International Women’s Day | Leadership, Confidence & Succeeding as a Woman in the IT Channel

Clare Hillis

Partner Director – Microsoft Ireland

To mark International Women’s Day, we had the pleasure of speaking with Clare Hillis, a distinguished sales leader in the IT channel and Microsoft’s Partner Director in Ireland. Clare shared her insights and advice on career progression, leadership, and empowering women in the industry. 

Tell us a little about your background in the industry and how you’ve progressed through your career. 

“I have been in the industry for 25 years now! Initially, I studied Law and French at university, which led me to a role within the legal field. However, I soon realised it wasn’t for me. I then saw a Graduate Sales Trainee role within the IT industry and thought, ‘Negotiating in sales is somewhat similar to being a lawyer!’ In that role, I learned invaluable skills from experienced salesmen in IT, from tactics to negotiation. After two years, I joined BT as an Account Manager for around six to seven years, eventually progressing to a Sales Manager role. At that time, I was the only female Sales Manager within BT in Northern Ireland. One piece of advice I would give is to leverage your network early on and know who supports you and your progression. I have been fortunate that Diversity and Inclusion have always been integral within the corporates I’ve worked for, ensuring that regardless of gender and culture, everyone is included.” 

What makes a great female leader? 

“From my experience with female bosses, a great female leader understands and empathises with other women. I recently saw a LinkedIn post discussing Imposter Syndrome and how we all experience it at some point in our careers. A great leader recognises this and encourages you to take on challenges, instilling confidence in you. Early in my career, I lacked a leader who would help me reflect on areas for improvement. As a leader, I focus on building confidence in the women within my team, encouraging them to push themselves and take ownership of their self-development.” 

What advice would you give to young women starting out in the IT channel? 

“I would say embrace the change, never stop learning, and never stop networking! Get yourself out there, don’t be afraid to try new things and take on new challenges. Fear is a great feeling! Focus on building your brand. It’s crucial to have a strong network of powerful women and male advocates who can offer advice and support.” 

By fostering inclusive workplaces and supporting women in leadership, we can create a more diverse and dynamic industry for future generations.