Hi everyone, I just wanted to take the time to wish you all a very happy New Year. I am sorry it is so late, however, I have had a bit of a challenging time over the Christmas period with my youngest son. It’s hit me over this time that how you process and deal with things is important, and that family must always come first. I am really fortunate to have supportive management around me who have given me a few days off this week to regroup, and that has really helped. Teenagers are challenging. I find myself continuously learning when it comes to being a mum and juggling that work life balance. I’m not sure if many of you have teenage kids here, but coping with a teenagers mental health whilst they go through GCSEs is a tough one! Sending you all lots of love, and looking forward to the year ahead! Leila x

Someone casually mentioned USA entry rules on today’s lunchtime catch-up and I did that laugh you do when you’re assuming it’s a joke. I don’t travel a lot & thought it was just a rage bait headline. So I asked…..Just to be sure, fully expecting to be told I’d misunderstood…….It is, in fact, very much real 🤣😩🙈 The idea that what you’ve posted online about Donald Trump could impact whether you’re allowed into the US. Not: passport visa purpose of travel But vibes.Historic opinions. Your digital footprint from when you were feeling spicy in 2017 🤣 I cannot stop imagining border control going: “Right Ma’am… we’ve had a look at your luggage, your documents, and your tweets, and unfortunately your sarcasm score is too high.” Which obviously sent my brain straight into Daft Data mode, because this is now a fully formed analytical concept in my head called The Pettiness Pipeline. (As soon as I’ve finished the egging one of course) Variables include: time since last unhinged post meme usage tone (sarcastic vs openly fuming) and whether you ever replied “lol” instead of “thank you” 🤣 Anyway. I thought I’d share in case anyone else fancied a little mid-week existential tech spiral. So over to you lovely lot, what’s the most “nah surely not… oh for god’s sake it is” headline you’ve heard recently? Please tell me I’m not alone in this one 🤣😩🙈

Morning all! I shared my TedX on LinkedIn yesterday and am getting lots of lovely feedback ❤️💃🏽🎉 Please watch, like and share 👍🏼 If there are posts that you would like members to promote do post in here with a request so we can all support and amplify you 🥳 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sueblack_tedx-womenintech-domesticviolencesurvivor-activity-7417592840198791169-53NJ?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAAAI6J4B0kWejXAplsgAOZt5a9OkKwzEaFE

What a wonderful poetry reading and catchup we had this evening! Thanks so much to everyone that joined: @Fawzia Zehra Kara-Isitt @Cigdem Sengul @Gita Singham @Sian Kelly Guy @Susan Walsh @Marianne Whitfield @Lauren Hargreaves @Cath Fenn to everyone who read our their fabulous poems and for the awesome chat. If you missed it, you really missed out. Check us out in the recording Classroom -> Group Catchups: https://www.skool.com/women-in-tech-power-network/classroom/d3c7881e?md=d1e94ad160e746f88532ee405d28488c

I'm going to be starting some power coaching sessions in the network 🥳 Each session will feature two Power Network members in the “hot seat.” They’ll share a challenge or goal they’re working through, anything from imposter syndrome to career transitions, leadership challenges, or finding balance. I will coach them live, asking thought-provoking questions and offering tailored guidance. Then, the rest of the group will join in to share reflections, insights, and lots of encouragement. The sessions will be useful, not just for the people being coached, but for everyone in the room. You’ll see yourself in others’ stories, gain practical tools, and leave feeling inspired and supported. That's the idea anyway 🤪 Sessions will run like this: - 60 minutes total - 2 coachees, 30 mins each - 2-minute intro + wrap-up So, would you like to be coached live? If you would please add your name to the Power Coaching Sign-Up Link below and I'll select two members for each session. https://forms.gle/AT1KoyzHrCkYuXZe6 If you have any question please ask 🥰