From finance to IT leadership
My journey into IT began almost by chance. When it was time to choose my study path, I knew I wanted something that was both secure and a little unexpected of me. I started out with a year of informatics studies, where I discovered the technical side came easily to me. Realising I wanted to combine that strength with a broader business view, I moved into business school and pursued a Master’s degree at Copenhagen Business School.
My first step into the industry came through the financial sector, where I worked as a Business Analyst. I was like the glue between business and IT, helping translate constraints and possibilities from one side to the other. That role eventually took me to Zurich, where I gained my first leadership experience. Eleven years in finance gave me a strong foundation, but also the clarity that I wanted to focus more on technology and less on corporate politics.
Joining Solita during a lockdown
I joined Solita in 2020, right in the middle of the Covid lockdowns. Recruited by Jesper, who remains my manager today, I stepped into the role of Team Lead and Project Manager. I didn’t see any of my new team members in real life for months, but I was already caring for customers and staff.
Soon after, I was offered a senior leadership position. Today, I am Senior Vice President of Life Cycle Services in Denmark, overseeing 7 leaders and close to half of Solita Denmark’s production employees. My unit focuses mainly on software development and long-term client relationships.
I went from having 12–14 people in my team to nearly 100 overnight. It was a huge shift, moving from leading people directly to leading leaders. You have to motivate and support differently. For me, it’s about honesty, admitting insecurities, asking questions, and involving others rather than staying inside your ivory tower.
Thriving in a male-dominated industry
Working in IT has often meant being one of the few women in the room. But I’ve never let that discourage me. I think I actually thrive in a male-dominated industry. That said, I’m very happy that we now have more women at Solita, not only in Project Management and other roles but also on the software development side. The balance matters. 50/50 would be ideal.
In Switzerland, where I spent part of my career, I rarely met women in very technical IT roles. Sometimes it felt quite restrained. But I always stayed focused on the tech side. That’s what I enjoy the most.
When I think about the most rewarding moments of my career, I don’t point to promotions or major milestones. Instead, it’s the everyday victories of building trust and solving problems together. The human factor is very important to me, and it’s also a core value here. We want happy customers, not just good technology.
Leading by example: Work-life balance
Alongside my demanding leadership role, I’m also a single mum to two daughters part-time. I leave the office on time to pick them up, even as I’m part of top management. I prioritise being there for my girls, and I’m always available by phone.
At home, I see myself as a role model too. I want to show my daughters that technology is for them. We build robots together, play with tech, and I try to give them tools so they won’t feel they need to wait for “dad to fix it”. That’s my little feminist project.
I’m grateful for Solita’s culture that genuinely supports work-life balance. Here, working overtime isn’t seen as a career advancement tool. On the contrary, if someone works too much, it’s a concern we address. The fact that they encourage you to focus on life outside of work is great.
No impostor syndrome, just honesty
Unlike many women in tech, I haven’t struggled with impostor syndrome. That doesn’t mean I never ask myself, “what the h*ll am I doing?” But I don’t pretend to know things I don’t. I’m honest, I admit limitations, and I let people with more expertise have their voice.
I believe more structured mentoring could help attract and retain women in tech. We need to start earlier, before young women have even chosen their career path. Too many think IT has nothing to do with people, when in fact it is the opposite. I’d even love to mentor parents so they don’t scare their daughters away from tech.
My advice for women aspiring to a career in tech is simple: don’t overthink it.
Whatever fears you have about not being enough, you’re not the only one who feels that way. And it’s not as hardcore technical as you might imagine. There’s room for many skills and personalities. For me, success has come from honesty, curiosity, and a focus on people. Ask questions, be open, and don’t try to know it all yourself. That’s how you grow.
Interested in joining Solita? See our open positions.