Maureen

Tell us about your journey into tech?
Just before the millennium when I was still working as a Science lecturer, I really wanted to learn more about IT, so I trained and became a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and a Microsoft Certified Trainer. I did this for a few years before transitioning into Neuroleadership training.

How do you feel you have made a difference in what you do?
It really has been a privilege helping leaders, executives, individuals and organisations achieve resilience, increased performance, profitability and lead at a high level, by leveraging brain science of how to change behaviour to become conscious leaders. This has enabled so many leaders and organisations to navigate change efficiently, whilst also saving a lot of money and time.

What would you say is your biggest achievement?
My biggest achievement has been supporting an underperforming team at an educational institution, where there was massive disengagement, low morale, poor retention and low learner outcomes, to become an outstanding department with high learner expectations and results within 8 months.

The key here was that the leaders learnt how to focus on the people and not on results. This had such a massive impact that many of those leaders and managers progressed so fast and successfully in their careers and the learners left with such high Emotional Intelligence and many have gone on to excel in their careers and still keep in touch with me today.

This is why I really love what I do because the skills people acquire, as much as it benefits them in the workplace, also helps them in their personal life and in their future. After all, it’s the same brain that we use at work that we still use at home. I really enjoy helping people ‘Rewire Their Brain’ by developing high Emotional Intelligence.

How do you think people can go about making a difference, in regards to spreading awareness of Black Women in tech?
Networks like this will go a long way in making a difference by providing a place for black women to develop formal and informal relationships, find mentors and even sponsors.

Keeping the conversations going will also ensure more awareness and a better understanding of black women in tech. I also believe that equipping Black women with skills to confidently position themselves will go a long way in helping many more excel and flourish.