Mums in Tech ft. Joanne Santos
As part of our ‘Mums in Tech’ series, we caught up with Joanne Santos, Strategic Service Manager at Intercity Technology Limited.
The purpose of our 'MotherBoard’ interview series is to highlight incredible working mums within tech, as well as individuals and businesses that are supportive and progressive within their approach to creating more inclusive tech teams for women.
Firstly, can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your current role?
I'm a Strategic Service Manager at a Managed Service Provider specialising in Cyber Security, Connectivity and Managed IT services. My role centres on building strong client relationships, ensuring customers achieve value from their technology investments, and acting as a bridge between customers and our technical teams. Every day is different, which is one of the things I enjoy most about working in technology.
I also work closely with organisations in the sports sector, which remains a predominantly male-dominated environment. It's been incredibly rewarding to build my career in this space and demonstrate that women can thrive in both technology and sport. Bringing different perspectives to conversations and leadership has become one of the aspects of my role that I value most.
If you could sum up what it’s like being a working mum in tech in one sentence, what would it be?
Being a working mum in tech is a constant balancing act, but it's also incredibly rewarding to grow both your career and your family at the same time.
“Being a working mum in tech is a constant balancing act, but it's also incredibly rewarding to grow both your career and your family at the same time.”
How do you find the balance between your career and motherhood?
For me, balance isn't about giving equal time to everything every day; it's about being intentional with my time and priorities. Planning ahead, setting boundaries and being realistic about what can be achieved in a day helps me stay present both at work and at home.
I've learned that flexibility and patience are essential. Working in technology means the pace can be fast and demands can change quickly, whilst motherhood comes with its own unpredictability. Some days work requires more of my attention, and other days family comes first. I've become more comfortable accepting that balance looks different from day to day rather than striving for perfection.
I also think it's important for employers to recognise that parents have often already completed a significant amount of work before their official working day begins. Regular check-ins, flexibility and understanding can make a huge difference in helping working parents feel supported and able to perform at their best.
What has been your greatest challenge as a working mother in tech?
One of the biggest challenges has been managing the competing demands of a fast-paced industry alongside family responsibilities. Technology evolves rapidly, customer expectations are high, and there can sometimes be an unspoken pressure to always be available.
Returning to work after maternity leave brought its own challenges as I adjusted from one of the biggest changes in my personal life back into a professional environment that hadn't stood still while I was away. For many mothers, this period can also involve continuing their breastfeeding journey whilst navigating meetings, deadlines and travel commitments. Having the right support and understanding from employers during this transition is incredibly important.
Working within the sports sector has added another layer to that experience. As a woman in both technology and a traditionally male-dominated industry, there have been times when I've had to work hard to ensure my voice is heard and my expertise recognised. However, those experiences have also helped me grow in confidence and resilience.
What skills have you developed as a mother that have helped your work life?
Motherhood has strengthened so many skills that directly benefit my professional life. Organisation and time management are probably the most obvious, as juggling family life alongside a career requires careful planning and prioritisation.
It's also developed my patience, adaptability and problem-solving abilities. Children have a wonderful way of teaching you that not everything goes to plan, and being able to stay calm, think quickly and adjust to changing circumstances is invaluable in customer success and technology roles.
Perhaps most importantly, motherhood has strengthened my empathy and communication skills. It has helped me become a better listener, build stronger relationships and approach challenges with a greater understanding of different perspectives. These qualities are essential when working closely with customers, colleagues and stakeholders, and have ultimately made me more effective in my role.
When you were returning to work, what one thing helped you / would have helped you the most?
Having flexibility and understanding from my employer made a huge difference. Returning to work after maternity leave is a significant adjustment, and for many mothers it can also involve continuing their breastfeeding journey. Having access to suitable private spaces, flexibility to express milk when needed, and a workplace culture that normalises those conversations can make a huge difference to a mother's confidence and wellbeing. Feeling supported in those early months helps make the transition back to work much smoother.
What do you feel should be the top priority for employers who want to support working mothers better?
Flexible working should be a top priority, but it shouldn't stop there. Employers should also consider the practical realities that many mothers face when returning from maternity leave, including breastfeeding or expressing milk during the working day.
Creating dedicated, private and comfortable spaces for expressing milk, providing access to refrigeration facilities, and ensuring managers understand the needs of breastfeeding employees can have a significant impact. Just as importantly, organisations should actively encourage and normalise these conversations rather than leaving employees to navigate them on their own.
Supporting breastfeeding mothers isn't simply about meeting obligations; it's about creating an inclusive environment where women feel valued, respected and able to thrive without having to choose between their career and their family's needs.
Any final words of advice for other mothers in the Tech Industry?
Give yourself grace and recognise that every mother's journey is different. Whether you're breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, returning to work quickly or taking more time, there is no single measure of success. Focus on finding what works for you and your family, and don't be afraid to advocate for the support you need. The more openly we share our experiences, the more we help create workplaces that better support future generations of women in tech.
“Focus on finding what works for you and your family, and don't be afraid to advocate for the support you need. The more openly we share our experiences, the more we help create workplaces that better support future generations of women in tech.”
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