Member Highlight: Suzana Melo

✨Meet Suzana Melo — from Communications to Software Development and Women in Tech advocate!

Suzana switched to tech in her 40s, earning a software development diploma in New Zealand without any prior experience in the field. Since then, she’s become a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in tech.

While in New Zealand, Suzana founded, co-organized, and participated in many tech initiatives, mentoring junior devs and supporting women and underrepresented groups in tech. After moving to Sweden in July, she became a co-organizer of the AWS User Group Skåne and started volunteering as a teacher for immigrant and refugee women. She also helps us with our Social Media.

What do you do as a Woman in Tech?

As an immigrant woman who changed careers after my 40s, I understand how hard it is to start over, and we can’t do it alone. When I am not working as a software developer and Cloud Practitioner, I use my free time to give talks about technology and run Women in Tech workshops across Europe, APAC, and the Americas to support more women in their tech careers. I volunteer as a teacher at ReDi School, a non-profit digital school in Malmö that helps refugee and immigrant women gain tech skills, and also organise a meetup group where women across Sweden can connect and learn AWS and Cloud.

What made you choose tech?

When I moved to New Zealand in 2014, I thought learning English would be my way back into communications and journalism, where I had worked for over 20 years in Brazil. Turns out, it wasn’t that simple. Before I finally felt confident in my English, I worked various jobs, from cleaning toilets to being a supermarket cashier. Those experiences opened my mind to new perspectives and pushed me to think outside the box, and that’s when I came across coding. I started with a few tutorials and instantly fell in love. Now, instead of writing news, I am all about Typescript components, APIs, queries, and Cloud.

What does the Women in Tech community mean to you?

Everything! I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t met incredible women who mentored and supported me along the way. This also taught me that no matter where you are in your journey, you have something valuable to offer. Growing and strengthening this community is how we empower even more women to succeed in tech.

Advice to an aspiring Women in Tech

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you don’t have to be a “senior” to share your knowledge and support others. But impostor syndrome? Oh, it’s real, and it can be brutal! Don’t let it hold you back. Instead, look at where you were yesterday and appreciate how far you’ve come. You have so much to offer, no matter your experience level. Seniority doesn’t define your ability to make an impact.

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

I’m a big Star Wars fan and love all things Pin-Up. Fun fact: I usually dress in 1940s and 1950s outfits when giving tech talks and running Women in Tech workshops. It’s my way of challenging stereotypes and making a statement: You can’t judge a book by its cover. Tech is for everyone, no matter how they look.

Connect with Suzana Melo on LinkedIn