‘We need to continue challenging unconscious bias, close the gender pay gap, and ensure that women have equal access to opportunities for growth and advancement’
The Women in Tech Excellence Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of women in all areas of technology, from software development and engineering to AI, cybersecurity, and beyond.
This year’s winners will be announced at a live awards ceremony on 27th November in London.
One of the finalists is Aviva, which has reached the shortlist for six categories: Engineer of the Year; Hero of the Year – Finance; Woman of the Year – Finance; Role Model of the Year – Financial; Team Leader of the Year – Financial; and Transformation Leader of the Year – Financial.
We caught up with Kelly Boyd, Data Ingestion Leader at Aviva, to find out how she and her team plan to capitalise of main opportunities for the industry in the coming year.
Kelly is an experienced DataLake Platform Manager with a passion for driving automation and operational excellence. Having been at Aviva for 26 years in a variety of roles, at various levels of the organisation, she has developed a deep understanding of both technical and business needs. Throughout her career, Kelly has led cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions, transforming testing processes and improving data quality. She thrives on bridging the gap between back-end systems and customer-facing teams, and is committed to fostering collaboration, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing across the organisation.
Why do you think awards like the Women in Tech Excellence Awards matter?
Awards such as the Women in Tech Excellence Awards are crucial because they celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in a sector where female representation is still far too low. These awards not only provide visibility to inspiring role models but also help to break down barriers and challenge outdated perceptions about who belongs in technology. They encourage more women to pursue and thrive in tech careers, and remind us all of the value that diverse perspectives bring to innovation and progress. As a finalist, I am proud to be part of a movement that is making our industry more inclusive and dynamic.
What would winning this award mean to your company?
Winning this award would be a tremendous honour for our company and a clear signal of our commitment to supporting women in technology. It would showcase our dedication to fostering an inclusive environment where women are empowered to lead, innovate, and succeed. Such recognition would inspire our colleagues, attract more diverse talent, and reinforce our reputation as a forward-thinking employer. It would also validate the hard work of all the women in our organisation who are driving positive change every day.
What would you say is your company’s proudest achievement over the past year?
Our proudest achievement this year has been the way we have championed women’s advancement within our technology teams. From supporting women into leadership roles, to launching mentorship programmes and celebrating female-led innovation—these efforts have not only improved our gender balance, but have also delivered tangible business results. The success of our automation initiatives, for example, was driven by a diverse team where women played key roles in design, delivery, and stakeholder engagement.
What have been the biggest challenges of 2025 so far and how have you overcome them? How have your people helped with that?
One of the biggest challenges this year has been navigating rapid technological change while ensuring that women’s voices are heard and valued at every level. We have overcome this by fostering a culture of allyship, encouraging open dialogue, and providing targeted support for women’s professional development. Our people, especially our female colleagues, have shown remarkable resilience, adaptability, and leadership, helping us to innovate and deliver for our customers even in the face of uncertainty.
How do you think the channel has changed over the past year and what changes do you think it still needs to make?
The channel has made progress in recognising the importance of diversity and inclusion, with more organisations actively promoting women into technical and leadership roles. However, there is still much to do. We need to continue challenging unconscious bias, close the gender pay gap, and ensure that women have equal access to opportunities for growth and advancement. Ongoing investment in training, sponsorship, and flexible working will be key to making the channel truly inclusive.
What do you see as the main opportunities for the channel in the coming year? How do you plan to capitalise on those opportunities?
The main opportunities lie in harnessing the full potential of diverse teams – especially women – to drive innovation in areas such as AI, automation, and digital transformation. By championing women’s participation and leadership, we can unlock new ideas and approaches that will set us apart in the market. Our plan is to continue investing in female talent, building strong networks, and creating an environment where every woman can thrive and make a lasting impact.
Women in Tech Excellence Awards will take place on 27th November in London. Click here to view the shortlist and here to book your table.