Did you enjoy school?
I loved learning, I just didn’t learn in the way people expected.
I was always curious, fascinated by how things worked and spent hours glued to David Attenborough documentaries, wanting to understand the world around me. Reading, however, was a real struggle. I became very good at masking it, so instead of recognising I learnt differently, people often assumed I wasn’t trying.
It wasn’t until I was studying for my Master’s that I discovered I was dyslexic. It didn’t change who I was, it simply explained the journey. Today, I see dyslexia as one of my greatest strengths. It has shaped how I lead, encouraging curiosity, different perspectives and creating environments where people don’t have to fit into a box to succeed.
What qualifications do you have?
Learning has always been one of the best investments I’ve made in myself.
I recently completed an MSc in Healthcare Leadership at Alliance Manchester Business School through the NHS Leadership Academy’s Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Programme. Alongside this, I achieved a Distinction in the Senior Leader Level 7 Apprenticeship and End Point Assessment with ILM and City & Guilds, as well as qualifications in Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) and Change Management.
For me, qualifications aren’t about collecting certificates. They give me the knowledge and confidence to lead complex transformation, but the real learning comes from working alongside people, staying curious and never standing still.
Has your career path been a smooth transition, a rocky road or a combination of both?
Definitely a combination of both.
I didn’t set out to work in technology. My career began in legal and commercial roles before moving into strategic commissioning, transformation and eventually digital innovation.
Looking back, there has always been one constant, curiosity. I’ve always wanted to understand how things work and, more importantly, how they could work better. Technology became the tool, not the destination. Improving people’s lives has always been the purpose.
What is the best career advice you can give to others?
Stay curious and don’t wait until you feel completely ready.
Some of the biggest opportunities in my career came when I stepped outside my comfort zone. Keep learning, ask questions, back yourself and don’t be afraid to take opportunities that stretch you.
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating an environment where people can succeed together.
If you had to pick one mentor, who has had the biggest influence on you?
I couldn’t choose just one.
I’ve been fortunate to learn from inspiring leaders throughout my career, each teaching me something different. More recently, communities such as Women Power House and the NHS Leadership Academy have reinforced the importance of lifting others as you grow.
The best leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.
From where do you draw inspiration?
Curiosity has always inspired me.
As a child it came from David Attenborough documentaries and wanting to understand the world around me. Today it comes from people, patients, clinicians, colleagues and communities.
My career break in Canada reinforced that there isn’t one right way of doing things. Seeing different healthcare systems reminded me that innovation comes from listening, learning and being open to new perspectives.
Above all, I’m inspired by people who quietly make a difference every day.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced to date?
Without question, supporting my son through significant mental health challenges while leading at a senior level.
That experience has shaped me as both a mother and a leader. It strengthened my resilience, deepened my empathy and reinforced the importance of designing services around people rather than systems.
It’s one of the reasons I believe technology and AI must always be ethical, inclusive and focused on improving lives – particularly for those who are most vulnerable.
What qualities make a good leader?
Authenticity, empathy and courage.
The best leaders don’t have all the answers. They listen, build trust, empower others and create the conditions where people can thrive.
For me, leadership is about helping people achieve more than they thought possible while never losing sight of why we’re here – to improve lives.
From a work viewpoint, what has the last 12 months been like?
Probably the most transformative of my career.
Alongside completing my Master’s and Senior Leader apprenticeship, I continued leading large-scale transformation, commissioning and digital programmes across one of England’s largest NHS systems.
I also took a planned career break to Vancouver Island, Canada, broadening my perspective, exploring international approaches to AI and digital transformation, and investing in my own leadership. I returned with fresh ideas, renewed confidence and an even stronger belief that we never stop learning.
What would you say are the biggest tech-based challenges we face today?
For me, the biggest challenge isn’t the technology, it’s how we use it.
AI is evolving rapidly, but governance, public trust and inclusion must evolve with it. Technology should reduce inequalities, support professionals and improve outcomes, not simply introduce innovation for innovation’s sake.
Technology should never replace humanity. It should help people live healthier, safer and better lives.
That’s why I’m passionate about responsible AI. Professionally, I lead digital transformation, but personally, as the mum of an autistic son, I’ve seen how technology is becoming part of everyday life for children and families. It inspired me to become a volunteer advocate with the Safe AI for Children Alliance, championing the safe, ethical and responsible use of AI as it becomes increasingly embedded across our lives, education, academia, healthcare and public services.
For me, successful digital leadership means embracing innovation while ensuring it is safe, inclusive, transparent and centred on the people we serve.
What can be done to encourage more women into the industry?
Visibility and opportunity matter.
We need more women leading, mentoring and sharing their experiences so others can see what’s possible. Networks such as Women In Tech Power Network have shown me the value of collaboration, encouragement and creating space for diverse voices.
There isn’t one route into tech, digital or data and that’s exactly what makes our profession stronger.
12. Give us a fact about you that most other people wouldn’t know.
Most people are surprised to learn I only discovered I was dyslexic while studying for my Master’s.
That experience changed how I saw myself. What I once thought was my biggest challenge became one of my greatest strengths.
If there’s one thing I’d like people to take away from my journey, it’s this: Never let someone else’s definition of how you should learn, lead or succeed define what’s possible. Curiosity, compassion and determination will take you further than fitting into a box ever will.
