My Story: Anne Leslie

By Anne Leslie, IBM

I didn’t just return to the workforce—I had to completely reimagine what that could look like.

Long before being named a finalist in the TechWomen4Boards Rising Talent category, I made a decision that many professionals fear will end their careers: I stepped away. For over a decade, I was a full-time parent. No titles. No promotions. Just the quiet, relentless work of caregiving, often invisible, always undervalued.

Coming back wasn’t glamorous. It was messy, uncertain, and full of self-doubt. I started in technology sales and advisory roles in financial services, slowly rebuilding my confidence and credibility in a world that had moved on without me. But I wasn’t just trying to catch up, I was searching for something more.

Purpose.

That search led me to cybersecurity and digital risk management. It wasn’t the obvious next step, it was a leap into the unknown. But I was drawn to the field’s urgency, its complexity, and its potential to make a real difference. I retrained, requalified, and rebuilt—this time with a focus on resilience, relevance, and impact.

Today, I lead IBM’s Cloud Risk function across EMEA, partnering with some of the world’s largest financial institutions as they navigate the complexities of technology modernization and operational resilience. But my work isn’t just about systems and controls—it’s about people. I care deeply about creating spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and safe to contribute. That’s what drives me.

My story is one of self-authorship—of leaning into discomfort to grow and seeking depth instead of directionless momentum. I didn’t follow a path. I carved one. And in doing so, I hope to light the way for others who’ve been told it’s too late, too hard, or too unconventional.

Being named a TechWomen4Boards finalist isn’t just a recognition of my work, it’s a celebration of tenacity and of the gritty road I’ve traveled to get here.

I’m not just charting a course—I’m redefining the map and I encourage others to do the same. The most powerful journeys begin when we dare to start over, on our own terms.