Scarlett McDermott Chief Technology Officer at WithYouWithMe
M
eet the up and coming female
Her diverse career spanned from software
entrepreneur who is heading the tech
development to cybersecurity before she put her hand
division of one of Australia’s fastest
up to lead a global product team for WithYouWithMe.
growing start-ups (Deloitte Fast 50
Hers was not a typical journey to the C suite. “I was
2019). Since taking the reigns as
adamant I wouldn’t end up in the same profession as
chief technology officer at WithYouWithMe, Scarlett
my father: a software developer,” she says.
McDermott has seen the company grow around the globe, most notably in the United Kingdom, Canada
After working as an electrician during her Year 10
and the United States.
work placement, McDermott went on to complete a degree in information technology.
Hers is a fast-paced job, and one that sees her meeting regularly with a Who’s Who list of CEOs and
“Ultimately it was my passion for problem-solving
political leaders from around the world.
and fixing things that inspired me to pursue a career in technology,” she says. “When I took a break
Although the number of women working in IT roles
from full time work to start my family I wanted
has increased in recent years, McDermott says there
to keep my mind busy, so I enrolled in a graduate
is still work to be done.
certificate course to study cybersecurity online at Edith Cowan University. I would be at home on my
“As CTO for a tech company that is all about
couch breastfeeding while reading or listening to
solving under-employment I see my role as more
cybersecurity lectures.”
than just technology innovation and development; it’s about shifting the needle for the industry as a
When she returned to full time work, McDermott was
whole to ensure we create an environment where
determined to find a role that made a difference and
women thrive.”
helped people. After researching and learning about WithYouWithMe—a startup helping armed forces
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W O M E N I N S E C U R I T Y M A G A Z I N E
N O V E M B E R • D E C E M B E R 2022
