Tiarma Witte: The power of low-code

When people think of software development, they often imagine lines of code, technical jargon, and a field reserved for those with advanced degrees. But Tiarma Witte, CTO of Low-code Academy and a committee member of Low-code Ladies, is helping to reshape that image and making tech more accessible to everyone.

What is low-code?

Low-code is a software development approach that uses a visual interface with drag-and-drop features, pre-built templates, and minimal hand-coding to create applications. A common misconception about low-code, Tiarma says, is that it’s only good for simple or templated applications. “Even my sister, who recently got introduced to it, was always under the impression that there were just a few limited building blocks to create some general flows for standard business processes,” she notes. But in reality, modern low-code platforms allow for highly dynamic, complex applications -- often with greater efficiency and flexibility than traditional development. “Low-code offers so many in-depth logic options to build almost any type of software businesses need,” Tiarma continues. To her, this accessibility is what makes low-code such a powerful force. It provides an entry point for those without a traditional tech background, like people who may have felt left behind by the demands of conventional coding.

Low-code and high hopes

“Low-code offers a way for people who don’t have a technical background to become part of the creation of tech after all,” says Tiarma. “I have high hopes that low-code can play a big role in this process.” Through partnerships, her team helps provide interest-free loans, job placement, and specialised coaching for women entering the field. “We prepare women not just technically, but also for the realities of the job market, like how to navigate interviews and advocate for themselves,” she says. “Women often lose out to men during job interviews, simply because they were taught to present themselves more humbly.” The ambition of Low-code Academy goes beyond simply teaching skills; it aims to launch careers. “Every time we teach someone in that situation how to become an app developer and get them a job at a nice company in a team where they can learn and grow, that’s insanely fulfilling,” she shares. “Your actions can quite literally improve a person’s life.” On a personal level, Tiarma is also energised by executing complex requests when building apps and wrestling with them until she cracks the perfect solution. “Once that process is done and you implement what you thought of and it works, it’s super satisfying. I hope others can experience that feeling as well with the work that we do.”

Reschooling and launching careers

Interestingly, Tiarma didn’t begin her career in tech. With a background in Brain and Cognitive Sciences, she started out in academic research. “During my studies, I had to build my own research exercises in Matlab and do statistical analyses in R. I realised I was a lot more energised when working with these programmes than when I had to write research articles,” she explains. That realisation, paired with a growing number of bootcamps and training opportunities, made reschooling into tech feel like a logical next step. A major turning point later in Tiarma’s career came when she embraced imperfection. “I, as many women, have always been quite the perfectionist. Always giving things my all because I tried to avoid the feeling of failure at all costs,” she reflects. But in the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, perfection isn’t sustainable, or even necessary. “I learned that being yourself, being honest, and trying is often good enough. And, if you cannot succeed by yourself, other people will not judge you … they will support you.”

Shaping the future

Looking ahead, Tiarma hopes to see the tech industry evolve toward more inclusive values. “I hope that it will become a place where the focus is not on being an elite expert who can make a lot of money fast, but instead, that people are driven by the will to create beautiful solutions to make the lives of everyone easier and better.” Her own journey is a powerful reminder that the future of tech is for everyone -- and that with the right tools, support, and mindset, more people can step into that future and help shape it. If she could give herself one piece of advice, it would be this: “Don’t take life too seriously; everything that is a problem now, will be solved one day, and something new will take over. Just laugh a lot, be kind, and do what you can. Always, always, always stay true to your own feelings and values.”

Curious to learn more?Explore the work of Low-code Ladies and how they are building a more inclusive future in tech. Discover more about the RightBrains United Network and the inspiring initiatives we collaborate with to shape a diverse digital future.

Mark your calendar: Their first in-person Low-Code Ladies meetup is happening on 3 June -- an exciting opportunity to connect with others in the field, share experiences, and grow your network.