Mums in Tech ft. Megan Burgess

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

I’m a mum to two little girls under the age of three, and I work as a Senior Product Designer in FinTech. I design research management software used by financial institutions to organise, search and make sense of large volumes of investment research. My role involves solving complex workflow problems, improving usability, and increasingly thinking about how AI can support people’s work in practical, trustworthy ways.

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

It’s a constant balancing act: trying to stay sharp in a fast-moving digital world while also creating a grounded, present, and ideally screen-light childhood for my children.

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

It’s challenging, and in this season of life there is very little downtime. Most of the time I’m either working or parenting, with not much in between. I try to be realistic about what balance actually looks like day to day; sometimes it’s about doing a good enough job at both, rather than trying to do everything perfectly.

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

Coming back from six months’ maternity leave to a completely different tech landscape was a real challenge. AI had rapidly become part of the design and coding conversation, and I had to adapt my workflows and get up to speed very quickly. There wasn’t really a gentle easing back in, and that was after six months rather than a full year. The pace of change in tech is incredible, and staying current while also caring for very young children takes a lot of energy.

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

Prioritisation, patience and the ability to switch context quickly. Motherhood teaches you to make decisions with incomplete information, stay calm under pressure, and keep lots of moving parts in your head at once. It has also made me more empathetic, which is a huge part of being a good designer.

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

I work for a great company that was very accommodating, and that made a huge difference. I didn’t feel pressured to take a specific amount of time off or to return full time straight away. Having that flexibility and trust helped me feel supported rather than rushed, and I know that isn’t the experience for many women.

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

Supporting mental health should be a priority. There’s often a focus on the practical or physical side of motherhood, like lack of sleep or childcare logistics, but there is also a huge emotional load. Working mums are often carrying far more than what’s visible on their desks, and employers who recognise that can make a real difference.

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

You don’t have to prove that you can do everything at full capacity all the time. It’s hard to be deeply committed to both motherhood and your career, and the balance will shift in different seasons. Be clear on what matters most to you, protect your energy where you can, and try not to measure your success against someone else’s circumstances.

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