Women Who Lead, Do, and Change: Kerry Brown

Kerry started her career in marketing but quickly found herself drawn into the world of business transformation. From leading change management for SAP rollouts to now serving as Lead Evangelist at Celonis (where she is US based), she brings a human-centred approach to digital transformation. A passionate speaker and thought leader, Kerry shines a light on the human side of tech, showing how creativity, empathy, and insight can make complex transformation both accessible and impactful.

Tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and your current role.
I started my career in marketing but quickly found myself invited into the world of business transformation. I was nominated to join a “quality” team focused on process improvement as part of my company's preparation for an ERP implementation. That experience opened the door to enterprise-level transformation work resulting in leadership of change management for their SAP rollout. Some of these opportunities were unexpected or accidental but fuelled by curiosity. Today, as Lead Evangelist at Celonis, my roots still remain as I bring a human-centric lens to digital transformation – helping organisations connect people to change in meaningful ways and making technology approachable and accessible.

What first sparked my interest in the digital space and set me on my current career path? Well, it started with curiosity. When I joined a quality team exploring process improvement, team behaviour and leadership, I began to understand how organisations run at scale, and how they can run better. That experience revealed how much transformation impacts people’s roles and day-to-day work. That human element of change  – understanding how people adapt, thrive, or struggle in the face of digital transformation – has been a driving force for me ever since.

Biggest win, biggest lesson
I'm most proud of keeping people at the centre of deeply technical conversations. In a space often dominated by systems and data, I’ve worked hard to invite a broader range of voices and stories into the room. Making complex topics more relatable has not only made tech more accessible, it has created opportunities for others to find their place in this work and pursue careers in digital transformation.

It taught me that change is only successful when it’s grounded in people. It’s easy for digital transformation to sound like white noise, or worse, inspire fear. But when you connect change to real people and their expectations, you build trust and navigate disruption with greater clarity and compassion.

Have you faced any career challenges? 
Absolutely. Some of my biggest breakthroughs came after making what felt like risky, even career-limiting decisions by leaving roles where I felt unfulfilled or undervalued. I’ve learned that I do my best work in environments that welcome curiosity, disruption, and authenticity. When I’ve been in places that didn’t value those traits, I struggled. The key lesson? Trust your gut. Know what you won’t tolerate or where you won’t thrive. Work where your strengths are seen and celebrated.

Where do you still see gaps or barriers for women in digital, and what one action would accelerate change?
There simply aren’t enough women in digital roles, and the professional networks that help us grow are still too small. Expanding those networks is key. One simple, but powerful, action is to say “yes” more often – to mentoring, to being available, to reaching out. In my experience, people are usually willing to help when asked.

If you had five minutes with a woman who is just starting her digital career, what would you tell her to focus on first?
Say yes. To everything. Early on, every opportunity is a chance to learn, even if it’s not exactly what you imagined. The role I’m in today didn’t exist when I started out. Take time to do informational interviews with people you work with. Ask them what they do, how it connects to your work, and how you can collaborate. It’s a great way to build relationships & allies, understand the bigger picture, and showcase your skills.

What do you think companies can do to support career progress for women working in digital roles?
Think beyond traditional qualifications. Some of the most valuable contributors in digital roles bring a blend of technical acumen and cross-functional skills – like storytelling, empathy, systems thinking, or community building. Companies should recognise and nurture those strengths, even when they don’t fit a conventional mould.  

What three digital tools or platforms could you not run your work withouty?

• Slack – It’s become the oxygen of collaboration for me. Content sharing, discussion, community, and ideation all in one place.
• LinkedIn – I’m a natural connector, and LinkedIn allows me to keep a global network alive and growing. It’s where I find intersections between people and ideas.
• News & media platforms – I rely on business journalism, research, and trend reports to understand how companies are evolving and where there is opportunity to improve. It helps me see patterns and distill insights that shape my point of view.

In the next 12 months, which emerging trend or shift should our community keep on their radar?
Two major shifts: organisational redefinition and the rise of AI. The restructuring we’re seeing across tech isn’t solely due to AI, but the two are intersecting in powerful ways. As companies reevaluate what’s urgent, valuable, and sustainable, professionals should watch these trends to find where their talents can drive the most impact. Most importantly, seek out environments where you feel safe and supported. That’s when you’ll do your best work.