Kasia Dutch

‘Passionate about building inclusive technology and supporting women and non-binary people in tech’

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

Kasia Dutch is a software engineer at Starling Bank and a passionate advocate for diversity in tech. She plays a key role in the Assurance team, developing tools that protect customers and enhance operational efficiency. As the only woman in her bootcamp cohort, she was alarmed that spaces training the future tech workforce mirrored the existing lack of diversity. This ignited her mission to drive inclusivity in tech.

Kasia is driven by a desire to empower others to grow, develop confidence, and find fulfilment in careers that align with their values. She is deeply committed to mentoring, coaching, and teaching the next generation of technologists. As a lead instructor with Code First Girls, she has introduced many women to coding.

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

Kasia is a software engineer passionate about building inclusive technology and supporting women and non-binary people in tech. As part of the Assurance team at Starling Bank, Kasia builds tools that protect customers and ensure errors are rectified. Previously, she spent three years at an EdTech startup, developing a training platform that empowered frontline workers to excel in their roles.

Beyond her role, Kasia is an active advocate for gender diversity in tech and strives to empowers people to pursue their dream careers. She mentors young people through One Million Mentors, teaches coding with Code First Girls, and serves as an ambassador for social enterprises, such as GirlCode and Next Tech Girls. Through public speaking, mentoring, and community involvement, Kasia is dedicated to helping others build confidence, overcome imposter syndrome, and carve their space in the tech world.

Public speaking has become a key part of her advocacy, and she has delivered talks on building support networks in tech to inspire others to find their place in the industry.

What is the most significant challenge the nominee has overcome?

Kasia's journey into software engineering was unconventional. At university, she studied Russian and Chinese and now appreciates applying her passion for languages to problem-solving and creativity. She began her career working in HR, motivated by the opportunity to support and develop employees.

During the pandemic, her career switch into tech started on a bootcamp where she was the only woman in a cohort of thirteen trainees, reflecting the existing gender imbalance in the industry. This experience ignited her drive to make tech more inclusive, and it is her ongoing mission to empower people from underrepresented backgrounds in their careers.

Tell us something about the nominee that people would find surprising

Kasia has worked as an English language teacher for Crisis charity for more than five years. As an English teacher, she helped guests improve their English language abilities through one-on-one lessons and group activities. Kasia delivered content that focused on everyday life in the UK, as well as materials pertaining to issues most relevant to guests, such as seeking employment and securing housing.

In addition to teaching, Kasia has also provided live interpretation and written translation for Polish-and Russian-speaking athletes at the World Athletic Championships.