Meet Janni. She’s a Tech Lead.

Champion. Octopus. Ambassador.

As a Tech Lead, I guide a software development team to deliver innovative and reliable solutions. Much like an octopus, I juggle multiple tasks and wear many hats in a project. It can be setting technical direction, providing oversight and mentorship, engaging in hands-on coding, and fostering a collaborative environment. Being able to adapt and handle different responsibilities is key to help us successfully navigate the intricate world of software development at Novo Nordisk.

The biggest challenge in my role is balancing rapid technological innovation with the need to address business requirements all while avoiding technical debt. And yes, it's crucial to build the right solutions with the right tools, but it is even more important to foster an environment where team members feel included, valued, and motivated.

Women just wanna have fun

👯 I'm part of a sister lounge where we plan fun events each year to celebrate life, friendship, and having fun. We have been doing this for almost 14 years.  

Team

Growth, creativity and fun

Along with setting the tech direction for projects, I focus on supporting my team. I aim to help everyone improve their skills and handle challenges more effectively. Staying actively involved in coding helps me maintain high standards and ensure we follow best practices. I want to encourage a culture of collaboration and creative problem-solving to drive innovation and boost team spirit.

I prioritise continuous learning and development for both myself and my team. Building an environment where growth and knowledge-sharing are encouraged helps everyone stay motivated and engaged, and it contributes to a positive and productive workplace.

To play fair, let’s say you can only use your backhand

🏓 I participated in the National Table Tennis Championships for many consecutive years in the “Master” division, where I won gold medals in singles, doubles and team competitions.

Joining

Values, perspective, and support

Before joining Novo Nordisk, I was familiar with the company’s values and culture from my previous position at NNIT. The opportunity to work with Azure cloud technology was particularly appealing, because I wanted to enhance my skills in this area. I also wanted to grow in a leadership role while remaining engaged in development to sharpen my technical abilities.

As a woman and a lesbian in the tech industry, I also appreciated Novo Nordisk’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Navigating these spaces is not always easy, and being part of a company that genuinely values diverse perspectives really creates a supportive and rewarding environment. This helps me to be myself and contribute my best.

We are currently integrating the Angular site's functionality into our PWA. This ongoing transition is focused on unifying the application under a single framework to improve user experience and create a more cohesive tech stack.

A major architectural redesign involved shifting from a shared PostgreSQL database to Cosmos DB, facilitating a microservices architecture where each service operates independently. This has significantly improved scalability and flexibility.

Overall, the project has been immensely rewarding. I’ve been able to continuously learn and innovate, while at the same time navigating the challenges of maintaining and evolving an application in production. And despite the challenges that inevitably came our way, our team successfully created an application that meets both today’s needs and tomorrow’s possibilities.

We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing

🎲🎮 I’m a board game enthusiast who loves the thrill of strategy! When it comes to computer games, though, I enjoy the simpler ones—too much going on just isn't my style! 

Community

Pretty active

I am part of the Tech Forum at Novo Nordisk, which mainly consists of tech leads and lead developers, who exchange insights and best practices. The Frontend community informs me about frontend technologies and complements my primarily backend-focused background. The Compliance community keeps me updated on compliance requirements for our applications, while the Cloud community provides valuable insights into cloud development. And finally, the Developer Experience (DEV X) community focuses on improving the developer experience.

I am also involved in Ignite, a network for women in tech and engineering within Novo Nordisk’s Product Supply, Quality and IT area. Here I serve as a mentor to a fellow female colleague, supporting and empowering women in the field. 

Outside of Novo Nordisk, I engage with various tech communities and meet-ups, including the Copenhagen .NET User Group, Azure User Group Denmark, TechWomen Cph, Women Techmakers Copenhagen, and Cloud Native Copenhagen, among others. I always try to attend these events, in person or online.

Beyond the technology sphere, I am also an active member of Novo Pride, which is Novo Nordisk’s LGBTQ+ Network, and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) network within my own area in the company, supporting initiatives that foster a diverse and inclusive workplace.