8 Exceptional Digital Women Who Are Also Carers

Jun 19

Celebrating the Shortlisted Nominees for Digital Carer of the Year at the Digital Women Awards

In today’s fast-paced digital world, balancing a successful career with caregiving responsibilities is a formidable challenge. The Digital Women, Digital Carer of the Year award honours women who have managed to excel in their digital careers while also being dedicated carers. These remarkable women juggle the demands of work and home life, often facing numerous challenges with grace, resilience, and unwavering determination.

Being a carer while striving for professional success requires immense dedication, time management, and emotional strength. These women are not only managing their careers but also providing essential care for their loved ones. Whether it’s caring for children, partners, or other family members, their roles as carers are integral to their daily lives.

The nominees for this award are truly inspiring. They have navigated through adversity and hard work to achieve outstanding success in their respective fields. Their stories are a testament to their strength, perseverance, and the impact of their contributions to both their families and their professional communities. These women are trailblazers, showing that it is possible to thrive in a demanding career while fulfilling caregiving duties with love and dedication.

1. Hannah Spence – Clockflower Solutions

About:
In April 2023, Hannah Spence quit her ten-year teaching career to launch Clockflower Solutions. Initially seeking to scale her online tutoring company, Hannah began to support other entrepreneurs with their social media marketing. Driven by her love of creativity and passion for helping others, she has since supported over 100 entrepreneurs in growing their visibility and revenue on social media platforms. Hannah has won awards for networking and speaking on stages, all while managing her responsibilities as a single mother to her two sons.

Reason for Shortlisting:
The pandemic changed Hannah’s perspective and forced her to adapt quickly to the digital world. During this time, her son was diagnosed with autism, which shifted her role from mother to carer. Seeking more flexibility, Hannah turned to entrepreneurship. She has built a successful business while being present for her son, ensuring he receives the care he needs. Hannah’s resilience, innovation, and dedication to both her family and clients make her a truly inspiring figure.

2. Hayley Harris – Ginger Marine Marketing Agency

About:
Hayley Harris is the Managing Director and Founder of Ginger Marine Marketing Agency. With a strong background in PR and marketing, Hayley has driven innovative digital strategies within the marine industry. Her leadership has been instrumental in the company’s success. Beyond her professional achievements, Hayley balances her demanding work schedule with her responsibilities at home, caring for her young family.

Reason for Shortlisting:
Hayley embodies innovation and resilience. Her ability to lead in the digital marketing field while managing her caregiving duties, including caring for her young family, with grace and dedication is truly commendable. Hayley’s story is one of balancing professional excellence with personal commitments, demonstrating that it’s possible to excel in both areas without compromising on either. Her innovative strategies and dedication to both her career and caregiving make her a standout nominee.

3. Sophie Spillett – So-Phi Tuition

About:
Sophie Spillett is a private tutor specialising in GCSE maths, predominantly supporting children with special educational needs, disabilities, and mental health issues. Passionate about helping those seen as “different,” Sophie uses her own experiences as an autistic person with complex health issues to relate to her students and teach in an engaging, understandable way. Despite her chronic pain, Sophie is determined to support as many young people as possible without worsening her health.

Reason for Shortlisting:
Sophie’s career began in 2013, driven by her passion for supporting students with special needs. Despite being advised to give up full-time teaching due to her health, she founded So-Phi Tuition. Sophie is also the main carer for her husband, who suffers from chronic pain and PTSD. She manages her business while ensuring her husband has the support he needs. Sophie’s resilience and dedication to her students and husband make her a deserving nominee.

4. Jessica Stettler – Envoy Air/American Airlines Group

About:
Jessica Stettler is a seasoned digital marketing professional at Envoy Air. With a background in Telecommunication Arts, she has been leading digital initiatives that drive significant engagement and growth in the aviation industry. Her expertise in digital marketing has been a crucial factor in the company’s success. Alongside her professional role, Jessica is also a dedicated carer, balancing her demanding job with her responsibilities at home, including caring for her energetic boys.

Reason for Shortlisting:
Jessica’s contributions to digital marketing in the aviation industry are impressive. Her ability to maintain professional excellence while fulfilling her caregiving duties demonstrates her extraordinary dedication and strength. Jessica’s journey showcases her commitment to both her career and her family, making her an inspiring example for others. Her story is one of resilience and determination, proving that it’s possible to succeed in both personal and professional spheres.

5. Ananda Etges – Venture Forge

About:
Ananda Etges is a driving force behind digital transformation at Venture Forge. Her journey began with a Sports Nutrition Supplement brand, where she embarked on creating their Amazon presence and listing over 400 SKUs from scratch. As an immigrant woman with three young kids, and lacking family support for childcare, Ananda faced numerous challenges. Despite these obstacles, she helped propel the brand from zero to over £7 million in revenue from Amazon sales alone. During this transformative period, she managed a team, implemented efficient systems, and juggled a rapidly expanding product catalog. Ananda’s dedication and professional growth were recognized when she was crowned Marketplace Manager of the Year at the Marketplace Awards in 2023. Now at Venture Forge, she continues to thrive, helping multiple brands at various stages of their Amazon journeys.

Reason for Shortlisting:
Ananda’s journey as an immigrant mother of three, navigating a new career while managing her family, showcases her resilience and dedication. Her ability to overcome challenges, drive business growth, and consistently deliver exceptional results sets her apart. Ananda actively engages with women and fellow immigrants, sharing her experiences and supporting their career paths. She also strives to instill a sense of pride in her Brazilian and Latino heritage within her children, ensuring they embrace their cultural roots. Ananda’s commitment to inclusivity and support for women in tech and Amazon industries, along with her professional achievements, make her a deserving nominee.

6. Samantha Pantlin – Bloom and Balance Therapies

About:
Samantha Pantlin is an NHS and holistic midwife who integrates digital technology into her practice to provide better care for her clients. She is dedicated to offering holistic health solutions and has embraced digital tools to enhance her services. Samantha balances her professional responsibilities with her caregiving duties at home.

Reason for Shortlisting:
Samantha’s use of digital tools in healthcare, combined with her commitment to her clients and family, highlights her as an exemplary digital carer. Her dedication to both her profession and family makes her a deserving nominee.

7. Roseline Fernandes – Reading Borough Council

About:
Roseline Fernandes is a Digital and IT Business Partner at Reading Borough Council. She drives digital initiatives that benefit the community and improve public services. Roseline balances her demanding professional role with her responsibilities as a carer, showcasing her exceptional multitasking abilities.

Reason for Shortlisting:
Roseline’s dedication to her community and her ability to juggle professional and personal responsibilities make her an outstanding digital carer. Her contributions to the community and resilience make her a deserving nominee.

8. Veda Kanala – Sahaj Software

About:
Veda Kanala is a Business and Technical leader at Sahaj Software. She has been instrumental in driving business growth through innovative digital strategies. Veda has a wealth of experience in the tech industry, working to advance the company’s technological capabilities. She manages her professional achievements alongside her responsibilities as a carer, demonstrating her ability to handle multiple roles effectively.

Reason for Shortlisting:
Veda’s leadership in the tech industry is complemented by her caregiving duties. She balances a demanding career with her role as a carer, showing resilience and dedication in both areas. Her professional achievements and commitment to her family make her a deserving nominee. Veda’s journey is a testament to the strength required to succeed in the fast-paced world of technology while providing care and support at home.

These women are trailblazers in their fields, showcasing the power of digital innovation and the strength of caregiving. Their stories are a testament to their resilience and serve as an inspiration to many.

The Digital Women Awards are proud to celebrate these extraordinary individuals.