Kara Flook

‘Through persistence, storytelling and empathy, Kara transformed resistance to AI into momentum’

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

Kara Flook is a multi-award-celebrated digital leader and Emerging Technology Lead at E.ON UK, recognised for her bold, human-centred approach to innovation.

At E.ON UK, Kara has designed and delivered a suite of innovation and emerging technology initiatives that have transformed how the organisation explores, adopts and benefits from new technologies. Her work bridges the gap between Digital Technology and the wider business, creating spaces for experimentation, collaboration, and real-world impact.

Over the past year alone, her events have enabled more than 1,000 colleagues to engage directly with emerging technologies, build confidence, and co-create solutions that deliver measurable value. In addition to her internal leadership,

Kara is also committed to shaping the future of the tech industry more broadly. As an Enterprise Advisor, she champions diversity in digital careers, particularly for women, supports local schools, and regularly mentors early-career professionals. This external advocacy reflects her belief that innovation must be inclusive, and that the next generation of tech leaders should be as diverse as the challenges they're solving.

What do you consider the nominees biggest achievement to date?

Kara’s most significant achievement is leading a programme of innovation and emerging technology events that transformed how E.ON UK approaches digital transformation. As Emerging Technology Lead, she built a bridge between Digital Technology and the wider business through hands-on, accessible experiences.

She led the 2025 rollout of Microsoft 365 Copilot, helping colleagues confidently use generative AI in daily work, and created the AI Lounge to build AI literacy and curiosity. Kara also delivered four AI Hackathons and launched an Innovation Expo showcasing grassroots prototypes.

Engaging over 1,000 colleagues in a year, her work has accelerated AI adoption and embedded a lasting culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

What is the most significant challenge the nominee has overcome?

Kara’s biggest challenge was navigating the cultural and capability barriers to adopting emerging technologies - especially AI - within a large organisation. She realised early that the real obstacle wasn’t technical, but human: shifting mindsets, building trust, and encouraging experimentation.

When she launched the AI Lounge, many were sceptical, viewing AI as risky or irrelevant. Kara responded with inclusive, low-barrier initiatives like “AI for Everyone” sessions and demos that made the technology approachable, backed by real-world use cases showing practical benefits.

She also tackled fears of obsolescence by reframing AI as augmentation, not replacement, and worked with teams to identify how AI could enhance their roles. Institutionally, she secured time, funding, and executive support by presenting a clear business case with measurable outcomes such as faster processes and improved satisfaction. Through persistence, storytelling, and empathy, Kara transformed resistance into momentum and turned AI from a fringe concept into a strategic enabler.

Tell us something about the nominee people would find surprising

What surprises most people about Kara is that her digital technology career began in a dance studio, not a computer lab. With a master's in dance and a background in performance and choreography, she brings creativity, storytelling, and human connection to her work.

This artistic foundation shapes how she designs user experiences, leads workshops, and builds communities. Kara’s story demonstrates that successful tech careers can come from any background, inspiring others who don’t follow traditional paths into technology.