Member highlight: Michaela Sjöberg

Michaela’s story is a reminder that tech thrives on diversity, resilience, and authenticity, values we celebrate every day in the Women in Tech Sweden community.

What do you do as a Woman in Tech?

Today, I work as a supervisor at Sodexo, one of the world’s leading companies in sustainable food and facility services. But my role goes far beyond traditional supervision. I have the privilege of leading an incredible team, driving processes forward, and continually seeking sustainable solutions and process optimizations.

You might not think there’s much science behind cleaning, but you’d be surprised. From chemical usage and environmental impact to workflow efficiency and data-driven improvements, there’s a lot of innovation happening behind the scenes. Being part of that transformation, while also supporting and empowering my team, is what makes my work so meaningful.

What made you choose tech?

I started working at 15 and have tried everything, from healthcare to waitressing, from warehouses to manufacturing. For a few years, I even worked as a welder. But I always felt a bit lost, because I had this inner drive to keep moving forward, to evolve. I continually sought ways to make things more efficient and improve working conditions for everyone.

As you can imagine, trying to change routines that had “worked forever” in those environments wasn’t easy, to say the least. But I eventually found my path and a sense of purpose at my previous workplace: a startup that desperately needed to explore new ways of doing things, because there were no established processes when I joined.

That’s where I got my first real taste of tech, and I realized I had a thing for it. So, in a way, I didn’t choose tech, as cliché as it sounds, I feel like it chose me. It just felt like home. I also have a thing for spotting patterns and solving problems, which fits perfectly in this field.

What does the Women in Tech community mean to you?

For me, WIT is the feeling of being accepted for who you truly are.

I grew up feeling different. The “weird” kid who never quite fit into the boxes society had built. It wasn’t until my 30s, when I went back to school, that everything started to make sense. I was diagnosed with ADHD, a label that many fear, but for me, it was the key to understanding why I had always felt out of place.

At the same time, I discovered this incredible network — WIT — that embraced me exactly as I am. No matter who you are, where you come from, or what your story is, WIT is there. It’s a space where uniqueness isn’t just accepted but celebrated. Living with ADHD has been a journey, but finding a community that sees strength in difference has made all the difference.

If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring woman in tech, what would it be?

Be unapologetically yourself, because you are absolutely amazing.

Who you are and what you bring to the table shine brightest when you stop overthinking and just show up as you. Take up space in the room. Speak your mind. Ask the questions. Share your ideas. You don’t need to fit into a mold. Tech needs your unique perspective, your creativity, and your voice.

You belong here, not because you’ve proven yourself a hundred times over, but because your curiosity, your resilience, and your drive are exactly what this industry needs more of.

What’s a hobby or interest you’re passionate about outside of work?

This might surprise people, but I sing. I love to sing loudly and unapologetically in the shower, I sing my two daughters to sleep with soft lullabies, and sometimes I go all-in with karaoke at a bar. And I say “surprise” because most people who know me also know I have stage fright. I don’t enjoy being in the spotlight, but when I sing, I feel free. It’s the one moment where I don’t care what anyone thinks. I just let go and be me.

Singing reminds me that passion doesn’t always need to be perfect. It just needs to be real. And that’s something I carry with me into everything I do.