Enterprise Architecture: A Career Where Women Belong

Too often, enterprise architecture is seen as a technical field dominated by men. But behind the diagrams and systems, it’s about vision, empathy, and transformation.

At Veran, women are making their mark in enterprise architecture every day. We spoke to two of our Enterprise Architects, Emily Hassall-Clarke and Leanne Adams, about their journeys, the perspectives they bring, and their advice for women considering this career.

Emily’s Journey

Emily began her career in HR and Payroll solutions, but quickly became “hooked on the bigger picture:” how all the moving parts of back-office functions connect.

“I love problem-solving, making systems play nicely together, and keeping an eye on the exciting innovations like AI trends.”

When asked what women bring to enterprise architecture, Emily highlights empathy and the ability to balance detail with vision.

“We bring fresh perspectives, and the women in our team are great at demonstrating empathy for the people behind the processes, with a knack for balancing detail with the bigger vision. Plus, we’re pretty good at cutting through the noise to design solutions that actually work for people.”

One of her proudest moments has been challenging perceptions and proving doubters wrong.

“Winning over clients and showing that yes, women can absolutely do it — that’s always a proud moment.”

Emily’s advice to women considering the field is simple but powerful:

“Don’t be put off by the title — it’s not as scary as it sounds. Find women who inspire you, connect with them, and back yourself. You do belong here.”

She also credits inspiration from mentors, including Veran’s own Amber Burke, who “brings so much energy, fun, and enthusiasm to our Data and Enterprise Architecture Community” and proves that technical roles can be dynamic and full of personality.

Leanne’s Journey

Like Emily, Leanne didn’t start her career in enterprise architecture — her path began in service management. She was always drawn to how technology underpins the way organisations work, and over time her curiosity led her into transformation programmes spanning service, data, testing, and architecture.

“I now describe myself as ‘working in tech’,” she explains. “Enterprise architecture is one of the areas I’ve grown into because of its focus on systems thinking, design, and how everything fits together to drive change at scale.”

Leanne doesn’t believe women bring something unique just because of gender, but she does see value in how expectations can be turned into strengths.

“Women can use the perceptions or expectations placed on them to their advantage, whether that’s in communication style, collaboration, or how they approach challenges. If you’re not expected to be in a certain role or position, simply being there can give you influence and a different kind of voice at the table.”

One of her proudest moments was leading the first-ever virtual service desk for a new shared service.

“The Go Live was pretty bumpy! But it was also amazingly collaborative and set the foundation for a global service desk and a real culture shift in how we supported end users.”

For women considering a career in enterprise architecture, Leanne emphasises curiosity and courage.

“At its heart, enterprise architecture is about making sense of complexity and designing for the future. If you’re curious, a problem solver, and someone who wants to make things work better, there’s a place for you. Surround yourself with good people, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to speak up when something doesn’t make sense, as those are often the moments that lead to real breakthroughs.”

Mentorship has also played a key role in her career.

“I’ve been lucky to have mentors and coaches who saw potential in me before I did and gave me the push I needed to take on bigger challenges. I still draw inspiration from mentors at Veran and my peers in our Data & Enterprise Architecture Community, and I’d always encourage other women to find that kind of support too.”

Why It Matters

Emily and Leanne’s stories highlight a truth that is often overlooked: enterprise architecture is not only for men. It is a discipline that values vision, collaboration, empathy, and resilience — qualities that transcend gender. Women can, and do, thrive in this field, shaping the future of organisations through curiosity and problem-solving.

Ready to Join Them?

Enterprise architecture is about more than technology — it’s about people, systems, and designing for a better future. At Veran, we’re proud of the diverse voices shaping our Data and Enterprise Architecture community, and we know there’s room for more.

Your perspective matters. If you’re curious, collaborative, and ready to make an impact in our Data and Enterprise Architecture Community join us at Veran.