#42: Finding your place
A Q&A with speaker, mentor, and tech diversity ambassador Annie Mbako
Hello!
The mood in Stockholm right now is light and joyful. Everyone’s out or preparing to get out of the city for a long summer holiday. Suddenly, there’s time to pause, reflect, reset. And think about what you might want to change.
It’s with that spirit in mind that we’re meeting this week’s Q&A guest, Annie Mbako. Annie leads Operations at Diverse & Equal, an organisation bringing people from underrepresented backgrounds into Tech. Unlike many folks working in this space, Annie didn't start out in the tech industry. She had a 10-year career in investment banking, and she was rocking it—getting featured on the Times Top 100 Rising Star by WeAreTheCity and the Northern Power Women Future List. Annie's journey toward Tech is inspiring, heartening, and proof that it's never too late to change course.
Why did you decide to leave banking for the tech industry?
First and foremost, I wanted to work on projects that aligned more closely with my values. As I gained more exposure to the tech industry, I felt drawn to the people, the opportunities, and ways of working. Tech seemed much more dynamic, and the people I came across seemed genuinely in control of their work lives. Compared to Finance, at least. From what I saw and heard, there was a lot more flexibility and a lot less fear about changing jobs because there were more jobs than people to fill. I could see myself being able to flex my wings more in Tech, so when it was comfortable for me, I decided to take the leap.
Such a brave move! How did you make the transition?
I started taking short training courses and attending meetup groups and local tech community events. Most of the groups I joined were aimed at women or tailored to underrepresented people. Even though I was building my network, I didn't walk straight into a tech job when I left banking. After working on some small part-time projects, I realised that more systemic forces were at play. And that more people from underrepresented backgrounds needed help getting into the tech industry. That's what led me to Diverse & Equal.
Diverse & Equal exists to help adults from underrepresented groups get into Tech. As Head of Operations, I focus on recruitment, training, and marketing. It's a hands-on role, but I love it: I can play a key role in transforming someone's life. Our training programs are not simply about picking up technical skills; we take people on a journey to re-discover themselves. I haven't completely given up on being a specialist, but I am in a place where I am needed right now.
What surprised you the most about the tech industry and why?
I was shocked to discover that Tech had such a big issue with diversity. To me, the industry seemed (and seems) so free compared to other sectors. I think Tech has the potential to leapfrog every other industry when it comes to diversity, yet progress is slow. It's ironic that humans have created systems that could be potentially liberating, yet we are the ones stopping that system from working.
You found the banking and tech cultures to be very different. What are the tech industry's cultural strengths? What are its weaknesses?
Tech folk are so willing to share information and give advice to newcomers. When you step in from another industry, it's almost hard to believe. I had only previously seen such an 'open arms' culture in religious settings. It makes such a difference to have that support.
I also love how relaxed the tech industry is. These days, I think much less about how I look. I know people are often more interested in what I say and do. That said, there are still too many pockets catering to certain demographics. It's still the norm for me to be the only woman and/or Black person in the room, and that needs to change.
What advice would you give anyone thinking of transitioning to Tech?
There are three things I tell everyone who is considering taking the leap:
Build your network. Transitioning to Tech is much easier when you speak to people in the industry, especially those in your areas of interest. Courses will only take you so far. People are the key. So be prepared to make many new friends!
Get ready to go way beyond your comfort zone. You will reap the rewards; you probably won't even recognise your former self after some time. It's absolutely worth the effort, and no matter where you end up, you won't regret it.
Take the time to know yourself and know what you like. There are so many different disciplines in Tech beyond software engineering. Design, research, marketing, user experience, ops...the list goes on.
How can the tech and non-profit sectors come closer together?
Tech and Non-profits can benefit from more collaboration in many ways. I increasingly see non-profits getting involved in ventures that would run more efficiently with the right application of technology. Tech companies are experts in these applications—there's no reason they can't build a more affordable and feasible solution for a non-profit. In return, non-profits can offer their treasure trove of audience insights. That's useful for Tech because building a great digital product relies on a deep understanding of how people behave. To bring these sectors together, we need an easy way to match organisations, ideally based on shared values. The free service from Digital Candle is a great example.
Which three books have had the most significant impact on you as a leader and why?
The One Thing by Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan — Showed me that focus is the key to achieving good things without overwhelming myself or others. Before, this was something I did accidentally. Now, I'm very conscious of doing too much at once—I know it never ends well.
Good Services by Lou Downe — A brilliant "how-to," this book has made me feel as if I have been looking at things and not really seeing them. It's made me look at everything in life differently and taught me to look beyond my own perspective.
The Good Immigrant edited by Nilesh Shukla — A collection of short stories that has reshaped the discussion about race in Britain. I thought I knew a lot about cultural diversity in British society, but this book showed me that I was in a bubble. There is a massive difference between seeing something on the outside and experiencing it. There is no substitute for experience. Sometimes it's better to 'pass the mic,' so to speak.
More questions for Annie? She’s @Annie_Efosi on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. And available on LinkedIn too.
That’s it from Pass It On until August. I’m embracing Swedish Summer and taking a three-week vacation from Friday.
Thanks as always for reading and supporting. It really means so much that you’re here.
See you soon,
Lauren 👋