Women in Tech Week at Dunelm

by Jo Kalnavarna and Megan McGuire

Dunelm Women in Tech (WIT) working group decided to organize a women in tech week at Dunelm. It took place from October 7th to 11th, coinciding with Ada Lovelace Day. At these events everyone was welcome — tech, non-tech & allies. This wasn’t just aimed at women, but everyone who supports the cause and wants to celebrate it with us!

We had yummy cupcakes that were made by our own Pausa cafés amazing chef, badges, selfie frames and balloons for everyone who was in the office at SSC and Bush House🧁🎈

The week-long event celebrated the achievements of women in tech at Dunelm through virtual and in-person events:

1. Q&A with our CTIO John Gahagan — An honest conversation with the Chief Technology and Information Officer about all things Women in Tech.

2. Panel discussion with male allies — Male allies within Dunelm talked about their experience and insights on supporting women in tech. The panel was led by Rowan Powell and consisted of Tom Keeber (Head of Quality), Paul Kerrison (Director of Engineering), and John Burgess (Head of Business Analysis).

3. “My Journey” — Some of our female Tech Leadership spoke about their background, career journey, highs & lows and any other useful insights they could share with colleagues on how to feel empowered as a woman in tech.

4. A very special guest from Shift Left, Susan 🔹 O’Connor delivering her Masterclass: Shifting Left, a way of life.

You might be wondering why we need a ’special’ WIT week

The reason is that over the course of last few decades, the number of women in tech & engineering is decreasing; Women are even considering leaving the tech industry altogether.

So we thought this could be a great way to reconnect, celebrate success, and evaluate how we all can provide support for the current & future generations of women.

Below you will read a great insight from our own Delivery Lead, Megan McGuire on her experience during the Women in Tech week @Dunelm.

Women in Tech: My Reflections on Dunelm’s Women in Tech Week

Last week, I attended Dunelm’s Women in Tech Week, and it was an experience that left me both inspired and reflective. I enjoyed every session I attended, but the session that stood out the most to me personally was called “My Journey,” where senior women in the company shared their personal career stories. Hearing about their unique challenges — navigating male-dominated environments, balancing family and work, and overcoming discrimination — really struck a chord with me. It also made me reflect on my own journey and the challenges I’ve faced as a woman in tech.

My Journey: Reflections on My Own Experience

Listening to the speakers made me reflect on my own career path. I started at Amazon, working in a male-dominated team, and from the very beginning, I felt like I had to work harder to prove myself and be taken seriously. After working my way from trainer to lead, I became a manager — the only female manager at that level at the time. I was proud of my progress, but it came with its own pressures. I often felt the need to overperform, to show that I belonged in the role, and at times, I overworked myself to the point where I was dangerously close to burnout.

During that time, I also witnessed and experienced sexist remarks and behaviours, which were sometimes subtle but always draining. It can be incredibly isolating when you feel like there’s no one to turn to, especially if the culture doesn’t encourage open conversations about these issues. There were moments throughout my career when I didn’t feel safe speaking up, and in retrospect, I wish I had leaned more on the women around me. The solidarity and support we offer each other are powerful, and it’s something I wish I had tapped into sooner.

After moving to another company, the challenges continued. The exec team was predominantly white and male, and I found myself feeling isolated once again. This time, the company pushed hard for a return to office policy, which seemed out of touch with the needs of many employees, particularly women with caregiving responsibilities. Policies like these may not always be consciously biased, but they often disproportionately affect women.

What I Learned from Women in Tech Week

What I loved most about Women in Tech Week at Dunelm was the overwhelming sense of solidarity and openness. I wasn’t alone in feeling inspired — so many women around me shared similar reactions, and the sense of community was palpable. There’s something incredibly empowering about hearing other women’s stories, knowing that they’ve faced similar challenges, and seeing how they’ve persevered.

One of the biggest lessons I took away from the “My Journey” session was the importance of sharing these stories. It’s easy to feel like you’re alone in your struggles, especially in male-dominated environments, but the truth is, we’re not alone. By opening up and supporting each other, we can build a stronger, more inclusive workplace. The session reminded me of the importance of finding and fostering these connections.

Looking Ahead: What Needs to Change

The big takeaway from Women in Tech Week for me? We need more spaces like this. We need more opportunities for women to share their stories, to connect, and to push for real change in the workplace. It’s not enough to talk about diversity and inclusion — we need to live those values, in the policies we create and the environments we cultivate.

Inmy experience, things like caregiving responsibilities, double standards in leadership, and everyday sexism are often overlooked. Companies need to do a better job of recognizing these challenges and creating environments where women can thrive. That means building support systems, addressing biases, and ensuring that women’s voices are heard.

Moving Forward with Hope and Inspiration

I left Women in Tech Week feeling more emboldened than ever. Hearing senior leader’s stories, and connecting with so many incredible women, gave me hope that we can make real, lasting change. It also made me realize how important it is to support one another and to keep pushing for more inclusive and equitable workplaces.

To all the women in tech: keep going. Your experiences matter, and your voices deserve to be heard. Let’s continue to lift each other up and work together to create spaces where we can all succeed.

And to the men reading this: be allies. Listen to the women around you, support them, and do your part to make tech a more inclusive space for everyone.

Here’s to all the incredible women I met during Women in Tech Week, all of those I’ve met at each step of the way — and to those who continue to inspire me every day. Together, we’re stronger.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you ever felt like you had to work harder because of your gender? What changes would you like to see in the tech industry? Let’s keep the conversation going!

#Dunelm #WomenInTech #WIT #strongertogether