International Women’s Day: Celebrating Women in Tech
Women in Tech Share Their Experiences and Advice
Saturday is International Women’s Day, a day devoted to recognizing the critical role that women play across all aspects of society. It’s also an important day in technology, where women make up about 25% of the workforce. To recognize the contributions that women have made in tech and the continued need to push for equality, we have collected commentary from women in the field.
Mentorship and Leadership
Hammerspace SVP of Global Marketing Molly Presley has held many roles over the years. In 2023, she joined the executive board of the Women in High Performance Computing (WHPC), where she has had a chance to help lift other women in the industry.
"My tech career trajectory has been greatly influenced by exceptional leaders who have pushed me to achieve beyond my expectations," Presley says. "Although I had a solid technical background upon entering the industry, ascending to a senior executive role in tech marketing was not something I had anticipated. The key to my success has been the mentorship of others and my commitment to the job. This mentorship has refined my ability to pinpoint distinctive product attributes and effectively communicate with a varied audience."
Pursuing Your Passion
Ellison Anne Williams, CEO and Founder of Enveil, has earned a Ph.D. in mathematics and has worked for the government. She eventually founded Enveil, a developer of privacy-preserving software based on the principles of homomorphic encryption.
"On this International Women’s Day, I continue to focus on substance and advancing innovation through significant contributions," Williams says. "I chose to keep my attention on delivering value, which I hope serves as an example of what it looks like to persistently pursue your dream."
Overcoming Bias
Claire Nouet, COO and co-founder of Pathway, has sometimes struggled to be taken seriously by others due to her appearance. Nouet looks forward to the day when that sort of bias is a rarity. In the meantime, she has some advice for other women on how to accelerate change.
"Prominent female role models are the most effective way to accelerate gender equality in tech," Nouet says. "Women, especially those in the early days of their careers, need to see that other women are accelerating in the field. Representation in the tech and startup media has increased significantly, largely driven by journalists who are making active efforts to showcase the work of women in the ecosystem, but the tech industry can still be seen as a ‘boys club.’"
Changing the Industry
Zuzanna Stamirowska, co-founder and CEO of Pathway, has a Ph.D. in complex systems from the University of Paris and is an expert in gaming theory. She has experienced bias in the industry and has some ideas on how it can be countered.
"A smart and competent man is celebrated by the industry, while women with the same attributes are seen as scary and questioned at every turn," Stamirowska says. "I have seen this fear compensated for by bringing the woman’s looks into conversations, sometimes in a nasty sense, which would never be a topic point if a smart man was being discussed."
Creating a More Inclusive Environment
Hinada Neiron, head of marketing and alliances and community initiator at Aconso, believes that a truly gender-equal tech industry is one where women have not only the same professional opportunities as men but where their working environment is as inclusive of their needs.
"For me, a truly gender-equal tech industry is one where women have not only the same professional opportunities as men in their workplace, but where their working environment is as inclusive of their needs," Neiron says. "This requires not only a greater commitment from their employers, but also from the government at a policy level, for example by closing the gender pay gap."
Conclusion
International Women’s Day is a celebration of the progress that has been made, but it is also a call to action to continue pushing for equality. The women featured in this article demonstrate that with hard work, dedication, and a commitment to their craft, women can achieve great things in the tech industry. They also highlight the importance of mentorship, leadership, and a willingness to overcome bias and stereotypes.
FAQs
Q: What is International Women’s Day?
A: International Women’s Day is a day to recognize the critical role that women play across all aspects of society and to push for continued equality.
Q: What is the theme of International Women’s Day 2025?
A: The theme of International Women’s Day 2025 is "Accelerate Action."
Q: What can be done to promote gender equality in tech?
A: Women in tech can promote gender equality by being role models, mentors, and leaders. They can also work to create a more inclusive environment and push for policy changes that support gender equality.
