About Me

After 26 years in the interior design industry, including over a decade building and operating my own wholesale interior product import, distribution, and outfitting business, I decided to make a career change. Not doing anything by halves, I returned to university after 30 years and completed a Bachelor of Applied Cloud Technology. Unlike a generalist CS or IT degree, this program was architecture intensive, specialising in the design, deployment, and optimization of distributed cloud systems, high-scale infrastructure, Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), Big Data architecture, and Cloud-Native Security.

I supplemented my university studies by completing numerous IT accelerator courses, such as the Salesforce Developer Accelerator through Mission Ready, the AWS re/Start program through Unitec and the AWS She Builds CloudUp Cloud Practitioner and Solutions Architect - Associate certification programs. After completing AWS Deep Racer, I was accepted into the AWS AI Programming with Python scholarship program. Upon graduating, I was selected as one of the top 500 students to complete a further AWS Machine Learning Fundamentals Scholarship, which included a six-month mentorship with a Senior AIML Solutions Architect at AWS. To date, I have earned 14 AWS certifications alongside various other industry credentials.

My first technology role post career change was at AWS as an Associate Solutions Architect. I worked across both field teams and Partner Sales, which allowed me to merge my entrepreneurial roots with technical strategy. Last year, I also had the opportunity to give back by becoming a mentor for the AWS SheBuilds program.

I consider myself a lifelong learner who thrives on expanding my knowledge base and adapting to new challenges. When I'm not studying or working, I enjoy long-distance walking, listening to audiobooks and podcasts, travelling with friends, cooking, dancing, attempting to grow vegetables, and savoring a good glass of wine.