Nina Hong started her career as a social worker, working with vulnerable target groups. When she realized the limitations of the role, where legislation often put limits on change, she started looking for new opportunities. She earned a Master's degree in Social Science and then worked for a few years in an agency under the Ministry of Employment, where she got closer to the political decision-making process and helped implement reforms with a focus on IT support in employment efforts. A posting to Silicon Valley in California led her by chance to a job at Apple optimizing Siri - the digital assistant you know from your iPhone - in Danish, and this is where her curiosity for IT and agile development really sparked.
“It was my first encounter with the IT industry and I quickly realized that I could contribute - without a technical background,” says Nina Hong and continues: ”The focus was not technical, but more about how we wanted to shape the Danish Siri. For example, how her humor should be and other human personality traits - with a focus on Danishness.”
“You don't have to be technical to create value in the IT industry.” - Nina Hong
Today, Nina Hong leads a team at Delegate, bringing her unique skills in business development, change management and digital transformation as a disruptive factor in an otherwise tech-heavy world. She describes her role as a bridge between business needs, customer perspectives and technical solutions. She sees her different background as a strength.
“When I joined Delegate, I was greeted by a team of skilled technical profiles that predominantly had classic IT backgrounds - not least in the management team. And this has proven to create a fantastic dynamic,” says Nina.
Although Nina hasn't always felt like a “woman in IT” in the classic sense, she recognizes the importance of being a visible role model. She sees the value in diversity and emphasizes that it's not about being technical in order to contribute.
“The IT industry is very broad and there is room for all kinds of profiles. You don't need to be able to code to create value. It's about finding your place in the big puzzle, where different skills contribute to the best solution.”
For Nina, it's about breaking down the notion that IT is only for the technically minded. She encourages women to explore the industry and find the area that sparks their interest.
“My advice is: Don't be intimidated by technology - if you don't have a technical background. Focus on what you can contribute - whether it's IT development, strategy, communication or user understanding. We need all types of skills in IT,” concludes Nina Hong.
By subscribing to our newsletter, you will be notified when we host events, get inspiration from case, and much more.
English 
Danish