Celebrating Fatherhood: Insights from IGEL Sales and Technical Leaders

In honor of Father’s Day 2025, we are excited to present a special Q&A featuring four dedicated fathers who are also influential technical and sales leaders at IGEL.

Darren Fields, Vice President of UKI and International, is recognized for his strategic vision and leadership in driving growth and operational excellence across diverse markets. Allen Furmanski, Director of Product Marketing, brings extensive experience in driving digital transformation. Andy Prior, Senior Technical Product Marketing Manager, blends technical expertise with a personal touch. Last, but not least, Timo Siedenberg, Area Vice President for Channel Sales in the DACH region, leads with professional insight and a dedication to family values.

Join us as we explore their journeys as fathers, their perspectives on balancing work and family life, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

How do you balance the demands of your tech career with your responsibilities as a father?

Darren Fields: My Kids, Oliver and Emma, are now young adults at 21 &18. The focus has changed; their journey now is life choices, university, careers, travel, and relationships. I have to respect their independence, but stay connected the best I can, and be emotionally available for them. With Oliver, that’s an occasional brainstorm, or run something past me. With Emma, my Snapchat is running red hot most of the day😊. I always try to encourage them to do their best; that’s all you can ask as a parent. My role now is to be a mentor, a cheerleader, and a safety net when needed; I can do that wherever I am.

Allen Furmanski: Through prioritization, coordination with my wife, and context switching when required. My son is only two years old and goes to daycare. Sometimes I drop him off, sometimes pick him up, sometimes both. My wife and I usually tag team on parenting duties most mornings and evenings (when one of us doesn’t have other commitments). Some evenings I’ll continue working from my home office once he’s gone to bed, which is around 8 PM. I’m also very fortunate to have an incredible support system of family and friends nearby to help as needed.

Andy Prior: I’ve taught my daughter to do my job; she’s getting good at using ChatGPT to write blogs. I am lucky that here at IGEL, I can combine work time with the school run and have great support from family members while traveling.

Timo Siedenberg: I am trying my best to spend a lot of my spare time (especially Saturday and Sunday) with my family and do activities with them. I run (5k/10k distance) a lot with my older son Theo, who is 12, or go fishing with his younger brother Fritz, who is 7. On Sundays, we often go to the North Sea for a walk with the whole Siedenberg family.

What’s one thing fatherhood has taught you that helps you in your career?

Darren Fields: Patience means showing up, not giving up. As a parent, you see kids mature in different ways and at different times. As they grow, you celebrate many milestones, but also frustration, unpredictability, and slower progress than they would like. The advice you give does not always lead to immediate impact; things take time. This has helped me develop my skills in handling setbacks, leading teams with empathy, listening more, and reacting less. My dad would always say to me, “You have two ears and one mouth, and use them in that order.” That has always stuck with me both as a parent and in my career.

Allen Furmanski: Sometimes you must force yourself to get outside your comfort zone and make things happen.

Andy Prior: Don’t cry over spilt milk. (Or when your daughter is in the shower and blocks the plug with her toys and floods the downstairs kitchen.

Timo Siedenberg: I always give my sons a positive attitude. If something is not working, try again and again. At some point, it will work. That’s the same in business. Not everything works immediately, but giving up should not be an option.

What strategies or tools help you stay connected with your family during busy work periods or remote work situations?

Darren Fields: WhatsApp & Snapchat have become the two best ways I stay connected with my family. Even when I’m travelling on planes, I buy the Wi-Fi connection, and Emma and I will be messaging on Snapchat. The harder part is the time differences when the other side of the world, but we are always trying to message, send photos, and speak on a regular basis.

Allen Furmanski: It’s important to stay in touch. Send photos and video chat when you can.

Andy Prior: FaceTime. We FaceTime every day to sync up on what’s been happening at home and help get the internet working when it’s down—no YouTube kids when you are away is an issue!

Timo Siedenberg: It is my best friend and biggest enemy -> my smartphone. I am chatting with Theo and my wife (Svenja) via WhatsApp. Fritz is too small for it. We do regular phone calls. And there is one rule: When the phone is ringing and it’s a family member, I always pick up. Family first.

What advice would you give your children if they wanted to pursue a career in tech?

Darren Fields: Pursue a career for which you have passion and excitement. A career that challenges and motivates you. If that career is tech. Tech is always changing. Stay curious, adapt to the changes, collaborate and always be driven, kind, and humble. Your reputation will always matter.

Allen Furmanski: Don’t do it! No, seriously. I would tell my son to pursue a career in tech if that’s what he feels he is truly passionate about. Stay focused and always maintain a learning mindset.

Andy Prior: Be true to yourself, find something you are passionate about, and go for it.

Timo Siedenberg: To be honest, I never thought about it. Theo is aiming for a job as a teacher (but that can change, of course), and Fritz has already decided that he will be a firefighter (I do not think that this is going to change😊). But seriously, my advice would be to follow your heart and do something that you have a passion for. You will spend a huge amount of your time on it.

What IGEL workplace policies or company support have made it easier for you to be both a dad and a technology professional?

Darren Fields: Flexible working! Even as my role as a father has changed, I can be there when needed to support and be present for Oliver & Emma.

Allen Furmanski: I’m still only weeks into working at IGEL, but I can clearly see that the company is focused on its employees and their well-being, which obviously extends to the responsibilities as a father. I enjoy working from the Fort Lauderdale office and the collaborative spirit, though the option to work remotely when needed is so helpful. The benefits, including health insurance and a dependent care plan, are generous and give me peace of mind.

Andy Prior: Flexible working. I can nip to the school for parents’ evenings, school runs, flexibility when I’m in the office, Christmas plays, unexpected doctor’s appointments if she’s got something stuck up her nose, etc.

Timo Siedenberg: I have traveled a lot in the last twenty years. My family knows I like it that way and tolerates it. That is the most important thing. They know that I would be very unhappy with a “desk job.” Of course, the flexibility that IGEL offers, including a home office, flexible start and stop times, etc. is helping, but the “buy-in” from the family is essential.

What is your favorite thing about being a dad?

Darren Fields: I have loved being a dad through all stages. My kids are now young adults. I love watching them become their own person, what excites them, how they handle situations, relationships, etc. The conversations we have and the way they challenge me all the time! Being their safe place when needed, but mostly huge pride for the great people they have become.

Allen Furmanski: My favorite thing is spending time with my son and seeing him happy and smiling. As a father of a toddler, I’m most proud of my son learning anything new. As a technology professional for my entire career, I’m especially proud that I can entertain him with tech stuff (and fix his “tech toys” when needed).

Andy Prior: Being a dad and everything that comes with it, I love being a dad, seeing my daughter ride a bike for the first time, her first words, first steps, everything firsts. It’s like watching the best soap opera. So cool. Oh, and lots of hugs…

What are you most proud of as a father and as a technology professional?

Darren Fields: Oliver and Emma have grown into extraordinary individuals, kind, loving, and driven to make the world a better place. Seeing the people they’ve become fills me with pride, and I can’t wait to witness the incredible futures they will carve out for themselves.

As for my career, it has always been about the people. I’ve had the privilege of leading and growing organisations, turning teams around, building strong foundations, and fostering a culture where success thrives. Watching my teams flourish, both collectively and individually, has been the best journey so far. It’s not always easy, but I’ve stayed true to my beliefs, knowing that dedication, integrity, and a commitment to others are what really make a difference.

Andy Prior: Getting a daughter in the first place, I put it off for years, and I’m an older dad. When we decided to start a family, we found out we couldn’t; five years of assisted reproduction later, along came our daughter. In terms of work, I won Presales-Manager of the Year in EMEA and got to go to Hawaii; that was a cool experience.

Timo Siedenberg: My wife and I do our best to educate good human beings. And if we hear from other people that our kids are friendly, open-minded, and ready to help, then it makes me/us very proud. Theo is in the 7^th grade and is a school speaker, which is unusual because normally it is students from the 9th grade or 10th grade. But he was applying, and he was elected. It was his choice to take responsibility. Two weeks later, Fritz announced at home that he was elected class speaker in the 1st grade. Could I be more proud?

Just for fun: Who is your favorite fictional dad from TV, movies, or books?

Darren Fields: George Banks (Steve Martin) Father of the Bride

George is a protective, loving father who struggles to get his head around his daughter getting married, eventually giving her the best wedding. I loved the warmth and love from him and within the family. I’m not sure how I will feel when my kids get married, I know it will be huge pride and excitement for the next stage of their journey, and I hope for grandchildren one day!

Allen Furmanski: I’ll go with Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) from “Mrs. Doubtfire”.

Andy Prior: Darth Vader.

Timo Siedenberg: In the middle of the 80s, the German TV Channel “ZDF” showed the “Bill Cosby Show” for the first time. I really liked this TV family. Especially Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable seemed to be a very cool dad. And what should I say? Their oldest son was called “Theo”. 😊

“At IGEL, we celebrate the whole person—not just the professional. We’re proud to support our team members in showing up fully for their families and their careers,” said Lori Thompson, VP of Human Resources, IGEL.

Supporting families is essential to building a thriving workplace, which is why IGEL’s U.S. parental leave approach includes paid time off for full-time employees and flexible options to ease the transition back to work. For birthing parents, this may include the opportunity to return on a part-time schedule while continuing to receive full pay. These benefits reflect our broader commitment to helping employees navigate one of life’s most transformative moments with confidence and support. Explore career opportunities with us.