Women in tech call for real power beyond IWD praise

Technology and business leaders are using International Women's Day to highlight persistent gaps in representation, recognition and equity, even as more women move into senior roles across the sector.

Executives across software, cybersecurity, advertising and infrastructure say structural change, deliberate sponsorship and a shift away from narrow performance metrics remain essential if organisations want women to stay and progress into decision-making roles.

Many also link workplace equity to how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, are designed and governed.

Rethinking success

Several contributors argue that formal measures of achievement do not fully capture women's contributions at work.

"International Women's Day is an opportunity to look beyond the metrics that so often define women's success and instead honor women for who they are. Many of us were raised by women whose strength was not measured in titles or accolades, but in endurance, courage and vision. They fought for access to education, financial independence and opportunity. Because of them, doors have opened that once seemed unreachable.

Yet with expanded opportunity has come expanded expectation. Today, women are often measured by degrees earned, promotions secured, families raised, appearances maintained and countless other visible benchmarks. The pressure to be exceptional in every dimension can quietly turn strength into perfectionism.

This International Women's Day, we must move beyond celebrating accomplishments and ask why so many accomplished women still question their worth. A woman's worth is not a checklist, nor does it rise or fall with productivity. Strength can mean setting boundaries, prioritizing mental health, choosing a different path or making space for reinvention. True progress will come when women are recognized not only for what they achieve, but for who they are, without needing to prove they are enough," said Karina Flynn, people partner director at Zadara.

Others note that companies often benefit financially when more women reach senior positions, yet advancement structures remain uneven.

"Research shows that companies with strong female leadership provide better returns on equity, profits and innovation through decision-making. So why aren't more companies looking at how they can support and promote women more proactively, and faster?

For example, over the past 50 years, women's representation in STEM has increased from 8% to about 28%. That's meaningful progress. But women make up nearly half of the overall U.S. workforce and remain underrepresented in technical roles, particularly in senior positions where major decisions are made.

STEM jobs already account for about a quarter of total employment and are projected to grow much faster than non-STEM roles over the next decade. If women are not fully represented in these fields, we are limiting the talent driving one of the fastest-growing parts of the economy.

When representation declines from junior to senior roles, it highlights a gap in long-term career development for women. Advancement in STEM is not just about entry-level access. It requires sustained support, clear promotion pathways, sponsorship and leadership opportunities over time. Without intentional structures that help women advance across decades-long careers, organizations risk losing experienced talent just as that expertise becomes most valuable," said Kelli Stephens, director of product marketing at Securin.

AI and accountability

The rapid adoption of AI is prompting senior technologists to argue for a stronger female presence on the teams building and governing these systems.

"This International Women's Day, I am reflecting on what it means to be a woman building technology at a time when AI systems are gaining unprecedented autonomy. As machines begin to reason, generate and act with increasing independence, the defining question is not only what these systems can do, but who is shaping how they do it. Women are not standing on the sidelines of this transformation. We are leading it.

Over the past decade, I have had the privilege of leading product and engineering teams, scaling autonomous AI systems, and bringing generative AI into secure, regulated environments. One truth has remained constant: how we build matters as much as what we build.

Women in technology are defining this next era of AI with technical excellence, operational rigor and ethical clarity. As capabilities advance faster than the policies surrounding them, our leadership is essential in ensuring accountability is built directly into the systems we design.

Today, we celebrate the women engineers, product leaders, researchers and executives who are shaping technology with integrity and humanity. On International Women's Day, we celebrate not only progress, but the women actively building what comes next," said Jessica Hammond, senior director of product management (AI) at Protegrity.

Leaders in cybersecurity and defence add that equity should be embedded in formal governance processes.

"International Women's Day is a reminder that progress doesn't happen because we say it should; it happens because we build it into how we operate. This year's theme, 'Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,' resonates with me because equity is not abstract. It shows up in hiring decisions, in how pay is structured and in whether people feel safe raising concerns. Those aren't cultural talking points; they're operational choices.

In industries like cybersecurity and defense, we already understand the importance of structure, accountability and compliance. Equity should be approached with the same rigor. That means clear expectations, consistent decision-making and transparency around how people grow and advance. When we intentionally design fair processes and hold ourselves accountable to them, opportunity becomes predictable and sustainable-not dependent on who you know or how loud you are. Real progress is measurable, and it requires action," said Kellee Classey, head of human resources at C3 Integrated Solutions.

Leadership and visibility

Several executives discuss being among the few women in senior meetings, and how that experience shapes their leadership.

"International Women's Day gives me a reason to pause. It is a meaningful opportunity to recognize how far we have come, while also acknowledging that equity is something we still have to intentionally build, especially in the tech industry. Representation has improved, but it is still uneven in many spaces.

Throughout my career, I have often been one of the few women in the room. Those experiences shaped how I view leadership. They taught me to speak clearly, advocate for myself and make sure others have room to do the same. Presence alone is not enough. People need space to contribute and influence decisions.

For me, that commitment is grounded in straightforward values. The first is equity over equality: ensuring individuals have the support and opportunities they need to succeed, rather than treating everyone the same. The second is visibility: actively recognizing and amplifying the contributions of women across all levels of the organization. Finally, advocacy: speaking up in key moments to ensure diverse voices are represented and included in decision-making.

For women entering the workforce, your perspective is not something to minimize. It informs how you solve problems and how you lead. Take on challenges even when you feel unsure. Ask questions and build relationships. Growth often comes through discomfort, and confidence builds through action. My hope is that we reach a point where representation feels routine rather than measured; where success is defined not by the barriers we break, but by the impact we make. Ultimately, I hope equality becomes so embedded in our workplaces that we no longer need a dedicated day to recognize it, because everyone has an equal seat at the table," said Patty Lin, HR and operations director at Luminys.

Technology CEOs say long-term career growth in male-dominated sectors depends on resilience and sustained performance, rather than a straight promotion track.

"International Women's Day is a time to recognize the progress women have made and reflect on the journeys that drove that progress. When I entered my career in technology more than 25 years ago, the industry was overwhelmingly male-dominated. I chose to step into that environment and focus on delivering results, understanding that being a woman was not a limitation. It brought strengths that shape how I lead, communicate and build teams to this day.

I began my career in straight commission sales and worked my way through leadership roles to the CEO seat I hold today. Along the way, I learned that performance, resilience and discipline ultimately drive success. No career path is linear, and growth comes from learning through each challenge.

In challenging markets and uncertain times, steady leadership, open communication and diverse perspectives make organizations stronger. My advice for women building a career in any male-dominated field is to commit to the long game, keep learning and lean into your strengths. Our perspective, persistence and leadership belong in every room where decisions are made," said Susan Odle, CEO at StorMagic.

Decision-making power

In advertising and marketing, women hold more than half of C-suite roles, yet some leaders see a lag in who holds final authority over strategy and budgets.

"International Women's Day is a reminder that progress for women at work has to reflect the reality of women's lives. In advertising and marketing, more women are entering and leading in senior roles. In fact, women now hold roughly 54% of C-suite executive roles in advertising and creative industries. But there is still a gap at the very top and in final decision-making authority. The next step is getting more women into true decision-making roles, where strategy turns into ownership.

As a working mother of two young children, I also know there is an invisible load many women carry. Meaningful support has to go beyond statements. It needs to show up as fully paid leave, flexibility that works in practice and leaders who approach performance with empathy and trust. When companies back up their words with measurable action, women can look beyond having a seat at the table and set their sights on leading it," said Mena Coticelli, account director at Theorem.

Sponsorship and skills

Senior revenue leaders say intentional sponsorship and a broader view of talent are critical, especially as AI reshapes job design.

"In an ideal world, we wouldn't need a day to spotlight women at all. Equality would simply be the standard. The fact that International Women's Day continues to matter reminds us there is still progress to be made. At the same time, I value the role it plays in raising awareness, creating space for important conversations and amplifying voices that deserve to be heard. If it encourages reflection, action and meaningful change, then it serves a purpose. The real goal is to build workplaces and industries where opportunity and recognition are consistent, not occasional.

In an industry that is typically very male-dominated, I've only once not had a male leader. But I've been sponsored by many women and men in my career, and I've always approached opportunities with a simple question: 'Why not? Why not me? Why not now?' That mindset has shaped how I lead. I've learned that waiting to be invited into the room can mean waiting indefinitely, particularly for women who may not have had champions advocating for them.

That's also why I believe so strongly in looking beyond job titles and traditional experience to identify people's real strengths. There are often women in organizations who haven't been fully recognized or stretched because they haven't followed a conventional path. It's our responsibility as leaders to create space that enables them to step forward-sponsoring them through opportunities and connections. Since I joined Syspro last year, we have brought in and promoted more women than ever before into more senior roles, ensuring their voices and valued opinions are heard and helping accelerate our business growth.

As AI reshapes organizations, we have a real opportunity to rethink skills, not just roles. We need to prioritize reskilling, challenge linear career paths and design new roles that reflect the realities of AI-enabled businesses. If we do that intentionally, we can build more inclusive organizations by design, not by exception. Inclusivity is about creating a sense of belonging, where people want to be and want to succeed," said Leanne Taylor, chief revenue officer at Syspro.

Some leaders hope equality becomes routine and that dedicated awareness days eventually become redundant.

"In an ideal world, we wouldn't need a day to spotlight women at all. Equality would simply be the standard. The fact that International Women's Day continues to matter reminds us there is still progress to be made. At the same time, I value the role it plays in raising awareness, creating space for important conversations and amplifying voices that deserve to be heard. If it encourages reflection, action and meaningful change, then it serves a purpose. The real goal is to build workplaces and industries where opportunity and recognition are consistent, not occasional," Taylor added.