement.
Carley Fountain | Company Secretary/Business Owner | Castle Climate Control Ltd
It all started working in a pub... from there I ventured into the world of air conditioning.
After 2 years working in the maintenance department, I found myself with an opportunity to set up a business in the industry with my husband, 9 years later, here we are! We specialise in air conditioning and renewable heating systems and over the years, I have not only gained knowledge of equipment we install but also an understanding of what the industry needs in terms of skills and diversity. 2020 presented me with the opportunity to really get stuck into STEM work thanks to the STEMazing inspiration academy. Since then, alongside the general running of a business and parenting 3 children, I`ve managed to deliver STEM sessions to primary aged children and work alongside the local college to encourage more children to get involved with STEM subjects.
Yetunde Animashaun | Technology Consultant / Founder of Tech432 | Accenture / Tech432
Yetunde is a seasoned Technology Consultant with over 6 years of experience in the tech industry, specializing in User Research.
Currently serving in this role at Accenture, she is deeply passionate about crafting human-centric customer experiences and driving product innovation. She has worked with large scale organisations delivering high scale solutions to some of the worlds biggest problems including a large public health client during the pandemic.
With a background rooted in a love for people, art, tech, and design, Yetunde`s career journey has been guided by a commitment to creating positive impacts in both professional and personal spheres. As the founder of Tech432, a social enterprise, she dedicates her time and expertise to empowering underrepresented 18–30-year-olds aspiring to enter the tech and corporate space, aiming to foster greater parity in the industry`s Early Talent market. She provides workshops and helps with coaching, CV writing, assessment centres, and mentors young people who are at-risk. So far Yetunde has been able to impact over 150 young people.
Golda Thompson | Lead Operational Resilience Analyst | Atos
I’ve always been fascinated by science and technology, so with hindsight it’s no surprise I’ve ended up with a BEng Electronic Engineering degree as well as an MSc Accounting & Financial Management degree.
The subject matters were always concepts bigger than I could comprehend at the genesis of the courses, yet I’ve always been driven by a thirst to understand new things. I’ve come to realise and accept that I enjoy increasing my knowledge and shaping the world around me. I applied skills and tools from my degrees into my career, which eventually led me to Atos in the summer of 2022 as Finance & Procurement Manager, within the newly created shared services function for BTS. Coming from a history of structured and robust accounting teams, it was challenging and exciting to be pivotal in shaping a new finance function. A few months into this role, an opportunity was presented via this shared services team, to help deliver an Operational Resilience framework for our client. I took the leap to pivot and I’m now Lead Operational resilience Analyst. I’ve found myself in new territory assisting in delivering a new framework and embedding governance and best practice across the account. Straight into preparing for an annual assessment. This regulatory piece was applauded as our team had made significant progress from the initial set-up.
Jessica Harwood | Financial Services Strategy & Consulting Manager | Accenture
Jessica is a Technology Consultant in Accenture’s Strategy and Consulting practice.
Jessica sits within the Financial Services division, aligned to the Banking Industry. She has 9 years of consulting experience and has worked with UK tier one banks to solve complex business challenges and implement new technology systems.
For the past 5 years, Jessica has worked specifically within the Cloud technology space and has helped clients with a variety of Cloud initiatives, from shaping strategy to executing Cloud activities to help clients deliver value and meet business outcomes.
Outside of her client role, Jessica leads the Northwest Diversity and Inclusion team in the region and is passionate about creating an inclusive and diverse community across teams. Regional business growth is also a key focus area for Jessica, since starting her career she has been passionate about development in the Northwest. Jessica is now working with the business development community, Pro Manchester to connect and collaborate with local businesses in the north.
Outside of work, Jessica lives just outside of Bolton with her recent husband Dominic and likes to spend the weekends doing something active and outdoors. She will either be at the gym, a Hyrox fitness class or walking mountains. She loves to socialise, loves a holiday, and skiing.
Holly Mather | Engineering Manager | Enable
Holly completed a Master Degree in Materials Engineering at Swansea University and started her career as a research engineer in the field of metrology.
After progressing her career technically, she took a sideways steps into people management and leadership, managing a team of research engineers specializing in data engineering, data science and software engineering.
She then took an opportunity at ASOS as an Engineering Manager, managing teams of software engineers and QA engineers in the fintech space. Following her time at ASOS she has joined SaaS startup, Enable as an Engineering Manager and is paving the way internally for female engineers.
Since joining Enable Holly has been focusing on building and driving forward a DEI strategy within the Engineering department. She has created and influenced a more accessible and diversity-centric approach to their engineering recruitment and onboarding processes.
Holly is empowering and connecting with the Enable’s female engineers, building a community for these engineers to come together across the globe, creating opportunities for them to share challenges and solutions, exploring mentoring opportunities and focusing on building empowerment from within.
Holly is also a voice of diversity and leadership outside of Enable, speaking on podcasts, writing blog posts, delivering talks at events, supporting and celebrating other women within tech through mentoring, and as a UN Women UK delegate.
Faith Ida | Technical Professional services Consultant | Genesys
Faith has had a remarkable career journey marked by resilience, dedication, and a commitment to fostering inclusivity in the tech industry.
In 2021, she made a transformative career change by transitioning into the tech world. Her determination propelled her through a self-taught coding journey, which led to her current position as a Technical Implementation Consultant.
Faith`s impact extends beyond her professional roles. She developed TTPNetwork to assist immigrants during their migration journey, showcasing her passion for leveraging technology for social good. As a Full-Stack Software Engineer, she is currently revolutionizing the industry with Al. Migrate, an AI Immigration platform that simplifies visa information access.
In addition to her professional work, Faith is actively engaged in empowering others, particularly women and marginalized communities, through her work with organizations such as Code First Girls. As an Assistant Instructor and Confidence Coach, she contributes to women`s transition into the tech field. Faith`s commitment to education is evident in her roles as a Scratch for Kids tutor, a Teaching Assistant with Coding Black Females, and a Software Engineer Mentor with Black Codeher and Black Girls in Tech.
Faith`s advocacy extends to panel discussions on diversity in tech, where she focuses on encouraging women to pursue careers in technology. She also leverages her social media presence to inform and empower others about tech opportunities, events, and the importance of diversity in the tech community.