Equal opportunities as a pillar of success: International Women’s Day interview with Krystal Simpson
Tell us about your role
My role is consultancy-focused, which means I provide solutions based on the client’s specifications and needs. I specialise in Power Platform, building BI reports, automations, portals or even background data cleansing automations daily.
How did you get into developing? Was it always something you were interested in?
Not at all! I started out in a data input role which led to a team management role, but it developed even further as the company grew to include data and KPIs reporting, which naturally pushed me towards the developer position.
What keeps you motivated and what does representation in tech mean to you?
It’s the satisfaction behind building something truly meaningful for the client. When you see a project through to completion it’s such a rewarding feeling!
Representation in tech is all about creating equal opportunities and giving female leaders the platform they deserve. Give them a chance to demonstrate their capabilities and strengths, proving that leadership is defined by talent and determination, not gender. The change in the industry is real, it’s incredibly inspirational to see more women in technology nowadays, proudly sharing their thoughts on social platforms.
Have you ever encountered any doubt or negative perceptions as a female developer?
Not doubt, but often surprise. People don’t expect to see female developers, it’s not that they’re upset or don’t agree with it, they just don’t expect it.
I’m proud of the role I hold and the work I deliver. If anyone questions my ability, my results speak louder than their doubts. I continue to prove my strength through actions and results.
How can organisations move beyond conversation and take actions toward gender equity in tech?
They should provide their employees with equal pay, a strong maternity policy and flexibility with working times – these are the basics. Their actions should extend beyond the minimum. Everyone in the organisation should get an equal opportunity to be listened to. This is the easiest way to improve your business culture, through listening to your employees and acting on it, answering their needs.
What advice would you give to companies that want to attract and retain more women in technical roles?
Communicate openly with them and take the initiative to ask thoughtful questions. Make the effort to truly understand what their expectations are and what matters to them in the workplace. Clear communication lays the foundation for stronger collaboration and better outcomes for everyone involved.
This year’s theme, ‘Give to gain’, centres on collective progress. How can individuals help drive the real change?
Seeing other women in tech who are progressing and visible helps to position us boldly as leaders and experts in our field, while actively driving progress toward true equality.
However, I think the issue of unequal opportunities starts early on in life. Gender stereotypes should be less ingrained in children at school, pushing kids towards specific directions as this can restrict their awareness of what they could do in life.
What advice would you give to the next generation of female developers?
Just do it and don’t listen if someone tells you it’s not for you! Keep pushing forward, stay focused on your goal and believe in your potential. I am a perfect example that you can succeed.
At Fluid, we create equal opportunities for everyone. People are at the heart of everything we do and our organisational culture is one of the main pillars of our business.
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