Sara Lewis, Director of Communications, EMEA, Cloudera discusses how she was inclined towards tech since a young age, diversity and inclusion and advice for aspiring women
What are your views on this year’s IWD 2025 theme “Accelerate Action”, how can we truly achieve diversity and inclusion in the workplace?
Sara Lewis: We can achieve diversity and inclusion in the workplace by helping leaders recognize how different skills and behaviors can add value and drive progress – whether it’s a project, organization or country.
Look at the skills of the people around you and what they bring to the table. Great leaders don’t simply want ‘yes’ people, they identify what is truly needed and arm their teams with the tools to negotiate, the confidence to speak up, and the power to believe in themselves.
Can you share your journey into the tech world and what inspired you to pursue this, where did it all start?
Sara Lewis: My journey into the tech world started at a very young age! My father and mother used to buy a family Christmas present each year, and one year a ZX81 arrived in the house. This was one of the first home computers and, with 1kb of memory, it enabled me to learn basic programming language and play high-tech games, such as tennis!
This inspired my curiosity for technology which has never left me. At school, I took Saturday job in a shop that sold Psion Organizers, and my first full-time role was with Kyocera. Since then, I’ve worked for tech businesses such as Cloudera, Citizen, Olivetti, Psion and IRIS, as well as providing communications consultancy for a myriad of technology clients.
Who would you consider your role model, someone who constantly inspires you? (Does not really have to be from the professional world only, can be someone at home too)
Sara Lewis: My dad has been an inspiration since childhood. He was a builder and developer before his retirement, constantly looking at ideas for house builds, buying land and finding the most unusual items to shape into household furniture. The endless stream of discussions that started, “what if…” gave me the foundation to be curious. This was combined with his skills to influence, negotiate and exceptional kindness – all of which guide me today.
Rapid Fire (Let’s get to know you more)
- Dinner with a famous personality, who would it be? Sir Stephen Fry, an English actor, broadcaster, comedian, director, narrator and writer. The evening would be full of meaningful discussion with constant humour!
- One skill you wish you could learn instantly? Remember languages
- Android or Apple? Android: But I have flipped between the two over the years, so I don’t have an allegiance either way.
- WhatsApp or Telegram? WhatsApp all the way!
- Phone call or text message/email? Phone call every time! Emails and texts can be easily misread. Talking allows you to hear the timbre in a voice, which gives a better sense of the meaning. And you can ask if you don’t understand!
- Beaches or Mountains? Horribly difficult. I have travelled extensively and love both equally. However, as the northern hemisphere is still a little cold, I’ll opt for a beach – which is where I would like to be now!
- Coffee or Tea? Coffee. I don’t drink tea.
- Early Bird or Night owl? The early bird always catches the worm. Whether I’m at the gym or on a dog walk, mornings are the best time of day for me.
- Books or Movies? Again a difficult one to answer! Much as I love movies (they are great ‘chewing gum for the eyeballs’), I will opt for books; they allow my imagination to run riot or feed me with useful information.
- Winter or Summer? Summer, summer, summer!
- Online shopping or in-store shopping? It’s got to be in-store. My best friend is a personal stylist, and I would not have half my wardrobe without her influence.
What advice would you give to women starting off their careers, aspiring to enter the tech/business field?
- Listen. Ask questions.
- Be bold. Put your hand up to try something new. Take time to reflect on the aspects of your role you enjoy the most, as this will be a natural compass for your career.
