Carole McNally

‘Carole doesn't just build systems, she builds communities’

Part of the Tech Women Celebration 50 – a curated list of some of the most inspirational women working at all levels of tech

Carole McNally is a trailblazing Technical Consultant and Conversational AI Specialist with over a decade of experience driving innovation in AI integration, multilingual ETL, and user-centric design. As Co-Founder of Atypify, she champions digital inclusion for neurodivergent women and non-binary individuals, blending technical excellence with social impact.

Through her consultancy, TechWitch Ltd, Carole has led transformative projects across sectors. She architected an AI funding bid writer for Charity Excellence, directed Azure-based development teams, and delivered CE-certified backend systems for NetPositiveFutures and Go4Growth.

Her integration expertise spans Digital Ocean, GCloud, Kubernetes, and Ubuntu, with standout work for Future First and the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Charitable Foundation, where she rebuilt multisite platforms with AI assistant capabilities. At Route 101, Carole has delivered Conversational AI and CX implementations, applying her deep knowledge of Microsoft Bot Framework, Adaptive Cards, Azure Cognitive Services, and API-driven architectures. Certified in Conversational Design, Lean Six Sigma, ITIL, and holding SC Security Clearance,

Carole is known for translating complex systems into intuitive experiences. Her commitment to innovation, accessibility, and collaboration makes her a respected voice in the tech community.

What does the nominee consider to be her biggest achievement to date?

Carole’s journey is a testament to resilience, innovation, and impact. Overcoming homelessness at 15 and earning her Open University degree in her 30s, she has become a respected technologist and advocate for inclusion. As an autistic woman raising four neurodivergent children, she founded Atypify to create equitable access to technology and employment, empowering neurodivergent individuals through personalised learning and community support.

Her technical work is equally remarkable. She architected an AI-powered funding bid writer for Charity Excellence, now used globally to help charities secure vital funding. At Route 101, she manages 16 concurrent AI projects for global brands, developing tools to identify and support vulnerable customers and championing accessibility across teams.

A sought-after speaker on neurodiversity, stress management, and inclusive innovation, Carole continues to inspire change in tech—turning personal challenges into collective progress.

What is the most significant challenge the nominee has overcome?

Carole has overcome profound adversity to succeed in tech despite a non-traditional background and systemic barriers. Placed in foster care and homeless at 15, she later earned her Open University degree in her 30s while raising a family. These experiences built resilience and a drive to open doors for others. As an autistic woman in a male-dominated field, she has faced bias and underrepresentation, inspiring her philosophy: “You can’t be what you can’t see.”

To tackle these inequities, she founded Atypify, an organisation creating equitable access to technology and employment for neurodivergent people. Professionally, one of her greatest challenges came when joining Route 101, where she rapidly upskilled across complex AI systems and became central to a growing development team. She now manages 16 AI projects for global clients, advocating for accessibility and ethical design.

Carole’s story is one of transformation, turning hardship into leadership and helping reshape tech toward greater equity, empathy, and excellence.

Tell us something about the nominee that people would find surprising

What surprises most people about Carole is how naturally she blends technical brilliance with deep empathy. At first, she appears as a confident, solutions-focused professional who thrives on complexity and “solving puzzles.” What’s less visible is the remarkable journey behind her success including overcoming homelessness at 15 and later putting herself through university while raising a family. Today, she leads AI innovation for global brands and advocates for neurodivergent talent in tech.

What truly stands out is how she uses her platform. Carole doesn’t just build systems, she builds communities. She challenges clients on accessibility, mentors others, and founded Atypify to create space for people who’ve rarely seen themselves represented in tech. Her drive is both professional and deeply personal which is what makes her impact so powerful.