In this episode of The Progressing Lives Everywhere Podcast we're joined by Lisa Harrington, NED to the Post Office, Advisor to Tech Pixies and a champion of diversity in all its forms.

Hosted by Natasha Crump, Strategic Programmes Board Advisor, Global Diversity and Inclusion Lead, and Co-Founder of AB ASCEND at Amoria Bond, this episode sees Natasha and Lisa explore the timely topic of women in tech.

With sage advice on leadership, mentoring and closing the digital skills gap, Lisa explores her career into tech, how you can make a move into the industry, increasing diversity within tech plus the wider tech landscape and future outlook.

This instalment is the perfect listen for those in the tech sector or looking to move into the sector, and anyone wishing to hear more about progressing their careers and the careers of others.

Timestamped agenda:

00:50 - Introduction to Lisa

02:48 - What does progression mean to you personally, and who has inspired your own progression?

04:17 - Was working across multiple sectors in your career by design, and in what ways do you think it's benefited your progression to take that path?

05:55 - What is it that that drives you? Where does your ambition come from?

07:23 - What would you say you've learned through failure?

08:47 - Do you think that having a family has helped you get better at getting things wrong?

09:58 - If you could simplify your methodology on effective mentorship into two or three steps, what would they be?

14:24 - What have you learned about yourself through mentoring others?

16:57 - Thinking about when you've supported others with their progression, is there an example that really stands out for you when you felt "Yes, I've made a real difference here"?

18:57 - How important do you think it is in attracting and retaining female talent that companies facilitate and support networks for their female employees?

20:40 - What advice or tips would you give to professional working women or other groups who want to set up their own network in their own organisation, but are coming up against resistance - whether at board level or the wider organisation?

23:18 - What are the main causal factors that have contributed to the digital talent shortage?

26:08 - What is your opinion on the role or responsibility businesses could and should be taking to help address the digital divide?

27:40 - Is there anyone you'd recommend listeners look up as a really good example of achieving in this space without a University degree?

29:43 - What key trends do you expect to see in digital technology in the next few years?

33:24 - Do you think that women in very senior executive positions, like yourself, feel more under the microscope than their male peers?

34:13 - What you would say to board members of STEM companies who be listening, listening to the board, this podcast, in making a compelling business case for them to prioritise diversity in their organisation.

35:58 - What's the most significant lesson you've learned or piece of advice you'd give, that might help someone progress, a goal or ambition or area of their own life?

37:50 - What are you reading? Or what was the last book that made an impact and made you think?

Connect with your host, Natasha Crump, on LinkedIn.

Find your guest, Lisa Harrington, on LinkedIn.

Thanks for listening to The Progressing Lives Everywhere Podcast, brought to you by Amoria Bond.

This podcast is a Loaded Hype production.