Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025
Meet the women behind the conversation
Joni Jackson – Modern Work & Information Management Consultant
Joni started her career in enterprise content management before transitioning into cloud solutions and Microsoft consulting. She thrives on problem-solving and digital transformation, helping businesses optimise their information management strategies.
Sally Phipson – Sales Coordinator
Sally’s career spans sales, administration, and operations, with experience across relocations, office space management, and technology. She brings a keen adaptability and a love for learning to her role, supporting Cloud Essentials’ clients with tailored solutions.
Jeanette Theu – Head of Marketing
Jeanette has spent over a decade in the ICT industry, specialising in marketing strategy and brand positioning. She is also the co-founder of GirlCode, a non-profit focused on bridging the gender gap in tech.
Nivasha Sanilal – Compliance Lead
With a background in legal advisory and regulatory compliance, Nivasha’s career evolved into technology-driven compliance risk management and data governance. She is passionate about helping organisations align data governance with business strategy, ensuring they meet regulatory requirements effectively.
Kristen da Fonseca – Project Manager
Kristen started her career as a Junior SAP Consultant, later transitioning into a Scrum Master role managing software development projects. She eventually moved into project management, specializing in the Microsoft space. She stays up to date with technology trends through industry articles and learning from colleagues.
Holly Lerchundi Willis – Head of Sales and Customer Success
Holly leads the sales team and customer success. Her passion comes from ensuring clients are continually getting the most value from their investments and relationships. With an eye for detail and a drive to create and refine processes, her mission is to help clients achieve their goals with a great experience along the way.
Holly loves the outdoors, is a big foodie, and enjoys sports and fitness. She spends her free time with her partner, family, and friends, always keeping her weekends packed with fun activities.
The conversation
At Cloud Essentials, we’re lucky to have an amazing team of women who are shaping the future of technology, compliance, and business strategy. This International Women’s Day, we brought together Joni Jackson, Sally Phipson, Jeanette Theu, Holly Lerchundi Willis, Kristen da Fonseca and Nivasha Sanilal to chat about their careers, experiences as women in tech, and what “Accelerating Action” means to them.
What followed was a lively, insightful conversation about mentorship, work-life balance, diversity in tech, and the skills that help women succeed.
Getting started in tech
Jeanette: Let’s start with a big one – what inspired each of you to pursue a career in technology?
Sally: Honestly? Tech found me! I wasn’t actively looking for a role in the industry, but once I was in, I was hooked. The constant change, the learning – it just pulls you in.
Jeanette: Same here! I always knew I wanted to work in marketing, but I hadn’t planned on tech specifically. Then, during an interview with a technology company nearly a decade ago, I had this moment of, “Wow, this is where I belong.” The industry was so fast-moving and innovative – it made me want to dive deeper.
Holly: The fast-paced nature of the industry immediately drew me in. I initially entered the IT field by chance while searching for a traditional 9-to-5 job years ago. However, I quickly developed a strong interest in technology and found it truly fascinating. I like that it’s a dynamic and ever-evolving industry, continuously shaping and influencing various aspects of our lives. The greatest satisfaction for me comes from seeing technology in action—solving problems and making a meaningful impact on people.
Joni: I love that! For me, it was about problem-solving. I was always the person trying to find better, smarter ways to do things, and tech is all about that. It lets me streamline processes, improve security, and help businesses work more efficiently – all on a massive scale.
Kristen: I launched my IT career as a Junior SAP Consultant, specialising in cloud implementations. This role gave me hands-on experience in cutting-edge enterprise solutions, setting the foundation for my journey in the tech industry.
Nivasha: My journey was a little different having worked for 11 years within the financial sector across various roles including legal advisory and compliance, where I quickly realised that technology is pivotal to governance, risk, and compliance. You can’t separate them anymore – tech is what enables businesses to create effective controls to meet regulations and manage risk efficiently.
Role models & mentors
Sally: So, have you had any mentors who really shaped your career?
Jeanette: Loads! I’ve had leaders and colleagues who taught me so much. But honestly, I think mentorship doesn’t always have to be formal – it can come from anyone who challenges your perspective and pushes you forward.
Joni: Yes! Alistair Pugin, a Microsoft MVP, has been a big mentor for me – he believed in me even when I wasn’t sure of myself. And Tracy van der Schyff has been another role model – her dedication and integrity set such a high bar.
Nivasha: My biggest inspiration is my mum. She worked, studied, and raised a family as a single mother, all while constantly pushing herself to grow. That work ethic and resilience have shaped everything I do.
Sally: That’s so powerful. I’d say my biggest role models are my mum and sisters – they’re the strongest, most humble, and kind-hearted women I know.
Holly: Same here! My partner and the incredible women in my family – my mum, sister, and granny – have been my greatest role models. Their unwavering commitment, compassion, strong values, and relentless work ethic have shaped who I am today. Professionally, I’ve been fortunate to have a former manager who truly believed in me, encouraging me to seize opportunities that helped me grow in my career. I carry those lessons forward with me, feeling proud of how far I’ve come and excited for what’s ahead. I also have the privilege of working for a company where I deeply respect the co-founders, making my journey even more fulfilling.
The skills that help women thrive in tech
Jeanette: Let’s talk about skills – what do you think are the most important qualities for women looking to succeed in tech?
Sally: Adaptability, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. Tech is constantly evolving, so you have to stay open to change and keep learning – whether that’s new tools, trends, or ways of working.
Joni: Definitely! I’d add problem-solving and resourcefulness – things don’t always go as planned, so being able to think on your feet and find creative solutions is key.
Kristen: I would add a blend of a blend of technical and soft skills is important. A strong understanding of project management methodologies is essential, as they provide structure in fast-paced environments like ours. I’ve also found a good understanding of the technical concepts and issues can really elevate your ability to problem solve as a project manager. On the softer side, leadership and communication skills are key. As a Project Manager, I must collaborate with diverse teams—technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Nivasha: For me, it’s attention to detail, agility and critical thinking – especially in compliance and governance. Tech can help businesses manage their regulatory requirements, but only if you know how to both interpret regulations and apply technology correctly.
Holly: In the fast-evolving tech industry, staying up to date with new advancements and maintaining adaptability are essential skills. The ability to adjust solutions in response to industry changes ensures continued relevance, enabling professionals to address client challenges effectively and deliver innovative enhancements.
Jeanette: And let’s not forget confidence. Women in tech sometimes feel like they have to prove themselves more, so being able to trust your expertise and speak up is really important.
Joni: Agreed! And I’d also say relationship-building. A strong network of mentors, colleagues, and allies can make a huge difference in your career.
Sally: 100%! Having a great support system – whether it’s colleagues, mentors, or peers – helps you navigate challenges and grow in your role.
Challenges as women in tech
Jeanette: Let’s talk about being women in a male-dominated industry. Have you ever felt like you had to work harder to be recognised?
Joni: Sometimes, yes. I’ve had moments where I needed to demonstrate my expertise more proactively in technical discussions. But I’ve found that once people see my knowledge and approach, they respect and value my input.
Kristen: Same here, there were moments where I had to prove myself more than my male counterparts, especially in technical discussions or decision-making processes. However, I’ve always worked hard to demonstrate my knowledge, build credibility, and show that I’m equally capable.
Holly: That’s so true! In my experience, building credibility and trust has often taken longer. To overcome this, I’ve focused on being consistent, reliable and well prepared.
Nivasha: I think a challenge for me has been balancing work and motherhood. Tech and regulations evolve so fast, but you also don’t want to miss a precious minute with your little one. It’s something I’m still navigating!
Sally: That’s real. Even without kids, work-life balance in tech is tough. The industry never slows down, so it’s about setting boundaries and making peace with not doing everything at once.
Jeanette: Agreed! And I think companies play a big role in making that possible. The support we get at Cloud Essentials – from flexible work to genuine encouragement – makes a huge difference.
What women bring to tech
Jeanette: I love this question – what do you think women bring to the tech industry that makes it stronger?
Sally: Agility, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. Tech is always changing, and we need to be adaptable.
Joni: Collaboration and empathy. Women often approach problems differently and create inclusive solutions.
Kristen: Agreed! The ability to understand and manage the human side of a project – be it team dynamics, client relationships, or end-user needs – makes a big difference.
Nivasha: I also say attention to detail. Especially in data governance, having that meticulous mindset is critical.
Holly: Diversity and differences in; approach, strategy, ideas for success, new developments, inclusivity and encouragement for others.
Jeanette: Yes! And diverse perspectives – we challenge assumptions and bring fresh ideas to the table.
How can we accelerate change?
Sally: So, how do we “Accelerate Action” for women in tech?
Jeanette: We need more mentorship and sponsorship to help women not just enter tech but advance into leadership—and stay there. A recent survey found that 57% of women in tech feel burned out, compared to 36% of men, highlighting the need for stronger support.
Joni: 100%. And I also think we need to shift the mindset around competition. Too often, women feel like they have to compete with each other for a seat at the table, but we should be lifting each other up instead.
Holly: We should celebrate and actively support the presence of women in the technology sector, not just on International Womens Day, by ensuring equal opportunities for onboarding, career growth, and success.
Nivasha: Yes! Companies need to walk the talk – hiring more women, creating inclusive cultures, and actually investing in diversity rather than just talking about it.
Sally: Agreed. And on an individual level, we can all be allies – supporting, amplifying, and advocating for each other.
The road ahead
As the conversation wrapped up, one thing was clear: women in tech bring incredible value, and progress is happening – but there’s still more to be done.
At Cloud Essentials, we see firsthand how mentorship, leadership, and supportive work environments help create a more inclusive industry. Flexible working, a culture of collaboration, and opportunities for growth all play a role in making tech a place where everyone can thrive.
By continuing to advocate for diversity and work-life balance, companies like ours can help ensure that the future of tech is one where talent – not gender – defines success.
