Guest Post

Celebrating International Women’s Day: The Women and Allies Who Shaped My Journey

Shimeem Patel

Partner at Protean

Every year, International Women’s Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable women who have shaped industries, challenged norms, and paved the way for future generations. It is a day of celebration, recognition, and gratitude—an acknowledgement of the resilience, intelligence, and tenacity of women across all sectors. As I look back on my journey, I am profoundly grateful for the extraordinary women who have supported me and the male allies who have championed me along the way.

Throughout my career, I have been privileged to work alongside formidable women whose leadership and generosity of spirit have been inspiring.

Working with Grace Kennedy was a daily masterclass in leadership. She has a remarkable ability to create clarity from chaos. While others might get lost in the noise of day-to-day operations, Grace would calmly untangle each thread of a problem with surgical precision. What truly set her apart from her counterparts was her unshakeable poise – she exuded a quiet competence that commanded attention. Grace has a gift for making even the most daunting operational challenges seem manageable. She showed me that true leadership isn’t about having all the answers but knowing how to find them.

Shimeem & Grace At Largs, Scotland

Sharon Corry - Divisional Director at Optima Health (OH&W)

Another remarkable colleague is Sharon Corry, who redefined my understanding of transformational leadership. Sharon has an extraordinary gift for turning vision into reality in a landscape where change often breeds resistance. She possesses the rare ability to see both the strategic picture and the human element within it, bringing hundreds of people along on complex operational transformations with remarkable ease. What sets Sharon apart is her talent for making sweeping changes feel like a shared journey rather than a directive. She taught me that true transformation isn’t just about changing processes; it’s about changing mindsets.

These women are more than leaders; they are trailblazers whose mentorship, wisdom, and resilience have left an indelible mark on my career.

The path toward equality is not one that women walk alone; it is strengthened by the allies who champion and uplift them. I have been fortunate to work with men who have actively supported my growth and success.

Dr. Stephen Duckworth OBE, whose advocacy and belief in my capabilities reinforced my confidence in my skills; Paul Trott, Steve Gentle, and Paul Dawson, each of whom played a crucial role in my development, providing guidance and opportunities that shaped my career path; and Phil Chater, who entrusted me with one of the most significant technology transformations of my career, demonstrating a level of trust that was truly transformational for me.

These individuals exemplify true allyship: trust, advocacy, and a willingness to create space for women to lead and innovate.

Protean and Cyferd Event

Left to right: Jas Hayer, Baljit Virdee, Laura Varley, Shimeem Patel, Phil Chater

Shaping the Digital Future

A simple but powerful belief shaped my path into IT: there had to be a better way. I saw the inefficiencies, struggles, and limitations clients faced when navigating their digital landscapes. Too often, businesses were forced to choose between rigid off-the-shelf solutions or costly bespoke developments—the age-old “build vs. buy” dilemma.

I wanted to partner with organisations that dared to think differently and prioritised innovation over convention. Cyferd is exactly that – a company revolutionising the COTS (custom off the shelf) space with cutting-edge AI technology. It is breaking down the barriers of traditional IT solutions, offering adaptability, intelligence, and efficiency in ways that were previously unimaginable. In many ways, Cyferd embodies the same spirit as those pioneering women in technology – challenging norms and reimagining what is possible.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s honour the women who lead, the allies who support, and the innovators who shape our future. Progress is not made in isolation but is driven by collaboration, inclusion, and the relentless pursuit of better solutions.

To all the women forging paths in STEM and the allies who amplify their voices – thank you. Your impact is immeasurable, and your legacy will be felt for generations to come.

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