Mums in Tech ft. Kit Powney
As part of our ‘Mums in Tech’ series, we caught up with Kit Powney, Head of Digital Maturity at Tearfund.
The purpose of our 'MotherBoard’ content 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 am a mum of 5 year old twins and I work part time as Head of Digital Maturity at Tearfund, an international development charity. My role is like an in-house consultant helping Tearfund make the best use of digital technology and its associated cultures (agile, innovation etc) with a special focus on fundraising and communications. Alongside this, I flex the rest of the week working as a consultant, helping organisations drive transformation, digital strategy and communications.
If you could sum up what it’s like being a working mum in tech in one sentence, what would it be?
It’s a constant exercise in agility, balancing work with the joyful chaos of family life.
How do you find the balance between your career and motherhood?
Challenging! I want to spend time with my girls, but I also want to work and pursue my career. I’ve learned that balance isn’t fixed, it’s more like rhythm. Some days, work takes the lead and other days, family does. The key for me has been trying to be fully present in whichever I'm at, at that moment, setting boundaries and taking a sledge hammer to any perfectionism I may have had before kids! I also use a lot of post it notes. If something pops into my head whilst I am with the kids, I often write it down and put it on my desk ready for the next working day.
What has been your greatest challenge as a working mother in tech?
Keeping up with the relentless pace of change, especially in AI, while working part-time. The tech world moves fast, and it can feel like you’re always catching up. I have learned to focus on depth, not noise, choosing what’s most relevant to my work and clients, and staying curious rather than overwhelmed.
On top of that, my husband also works and travels, so balancing both of our office days or big projects/deadlines has become part of how we navigate family life. Recently, we both had in office meetings on the same day and ended up playing a game of “who has the most senior, non-moveable meeting.” I won because mine was with a trustee! It's a silly example, but it shows how much extra coordination and organising goes into just being able to show up at work, something that was not a challenge pre kids.
What skills have you developed as a mother that have helped your work life?
Being a twin mum has been joyful chaos. It’s sharpened my ability to multi-task, prioritise and stay calm under pressure. You learn to make decisions quickly, adapt to constant change, and find creative solutions, all skills that are essential at work. Motherhood has also made me care less about work in the best possible way. When you log off, those tiny humans completely take over your world, and that forces you to switch off properly. It gives you perspective and makes you more human-centred in how you approach technology, it grounds innovation in real life.
“It gives you perspective and makes you more human-centred in how you approach technology, it grounds innovation in real life. ”
When you were returning to work, what one thing helped you / would have helped you the most?
My boss was amazing, he gave me permission to be a mum. He told me that if the kids weren’t sleeping or needed a doctor’s appointment, not to worry about making the time up. That trust lifted such a weight. Because I was returning part-time, he also encouraged me to say no to meetings, which meant I could actually get work done and deliver. That kind of support and understanding made all the difference in feeling valued and able to thrive.
What do you feel should be the top priority for employers who want to support working mothers better?
It’s about seeing and supporting the whole person returning to work, not just the “working mum.” Every mother’s experience is different. Some may feel anxious about the new routine, childcare, or how they’ll manage the emotional juggle; others might worry about what they have missed whilst being away or keeping their skills up to date, especially in fast-evolving areas like AI.
Employers can make a huge difference by creating a culture that genuinely understands this transition. It’s not just about flexible policies, it’s about cultural permission to use that flexibility without stigma. At Tearfund, for example, they offer back to work buddies, which is such a simple way to acknowledge it is a tricky transition. They’ve also continued to invest in me through coaching and training, even while I’ve been working part-time, which has been amazing.
Any final words of advice for other mothers in the Tech Industry?
Keep crushing it and defining your own version of success. We often feel pulled in two directions, like we’re not spending enough time with our kids and not delivering enough at work, but the truth is, keeping little humans alive and loved while leading in an ever evolving tech landscape is extraordinary. When you have children, what success looks like can shift, and that’s okay. It’s different for each of us. Let’s support and celebrate each other as we navigate it together.
“Keep crushing it and defining your own version of success.”
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