Women in Tech: Breaking Barriers and Leading with Impact
Pamela has built an impressive career in the tech industry, rising from sales roles to leading a major IT company through growth, mergers, and a successful acquisition. Now taking on a new challenge with HCS, she shares insights on leadership, career progression, and advice for women in tech.
Q: Pamela, can you tell us about the early days of your career?
Pamela: When I finished college, I started in my first sales role in Codec DSS, where I spent 6 years. It was a great foundation and gave me exposure to all aspects of sales, problem-solving, and how the business operated. I was always eager to learn and took every opportunity to understand not just sales but the entire business landscape.
Q: You played a key role in the merger of Hibernia and Evros, which later grew to 450 employees. What was that experience like?
Pamela: It was an incredible challenge, and every day was a school day! Mergers bring opportunities but also complexities, aligning cultures, integrating teams, and ensuring that growth remains sustainable. At the time of the merger, we were a €25 million business with 60 employees, and we knew that scaling was the only way to thrive in a tough economic climate.
We made some key decisions that helped us accelerate our growth. Investing in a private cloud offering, one of the first in the Irish MSP market, was bold, and the decision really paid off. Also, extending our service capability to fully manned 24×7 in New Zealand was another key milestone. In 2016, we started making acquisitions to strengthen our product and service portfolio, further contributing to our growth.
People and customers were always my priority. Growth isn’t just about numbers, it’s about building an organisation where employees feel valued and where customers see real benefits.
Q: What leadership qualities have been most important in your career?
Pamela: I’ve always believed in leading with integrity and authenticity. People respond to leaders who are real, who communicate openly, make tough decisions with fairness, and genuinely care about their teams.
Customer focus has also been central to my approach. No matter how much a company grows, staying connected to the customers’ needs is essential. We built our business on trust and excellent customer service, which meant always prioritising customer success.
Finally, being a supportive leader, creating an environment where people can do their best work is something I am keen to support. I’ve seen firsthand how investing in talent, rewarding performance, and creating opportunities for career growth leads to long-term success.
Q: After the successful acquisition in 2020, what made you take on a new challenge with HCS?
Pamela: I thrive on challenges! The tech industry never stands still, and I saw an opportunity at HCS to help drive the next phase of growth. The company has a great track record, a strong reputation, and services capability that is complementary to my own skillset. It’s an exciting time for the company, and I’m passionate about bringing my experience to help shape its future while continuing to build a strong team.
Q: What advice would you give to women aspiring to leadership roles in tech?
Pamela:
- Own your journey – Progress isn’t always linear, but every experience builds your skills. I started in a sales support role and worked my way up, taking every challenge as an opportunity to learn.
- Build strong relationships – Success isn’t just about what you know but who you collaborate with. Some of the most important decisions in my career were made alongside trusted business partners and close family and friends.
- Lead with purpose – Leadership isn’t just about a title, it’s about making an impact. The most successful leaders I have seen are those who inspire, support, and challenge their teams.
- Embrace change – The tech industry moves fast, and being adaptable is a key strength. Whether it’s integrating an acquisition, launching a new service, or shifting strategy, staying open to change is crucial.
Q: What excites you about the future of women in tech?
Pamela: We are seeing more women step into leadership roles, which is fantastic, but there is still work to do. Representation is important, but it’s not just about having women in the room, it’s about ensuring they have opportunities to lead in a way that plays to their strengths.
I’m excited about the shift towards more inclusive leadership. The best companies are those that value diverse perspectives because that’s what drives real innovation. I also think we’re seeing a shift in leadership styles away from traditional command-and-control approaches and towards more collaborative, people-focused leadership. That’s a change I fully support.
Q: Finally, what’s one piece of advice you wish you had received earlier in your career?
Pamela: Don’t wait for permission. Too often, we doubt ourselves, thinking we must be 100% ready before taking the next step. The truth is growth happens when you push yourself outside your comfort zone.
I’ve learned that the best opportunities often come when you’re not expecting them. When we merged in 2008, when we made a bold investment decision, and the acquisitions that followed, none of those moments were planned perfectly. But we were prepared, and we trusted ourselves.
So my advice? Believe in yourself and go for it!
