We’re delighted to introduce our Digital Her Inspiration Breakfast speakers for International Women’s Day 2024:
Charlène C. Ambe
Galina Ostroumova
Kirsty Tidmarsh
Seda K.
Lydia Hawthorn
These Digital Her Role Models submitted great ideas for lightning talks around the International Women’s Day 2024 theme of #InspireInclusion, each approaching the idea in their own unique way.
On 8th March they’ll take to the stage to share their big ideas & insights with our Digital Her community who will explore their questions together.
Inspiration Breakfasts are packed with inspiring ideas and meaningful connections. We bring the Digital Her community together around thought-provoking and personal talks from our members, and create space for the rich conversations they inspire.
Read more about each speaker & their talk below:
About Charlène’s talk
A diverse and inclusive work environment is crucial for career fulfilment. This fosters a more efficient use of energy, allowing individuals to focus on their work, make confident decisions, and feel secure enough to step out of their comfort zones. I want to share my experience on how establishing a sisterhood at work helped me build my career.
About Charlène
Charlène currently works as Customer Relations advisor for Insurance claims at Booking.com.
She is a proud graduate of a Masters degree in Geopolitics, allowing her to pursue a career in Humanitarian Aid programming for almost 10 years.
Now working in the travel industry, Charlène advocates for Sustainable Tourism in Haiti, as well as Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the workspace.
She also loves sports and competes for Trafford Handball Club in her spare time.
About Halyna’s talk:
If you’re new to the tech field, whether you’re past your student years or just starting to explore your options, contemplating the future in the world of technology can be daunting. The tech industry often appears dominated by brilliant minds like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, making the idea of coding or pursuing a tech career seem intimidating.
Questions like “Can I really do this?” and “What does it entail?” may cross your mind, along with concerns about feasibility and the availability of friends and mentors in the field. These questions are relevant for everyone, but they weigh particularly heavy on women considering the tech industry as a pathway to a better life. When navigating the steps necessary for this journey, guidance becomes essential.
Embarking on this path may initially challenge your mind, but over time, you’ll discover a deeper understanding, uncovering the beauty and sense of belonging within the tech realm.
Drawing from personal experience being a foreigner without technical education, it’s essential to acknowledge that frustration and struggles may arise, yet they shouldn’t deter you from pursuing something that has the potential to positively transform your life.
About Halyna:
Full Stack Software Developer at GlobalLogic UK&I. I graduated from the industry-recognized Northcoders Full-stack JavaScript Bootcamp, having transitioned from being a Sales Manager at a cutting-edge IoT company. I moved to the UK as a refugee in April 2022 and was able to retrain and embark on a new career path in the country. I love utilizing the latest technologies to solve problems in innovative ways, such as data analytics and GenAI, and I dream big.
About Kirsty’s talk:
I’m excited to share a glimpse into my journey as a female software engineer, where I’ve often found myself as the lone woman in a room full of male counterparts. Being the only woman in a room full of male engineers has its challenges, but it’s also an opportunity to break stereotypes and pave the way for others. I talk about the challenges I’ve faced, the allies that have supported me and creating safe spaces for others to follow.
About Kirsty:
Kirsty Tidmarsh is an Engineering Manager at Booking.com and an award winning software engineer. She graduated from Liverpool Hope University with a Degree in Business and IT. From there she forged a career in software engineering that has seen her work in insurance, finance, security and travel industries.
Kirsty is passionate about supporting initiatives encouraging people into careers in tech through her role as a STEM ambassador and advocating for people returning to tech after an extended break.
About Seda’s talk:
How it’s okay to not aspire for leadership. I will explore how the inclusivity of different personalities and life experiences will encourage different career goals and thus encourage career authenticity.
About Seda:
Seda discovered her passion for code during father-daughter pairing sessions as a teenager. Currently working as a Software Engineer at Zühlke, she specialises in mobile and backend development. Beyond the screen, she is also passionate about mental health, women in tech and accessibility in tech. When she’s not immersed in lines of code, you’ll likely find her riding her bike or swimming.
About Lydia’s talk:
How to become your own role model. Examining in 5 minutes how dynamic we can become in our careers by asking ourself “how can I impress myself?”
About Lydia:
Lydia has worked in Product Delivery and Transformation for 8 years and currently consults with business large and small to help them improve flow and create high performing teams. She speaks regularly at events advocating for Women in Tech as well as her experiences of Agile transformation and change. Lydia mentors others in the industry to encourage better levels of diversity in the tech sector as well as being an ambassador for InnovateHer.