Early years and where you came from?
I was born and raised in Lisbon but spent a lot of time in Viseu, where my family is from. I have studied Computer Science and Business Management at ISCTE in Lisbon.
How were you introduced to the world of the Portuguese tech industry?
The first time was in college. It was a big shock for me as my high school path was all in the science area but, two years later, I started to love it. I still do. During the last year of college, I did an internship at Capgemini. That experience helped me better understand what my professional life would be and how the tech industry works.
Walk me through your work and what you are doing now in the tech industry.
I’m currently leading a software development team of about 80 people at Do iT Lean. This amazing team is delivering custom web and mobile applications focused on the North America market. We use a low-code platform, the OutSystems platform. It’s a Portuguese technology that we combine with scrum methodology allowing us to deliver more value to our customers, much faster.
What part of what you do, you love the most?
I love the fact that we are helping our customers improve their productivity by digitizing and modernizing their business processes. Because I work with customers around the globe I’m always surrounded by different people and cultures, which makes me very happy. Last, but not least, I really love working with Agile methodologies and making sure that what my team is delivering is completely aligned with what our customers need.
How do you think that your background and knowledge impact the way you approach your work in the Portuguese tech industry?
My background in Computer Science and Business Management has proven to be a very powerful combination to help me succeed in the tech industry and support my team. Also, the fact that I started my career as a Business Analyst in a very competitive company gave me skills that, allied with my many years of experience, made me a very strong and energetic woman who works with passion and feels a profound connection to my company, Do iT Lean. My drive is to lead the organization forward, every single day.
What advice do you have for young women that want to get into tech and don’t know where to start?
Be passionate and ready to work your hardest to succeed!
Walk me through a day in your life as a Portuguese women in tech.
Usually, during the morning I work more with my teams guiding them and helping them with any roadblocks they might have in any of our ongoing projects. In the afternoon I usually have meetings with my customers and prospects.
In just one day I can be helping define the company strategy, managing UI/UX or Product Backlog in a specific customer project, coaching my team members, selling, invoicing and much more.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
If you want something you don’t have, you have to do something you’ve never done.
What apps/software/tools can’t you live without?
Skype, Jira, Zoom, InVision, Gmail and Spotify.
👉Find Vera on LinkedIn
