At Answer Digital, we’re passionate about supporting women in tech and building a community where everyone feels empowered to grow, connect, and thrive. This year, our #TheAnswerIsWomen events have been a vibrant celebration of the power of collaboration, diversity, and shared experiences.

The Answer Is Women is a Leeds-based initiative founded by women in tech, for women in tech, and their allies. It’s a space to break barriers, uplift one another, and explore the endless possibilities when we join forces to create change.

In 2024, we hosted three impactful events:

• “The Consultant’s Mindset” with Sarah Green, offering insight into consulting with clarity and confidence.
• “Thriving or Just Surviving” with Rachel Munt, focusing on navigating challenges in the workplace.
• “Breaking the Glass Ceiling”, hosted by our own team as part of Leeds Digital Festival, exploring leadership and smashing societal limitations.
  

Here’s what we learned from hosting these events—our highs, our challenges, and everything in between.

Highlights: celebrating the wins

Inspiring guest speakers
Our events brought together leaders from diverse sectors, each sharing unique and authentic perspectives on career and personal growth. Their stories highlighted the challenges and rewards of balancing professional success with personal priorities, resonating deeply with our audience and leaving lasting impressions.

Building meaningful connections
Networking was a standout feature of each event. We met individuals at different stages of their careers, exchanged ideas, and laid the groundwork for lasting relationships. These events have become a hub of collaboration and inspiration, with attendees often inviting us to join future initiatives. Feeling part of a supportive community, both within Answer Digital and the broader Leeds tech scene, has been incredibly rewarding.

Empowering personal growth
Hosting these events pushed us out of our comfort zones, from public speaking to leading discussions. Reflecting on our own experiences and sharing advice reinforced our confidence while providing actionable takeaways for others. Unlike many events that lean towards sales pitches, The Answer Is Women focuses on delivering practical, relatable advice that attendees can implement in their careers.

Strengthening community
Beyond external impact, these events brought our internal team closer together. Collaborating on planning, sharing stories, and learning from each other fostered a sense of belonging within Answer Digital. It’s been wonderful to work with colleagues outside of projects and build a stronger internal network.

Challenges: growing pains

Overpacked agendas
We’re never short on ideas, but packing too much into our events sometimes leaves little room for informal networking or reflection. Finding the right balance is a lesson we’re carrying into 2025.

Marketing and attendance
Promoting our events proved trickier than planning them. With dropouts (especially during winter) and challenges in estimating numbers, we learned the importance of over-communicating and being flexible with our plans. In the later half of this year, we employed a marketing manager and we are already seeing the benefits of having dedicated expertise for advertising our events and promoting the community.

Balancing commitments
Event planning alongside project work is no small feat. Our consultants’ involvement adds authenticity to the events, but juggling these responsibilities requires clear communication and a supportive team. It’s a reminder of how vital it is to prioritise and delegate effectively.

Encouraging allyship
We’ve been fortunate to see allies attend our events, but we want to see even more diversity in our audience. Bringing more men into the conversation remains a challenge, but it’s one we’re committed to addressing as we grow.

Looking ahead

Hosting #TheAnswerIsWomen events has been an incredible journey of learning, connection, and growth. From celebrating the power of authentic storytelling to reflecting on how far we’ve come as individuals and a team, these events have left a lasting impact on all of us.

As we plan for 2025, we’re focusing on creating even more space for reflection, reaching a wider audience, and continuing to build a thriving community where everyone feels empowered to grow and succeed. We are forever trying to grow our community and host events which break down barriers and normalise the normal. This year we are asking for your input on what topics of events you would attend and your opinions are most welcomed.

Here’s to the next year of breaking barriers, building connections, and uplifting women in tech.

If you’ve been inspired by our journey, we’d love for you to join us at our next event. Together, we can keep the momentum going—and ensure the The Answer Is Women community continues to thrive.

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