#WeAreTOMRA: Meet Leonie, Software Developer 

Leonie joined TOMRA Recycling in 2023 after completing her M.Sc. in Computer Science, driven by her passion for computer vision and sustainable technology. As a Software Developer, she combines her technical expertise with her commitment to environmental impact. When she's not debugging code, Leonie enjoys reading, Zumba, and playing Dungeons and Dragons with friends. 
Leonie presentation for TOMRA Recycling Employee Testimonial

What is your role at TOMRA and what does a typical day look like for you? 

I work as a Software Developer at TOMRA. My days are often spent hunting for bugs, which means digging through lines of code to find out why the program is not doing what it is supposed to do. I also develop new features, which means digging through code to find the best place to add the new functionality and then testing that everything works. It is a little bit like solving logic puzzles and it is very rewarding when I find a solution. 

What inspired you to join TOMRA? 

While studying Computational Visualistics in Koblenz I developed a passion for computer vision and everything related to that. At TOMRA we have many cool sensor technologies we use to capture and classify images. The impact of my work is also important to me. I always know that my work contributes to better sorting solutions that are much needed for a sustainable circular economy. 

How would you describe the company culture at TOMRA? 

To me TOMRA culture is the people. From the day I joined I have always found someone eager to help whenever I asked a question. When I hit a roadblock and don’t know how to solve my problem, I know there is always someone I can ask. 

How can employees actively contribute to fostering inclusion at TOMRA?

At TOMRA, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are a way for people to come together, lift up underrepresented voices, and help build a more inclusive and supportive workplace. These groups are run by employees and open to anyone, whether you personally identify with a community or want to show up as an ally.

I joined the LGBTQ+ ERG because noticed that even in a generally open and accepting environment, you can encounter people that lack compassion and awareness for the issues of the LGBTQ+ community. The group is a space for open honest conversation. We talk about fears and concerns, about what global developments mean to us and the community in general. But we also share joy and positive experiences.

As a co-lead, it is important to me to help in creating a culture where people feel safe and are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. If you're thinking about joining an ERG, I say go for it! You get to meet so many amazing people from across TOMRA (and the world). It is amazing to listen to their stories and see their perspectives. Together we can make TOMRA better for everyone. 

Leonie Franken with LGBTQ colors