‘It’s like being in the fastest lane you can think of’: one woman’s career in tech
A sense of curiosity has powered Anne Sheehan’s impressive career. As she navigates her new role at Microsoft, General Manager of Enterprise Commercial Western Europe, she emphasises the importance of collaboration, resilience and creativity.
“It’s like being in the fastest lane you can think of.” This is how Anne Sheehan describes working in the tech sector. “With the pace that technology is moving, the market expectations, the pace which our customers want to transform – it is quite incredible.” This combination – the interplay between technology and consumer expectations – and the importance of adaptive leadership are features of her career, which spans two decades and is driven, she says, by a sense of curiosity.
In February this year, Anne became General Manager of Enterprise Commercial for Western Europe with Microsoft. The role sees her hold responsibility for driving digital transformation, AI adoption, and strategic partnerships with some of Microsoft’s most significant commercial customers and partners across Western Europe. It follows almost three years as General Manager of Microsoft Ireland since October 2021, which came after her role as Enterprise Director at Vodafone UK.
Anne’s is a career that has been marked by her willingness to embrace change. She started out at IBM, where she spent 16 years exploring various roles across sales, marketing and finance. “IBM allowed me to understand every aspect of the business, which laid a solid foundation for my future,” she says. After her tenure there, she transitioned into telecommunications, where she had the opportunity to bring a brand to life in local markets. Later her path led her back to the tech sector at Microsoft, where she now leads the enterprise business across 10 countries in Western Europe.
In high-demand roles, maintaining mental and physical fitness is non-negotiable. I've learned that to lead effectively, you need to be in a good place personally.
Reflecting on her experiences, Anne notes the significant shift in consumer attitudes towards technology and the growing appetite for innovation. “Companies are no longer just pushing technological advancements; consumers actively seek out and demand personalised experiences,” she says.
This dynamic is a driving force in today’s marketplace and understanding customer needs has become increasingly crucial. “Today’s consumers want to feel valued and recognised,” she says. With the advancements in AI and machine learning capabilities, she believes the potential for hyper-personalisation in customer interactions is “unprecedented”.
Anne speaks extensively about how collaboration plays a crucial role in the tech industry today. “We don’t just experiment with our technology in isolation; we do it alongside our partners and customers. This collaborative approach allows us to spin up technology quickly and tackle challenges together.” She explains the importance of partnerships within the tech ecosystem. “By working closely with our partners, we can deliver solutions that not only meet but exceed customer expectations. It’s about leveraging collective expertise to innovate faster.”
Pictured, left, Siobhan Noble, Ashling Cunningham and Anne Sheehan as part of the IMAGE x PwC Women in Tech series.
For Anne, the importance of diverse experiences is paramount in shaping a leader’s approach. “It’s essential to step outside your comfort zone,” she asserts. “This breadth of experience allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges teams face.” She also highlights the critical role of resilience in sustainable leadership. “Resilience is about being able to cope with whatever comes your way… it’s essential in a constantly changing landscape,” she says. Resilience includes maintaining one’s mental and physical wellbeing, she says and it is a vital piece of her leadership arsenal that Anne diligently prioritises.
“In high-demand roles, maintaining mental and physical fitness is non-negotiable. I’ve learned that to lead effectively, you need to be in a good place personally,” she says. “I didn’t realise this when I was younger but I have done so over the past 10 years. Getting a proper sleep and feeling fit in yourself – you just have to do it. You cannot do these roles if you don’t; if you are not fit and healthy in yourself. I love to walk and because I am time-poor I do that with friends – weekends in the mountains with friends. I balance this with the gym.”
This belief in self-care translates into cultivating resilience not only in herself but also in her teams. “When leaders model healthy behaviours, it creates a culture where teams feel empowered to prioritise their wellbeing, ultimately leading to better performance and innovation.”