“Women in Tech isn’t just for Technologists, and it’s certainly not just for Women.” - Meera Solanki, the leader of the Women in Tech community at Capco
This idea is the heart of the Capco community. Meera states it's about creating a space where everyone, regardless of gender or role, can engage and support one another. Women in Tech isn’t exclusive; it’s about understanding each other’s journeys, experiences, and, most importantly, breaking down the barriers that have traditionally held people back.
At university, as part of a Computer Science cohort with less than 20% women, Meera became accustomed to male-dominated fields and learned not to be deterred by unfamiliar faces. She’s found her passion for technology early, especially when solving business problems with innovative solutions.
How have early experiences shaped your views on perception and identity?
My early roles really opened my eyes. They taught me how deeply perception impacts career paths, particularly in industries where traditional views can be slow to change. I remember a conversation with a female colleague in her 30s who expressed hardship because of assumptions about women at that age. She’d heard people assume that if you’re in your 30s, you must either be pregnant or thinking about children, which they viewed as a liability. Meanwhile, a male colleague at 38 had just pivoted to financial services and swiftly moved up to director-level. Those contrasting experiences were formative for me - they underscored how identity plays such a significant role in career opportunities.
Over the past decade, I’ve taken several career breaks to go backpacking, despite warnings that women must climb the career ladder by their early 30s. Each time, I returned with a renewed perspective on work and fulfilment, ready to dive back in. For me, courage means challenging traditional norms and proving that success doesn’t rely on following a single path.
What drove me was understanding that even if my choices impacted my career, I’d still value the growth and resilience I gained. It’s about framing every decision as a step forward, no matter the outcome.
What have been some of your proudest moments in your career so far?
What makes you proud in the moment often differs from what you value in hindsight. Early in my career, I achieved significant milestones, joining the SLT of a company and engaging in investor discussions. At the time, I saw these as defining moments. Looking back, though, I’m more proud of standing by my values - supporting colleagues, fostering empathetic environments, mentoring, and building lasting friendships. These are the achievements that truly matter.
How have comments about your identity influenced your perspective on success and recognition in the workplace?
There was a moment when a senior female leader told me that it was a “fortunate time” to be a woman of colour, as if my success might be more about timing than talent. I knew she meant well, but it didn’t feel empowering - it was as if being a woman of colour was a trend. To me, success shouldn’t be about luck or timing; it should reflect capability and potential. Comments like these reminded me that the business world often doesn’t view us objectively, and that our value is sometimes diminished by assumptions and stereotypes.
How have these experiences influenced your approach to leading the Women in Tech community?
They’ve driven me to build a culture that acknowledges both privilege and disadvantage. Recognising our own privilege is difficult. My experiences helped me see that privilege can manifest in many ways, like accent bias, education, or socio-economic background. That complexity drives us as women in tech, where we work to create awareness of individual advantages and encourage everyone to use theirs to elevate others.
How do you envision the future of equality in tech?
My mother worked in corporate banking for 30 years, and the shifts toward equality were minimal. It makes me feel a sense of urgency to create a more impactful future. We all know that the next 30 years must be more significant. Our community is driven by this.We’re determined to make the industry a place where everyone feels they belong, and it’s exciting to see how each initiative we undertake brings us closer to that goal.
What advice would you offer to those who want to start a career in the tech space?
I’d encourage everyone to take a step back and reflect on their own privileges. Who do people see you as? How can you use your unique position to create opportunities for others? Being aware of privilege doesn’t mean feeling guilty - it means understanding where you have an advantage and using it to support those who might not. Our goal should be to build an environment where each of us can thrive, regardless of our starting point.
It’s a journey, but I’m grateful to be part of a community that’s so committed to driving meaningful change.
Interested in joining Capco?
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