At Women in Tech, we love sharing stories from our partners. Intact Insurance UK has shone a spotlight on three outstanding women within its team who exemplify excellence in balancing their careers, becoming leaders and parenting.
Mary McEneaney – Lead Platform Product Owner
Work life balance
When I began my career in eCommerce and technology over 20 years ago, the industry was a very different place. It was male-dominated, rigid, and deeply rooted in a culture of being seen for the hours you worked—five days a week in the office, working overtime, and an expectation that work always came first. Flexibility was begrudgingly given to working mums and was rarely made available to men.
But over the years, I’ve witnessed a powerful shift. We’ve moved away from measuring commitment by time at a desk and started valuing people for their contributions, their creativity, and their wellbeing. Work-life balance is no longer a compromise—it’s a fundamental aspect of how we work.
What makes me proud is that this change is inclusive. At Intact flexibility is for everyone—whether it’s compressed hours, shorter weeks, or equal parental leave for men and women. As a leader, I embrace and promote this culture wholeheartedly. For me, that might mean taking a Pilates class at lunchtime or starting later to do the school run. These choices help me stay active and be present as a mum. I promote the same ethos in my team. When we offer flexibility, we build trust—and that trust is returned in kind. I’ve seen my team go above and beyond, volunteering to test releases on weekends or working over Christmas to support key deliverables. It’s a reminder that when we prioritise home life and wellbeing, we create space for better work—and I couldn’t be prouder to be part of that journey.
Liz Bowen – Design Facilitation Lead
Finding balance while finding myself as a leader
Stepping into my first leadership role has been both exciting and confronting. I’ve always worked in creative, start-up style environments where the pace was fast and the energy high, but “balance” wasn’t something I ever really thought about. Now, 5 years in to working in a more corporate and regulated industry, and taking on my first role as a leader the past couple years I’ve had to adjust, and not just to the structures and expectations, but to how I comfortably show up as me.
On the Insights colour wheel, I’m bright sunshine yellow. My blue and red lines are thinner than those in a tube of toothpaste, which means I naturally lean towards optimism, energy, and connection. But stepping into leadership, I found myself wondering: how do I navigate difficult conversations, make tough calls, or galvanise a team while staying true to who I am?
For me, work–life balance has meant learning to hold that tension, being authentic, while also stretching into areas that don’t always feel natural. I’ve had to learn how to step into spaces that feel uncomfortable, whether that’s making a decision that not everyone agrees with, holding my ground in a room full of strong voices, or slowing myself down when my natural instinct is to speed everything up. It’s meant learning to pause before reacting, to listen deeply even when I’m itching to jump in, and to trust that I don’t always have to have the loudest opinions in the room to have influence.
It’s been about quieting the intrusive thoughts that tell me I can’t lead because I don’t fit a certain mould, and instead embracing the strengths I bring:
– I can hold peers to account in a warm, human way.
– I can give candid feedback knowing it will help someone grow.
– I can connect the dots and think strategically, because my brain is wired to solve creative problems…even if they’re no longer about pixels or rounded corners.
– I can create energy and momentum in a room, helping people feel excited about what we’re building together.
– I can bring empathy into tough conversations, making space for people to feel heard while still moving things forward.
Balancing work and life, for me, hasn’t been about switching off at 5pm or drawing a hard line between the two. It’s been about learning to lead in a way that feels like me, embracing that I do things a little differently and that’s okay. I’m creative, optimistic, maybe a little too energetic sometimes, but it’s authentic, it’s me, and it’s not a weakness here at Intact. It’s the thing that allows me to do this job the best way I can, without losing myself in the process.
Nina Vasey – Business Manager
When I became a parent for the first time, my organisation supported me not just through my pregnancy and maternity leave, but also in shaping a way of working that would allow me to balance my new role as a mum with my career. The flexible hours we agreed then made a huge difference to me and my family — and what meant even more was that, when I welcomed my second child, those hours were maintained without hesitation. It showed me that the support I received the first time wasn’t a one-off, but a genuine commitment to helping people thrive at work and at home.
With both pregnancies, I felt included and valued throughout my leave. I was given thoughtful gifts — a surprise for me and my baby when I first left, and later a notepad and chocolates as I prepared to return. Those gestures, alongside regular check-ins and the opportunity to do keeping-in-touch days, made my transition back so much easier and reassured me that I was still very much part of the team.
On returning most recently, I was not only welcomed back warmly but also given the opportunity to step into a new role. That moment was significant for me. It showed that my career hadn’t been put on pause by motherhood — in fact, my organisation believed in me, invested in me, and wanted me to grow.
Looking back over both journeys, I feel incredibly grateful. The flexibility, the encouragement, the thoughtful touches, and the belief in my potential have given me the confidence to flourish as both a parent and a professional. That support has inspired me to give my very best in return, and I hope my story shows what a truly supportive culture can mean in someone’s life.
