Fra piccoline til -projektleder
Marlene Staunstrup Hyldborgs vej ind i IT var ikke planlagt. Da hun i sit sabbatår efter gymnasiet blev ansat som piccoline i Trifork, anede hun ikke, at det ville blive starten på en lang karriere i IT-branchen. Studievalget faldt oprindeligt på Nordisk Sprog og Litteratur, men arbejdet i Trifork gav hende et andet perspektiv: Hun trivedes i det private erhvervsliv og kunne ikke længere se sig selv som gymnasielærer. Et år med fuldtidsarbejde og rejser gav hende mulighed for at overveje fremtiden, og da Aarhus Universitet udbød en cand.it.-uddannelse i ‘IT og organisationer’, blev det et naturligt skridt.
Marlenes vej til projektledelse i IT startede med Triforks store internationale softwarekonferencer, GOTO. Her lærte hun at planlægge i detaljen, håndtere uforudsete udfordringer og sikre et stærkt team-samarbejde. Den erfaring har hun taget med sig, da hun senere skiftede til sundheds-IT, hvor komplekse projekter kræver både overblik og struktur men samtidig fleksibilitet i ønsket om at levere det bedst mulige til slutbrugerne.
Ledelse handler om mennesker, ikke kode
I dag er Marlene Team Lead og Project Manager for et team af softwareudviklere i Trifork. Hun kan ikke selv kode, og hun har heller ikke dyb teknisk indsigt, men det har ikke haft betydning. Hun har lært at lede ved at opbygge et stærkt team. Hun behøver ikke selv at kunne fikse bugs eller løse tekniske problemer – hendes rolle er at sikre, at dem, der kan, har de rette betingelser. Tillid, gensidig respekt og villighed til at hjælpe er grundlæggende principper i hendes teamledelse. “Alle på teamet gør deres bedste inden for de givne rammer, og det er dejligt at se, hvordan alle hjælper hinanden, når der er brug for det,” siger hun.
Ledelse med autenticitet
For Marlene er autenticitet en vigtig del af hendes ledelse. Hun er åben om, hvor hendes styrker ligger – og hvor de ikke gør. Hun ved, at hun ikke kan kode, men hun ved, hvordan hun kan støtte sit team og skabe de bedste betingelser for deres arbejde, og hun har sikret sig et organisatorisk set-up, der også støtter dér, hvor hun selv kommer til kort. Det handler om at arbejde sammen, at respektere hinandens kompetencer og at bruge forskelligheder som en styrke.
“Mit job i IT handler ikke om at kode eller have dyb teknisk forståelse. Det handler om mennesker – det nære team, kollegaer bredt i organisationen, samarbejdspartnere, kunder og slutbrugere,” siger hun. For hende har det aldrig handlet om, man er mand eller kvinde på teamet – det handler om personlighed og faglighed.
Da Marlene begyndte i Trifork, var der ingen snak om rollemodeller eller diversitet i IT-branchen, men der var allerede eksempler på kontoret på, at uddannelsesbaggrund ikke nødvendigvis bestemte ens rolle. Det blev hurtigt tydeligt for hende, at det vigtigste var kompetencer og evnen til at bidrage til holdet. Det har hun ofte understreget overfor yngre kollegaer – både mænd og kvinder.
Samtidig oplever hun, at flere kvinder med forskellige baggrunde kan støtte og hjælpe hinanden på tværs af organisationen. “Jeg glæder mig over, at der i dag er endnu flere kvinder i Trifork – i forskellige aldersgrupper og med forskellige baggrunde. Vi kan sparre med hinanden, dele erfaringer og give hinanden støtte i både faglige og organisatoriske udfordringer. Det fællesskab er værdifuldt. Derfor er mit råd også til de kvinder, der overvejer en karriere i IT-branchen: Vær ikke bange for at prøve – og gør endelig brug af dem omkring dig, der har været her i lidt længere tid.”
ENGLISH:
From Office Assistant to Team Lead
Marlene Staunstrup Hyldborg’s journey into IT was unplanned. When she took a gap year after high school and was hired as an office assistant at Trifork (then EOS), she had no idea that it would mark the beginning of a long career in IT. Initially, she chose to study Nordic Language and Literature, but working at Trifork gave her a new perspective: she thrived in the private sector and could no longer see herself becoming a high school teacher. A year of full-time work and traveling gave her time to reflect on her future, and when Aarhus University offered a master’s program in IT and Organizations, it was a natural choice.
For Me, It’s About People, Not Gender
For Marlene, being a woman in IT has never been the focus – she doesn’t use her gender but rather her skills and personality. When she started at Trifork, there was no discussion about role models or diversity, but there were already examples in the office showing that one’s educational background did not necessarily define their role. She quickly realized that what mattered most was competence and the ability to contribute to the team. It’s a lesson she has since shared with many younger colleagues – both men and women.
Leadership Is About People, Not Code
Today, Marlene is a Team Lead and Project Manager for a technical team at Trifork. She is neither a software developer nor a technician, but that has never been a barrier. Her role is to create the best conditions for the team, establish structure, and shield developers from unnecessary disruptions so they can focus on their work. This approach is reflected in the team’s high job satisfaction and impressive workplace assessment scores.
She has learned to lead by understanding the value of a strong team. She doesn’t need to solve technical issues herself – her role is to ensure that those who can have the right conditions to succeed. Trust and mutual respect are fundamental principles in her leadership. “No one on our team introduces a bug on purpose. No one deliberately does a poor job. Everyone does their best within the given constraints,” she says.
From Conference Management to Health IT
Marlene’s path to project management in IT started with Trifork’s large international GOTO conferences. There, she learned how to plan in detail, handle unforeseen challenges, and ensure strong team collaboration. She brought that experience with her when she later transitioned into health IT, where complex projects require both structure and flexibility to deliver the best possible solutions for end users.
Authenticity in Leadership
For Marlene, authenticity is a crucial part of her leadership. She is open about where her strengths lie – and where they do not. She knows she cannot code, but she knows how to support her team and create the best conditions for their work. She has also ensured an organizational setup that supports her in areas where she falls short. Leadership is about working together, respecting each other’s skills, and using differences as strengths.
“My job in IT is not about coding or having deep technical knowledge. It’s about people – the close-knit team, colleagues across the organization, partners, customers, and end users,” she says. For her, it has never been about whether someone is a man or a woman on the team – it’s about personality and expertise.
At the same time, she sees that having more women with diverse backgrounds creates opportunities for mutual support and mentorship across the organization. “I’m happy to see that today, there are even more women in Trifork – across different age groups and with various backgrounds. We can spar with each other, share experiences, and offer support in both professional and organizational challenges. That community is valuable.”
For women considering a career in IT, she offers simple advice: “Don’t be afraid to try – and make use of those around you who have been here a little longer.”
