Returning to work after a career break can feel daunting, especially in a fast-moving industry like tech. This candid and supportive panel discussion is designed for those ready to re-enter the tech world but unsure where to start or restart. Whether you’ve taken time out for parenting, caring responsibilities, study, or personal reasons, this session is here to help.
Our panel of returners and industry experts will explore how to reframe time away as a strength rather than a setback, where to find genuinely flexible roles, how to upskill without overwhelm, and how to confidently talk about a career gap on your CV and in interviews. You’ll hear real stories from people who have made the leap back into work, what worked, what didn’t, and what they wish they had known.
This session will also open up broader conversations about navigating life transitions in tech, from managing expectations and mental health to understanding your rights and reshaping what success looks like at different stages of your journey. Whether you’re a student curious about how careers adapt over time, a new parent thinking about next steps, or a professional planning a return, this conversation offers insight, honesty, and practical guidance. Expect practical advice, relatable insights, and a big boost of confidence.
Meet the panel:
Julia McAleenan – is a Data Science Manager at dunnhumby, a role which is a blend of data science, analytics and consultancy. She leads a team of applied data scientists working closely with Tesco to solve some of the most interesting and challenging problems in the category management space. Julia’s early career was predominantly spent on the trading floor of an investment bank, working in structured derivatives. After a 9 year career break raising her three young children, she decided to pursue her interest in data science, retraining via a data science bootcamp and subsequently joining dunnhumby through their Returner Programme.
Antonio Campello – is a senior data scientist at Digital Science, helping clients leverage machine learning to extract useful information from large-scale academic literature data. Prior to that, he was a senior data scientist the Wellcome Trust, responsible for developing tools to inform funding decisions and portfolio analysis. He holds a PhD in applied mathematics and has over 7 years of experience working in signal processing, data science and machine learning with organisations across the globe, such as AT&T Labs, Télécom Paristech, and Imperial College London. He is a former chapter leader for Datakind UK, a volunteer-led organisation using data science in the service of humanity, and was selected as an emerging leader in philanthropy by the Technology Association of Grantmakers. Most recently he is a new dad!
Irene Atek – Irene is a software engineer and technical project manager with 17 years’ hands-on experience delivering backend, low-latency, and scalable systems across financial services, including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Nomura, following earlier roles in online gaming and credit risk. Adaptable across a wide range of technologies, Irene has successfully navigated several deliberate career breaks to support family priorities and recently refreshed and broadened technical skills through multiple hands-on bootcamps. An active member of Women Coding Community and London Java Community, Irene looks forward to sharing her journey to inspire others navigating non-linear paths into tech.
Meet the Host:
Jessica Willis – is the Executive Director of the Create Communities group and heads up the events team at the Data Science Festival, Data Idols, and is Co-Founder of Founders500 . She runs over 100 events per year for their growing, diverse community of 50K. She has worked for over a decade in the event and community building sector, helping to build start-up’s, offer creative direction and has built communities through events all over the world.
She is passionate about getting more girls and women into STEM and creating the most diverse tech community in London. As a human rights activist and ally, she has worked on campaigns across the UK. Her specialism is women’s rights, medical advocacy and gender equality. She is also a new mum and navigating what that looks like as a working parent.