To all of us at Stellar Omada, Zara Pearson is far more than just a talented athlete or a rising university student – she is a genuine success story. Zara represents the very heart of what our Digital Skills and Development initiatives are designed to achieve: identifying raw potential in our local communities, nurturing it and watching it thrive across every avenue of life.
From her early days as a student at Linlithgow Academy engaging with Stellar Omada at the Hearts Innovation Centre, to joining our Summer Placement programme a few years in a row, to then working on our clients, Zara is proof that if you have the talent, the drive, the curiosity and the right support around you, you can turn your hand to anything and achieve the goals you set yourself..
Balancing Elite Netball and Corporate Innovation
As a rising Scottish netball talent and dedicated Accounting and Finance student, Zara has navigated the pathway from grassroots netball to Scotland’s national junior squads whilst simultaneously building early-career momentum across the technology and financial sectors. Her ability to juggle two such disparate fields so effectively is inspiring and really is to be admired.
Academic and Technical Career
Alongside a demanding athletic schedule, education remained a primary focus, graduating from Linlithgow Academy before enrolling as an Accounting and Finance undergraduate at Heriot-Watt University.
The initial connection with Edinburgh-based tech consultancy Stellar Omada began during those school years through the company’s CSR initiatives. As an alumna of the Stellar Omada and Hearts Innovation Centre, Zara quickly became a vocal advocate for young women pursuing digital and technical skills, speaking at key corporate events including the Stellar Partnership Event.
That relationship naturally evolved into professional employment after a few summer internship sessions. From June 2025, Zara joined our Remediation team, gaining direct corporate project experience, while maintaining an intense academic schedule and U19 national netball training commitments.
Zara was an absolute delight to work with and to manage. From her first day on the project to her last she was always looking for ways to improve and learn more, she really led by example in that respect. Zara was an asset to Stellar and constantly received positive feedback from the client on her performance and attitude towards work. Her work ethic and drive were really impressive for someone so young, It’s no surprise Zara excels in a team environment in sport and professionally and I’m sure she will equally excel at university. We will all be following her journey here at Stellar. – James Gordon
“Stellar Omada has given me so many opportunities to learn, develop and challenge myself. From my first involvement with the Hearts Innovation Centre to gaining professional experience within the business, I’ve always felt supported and encouraged to make the most of every opportunity. I’m incredibly grateful for the belief they have shown in me and the experiences they have given me, and I’m proud to have been part of a business that puts so much into helping people reach their potential, both through their careers and through sport.” – Zara Pearson
On the Netball Court: Representing Scotland
On the court, a standout sporting career launched at the grassroots level with Linlithgow Flyers Netball Club – a valued Sponsorship Partner of ours – who supported Zara every step along her journey; developing her into a versatile, dependable athlete and leader. Exceptional performances at local level soon caught the attention of the national selectors, leading to her inclusion in Netball Scotland’s elite pathway.
- National Pathway: Selection for the Scotland U17 squad paved the way to progressing into the Scotland U19 national team, …representing the Scottish pathway at major national events including the Netball Performance Leagues (NPL) tournament in Nottingham.
- Senior Club Competition: Expanding into senior competition, Zara now features regularly across National League squads for Edinburgh Accies Netball.
This story represents a perfect example of how elite athletic performance, academic ambition and business engagement can align to deliver both personal success and community impact.
We are immensely proud of Zara, all she has achieved and the path she has created for herself!
