I’m Annie Freeman

I’m a software engineer and speaker, pivoting into people-facing developer relations or solutions engineering roles to bring together my love of tech and communication.

At Xero, I’ve led sustainability-focused solution engineering initiatives. I’ve built internal tooling, evaluating and championing third-party solutions, and influenced leadership to join the Green Software Foundation.

I specialise in translating technical challenges into strategic opportunities, and I’ve spoken at global events like the Grace Hopper Celebration, where I make complex ideas clear, practical, and engaging.

I started in tech after studying law and economics, and I’ve followed what energises me ever since. Now, I’m moving to London to focus on people-facing roles where I can solve real problems, connect with customers, and make an impact.

GREEN SOFTWARE
PODCAST
FEAUTRE
FINALIST

Grace Hopper Celebration 2023, Orlando, Florida

WITCon 2023, Wellington, NZ

Rachel Crossland - VUWWIT 2023 Co-President (Victoria University of Wellington Women in Tech)

“Annie is a fantastic speaker I can confidently recommend…she eloquently engaged the audience…and we had great feedback from attendees about her talk”

Ekaterina Novoseltseva, CMO @ Apiumhub, Barcelona

“Annie has initiated our green software events, and we're thrilled that she took the lead in bringing attention to this subject”

Writing

Featured
Sustainability, DevRel, and the Power of Being 'Just a Few Steps Ahead’
Sustainability, DevRel, and the Power of Being 'Just a Few Steps Ahead’

A few years ago when I gave my first conference talk as a graduate engineer, I never expected it to out-perform talks from principal engineers. But when it did, it taught me something crucial about influence in tech. 

How to create a green software culture at your company
How to create a green software culture at your company

Implementing sustainable practices doesn't require a complete system overhaul—it starts with small, actionable steps that create lasting change.

How to create authentic connections to boost your career
How to create authentic connections to boost your career

Ever stood at the edge of a networking event, clutching your drink like a safety blanket, wondering how everyone else seems to navigate conversations so effortlessly? I've been there. In fact, my journey from law student to successful tech professional taught me that networking doesn't have to be a necessary evil – it can be your secret weapon for career success.

AWS Says It’s 100% Renewable - But Should Software Engineers Be Doing More?
AWS Says It’s 100% Renewable - But Should Software Engineers Be Doing More?

In July 2024, Amazon announced it had met its goal of 100% renewable energy seven years early. Does that mean you don't need to do anything to make your software greener?