As we approach International Women’s Day 2026, we’re celebrating the incredible women at Nimble Approach by sharing their stories, career lessons, and perspectives on leadership. In this spotlight, we’re chatting with our Principal Agile Delivery Lead, Stacey Taurah.
Stacey’s journey to Nimble is anything but traditional. A former forensic scientist and DNA specialist, she “stumbled” into the world of tech and testing after realising her knack for breaking monolithic systems (and her desire to fix them). Today, she uses her background in science and psychology to generate flow within complex organisational systems and champion neuro-inclusive leadership.
Q: Your background is in forensic science. How did you make the jump from a DNA lab to Agile Delivery?
Stacey: It started with frustration! I was a DNA specialist for eight years, and we were working with an old monolithic system. Every time a developer changed something, it caused a failure somewhere else. I didn’t know “testing” was a real job title back then, so I just asked for a copy of the system to run scenarios through.
I eventually realised I had created a testing role for myself. I moved into a manual tester role at a scientific firm, discovered Scrum and Agile, and realised I had a niche for corralling people and organising flow. I spent five years at Booking.com as an Agile coach before joining Nimble.
Q: You’ve spoken candidly about your ADHD and autism diagnosis later in life. How has that influenced your professional work?
Stacey: I used to think I was just “bubbly,” but I realised I was actually high-masking. Now, I see my neurodiversity as a strength. My hyper-focus allows me to pick up on patterns in behaviour and organisational systems that others might miss.
It’s also given me a huge drive to create safe spaces. I’ve gone through a breakdown and a discovery of my neurodiversity while working here, and Nimble’s “people-first” culture meant I never felt pressured to be perfect. I’m proud of my resilience and the fact that I can show up as my authentic self – vulnerabilities and all.
Q: What is your philosophy on leadership, especially as a woman in a male-dominated industry?
Stacey: It makes me sad when women feel they have to adopt stereotypical “male” traits – like aggression or dominance – to succeed. That’s not me. I’m going to showcase my vulnerability, take you on a journey, and get you bought in so we do it together.
I also don’t see hierarchy. Whether you’re a CEO or a junior tester, you’re a person first. My goal every day is just to make one person’s day a little bit easier.
Q: What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
Stacey: I’m a bit conflicted! On one hand, I think it’s sad we still need a specific day to denote that equality hasn’t been reached yet. On the other hand, focus is needed to enact change.
At Nimble, we talk more about equity than just equality. It’s not about just hitting a 50/50 gender split; it’s about making sure the space has what it needs to support different perspectives. We also need to focus on “grassroots” – getting into schools to show young girls that tech isn’t a “geeky” male-dominated room; it’s an industry that requires passion and human skill.
Q: You have a semicolon tattoo on your arm. Can you tell us about the significance of that?
Stacey: I talk openly about taboo subjects – mental health, ADHD, self-harm – because silence is dangerous. I have the semicolon tattoo so that if I’m sat at a table and someone recognises it, they know they can speak to me. I use my vulnerability to make a safe space for others to share their own stories.
Q: Finally, what brings you joy outside of work?
Stacey: Wine and skiing! I learned to ski for my 40th birthday. Because of the cold, it has a similar effect to the ice baths I take – it stimulates the vagus nerve and helps manage my dopamine. I also love watching my daughter, Hope, excel at gymnastics and skiing. Oh, and I’m a fully qualified face painter! I’m waiting for the next Nimble event to put those skills to use.
