Ahead of International Women in Tech Day this weekend, it feels especially meaningful to reflect on this journey and what this recognition represents, not just personally, but for the wider community of women shaping the tech industry every day.
Winning the Scottish Women in Tech “Everyday Leader” award still feels a little surreal. I am incredibly grateful to 2i for nominating me, and to Scottish Women in Tech for recognising my work as worthy of this award.
The SWiT Awards celebrate the women who are driving change across Scotland’s tech sector, highlighting leadership, innovation, and impact at all levels. To be recognised in the “Everyday Leader” category, which celebrates those making a difference through consistent, people-focused leadership, makes this even more special.
Leadership is built on small actions
Seeing my name among the nominees felt amazing. However, when my name was announced as the winner, I was in utter disbelief. Reflecting on the months since, seeing the announcement and even my name in my local newspaper has made me think about what actually led to that moment.
The truth is, it wasn’t one big achievement. It was lots of small things, done consistently over time.
Checking in on colleagues. Improving things that frustrated people. Championing ideas that made work just that little bit better for everyone.
None of it felt extraordinary at the time, just small, consistent actions that felt like the right thing to do. However, looking back, those actions had real impact. They helped shape ways of working, strengthen team connections, and create a more positive environment for others.
You don’t need a title to lead
That’s when it really clicked for me:
Leadership isn’t always loud, visible, or tied to a job title.
You don’t need permission to:
- Support someone who’s struggling
- Suggest a better way of doing things
- Care about culture, not just output
- Try to leave things better than you found them
In fact, I’ve learned that taking initiative, even in small ways can have a bigger impact than you might expect.
Representation matters in tech
Many of the initiatives I’ve been involved in started simply because something felt worth improving, whether that was communication, connection, sustainability, or support for others.
Another unexpected part of the experience was the visibility that followed. Sharing achievements initially felt uncomfortable, but I came to realise that representation matters. If even one person sees a story like this and realises leadership can look like them too, then it’s worth it.
That feels especially important on International Women in Tech Day because the more we share these stories, the more we show that leadership in tech comes in many forms, and that impact doesn’t always have to be loud to be powerful.
A culture that supports everyday leadership
I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported, challenged, and trusted me along the way. I’m especially thankful to my colleagues in the Comms Hub, who work incredibly hard and have helped shape many of the initiatives I’ve been involved in.
I’m also proud to be part of 2i, an organisation that values everyday impact and has recently been recognised as a Great Place to Work in the UK (Medium Companies category). That recognition reflects a culture where people are supported to grow, contribute, and lead in their own way.
Looking ahead
Awards recognise past work, but leadership is about what happens next. For me, that means continuing to support others, keep improving things, and contribute in ways that are sustainable and positive.
Because in the end, everyday leadership really is just that:
small actions, repeated consistently, that make work better for the people around us.