Jenny Bokobza

“Sometimes the experiences that appear to take you away from your goals are the very ones that prepare you to exceed them.”

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

Jenny Bokobza - I am a Software Quality Engineer at Lloyds Banking Group, specialising in test automation, digital quality and customer-centred technology. After taking a career break to raise my four children, I returned to the tech industry in 2023 and successfully rebuilt my career in a complex fintech environment.

Alongside delivering high-quality web and mobile customer journeys, I am passionate about using technology to create positive change. Within Women ConnecTech, a network of more than 2,000 members, I design and deliver workshops, mentoring and career development initiatives that help women build confidence and progress their careers.

My work has been recognised through many feedback and recognitions but also through multiple awards including Automation Advocacy, the QE Community of Practice Baby Bear Award, and the CIO Consumer Half-Year Hero Award, which led to my induction into the CIO Consumer Hall of Fame. I am passionate about making technology more inclusive, accessible and human-centred.

Tell us about your biggest achievement to date

My greatest achievement has been rebuilding my engineering career after returning to the industry in 2023 and using that journey to create opportunities for other women to thrive in technology.

Since March 2025, I have designed and delivered 10 initiatives through our internal 2,000+ members Women ConnecTech London network focused on helping women build confidence and progress their careers in technology. These sessions provided practical support and safe spaces where women could grow. The impact has been measurable, with feedback scores reaching 9.75/10 and participants reporting increased confidence, willingness to speak up and a stronger sense of belonging.

Alongside this, I have championed modern engineering practices, with my technical mentor recognising me as "actively contributing to the organisation's technical direction." I have driven automation modernisation, with colleagues noting that my "proactive testing... consistently helped catch issues early and improve overall release confidence."

I also drive innovation. I co-developed an AI-powered solution supporting women returning to work, which won the Reboot Power Up Hackathon. My contributions have been recognised, culminating in my induction into the CIO Consumer Hall of Fame. Together, these achievements show how I have combined technology, innovation and community impact to help more women succeed in the industry.

What is the most significant challenge you have overcome?

The most significant challenge I have overcome was returning to the technology industry after a career break. During that time, new technologies, cloud platforms and AI capabilities reshaped the profession, requiring me to rebuild my technical expertise while adapting to a rapidly changing landscape.

The challenge was greater because I was not returning to the same role. Having previously worked as a developer, I transitioned into QE, learning new technologies and ways of working while re-establishing my career. It was not simply about securing a role, but proving to myself that I could thrive in a fast-moving industry and successfully reinvent myself.

My ability to learn and adapt quickly became one of my greatest strengths. Since returning in 2023, I have established myself as a high-performing Quality Engineer, championing modern engineering practices while continuing to expand my expertise, including in AI. The experience reinforced my belief that diverse career journeys bring valuable perspectives to technology and inspired me to help others overcome similar barriers. What began as a personal challenge has become a mission to make technology more accessible and inclusive.

Tell us something about you that people would find surprising

People are often surprised that one of the most valuable periods of learning in my life happened while I wasn't working in technology. During my career break, I wasn't building software, leading deliveries or winning awards, I was raising four children. That experience developed many of the skills that shape my success today, particularly resilience, communication and the ability to prioritise under pressure.

When I returned to the industry, those skills helped me transition into Quality Engineering, learn new technologies and confidently take on challenges far outside my comfort zone. Looking back, what many might see as a pause in my career became one of my greatest advantages. It shaped how I work with and support others, from mentoring colleagues to creating safe spaces through Women ConnecTech. Sometimes the experiences that appear to take you away from your goals are the very ones that prepare you to exceed them.