Mums in Tech ft. Cristien Natal

Firstly, can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your current role?

Hi, I’m Cristien, a Software Engineer at Healios and a mum of two. I’ve worked in tech for over five years, building web applications and digital products that solve real-world problems, primarily using React and JavaScript and more recently Ruby on Rails.

Outside of my day job, I enjoy building products inspired by experiences close to home. I created a speech therapy app after supporting my son’s speech and language journey, and more recently I’ve started building a cancer companion app inspired by helping my brother navigate treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML).

Technology has given me the opportunity to create solutions that can genuinely make a difference in people’s lives. Being able to turn personal challenges into products that help others is one of the reasons I love working in this industry.

If you could sum up what it’s like being a working mum in tech in one sentence, what would it be?

Being a working mum in tech is a constant balancing act between solving complex problems at work and meeting the ever-changing needs of your family, but it is also incredibly rewarding.

How do you find the balance between your career and motherhood?

For me, balance isn’t something I achieve perfectly every day – it’s something I continually adjust.

Remote and flexible working has made a huge difference. I try to be fully present wherever I am: focused during work hours and intentional with family time outside of work. I’ve also learned to let go of the idea that everything has to be done perfectly. Some days work needs more attention, and other days family comes first.

What has been your greatest challenge as a working mother in tech?

One of the biggest challenges has been managing the mental load that comes with motherhood while still progressing in a fast-moving industry.

Technology changes quickly, and there can be pressure to continuously learn new skills and stay up to date. At the same time, children don’t pause when you have a deadline, a production issue, or an important meeting. Learning how to navigate both worlds without feeling guilty has probably been my biggest challenge.

What skills have you developed as a mother that have helped your work life?

Motherhood has strengthened skills that are incredibly valuable in tech: prioritisation, empathy, communication, patience, and resilience.

As a parent, you quickly learn how to manage competing priorities, make decisions with incomplete information, and adapt when things don’t go according to plan. It’s also made me a better collaborator because I’m more conscious of different perspectives and communication styles. Many of the skills that help me navigate family life are the same skills that help me succeed as an engineer.

When you were returning to work, what one thing helped you / would have helped you the most?

Having supportive managers and colleagues made the biggest difference.

Knowing that I could have open conversations about flexibility, childcare challenges, and adjusting back into work gave me confidence during the transition. Returning to work can feel overwhelming, so creating an environment where parents feel supported rather than judged is incredibly important.

What do you feel should be the top priority for employers who want to support working mothers better?

Flexibility.

Every family situation is different, and one-size-fits-all approaches rarely work. Flexible working arrangements, understanding managers, and a culture that measures people on outcomes rather than presenteeism can make a significant difference to working mothers’ careers and wellbeing.

Any final words of advice for other mothers in the Tech Industry?

Don’t underestimate the value that motherhood brings to your career.

The skills you develop as a parent—adaptability, resilience, empathy, problem-solving, and time management—are strengths, not weaknesses. You don’t have to choose between being a great mum and having a successful career in tech.

There may be seasons where one area needs more of your attention than another, and that’s okay. Progress doesn’t always look linear, but your career can still thrive.

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