ProWoc Celebrates | 37 Edition, September 2026
Annie Myrén
Project Consultant managing IT projects for TCS (Tata Consultancy Services)
Knowing what I know now I’d tell my younger self:
”You are on the right path. The journey ahead will have its challenges, but you will overcome them. Don’t let anyone dictate who you should be — let your inner voice be your compass, and always stand strong.”
Read Annie’s inspiring story here below.
Who is Annie?
I work as a Project Consultant managing IT projects for TCS (Tata Consultancy Services), a multinational Indian IT and consulting company, based in Copenhagen. I hold a Master’s degree in Business, Language and Culture, with a specialisation in Business & Development Studies, from Copenhagen Business School. As a child, when asked what I wanted to become when I grew up, I said a scientist or a business woman — business won, largely because it let me combine my curiosity for different cultures with my love of travel and people.
Alongside my corporate career, I am an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. I thrive on bringing people together, bridging gaps, and finding opportunities where others see obstacles — a strength that shows up daily, whether I am untangling a complex IT challenge at work or solving the daily puzzle of life as a mom. I have a genuine curiosity for building things, whether that’s relationships, Lego sets, IKEA furniture, DIY projects, or new business ideas, and a particular passion for uplifting under-resourced communities, women and children. In my spare time, that shows up as advocacy, mentoring and donating to causes I believe in.
Outside of work, I’m happiest discovering a new culture through its food and art, getting lost in a good book or podcast, staying active and playing soccer with my child, and laughing hard with family and close friends over a home-cooked meal.
Life in Denmark
Everyone was kind and welcoming, but the social rhythm took adjusting to. In Cameroon, you ran freely between neighbours who all knew each other; in Denmark, playdates and visits had to be planned and coordinated. I grew up in Svendborg, a provincial town in Fyn of around 40,000 people, where I was often the only Black child in the room — right through to my final year of gymnasium, where I was 1 of roughly 900 graduating students. Being impossible to blend into a crowd shaped my character early: when I did well, everyone knew, and when I messed up, everyone knew too. There was no anonymity to hide behind, so I learned early on to read a room, adapt quickly, and navigate between cultures — skills that have served me ever since. What I remember most, though, is the kindness of the other children. Long before I spoke a word of Danish, we found ways to understand each other with our hands.
Important choices
Achievements and career journey
Achievements
I’ve been fortunate to build a career with many highlights I’m genuinely proud of. Professionally, my proudest achievement is sustaining a career that spans over a decade in telecoms, infrastructure and IT — a field I never set out to specialise in. I’d planned a path in business and development work, but a door opened in IT instead, and I discovered I was good at it. It taught me that the things you don’t choose for yourself can become your biggest wins, if you let yourself be challenged and grow into them.
Personally, a proud moment of mine was creating my own hair product brand, Syvahair, single-handedly — from vendor selection and brand development to marketing and sales. It grew out of a personal frustration with my own hair, and building it end to end remains proof to myself that I can achieve whatever I set my mind to.
I placed 3rd runner-up in Miss Africa Denmark, a platform built around culture, integration, charity and personal development, aiming to offer an alternative depiction of Africa in the Danish media and produce cultural ambassadors. The show raised 60,000 DKK for the Red Cross’s work in Zimbabwe. Beyond the title, it gave me a community of people who shared my passion and let me put my convictions into action.
Another key milestone and proud moment was being selected to represent the Royal Danish Embassy’s Trade Council in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — building diplomatic and cross-sector relationships as a Cameroonian-born Dane representing my adopted country abroad.
I placed 3rd runner-up in Miss Africa Denmark, a platform built around culture, integration, charity and personal development, aiming to offer an alternative depiction of Africa in the Danish media and produce cultural ambassadors. The show raised 60,000 DKK for the Red Cross’s work in Zimbabwe. Beyond the title, it gave me a community of people who shared my passion and let me put my convictions into action.
Another key milestone and proud moment was being selected to represent the Royal Danish Embassy’s Trade Council in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — building diplomatic and cross-sector relationships as a Cameroonian-born Dane representing my adopted country abroad.
Challenges
Much of my career has been spent proving I could carry the weight of the job. Being described as “too nice” and “young” often translated into being underestimated — not assertive enough, not tough enough for hard calls. Looking younger than I am, being a woman, and for years being the only one who looked like me in the room, didn’t help. I overcame it by staying true to myself and deliberately aligning with people who could see what I actually brought to the table — people who opened doors because they believed in me. The lesson: go where you’re wanted. Work with people who are rooting for your growth. Misalignment, in a job as in any relationship, will eventually cost you your happiness.
One of the hardest moments of my early career happened at a career fair abroad, where I was introduced to vendors and partners as a “massage girl” — a joke — while my male colleague was introduced by his actual name and role. I had no mentor, no network, and no one who’d faced anything similar to call for advice. I raised it with my manager afterwards, but the experience stayed with me. It’s part of what later pushed me to co-found the Danish-African Business Network (Dansk-Afrikansk Erhvervsnetværk) with two partners, and to advocate for organisations such as Professional Women of Color (ProWoc).
Key contributors to Success
A key contributor to my success is being intentional about the goals I set. Continuous learning, staying curious, adaptable and willing to take on things that challenge me has stretched me into someone I’m proud of. I also surround myself with people who lift me up and whom I can lift in return — good relationships, maintained with care, have carried me far. As Maya Angelou put it: “People forget what you said or did, but never how you made them feel.”
Aspirations, motivation and advice
Inspiration
I want my life to be purpose-driven. Every day is a fresh chance to learn, grow, and be fruitful — it keeps me humble and grateful. Helping others grow motivates me, and my child gives me a daily reason to keep becoming a better version of myself.
Best piece of advice received
One piece of advice that has stayed with me is: go where you are valued.
We spend enormous amounts of energy trying to convince people to recognise our value. Sometimes perseverance is necessary, but there is also wisdom in recognising when an environment is not aligned with who you are or where you are trying to grow.
Knowing what I know now I’d tell my younger self: ”You are on the right path. The journey ahead will have its challenges, but you will overcome them. Don’t let anyone dictate who you should be — let your inner voice be your compass, and always stand strong.”
Rapid Fire Question for Annie.
1. Who is one of your role models and why?
My mother. She taught me about love, strength, resilience and forgiveness. She taught me that staying true to yourself doesn’t require fighting every battle — sometimes strength is knowing when to stand firm, when to let something go, and having the wisdom to tell the difference.
2. If you could live and work in any country, which one would it be?
3. What is one book you think everyone should read?
I have many favourites, but I’ll highlight The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. It was gifted to me by a dear friend; I recently re-read it with my son, and not too long ago gifted it to a friend of my own. The book explores the meaning of life, vulnerability, kindness, hope, friendship and unconditional love, and it’s beautifully illustrated. It’s a simple read, but so profound in its message that it speaks to readers across every age and stage of life.
4. What would be the title of your autobiography?
In Between Worlds
Network Membership
Want to become a Member?
ProWoc provides a shared platform for WoC to connect, grow, evolve, and affect change in the world around them.
Questions?
We welcome your interest and questions. Please contact us directly and we will be happy to answer and tell you more about ProWoc.





