Breaking Barriers: Deirbhile Leonard’s journey from placement student to Tech Trailblazer and building technology that protects customers when it matters most

From building AI-powered education tools to inspiring thousands of schoolchildren through hands-on coding projects, Deirbhile Leonard is making waves in Northern Ireland’s tech scene. Starting as a placement student at Allstate in 2022, she has quickly become a full-stack developer, an advocate for women in tech, and a role model for aspiring innovators. Deirbhile’s work on Allstate’s systems connects directly to the company’s mission: protecting people from life uncertainties through affordable, simple and connected products. The code Deirbhile ships helps power rating, pricing, and service experiences that determine accuracy, speed, and clarity for real people filing claims or seeking protection at critical moments.

Deirbhile, tell us about your journey into tech and how you started at Allstate Northern Ireland. 

My journey began at Ulster University, where I studied Computer Science and graduated with First Class Honours in 2025. I joined Allstate as a placement student in 2022, and that experience was transformative. I worked on modernizing a rating platform, diving into full-stack development across front-end, back-end, and databases. It was a steep learning curve, but I loved every minute of it. That placement confirmed that tech was where I wanted to build my career. Crucially, I learned how rating services underpin insurance decisions, getting an accurate rate quickly isn’t just a performance metric; it is how customers get fair cover and confidence when they need it. That sense of customer impact shaped how I approach every technical decision. 

What were some of your biggest achievements during your placement and early career? 

During my placement, I was recognized at the Ulster University Placement Awards for my work on an API modernization project. I proposed improvements to system transparency, like delivering clearer error messages and escalation instructions, which reduced downtime and empowered users to resolve issues themselves. After graduating, I joined Allstate full-time and helped lead a large product transformation. Keeping the customer experience at the heart of everything was key. Those transparency improvements mattered beyond the codebase, they helped frontline teams and customers understand what was happening, why, and what to do next. In insurance, clarity and speed are vital; our changes meant fewer delays and faster paths to protection. 

READ MORE: The Culture Revolution Driving Allstate NI

You have been involved in some really innovative projects—tell us about those. 

At University, one highlight was winning the AI for Personalized Learning prize at the GenAIEdu 5 Conference for my project AI Exam. It’s an AI-powered tool that generates tailored exam questions for educators and learners. I am passionate about applying emerging tech to real-world problems, and education is an area where AI can make a huge difference. Another project I loved was building a Rubik’s Cube-solving LEGO robot for the launch of the Northwest Digital Hub. It scans the cube, calculates the moves, and physically solves it. In my day job, that same spirit of experimentation translates to safer, more reliable systems, using automation and intelligent checks to reduce defects, accelerate updates, and protect the integrity of rating and pricing flows that directly affect customers. 

You are clearly passionate about inspiring the next generation. Why is that important to you? 

Representation matters. When young women see someone like them thriving in tech, it makes the path feel possible. That’s why I volunteer at recruitment events and support initiatives like the Northwest Digital Hub, which brings coding into schools. Over 3,500 pupils took part in projects like ‘Code for the Road,’ which teaches digital skills while promoting road safety. And there is a direct line to Allstate’s purpose: safer roads, safer communities, and smarter decisions reduce risk, the very outcomes insurance exists to support. Helping young people build these skills contributes to a brighter future. 

What challenges have you faced as a woman in tech, and how have you overcome them? 

Tech is still a male-dominated industry, and early on, it can feel intimidating. But I have been lucky to have supportive mentors and colleagues who value diversity. My advice is to speak up, ask questions, and never underestimate your ability to contribute. Diverse teams build better products, especially in insurancebecause different perspectives help us spot edge cases, reduce bias in decisioning, and design journeys that are fair and accessible. That ultimately benefits customers. 

READ MORE: Alison Ballard: 'Nothing can prepare you better for a career in technology than a willingness to learn'

How do you connect your day-to-day engineering work to Allstate’s mission? 

Every outcome we produce affects a customer’s experience. Rating APIs determine affordability and accuracy; robust promotion workflows reduce errors when new rates are deployed; and clear diagnostics mean faster recoveries if issues arise. Our job is to ensure people get protection with confidence. 

What advice would you give to women considering a career in technology? 

Don’t be afraid to fail fast and learn quickly. Tech moves fast, and adaptability is just as important as technical skill. Seek out mentors, collaborate, and never stop learning, there is a place for everyone in this industry, and diversity makes tech stronger. Also, anchor your work to a clear purpose. For me, it is knowing our systems help people through difficult moments, whether that’s pricing a new policy accurately or ensuring service continuity during a claim. Purpose turns growth into impact. 

What is next for you? 

I really enjoyed speaking at the inaugural Tech Tides Conference in Derry, so I would like to present at more events. Beyond that, I want to keep pushing boundaries, whether that’s through AI innovation, community outreach, or helping shape the future of tech at Allstate. I am particularly focused on resilient engineering, tooling, tests, and deployment practices that reduce customer disruptions. In insurance, resilience is not just a technical adjective; it’s how we uphold trust.