Darina Donohoe is an accomplished transformation leader with a proven track record of driving strategic change and operational excellence across global organisations.
As Chief Transformation Officer at Avantra since 2020, Darina spearheads initiatives that enhance business agility, foster innovation, and align people, processes, and technology to deliver measurable impact. With a career spanning leadership roles in strategy, operations, and project management, Darina previously served as Chief of Staff at both Avantra and Bluefin Solutions, and held key positions at Fidenda and The Licensing Company.
Her diverse experience – from consulting to transformation delivery – has shaped her reputation as a trusted advisor and catalyst for sustainable growth. Darina holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Financial Economics from the University of Liverpool and is a certified PRINCE2® Practitioner. She brings to her work a distinctive blend of analytical rigor, collaborative leadership, and a deep commitment to empowering teams through transformation.
How did you land your current tech role? Was it planned?
I joined Avantra initially as a Consultant, the Chairperson had identified a people and process need and felt that my experience would be a good fit. Once I landed I was struck by the unique mix of warmth, drive and inquisitiveness that Avantra fosters and was delighted when they asked me to take on a permanent role.
What does an average work day look like for you?
Like many roles no 2 days are the same – The juggle of people, process and tech within my role means I may spend parts of my day: interviewing candidates, partaking in an ISO27001 audit, checking in with my brilliant team, attending project update meetings or preparing for a Board Meeting. The pace and energy means there’s always lots of interesting things going on!
Are there any specific skills or traits that you notice companies look for when you’re searching for roles in your field?
I feel the sector really values inquisitiveness, having an open mindset and bringing great energy. It’s contagious when you work with people who are passionate about what they do and getting to build great products and a great business alongside these types of people is a privilege.
In your experience, is the tech sector supportive to women entering the field?
I’ve been lucky enough to work in businesses where I’ve always been and felt supported in this sector. I think across the market this is improving and the tech sector has become a much more welcoming place than it was 10 years ago for women. Of course there is still work to do, but the momentum feels positive.
Have you ever faced challenges during your career, and how did you overcome them?
Returning to work after the birth of my son felt pretty daunting, in parallel I was dealing with the passing of my wonderful sister following a short but brutal cancer battle. I felt and continue to feel that Avantra has held space and supported me with empathy and patience during my time of re-finding my working feet. When faced with these challenges it was day by day progress and allowing myself to be open and honest with others and not feeling like I had to hide those parts of myself.
Entering the world of tech can be daunting. Do you have any words of advice for anyone just starting out and feeling overwhelmed?
To quote Dr. Susan Jeffers: “Feel the fear and do it anyway!” Most humans feel like they are winging it most of the time. Don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back, you have earned your rightful place here. I can also highly recommend the books of Viv Groskop for nurturing your confidence and appreciating showing up as you.
What advice would you give other women wanting to reach their career goals in technology?
Find a great mentor and/or coach, they can act as an independent sounding board when you are seeking advice on making a change or advancing to that next step. Often talking things through with someone outside of your day-to-day adds real clarity of thought and a unique perspective or reassurance.
