Career Without a Blueprint: Courage, Reinvention and Leading Through Change

Careers in technology rarely follow a straight line. The most successful leaders are often those who embrace change, take calculated risks and remain open to opportunities outside their original plans. In this Women in Tech Week conversation, Dr Vanessa Vallely OBE is joined by Maria Hooton, Head of Cross-Product Platforms at SMBC, to explore building a career across technology, business, risk and transformation. Vanessa and Maria discuss the power of professional networks, the value of broad experience, leading through uncertainty, and how to create opportunities for yourself and others. Maria shares her own career journey of continual evolution and the lessons she has learned from navigating organisational change, industry transformation and leadership. They also explore resilience, curiosity and adaptability, as well as the importance of supporting the next generation of women in technology. The conversation offers practical insights for anyone looking to grow their career, build confidence and thrive through change. About Women in Tech Week Women in Tech Week is a nationwide celebration of women in technology, created and run by WeAreTechWomen. Through events, conversations and content across the UK, the week brings together organisations, leaders and communities to connect, share knowledge and accelerate the progress of women in tech. Find out more: women-in-tech-week.com Connect with us WeAreTechWomen Website : https://wearetechwomen.com/ LinkedIn:   / wearetechwomen   Instagram:   / wearethecity_hq   YouTube:    / @wearetechwomen   #womenintechweek #wearetechwomen #womenintech