Where is your data really stored? An interview with cloud expert Nora Schöner
Published on March 13, 2025
Making women in tech more visible – that’s Nora’s mission. As a cloud expert and co-founder of She 'n IT Nürnberg, she shares her experiences, challenges, and opportunities in the IT world and MeetUp scene.
Nora Schöner: A Cloud Expert with a Passion for Community
Nora Schöner is a Senior Cloud Consultant at Superluminar in Hamburg, but she works remotely from Erlangen and Nuremberg. Her journey into IT began with a degree in mathematics, which eventually led her into the world of programming. Today, she is an expert in cloud technologies, AWS infrastructure, and DevOps—and she is also dedicated to increasing the visibility of women in tech.
“I give talks on cloud computing, DevOps, and women’s empowerment. Here in Nuremberg, I co-founded the She 'n IT Meetup to connect women in the tech scene.”
But Nora’s career path also highlights the challenges that women in IT often face and how networking can help overcome them.
Cloud Computing: The Future & Its Challenges
As a Cloud Consultant at Superluminar, Nora works with the latest developments in the industry. Cloud computing is no longer just a trend—it has become the standard for businesses.
“The question isn’t whether to move to the cloud, but which provider to choose.”
However, the cloud also brings challenges, particularly concerning data privacy and sovereignty. Companies need to be aware of where their data is stored and what security measures they have in place. With the rise of artificial intelligence, these concerns are becoming even more critical. On a personal level, many people use cloud services without even realizing it.
“When you save photos on your phone, they’re usually already in the Apple or Google cloud. A lot of people don’t realize they’re part of this ecosystem.”
For those who want full control over their data, alternatives exist—such as European cloud services like Proton or even setting up a home server using a Raspberry Pi for the more tech-savvy.
Breaking Barriers in IT: Flat Hierarchies and Community Support for Women
Tech is still a male-dominated industry, though change is happening. For Nora, the journey wasn’t always easy—especially after hearing discouraging comments from a former teacher who doubted her ability to succeed in mathematics, despite her strong grades. But she proved them wrong. Early in her career, she often found herself the only woman on a development team, making it difficult to connect with colleagues on typical conversation topics like soccer. Over time, however, she found her place—especially through the tech community and by transitioning to companies with younger colleagues and flatter hierarchies.
“In my first developer teams, I was often the only woman. That was challenging because I felt left out of typical team conversations, like sports. But over time, that changed—especially thanks to the tech community and by moving to companies with more diverse teams.”
For her, networking and mentoring programs are essential in supporting women in tech. She sees this community-driven approach reflected in the Nuremberg Digital Festival, where she emphasizes that peer-to-peer exchange and a strong support system are crucial for women to be heard in the industry. One key pillar of this mission? Her own meetup: She 'n IT Nürnberg.
She 'n IT Nürnberg: A Network for Women in Tech
Together with Anna Lobers, Nora founded She 'n IT Nürnberg—a platform for women and FLINTA individuals in technical fields. The idea was born during the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by the need for a supportive network.
“So many women told us they were the only female team member—yet there are actually so many of us! We wanted to create a space where we could connect and support each other.”
The concept? Tech talks by women, for women—but open to everyone. Men are welcome, too.
“A lot of men ask me if they can join our events—of course! We need them as allies. And many of them tell me afterward how inspiring and welcoming the atmosphere is.”
Exciting news: The next big event is a collaboration with the Digital Women Night on April 3rd! Plus, there are regular meetups and networking events for the community.
Nora’s work shows just how vital community, visibility, and networking are for women in IT. With She 'n IT Nürnberg, she has created a platform that inspires, connects, and empowers—helping to shape the future of the industry.
Want to be part of it? Stay updated and connect with the She 'n IT Nürnberg community—or follow Noras blog, "wolkencode"!
Want to be part of it? Stay updated and connect with the She 'n IT Nürnberg community—or follow Noras blog, "wolkencode"!
Julia Trzonski
Werkstudentin Kommunikation
NUEDIGITAL
