Lisa Stevenson is the Site Lead for Apex Fintech Solutions UK, spearheading its inaugural international office with more than 115 team members based in Belfast.
An experienced leader in software delivery, Lisa specialises in directing technology projects to maximise the outcome and impact of product delivery. Having successfully delivered software engineering projects of varying size and complexity in companies across the globe, Lisa has guided and advised teams to collaborate and deliver diverse innovative solutions by providing recommendations and coaching on technology best practices and Agile methods.
At Apex Fintech Solutions UK (a PEAK6 company), Lisa contributes to a fintech powerhouse enabling seamless access, frictionless investing, and investor education for all. The company's mission is to democratise investing, making it available to everyone regardless of status or wealth.
Inspiring girls and women to have a career in technology
At 18 years old, I walked into my first Software Engineering lecture at university, and the reality hit me - I was one of only three women in a class of 100. This stark imbalance became a familiar pattern throughout my career, being the only woman in the room wasn't the exception but the norm. This experience became a source of inspiration for me to contribute to creating a more welcoming tech environment for everyone, including future generations of women.
Somewhere along the way, what started as feeling intimidated became fuel for my determination. If I was going to be noticed anyway, I wanted to be noticed for change.
Discovering my true tech passion
I was competent at coding but discovered my true strengths lay elsewhere. During my first role at a bank, after weeks troubleshooting a stubborn bug, my manager asked me to explain our system to business users. That's when something clicked. I performed better when understanding how pieces fit together and communicating complex concepts clearly.
My leadership journey began unexpectedly when I volunteered as interim team leader during my manager's extended leave. Rather than hiring externally, I suggested stepping up to ensure continuity. This opportunity revealed my natural aptitude for leadership and set me on a new trajectory.
Embracing failure as progress
One pivotal experience shaped my leadership philosophy: my team spent three months developing what we thought was the perfect solution, only for users to reject it almost immediately. This failure taught me more than any success could have.
We adopted an agile methodology with constant user feedback, creating a culture where changing direction wasn't considered failure but intelligence. "This didn't work, and here's what we learned," became something that we celebrated rather than concealed.
Since then, I've helped launch mentorship programmes, spoken at local schools, meetups and conferences. I also engaged Poker Power to help women in the company to learn poker skills and have a seat at any table as part of the company’s mentorship programme.
A message to future females in tech
Technology's constant evolution means that everyone in the field is perpetually a student. This reality is one of tech's greatest strengths - it's never too late to enter the field, change specialties, or develop new skills. I embrace continuous learning not as a chore but as the exciting core of a tech career.
To the young girl and woman wondering if she belongs in tech – you absolutely do. This field desperately needs your perspective, your problem-solving, your fresh eyes. The path may have rough patches and detours, but it's also endlessly challenging and fun.
Find your voice, even if it shakes at first. Find your people, even if they're not in your department. And find your unique contribution – because tech isn't just one thing, it's a thousand different skills coming together to build tomorrow.
Sync NI's Summer 2025 magazine celebrates women in tech across Ireland as we continue to encourage more women to enter the thriving sector and address the current gender imbalance.
Read the Summer 2025 Sync NI Magazine online for free here. Subscribe to the Sync NI newsletter for all the latest technology news, jobs and upcoming events in Northern Ireland.
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