Women in Tech: Interview with Penny Healy, Mobilleo Product Director
1. Could you provide a brief introduction of yourself and your role?
Hi, I’m Penny and I’m Product Director for our Mobilleo MaaS platform. I’m currently focused on the product development of a new native app for iOS and Android that will replace our Mobilleo PWA (progressive web app).
As the product development expert leading the relaunch of this product, my role is to align the product vision with our roadmap, keeping our business and customer needs at the forefront. I determine the key features and their sequence of development, collaborating closely with the design and development teams to deliver a high-value native app.
2. What does a typical working day look like for you?
Everything I do falls into one of three categories: connecting or communicating, learning or analysing and deciding and documenting. Every day is different, but my morning routine is usually the same – I check emails, respond to messages, and join the Mobilleo native stand-ups, where the team gathers to discuss what they’ve been working on and what will be their focus for the day.
For the rest of the day, I will either participate in collaborative meetings with the team to discuss planning, design, backlog refinement, story estimation, and sprint planning, or work independently on tasks centred around future planning, strategising, analysing, refining, or prioritising the backlog or roadmap, crafting user stories or design briefs, envisioning user flows, and performing UAT (user acceptance testing).
“The value-to-effort ratio in a product role is really high, making the work deeply gratifying and allowing for an unparalleled degree of creative freedom to instigate positive change.”
3. What is the most rewarding element of your role as Product Director?
As a Product Owner or someone responsible for driving a product, you occupy a strategic position at the intersection of UX (user experience), Tech, and the business. This nexus offers a unique opportunity to create great value, as a single well-informed decision can yield greater results than hours of development work.
The value-to-effort ratio in a product role is really high, making the work deeply gratifying and allowing for an unparalleled degree of creative freedom to instigate positive change.
4. As Product Director, you are leading app developments for MaaS platform Mobilleo, how would you describe MaaS and its benefits to a complete beginner?
MaaS is a comprehensive transportation solution that merges all modes of transportation into a single, easy-to-use platform. It seamlessly combines transport options from different providers, managing all aspects from travel planning to ticketing and payment.
The hallmark of MaaS is its ability to host an extensive array of transportation modes, encompassing public, private, and shared transport, as well as active modes like walking and cycling. Above all, MaaS delivers an exceptional value proposition to customers, offering them unparalleled convenience and the freedom to select the best travel options for their needs.
“MaaS apps are set to become ultra-customisable, enabling customers to truly refine and adapt their travel experiences to best support their lifestyles, wants, and needs.”
5. What are the benefits of Mobilleo specifically, and how do they solve challenges for private and public sector clients?
Mobilleo is an all-in-one solution that enables both corporate or retail customers to effortlessly access and book a range of transport options, as well as leverage our Journey Planner to plan trips with ease.
This integrated approach when utilising multiple transport suppliers ensures that organisations and retail customers receive a large range of travel options, with the most competitive pricing available.
For organisations, Mobilleo provides complete flexibility in handling travel expenses, regardless of whether customers are paying for travel through their organisation or using their personal payment cards for reimbursement.
Last but not least, the Mobilleo solution is bolstered by customisable travel policies and schemes, ensuring complete adaptability and flexibility to meet the specific needs of each organisation. With a comprehensive desktop management suite, organisations can manage all aspects of their travel with complete control and ease.
6. What do you predict will be some of the future trends in MaaS?
I wouldn’t really call this a trend; but it’s crucial to recognise the significant shifts in consumer behaviour towards usership over ownership of personal vehicles – it’s really about increasing the capability to support that shift.
Looking towards the future, MaaS applications are poised to become increasingly sophisticated, providing customers with enhanced access to high-quality, real-time transportation options while also delivering more precise and pertinent information.
Customers will be able to seamlessly manage and adapt to any potential travel disruptions, leading to a heightened sense of confidence throughout their travels. Moreover, MaaS apps will also become ultra-customisable, enabling customers to truly refine and adapt their travel experiences to best support their lifestyles, wants and needs.
“Machine learning and AI could swiftly alert travellers to potential disruptions during their journey and suggest new or alternative routes via other modes of transport, allowing them to reach their destination without delay.”
7. What excites you the most about technological advancements in mobility? Are there any emerging technologies that you hope to integrate within Mobilleo?
While I hesitate to describe these technologies as “emerging” any longer, we are likely to witness a surge in their widespread adoption, particularly with respect to machine learning and AI (artificial intelligence).
For Mobilleo specifically, machine learning and AI may be harnessed to facilitate real-time management of customer travel experiences. For example, these technologies could swiftly alert travellers to potential disruptions during their journey and suggest new or alternative routes via other modes of transport, allowing them to reach their destination without delay.
These capabilities will be easily accessible within our single application, streamlining the entire planning and execution process for the customer.
8. What are your main objectives for the next year?
Simple – launch the Mobilleo native app with the MVP representing as close as we can to ‘much loved product’ rather than ‘minimum viable product’, so we get a high-value product into the app stores for our customers.
“I am proud of my work on accessibility which is still a massively overlooked functionality, especially in apps. I am committed to ensuring that the Mobilleo native app is fully compliant with accessibility standards and is accessible to all customers.”
9. Can you describe your career path into becoming a leader in technology?
My whole career has happened by luck – I have pretty much fallen into most of my roles – but I guess it was fated!
At 18, and with no prior experience (other than being good with computers and having people around me that I could learn from), I secured a role as a desktop support engineer at Powergen. I progressed from there, moving into Resource Management and then Project Management.
I then moved to the holiday company, TUI, and became a Business Analyst, and from there moved into easyJet. By chance, I found myself in the world of Digital and Product, after taking on a pseudo-Product Owner role for a project that lacked digital ownership. I then progressed into Digital Optimisation, before taking on web and app Product Ownership roles.
Before working on the Mobilleo product, I led Product on the award-winning easyJet app. It was really this experience that elevated me from a Senior Product Manager to a Product Leader with full accountability for the success of the Product.
10. What have been some of the greatest achievements in your career?
My greatest accomplishments to date have been with easyJet, the best of which was when we beat KLM, Turkish Airlines, Emirates and United Airlines to win the Best Airline App award at the World Aviation Festival. This came off the back of a great 12 to 18 months for the app and the innovations we were driving: features like Voice Search, Look&Book and our Augmented Reality Bag Sizer.
Launching the Look&Book visual search was a great piece of creative work that I’m proud of. I worked with one of easyJet’s creative agencies to craft a new booking experience for the Instagram generation. We used Microsoft object recognition and image analysis to spot landmarks or other unique features on photos that customers uploaded to the app. We then told the customer where the photo was taken and gave them options for getting there. It was a big PR-worthy feature, that won a fair few awards.
The last achievement to talk about would be my work on accessibility which is still a massively overlooked functionality especially in apps. Over a period of 18 months, my team and I worked diligently to enhance the app’s accessibility from basic to advanced, ensuring that visually impaired or blind customers could navigate the app smoothly using a screen reader.
Following all our hard work, the app was subsequently given high praise in Which? magazine for being the only airline app which could be used well by someone using a screen reader – an amazing achievement for a publication that had in the past given easyJet a bit of a hard time!
I have since carried that knowledge over to my new role at FOD, where I am committed to ensuring that the native app is fully compliant with accessibility standards and is accessible to all customers.
“In recent years there’s been a change in how STEM toys are developed and promoted for girls, which I’ve noticed as a parent myself. Although some of these toys may still be pink in colour (!), they are now more widely available and marketed which encourages girls to develop an interest in technology from a young age.”
11. Who are the female mentors, leaders, or peers that have positively influenced your career?
To be honest, I’ve been more influenced by my female peers and the people that have reported into me rather than any females in leadership positions. I think that when people are asked this question, they immediately look up but that hasn’t been the case for me.
I have found that having a supportive team around me and colleagues and direct reports that look to me also for support has been instrumental in bringing out my best work and personal growth. Their encouragement and inspiration have driven me to push beyond my limits and continually improve.
12. A TechNation report found that only 19% of employees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) are women. What more can be done to ensure women and girls have equal opportunities to enter the industry?
I think we need to step back and look at this from its beginnings. The foundation for a successful STEM career is typically laid early in life, and it’s important to start encouraging girls from a young age. Unfortunately, many traditional toys for girls perpetuate gender bias and discourage creativity and hands-on learning. If we look at conventional “boy’s toys”, these encourage creativity and working with your hands, such as Lego and building toys.
On the other hand, we have the conventional “girl’s toys” such as dolls and playing dress up – cute and all, but they aren’t exactly driving the same message.
In recent years though, there has been a change in how STEM toys are developed and promoted for girls, which I have noticed as a parent myself. Although some of these toys may still be pink in colour (!), they are now more widely available and marketed, encouraging girls to develop an interest in technology from a young age.
Additionally, we see more use of technology in schools. Children are now being taught basic coding skills from Year 1, so as children grow older, I hope that tech mindset is encouraged and developed. My eldest son is studying Software Development and nearly half of his classmates are female – the largest female cohort to date. It’s clear that change is already underway.
With all this in mind, I’m certainly optimistic that the current 19% stat will significantly increase in the coming years as a new generation grows and more opportunities are not only made available to girls but are actively sought out by them (which I think is the main issue, today).
“In Sweden, either parent can take parental leave for over a year, or it can be shared between the parents – as it should be. It’s not about ‘Mum’ taking that break, it’s about any parent – it would be amazing to see those kinds of policies introduced within UK companies.”
13. Considering that technology is a male-dominated industry, how can male peers become greater allies to women in the workplace?
I think it’s a case of making sure that there is room at the table for women so they are heard, acknowledged and recognised, but also being brave in calling out when they witness sexism, exclusion or women being disregarded, no matter how subtle or innocent you think that might be.
14. What are some of the challenges that women face in the workplace in terms of progression and business-as-usual, particularly in technology?
I believe that the issue of progression and the barriers to it are not limited to specific fields, as women face challenges in all industries. The main problem I see is with the gender roles that have persisted over time.
Career breaks (for maternity leave) and flexible working can impact a woman’s career and dare I say it, bring into question her commitment within small minds – although I’d stress that kind of bias is becoming less prevalent. When a woman takes maternity leave or moves to part-time hours, it can potentially stunt a woman’s career or reduce her career growth. It can be addressed by removing those gender norms.
In Sweden, either parent can take parental leave for over a year, or it can be shared between the parents – as it should be. It’s not about ‘Mum’ taking that break, it’s about any parent – it would be amazing to see those kinds of policies introduced within UK companies.
The conflict between work and home responsibilities also disproportionately affects women, who often bear the majority of unpaid tasks and care at home. This is especially difficult where there are expectations of constant availability at work and excess workloads. Again, from an organisation’s perspective (again, amongst those with small minds) this can lead to bias, a questioning of commitment and ultimately, can impact women and their careers.
“I would recommend finding a good mentor or peer. Allow yourself to learn from them; ask them questions in a safe space so that you can develop your own self-confidence and skills.”
15. What advice would you give to women and girls who are looking to start their career within technology?
Despite the male-dominated nature of the technology industry, it’s important not to let that intimidate you. It’s very easy to fall into the trap of not feeling good enough or technical enough when you’re starting out, since women can be more self-critical than men.
However, working in technology requires more than just a big technical brain; it also requires the ability to lead or work as a team and manage relationships. I would also recommend finding a good mentor or peer; they don’t have to be more senior than you; they might simply be someone in the same area with more experience. Allow yourself to learn from them; ask them questions in a safe space, so that you can develop your own self-confidence and skills.
The final suggestion is to advocate for yourself; nobody should be frightened to speak up or ask for what they want. Again, I believe that it may be in a woman’s nature to be more hesitant to pursue or ask the ballsy questions, but be optimistic, seek to overcome your obstacles, and go for it.
16. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given regarding your career?
Say yes to the things that scare you – whether it’s social anxiety, learning a new skill or making a career move, good things often come with risk and uncertainty. I’m someone that doesn’t enjoy being in the spotlight and in the past, I would tie myself in knots if I ever had to present to a group, but I have still put myself forward for things in order to develop and build my confidence. I’m still a nervous presenter but not half as bad as I used to be because I have continually pushed myself out of my comfort zone and that’s really helped me to develop.
17. Have you encountered any misconceptions about women in STEM or your role in particular?
No, because almost every person that I’ve worked with in Product has been female. I’m not sure why that is, perhaps it’s a role where the qualities of a woman see them excel?!
18. Who has been your biggest advocate in your career or workplace and why?
Well, I would say Simon Lamkin has been a decent enough advocate to sell me into FOD! However, there have been a couple of previous managers and one or two peers who have really championed me and helped me to grow my presence in organisations.
I believe that stems from the fact that I’ve delivered good work and it’s been recognised. After all, it’s easy (and natural) to promote someone that you rate and respect.
“I’ve always made a point to involve everyone, regardless of gender, by actively listening to their opinions and ensuring that their perspectives are represented in decision-making.”
19. As a leader, how have you found it best to promote and support women in the workplace?
I’m primarily focusing on colleagues and direct reports here, but I’ve always made a point to involve everyone, regardless of gender, by actively listening to their opinions and ensuring that their perspectives are represented in decision-making. Additionally, I’ve consistently provided my female reports with opportunities to showcase their work and talents.
While it may have been easy for me in the past to speak for my team in meetings, I’ve become more conscious of stepping back and supporting others to lead and speak up for themselves, enabling them to advance and grow their careers.
20. What are some of the most effective policies or initiatives you’ve heard of to encourage diversity in the workplace?
I’m aware this might be a contentious view, but I believe that the workplace should not give preferential treatment to anyone based on their gender, sexual orientation, race, or any other factor. Rather, I think it’s essential to prevent discrimination against all individuals for these same reasons.
That being said, I do believe that it’s important for companies to establish robust policies and practices that foster an inclusive work environment. Such measures would ensure that everyone feels valued and supported, which can empower them to confidently pursue advancement opportunities, salary increases, or any other goals they set for themselves.
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