Celebrating Women’s Day with Female Leaders in IT

1. Caroline Vignollet, SVP Research & Development of OneSpan

Caroline Vignollet, the Senior Vice President of Research & Development at OneSpan, is a dedicated leader passionate about driving digital transformation in companies. With over a decade of experience, Caroline specializes in guiding teams through the challenges of innovation, technical advancement, and adopting agile methodologies.

“Since beginning my career, I believe there’s been considerate progress made regarding how women are perceived in the technology industry, and we owe a lot of credit to the women in the industry themselves. However, it’s no secret STEM careers remain male-dominated today. Although Gen Z is more conscientious of the technology skills gap, they are still progressing step-by-step and accepting the fact that we need to take action to challenge the status quo. This can take time, and I do see younger women today develop this subconscious bias that they don’t belong in technology fields – ultimately placing them on alternate career paths. As women, we must swim against the current and approach opportunities objectively in order to discover our passions and pursue the careers that most interest us.”

2. Angie Snow, Principal Industry Advisor, ServiceTitan

Angie Snow is a seasoned professional with a multifaceted background in the HVAC industry and coaching domain. Currently serving as a Principal Industry Advisor at ServiceTitan, she leverages over three years of experience to empower businesses within the trades. Angie’s journey with ServiceTitan began after excelling in her HVAC business, where she found success through the platform’s support. Before her current role, she held positions such as Director of Customer & Product Training and Senior Manager of Product Adoption, demonstrating her commitment to enhancing customer experiences and product utilization.

“Leading an HVAC company for decades and coaching and supporting fellow tradespeople, I’ve witnessed women assume more positions of authority in the Skilled Trades industry. When I started my career, I was often the only woman in the room. Now, we are the decision-makers running successful businesses, keynoting conferences, and helping shape the next generation of the industry. Even so, there’s still more work to do. Technology is helping to equalize the playing field, improve essential functions, attract the best talent, and optimize performance in our roles.

For example, when armed with the appropriate tools and training, like the ability to text customers, customer service representatives (CSRs) successfully converted about 20% of texts to bookings keeping the dispatch board full for field technicians. Additionally, technology streamlines the onboarding process, allowing business leaders to focus on operational excellence and ongoing training efforts, which prove essential in an increasingly competitive business environment. Successfully recruiting new talent could ultimately hinge on access to emerging tools that improve the worker and customer experiences alike.

As women choose a professional direction, I advise this International Women’s Day to center yourself with a supportive network, whether a mentor or a national group. LadyTitans, a customer-led diversity charter with more than 700 members, has changed the trajectory of the industry through education, apprenticeship, and community. It’s allowed me to grow connections globally and empower fellow women in the trades through education and training, where historically it may not have been possible.”

3. Viktoria Ruubel, Managing Director of Digital Identity, Veriff

Viktoria Ruubel is a distinguished Managing Director, Venture Partner, and Advisor renowned for her transformative leadership within the global business landscape. With a storied career that includes tenures at industry giants such as Meta, Skype, and Intuit, Viktoria boasts a comprehensive skill set honed over two decades of navigating dynamic growth environments. Her commercial acumen and a tenacious, entrepreneurial spirit fuel her ability to thrive in fast-paced, entrepreneurial settings. With a keen focus on driving actionable commercial strategies and optimizing organizational processes, she has consistently delivered substantial revenue growth and diversification.

“International Women’s Day and this year’s theme, “Inspire Inclusion,” underscores the importance of gender equality in the workforce, especially in STEM and business. Female-founded startups worldwide often face significant challenges with securing funding, and as a result of this gender discrepancy, female entrepreneurs need more support.

It’s up to us women in leadership roles to build an inclusive future and create opportunities for other women. My main advice to women looking to make an impact and provide the necessary support is to join groups and organizations that allow you to use your experience and knowledge to be part of the solution. For instance, in addition to my work at Veriff, I also spend time at Sie Ventures, where I serve as an Expert in Residence, advising female-founded startups or those with female C-level executives on product strategy, from product-market fit to scaling. By looking for opportunities to support women in your own community, what may seem like a small difference can bring major change.”

4. Candice Frost, Director of Integrated DoD, Raytheon, and RTX Business

Candice Frost is a distinguished professional renowned for her extensive cybersecurity, technology, and national security expertise. With a career spanning over two decades, she has left an indelible mark in both military and cybersecurity, earning an impressive 20 promotions reflecting her unwavering commitment to excellence and leadership.

Throughout her illustrious career, Candice has excelled in various leadership roles within the intelligence enterprise and human resources disciplines, operating at operational and strategic levels. Her strategic acumen and dedication to service have been instrumental in directing and managing strategic planning initiatives, developing thousands of personnel, and fostering environments of empowerment and accountability.

“Across industries, ensuring the involvement of women at the forefront of workforces and organizations will not only bring refreshed and new perspectives to the table, but it will also inspire younger generations to pursue career paths that are predominantly pursued by men. As skills gaps continue to persist across various fields, the workforce as a whole would benefit tremendously from employees with unique and diversified backgrounds. The cybersecurity field is no exception to this.

To make strides toward shrinking any skills gap, a dedicated approach around building opportunities – especially for women in pursuing careers that they often fail to see themselves in, cyber included. Increasing the involvement of current female leaders to step forward and serve as role models for others is imperative.

This includes serving as a mentor for K-12 and collegiate education programs creating better awareness around cybersecurity professions and can provide beneficial shadowing opportunities. For example, volunteering with the non-profit, Girls Who Code, offers curriculum-based programs and mentorships tailored to set up women for success early in their cyber careers – encouraging them to take risks while showing their potential.”

5. Minalma Basnet, Customer Operations Manager at SecurityPal

Minalma Basnet is a dedicated professional currently serving as the Customer Operations Manager at SecurityPal, a leading cybersecurity firm based in Kathmandu, Nepal. With a background in technology and a commitment to excellence, Minalma plays a pivotal role in fostering a customer-centric culture within the organization.

In her current capacity, Minalma spearheads initiatives to scale customer operations and ensure the delivery of high-quality services. Her leadership is characterized by a keen focus on building relationships across the business, resulting in tangible and intangible business value. Through her efforts, Minalma cultivates an environment where customer satisfaction is paramount.

“I’ve been fortunate to be part of a workplace where biases are not an issue — nor are they tolerated. There was one notable instance during an interview where we decided not to proceed with a candidate for various reasons, including a lack of alignment. One significant factor was the candidate’s behavior towards me throughout the interview – he consistently failed to acknowledge my presence, even when I asked questions. My co-interviewer pointed it out later, highlighting the unfair treatment.

To cultivate inclusive workplaces, it’s critical to acknowledge every individual’s presence and treat everyone equally and with respect. Be mindful of the words you use in conversations, and considerate of others’ needs.”

6. Lisa Box, SVP of Strategic Alliances and Business Development, Identity Digital

Lisa Box is a dynamic and innovative Senior Vice President specializing in global partnerships and alliances, strategic corporate development, and sales and marketing strategy. With over 20 years of experience, she is recognized for her ability to accelerate revenue growth through strategic alliances, channels, and business development initiatives.

Lisa has been a go-to-market and technology leader throughout her career, consistently launching new teams, programs, products, and strategies to drive success. Her expertise extends to new product development, pricing, packaging, and executive leadership, making her a trusted leader.

Lisa is known for her talent in building and leading high-performing teams across sales, customer experience, marketing, and business/corporate development. She leverages data and insights to devise key planning and corporate strategy initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

“This Women’s History Month, I feel driven to share some of the learnings I’ve accrued over my own career as a woman in business. I’ve learned that leadership is action, not position. To be a leader, you must be a servant to others and a guiding light to those who need it. Your attitude, how you speak about topics, and your body language will all have more of an impact than you think. Be cognizant of this impact – where you lead, your team will follow. If you are upset, they will be upset, if you are motivated, they will be motivated. This isn’t to say you can’t be vulnerable; it is an absolute skill to be vulnerable; just make sure you are aware of how this vulnerability may impact those who look to you for direction and advice. I think this is especially poignant as we consider uplifting women and creating greater gender equality in the workplace. We have the choice to be a guiding light for other women in our workspaces, current and future, and our positive energy will motivate us all to grow collectively.”

7. Stephanie Aceves, Senior Director of Product Management at Tanium

Stephanie is a highly accomplished Director of Technical Account Management at Tanium, where she brings her expertise as a cybersecurity subject matter expert to drive the company’s expansion efforts in Latin America. Before her tenure at Tanium, Stephanie played integral roles within EY’s Cyber Threat Management division, contributing to both Incident Response and Red Team/Vulnerability Identification teams. Notably, she spearheaded red team engagements across diverse industries, showcasing her proficiency in ethical hacking.

“Often, women end up somewhat disillusioned in the IT space when they realize the space was really never made for them. Diversity without inclusion is careless. It’s a way to say we’ve “done our part” without focusing on the longer-term outcomes. One of the reasons we see poor retention for women is that we often limit the focus to diverse recruiting and often forget to create environments within our companies that are attractive to female team members. We need to act in a way that shows women on the team have a space and are thought of during each phase of their careers, and not overlook the little things, as they often communicate a company’s stance more effectively than the “grand gestures.”

Speaking from experience, being a woman in the IT space comes with more expectations for the same role. Women who are often the first or only woman on their team are often expected to increase the number of women. We are often asked to participate in additional extracurricular activities due to being female. While these can boost the personal brand, they are often in addition to our full-time roles. If we want to boost representation of women on our teams, we need to stop making it a problem for the women to solve. This is one of the key drivers for burnout in my personal experience.”

8. Shalini Sharma, Chief Legal Officer, Ping Identity

Shalini Sharma is a Chief Legal Officer at Ping Identity, a prominent cybersecurity firm headquartered in Denver, Colorado. With a wealth of experience in legal leadership roles, Shalini brings her expertise to shape the legal landscape of the organization, ensuring compliance and fostering a culture of integrity.

In addition to her pivotal role at Ping Identity, Shalini actively engages in philanthropic endeavors. She serves as a Board Member at EndCAN, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending child abuse and neglect. Through her involvement, Shalini demonstrates her commitment to positively impacting societal issues beyond her professional responsibilities.

“Identify your personal board of directors.  Find them in your personal and professional networks and lean on each other when you need support. Do not forget you have a right to be where you are because you have something meaningful to share to advance the interests of the company.  Leverage your superpower, your diverse perspective.  Be a trailblazer and lift up other women along the way.”

9. Jen Dewar, Sr. Global Channel Director at Venafi 

Jen Dewar’s leadership journey exemplifies the transformative power of positive psychology in driving individual and organizational success. As the Senior Global Channel Director at Venafi, she continues to inspire others to reach their full potential while fostering a culture of collaboration and positivity.

Her expertise in building cohesive teams and delivering on strategic objectives has consistently elevated the performance of the organizations she serves.

“My advice for women getting started is twofold: get involved and find a mentor. It is important to build your network and find interesting associations. Building your network is something that is important to continue throughout your career and the earlier you get started the better. Then, once you have begun to meet individuals, seek out a person (man or woman) who you connect with and has a similar career path you would like to pursue and ask them if they would be your mentor.”

“An inclusive workplace must be a companywide initiative including recruiting, hiring, managing, coaching, and mentorship programs. It needs to be part of the company culture that involves everyone. Individuals can do their own work, but for significant change to happen, it must be front in center. Every company should have a DE&I department.”’

10. Samantha Clarke, Vice President, Channels and Partnerships, Panasas 

Samantha Clarke is a results-driven sales leader with a proven track record of excellence in driving revenue growth, cultivating high-performing teams, and fostering enduring partnerships. With a passion for innovation and a commitment to delivering tangible outcomes, Samantha has made significant strides in technology sales. Currently serving as the VP of Channels and Partnerships at Panasas, Samantha continues to leverage her expertise and passion for driving success in the technology sales landscape.

“International Women’s Day is very near and dear to my heart. The day serves as a time to celebrate the global progress towards equality for women in the workforce and their worldwide successes.  

The first career advice I was given was to “never pour the tea.” Years later, I realized it’s not about the tea – it’s about remembering and defining what value you bring to the room. Anyone can pour the tea, be valuable, be exceptional.   My advice to women entering the tech world? Be bold; if you don’t ask, you won’t receive. You can tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges here. Seek leaders who will tell you when you have done well and tell you, “you need to get yourself into public speaking training.”  Find mentors who help you see your perceived weaknesses as strengths — for me; it was realizing that empathy has many forms in the business world. And don’t forget to give back; mentoring other women has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.  

I decided recently to join Panasas, a small company with a big journey ahead, because I am excited about what technology can bring to the world’s biggest problems and because the leadership team has believed in me and enabled my success repeatedly.   

Woman in technology have advantages and disadvantages, but ultimately, the key is to find a place where you have the platform and colleagues that create an environment where your results speak for themselves.” 

11. Caroline Seymour, VP of Storage Product Marketing, Zerto, a Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company 

Caroline Seymour is a seasoned marketing executive with over twenty-eight years of experience in the computer software industry, specializing in marketing, pre-sales, and product marketing. Currently serving as the Vice President of Storage Product Marketing at HPE, Caroline is known for her proactive, innovative, and results-oriented approach to driving high-impact marketing initiatives. She thrives on challenges and has a proven track record of taking on new and demanding opportunities, quickly gaining a deep understanding of market dynamics, customer needs, competitive landscapes, and product offerings.

“In honor of International Women’s Day, it’s crucial to both recognize the accomplishments of women and reinforce the need for continued efforts towards gender equality. This year’s theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” highlights the challenge of inadequate financing for gender equality. Organizations can invest in women by promoting diversity in decision-making, introducing policies to address gender disparities in wages and advancement, and challenging unconscious biases.  

Proactive measures can include adopting inclusive hiring processes, implementing female-led mentorship programs to support women’s professional development, offering flexible work arrangements, creating a supportive and inclusive work culture, and ensuring equal advancement opportunities for all employees, regardless of gender. These efforts aim to empower women, promote gender equality and foster a more diverse and inclusive workplace so that women thrive in their careers. The lack of gender diversity particularly in the tech industry requires our continuous attention and action.  

Organizations must actively work to address gender inequality — not just through verbal commitment but also through impactful and intentional inclusionary efforts. This is not just important on International Women’s Day but every single day.” 

12. Chrissay Brinkmann, Pre Sales Solution Engineer, Leaseweb US  

Chrissay Brinkmann is a dedicated Presales Engineer at Leaseweb with a robust technology and customer service background. With over five years of experience at Leaseweb, Chrissay has demonstrated her expertise in infrastructure and hardware services, serving thousands of enterprise and SMB customers across various fields, including public cloud, cybersecurity, server management, colocation, and hybrid hosting.

“As a female engineer, I see International Women’s Day as a chance to recognize the progress made by women in STEM while simultaneously stressing the continued importance of equal opportunity and representation in the workplace. Supporting girls who are passionate about STEM, from a young age, is a key piece to accomplishing this while also creating a future where the traditionally male-dominated field of engineering sees greater gender diversity.   

As an engineer, I’m in an industry characterized by constant evolution and change, an industry that values diverse ideas and viewpoints. Encouraging greater gender diversity in the industry will only strengthen these values.   

In the future, I hope to see even more women pursuing careers in engineering. I hope to see this supported by organizations focusing on girls in STEM initiatives, professional development opportunities and diverse hiring strategies across positions, but specifically in C-suite and other leadership roles. Every day is an opportunity to strengthen the commitment to achieving gender equality.” 

13. Nancy Louisnord, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Beekeeper 

Nancy Louisnord is a highly accomplished global marketing and sales executive with over 15 years of experience in the B2B SaaS industry. She has a proven track record of driving transformative growth strategies, particularly in technology landscapes. As the Global Chief Marketing Officer at Beekeeper, Nancy is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive, data-driven marketing strategies to fuel business growth. She leads all aspects of modern B2B marketing, including demand generation, partner marketing, branding, and public relations. Her role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to craft compelling value propositions and customer journeys, enhancing Beekeeper’s market position and brand visibility.

“March 8 marks International Women’s Day, a powerful reminder of the indispensable contributions of women, especially in essential sectors like healthcare and social services, where they represent over 64% of frontline workers. It’s a time to recognize the challenges female shift workers face, particularly working moms, who balance demanding and often stressful schedules alongside family responsibilities. We advocate for workplace flexibility and predictable shifts to support their needs as we celebrate their strength and resilience.  

To #InspireInclusion and #InvestInWomen, we need tangible actions to dismantle gender bias, starting from the frontline. Emphasizing digital innovation helps provide better technology and equitable practices. Stable shifts, early scheduling notices, and tools for easy shift swaps can significantly aid and empower women in managing work and personal lives effectively. 

This International Women’s Day, let’s urge business leaders to commit to creating inclusive workplaces where women are valued and empowered. I’m dedicated to supporting frontline workers and bridging the gap between them and businesses. Together, let’s honor the perseverance of frontline women during International Women’s Day and applaud leaders who drive positive change.” 

14. Deepika Gajaria, VP of GTM and Strategy, Securin 

Deepika Gajaria is a seasoned executive with over 18 years of experience in product management and go-to-market (GTM) strategy. Currently serving as the Vice President of GTM and Strategy at Securin Inc., Deepika is known for her creative approach to product development and ability to scale enterprise-grade products effectively.

With a strong track record in understanding customer needs and competitive landscapes, Deepika excels at translating these insights into compelling product portfolios. She has a keen eye for identifying market trends and opportunities, allowing her to drive innovation and growth within her organization.

“International Women’s Day is an excellent opportunity to celebrate and champion a more diverse and inclusive future.  

I aspire to see people of all genders, backgrounds and identities pursue their passions and explore dynamic career paths within industries like cybersecurity and STEM. Organizations have a critical role that they can play in providing opportunities for the next generation of professionals by investing time, energy, and resources in offering students practical security and research experiences. As adults, we must ensure that this generation is exposed to real-world problems and critical thinking that will prepare them for situations inside and outside the classroom.  

By encouraging young minds, especially those of young girls, to explore their interests early on, we are actively breaking down the obstacles that once prevented people from following rewarding careers in these fields. This is why I strongly support initiatives like the Living Classroom and Soil&Water, which help to create a sense of community and provide equal opportunities for those who may not have had the privilege to access similar resources. 

Together, we can create an environment where every aspiring voice is listened to and valued, contributing to a brighter and more inclusive future across all industries.” 

15. Cindy Heiner, CISO, Aiden Technologies 

Cindy Heiner is a cybersecurity professional with a diverse background and a passion for coaching and mentoring. Her journey in cybersecurity began in 2003 when she was presented with the opportunity to join a newly formed application security team, ultimately saving her career. Before this, Cindy had considered taking an early retirement package from Verizon and pursuing a different path entirely.

“At the beginning of my career, I was often the only woman on the team, in the room, or at the conference. I learned that specializing in one thing and becoming a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in that area allowed my voice to be heard, if only on that topic. In my case, I began specializing in application security and using Dynamic Application Security Testing tools. Finding a niche is the best thing I did in my career, and I encourage all women to become an SME in something and develop an intense specialization in it. By carving out that space, you make yourself invaluable to your current and future employers. Then, you can land and expand your knowledge, ability, and influence. 

In honor of International Women’s Day, I also want to inspire women to find the courage to call out organizations that are not demonstrating gender diversity and use that as a guiding principle for making business decisions. For the last decade, business leaders have heard that diversity of thought leads to better business practices, leadership, and company culture. By now, it seems a conscious choice if they’re not listening to that message and putting it into practice.  

As women, we are responsible for highlighting the shortcomings of companies with all-male C-Suites and deciding not to do business with them. When working for a solely male-led company, someone must be the woman who shatters conventions and disrupts the existing norms. I recommend asking many questions to determine the motivation behind hiring for gender diversity. Are they seeking diversity of thought or just looking for a token female?  

Forrester’s research from 2023 showed that only 16% of CISOs were female — a mere 3-percentage-point increase from their 2021 research. Currently, women hold less than 30% of jobs in the global cybersecurity industry, and the only way we will get that number closer to equal representation is by stepping up and amplifying our voices. Personalize the message by calling out inequalities at conferences, to conference organizers, in board rooms, and to employers. We only get better by creating meaningful change, and it’s on all of us to achieve that.” 

16. Sara Faatz, Director, Technology Community Relations, Progress 

Sara Faatz is a professional with over 20 years of experience in corporate marketing and community building for international organizations. Currently serving as the Director of Developer Relations at Progress, she is known for her dynamic leadership and exceptional interpersonal skills.

“With all of the advancements we’ve seen for women in STEM over the last decade, it can be easy to lose sight of the fact that we’re still depressingly far from true equity. On this International Women’s Day, we should take the time to celebrate the incredible achievements of women in STEM while also thinking deeply about existing barriers, including workplace harassment and discrimination, as well as the ongoing gender pay gap. The fact is that, despite now earning the majority of undergraduate and advanced degrees in the US, women make up just one-third of STEM jobs and barely a quarter of leadership positions. Businesses in the industry must do their part to support upcoming talent and uplift women; after all, diverse perspectives are key to a company’s success.”  

17. Kat Skjoldager, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Progress 

Kat Skjoldager is a Talent Acquisition Specialist at Progress, a role in which she is responsible for recruiting top talent to join the organization. As a specialist in talent acquisition, Kat plays a crucial role in identifying, attracting, and hiring skilled individuals who align with Progress’s values and objectives.

 “AI is a tool that will only be as effective as we make it. Talent Acquisition teams can succeed using tools like ChatGPT for job descriptions; however, a healthy amount of skepticism should be reserved for claims that AI can remove bias in the hiring process.   

AI tools are built within our social and cultural system, and we teach them similarly. Many categories of discrimination, such as race and gender presentation, are rooted systemically, which means that we are not often dealing with discrimination based on a hiring partner’s active distaste or dislike of a group of people, but rather that societal expectations inherently preference certain educational backgrounds, work experience and socio-economic statuses. A tool like AI cannot see its own bias when it pulls from inherently biased data.  

Additionally, AI cannot overcome barriers that exist outside of its scope. Women are still underrepresented in STEM education and careers, citing such barriers as a lack of strong female role models and a socialized belief that they will not be good at it. An unbiased AI will mean nothing if the pipeline itself is not diverse. Progress invests in initiatives such as our Women in STEM scholarship series, to encourage the women who are already here and the next generation.  

Talent Acquisition and retention is a fundamentally human process. With a constantly shifting market and rapid acceleration of technology that outpaces the relevant research, People Teams and their orgs should approach integrating AI into their hiring process with care and diligence.” 

18. Shirley Knowles, Chief Inclusion & Diversity Officer, Progress 

Dr. Shirley J. Knowles is the Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer at Progress. With a background in the insurance industry, she brings a wealth of experience in diversity, inclusion, and communications to her role. Shirley is skilled in various areas, including internal and external corporate communications, community investment, diversity leadership, social media management, event planning, team building, media relations, journalism, and mentoring.

“International Women’s Day serves as a reminder of the struggles and achievements of women throughout history. It is a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and to call for gender equality and women’s rights. It also raises awareness about the challenges and discrimination that women continue to face worldwide and catalyzes change and action. By recognizing and honoring women’s contributions and achievements, International Women’s Day empowers women and inspires future generations to continue fighting for gender equality and justice. 

There are several ways that women can overcome barriers in the tech space: 

• Education and Skill Development: Women should continue to educate themselves and develop their skills in technology fields through formal education, online courses, workshops and certifications. Building a strong technical skill set can help women compete in the male-dominated tech industry.
   
• Networking and Mentorship: Building a strong professional network and seeking out mentorship from successful men and women in the tech industry can provide valuable guidance, support, and opportunities for career advancement.
    
• Advocating for Gender Equality: Women can advocate for gender equality in the workplace by speaking up against harassment, inequality, and bias. They can support I&D initiatives and work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive work environment for women in tech.
    
• Building Confidence and Assertiveness: Women should work on building their confidence, self-esteem, and assertiveness to overcome imposter syndrome and other barriers that may hold them back in the workplace.
   
• Creating Supportive Communities: Taking advantage of women-focused tech organizations, networking groups, and communities that provide a platform for collaboration, support, and empowerment.
    
• Taking Risks and Seeking Opportunities: We should be willing to take risks, step out of our comfort zone, and seek new opportunities for growth and advancement in the tech industry.  

Young girls should constantly challenge gender stereotypes and biases that may discourage them from pursuing tech careers. Encouraging girls to believe in their abilities and debunking stereotypes about tech being a “male-only” field can help empower them to pursue their interests in technology. 

Be confident and assertive by believing in your skills and abilities and be confident in your contributions to the tech industry. Don’t be afraid to speak up, share your ideas and advocate for yourself and other women in the workplace. Assertiveness is key to advancing your career and making your voice heard.” 

19. Girija Kolagada, VP, Engineering, Progress 

Girija Kolagada is the Vice President of Engineering at Progress Software, bringing over two decades of experience in various technological domains. Her career journey spans from working on mission-critical satellites at the Indian Space Research Organization to leading cloud-native platform initiatives at Oracle Corporation.

“Three decades ago, after schooling in my hometown, I aspired to pursue a college degree in Engineering. However, since no college was available in my town, I had to relocate to another place to pursue my higher education. At that time, it was uncommon for young women to leave their homes and stay in hostels to study. Nevertheless, my grandmother encouraged and supported me, emphasizing the importance of women being educated and financially independent. Despite the odds, my family rallied around me and supported me as I pursued a degree in Computer Science Engineering. Later, when I was selected to work at a space agency, my family continued to be my rock and supported me in fulfilling my dream of working in the space industry and later continued to contribute to the tech industry. 

Gender disparity continues to thrive across the technology industry. Despite the increasing number of opportunities in the tech sector, women remain underrepresented. For success to be achieved, it is necessary to have decision-makers who represent the diversity of society. There have been numerous initiatives aimed at getting more women and other underrepresented groups into tech – chief among them closing the pay gap. However, these efforts alone are not enough to expedite transformation. The real solution to getting more women into IT careers is a multi-pronged action plan that addresses root causes. 

Tech employers hold immense power. Some of the ways they can support gender equality are: 

• Create environments where women are not just included but celebrated.  
• Encourage diversity in their teams; diverse teams foster innovation.  
• Provide equal opportunities, ensure fair compensation and promote a culture of respect and inclusion. When women feel valued and supported, they can unleash their full potential, contributing significantly to the growth and success of your organizations. 
• Offer flexibility and support as many women, especially in the developing world, face challenges in balancing work and family responsibilities 
• Foster mentorship and networking  
• Back to work initiatives that help women who are on break for personal reasons have an opportunity to get back to work 

While there have been some positive developments around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), challenges remain and progress toward achieving equality in the tech industry and the global workforce is ongoing. Issues such as unconscious bias, systemic barriers to advancement and cultural norms that perpetuate inequality continue to be significant challenges that need to be addressed. 

One thing to be cognizant of moving forward is AI technologies. In general, they have positives like data-driven decision making, potential to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities by enabling better accommodations and assistive technologies in the workplace. However, you need to watch for some of the initiatives used in recruitment processes to screen resumes, conduct interviews and assess candidates. If not carefully designed and monitored, these tools can inadvertently discriminate against certain groups, leading to less diverse hiring outcomes.”

20. Wendy Zveglic, VP Engineering, Fluent Commerce 

Wendy Zveglic serves as the Vice President of Engineering at Fluent Commerce, where she leads a team of skilled engineers in delivering innovative and scalable e-commerce solutions for clients worldwide. With over 5 years of experience in solutions engineering, specializing in marketing and financial services cloud platforms, and more than a decade of experience in business leadership and development, Wendy brings a wealth of expertise to her role.

“One of the biggest challenges faced by women in tech today is the recruitment process itself. The language used in job descriptions can be crucial in deciding whether to apply for a role. Words like ‘ambitious’, ‘aggressive’ and ‘fast paced’ aren’t as neutral as one might think. There are a number of tools that can be used to ensure job descriptions are as unbiased as possible and we use them here at Fluent Commerce. This has to then carry through the hiring process, with interviews being held with multiple team members of different genders and there needs to be a diverse group reviewing hiring decisions. 

Another challenge is the culture at many organisations – they need to question how inclusive they truly are. Workplaces are often hostile environments for women, so businesses need to play their part in changing this, creating a culture where women feel safe and supported so they can assert themselves and grow. It’s one thing to successfully recruit women into the tech sector, but another to retain them. Organisations should confront unconscious bias, nurture talent, facilitate professional development opportunities, and reevaluate traditional norms to spearhead the change needed. 

The best thing a woman wanting a career in technology can do is find a culture that supports them. Find the right people and dare to take up space. We are doing ourselves a disservice if we do not confidently share our perspectives. Remember your value and go for it.”

21. Sylvia Zachary, Cybersecurity & Software Director – Secure Communications (SCOM), Cubic Defense 

Sylvia Zachary is the Director of Cybersecurity and Software Engineering at Cubic Mission & Performance Solutions, where she has been serving since September 1990, accumulating over 33 years of experience in the field. Before her current role, Sylvia also held the position of Senior Engineering Manager at Cubic Defense Applications.

“In my current role at Cubic Defense, I am proud to say Human Capital is a priority in all business strategies. Over my career, I have seen incredible changes for the better, such as critical breakthroughs past the infamous glass ceiling.  

Companies have created significant momentum and progress in developing environments that cultivate diversity, inclusion and equity – especially in critical industries like technology, security and public safety. However, there is always more work to be done.  

Organizational leaders today are more open to constructive feedback and wish to foster workplaces that invite talent regardless of gender. This openness to formulating cultures created to understand and promote diversity drives innovation in business solution-making. I have seen teams with this structure overwhelmingly succeed.  

And for the women still looking for their chance to break through, I encourage each of you to remember and value your contributions and accomplishments. Hold faith in your abilities, seek support systems that uplift you and help you achieve your career goals, and be open to embracing constructive criticisms that will help you succeed in the long term.  

As we celebrate International Womens Day, I want women to come together and take the steps towards building these ecosystems, safe spaces, and their strengths that make them formidable. Use your support system, mentors, allies, and advocates, for encouragement and believe in yourself and value your contributions.” 

22. Terrie Butcher, Director, Technical Support, Progress 

Terrie Butcher is an experienced Director of Global Technical Support at Progress Chef/Kemp, boasting over 30 years of experience in partnering with premium brand companies to develop best practices in various aspects of customer service. With a strong focus on leadership and strategic management, Terrie excels in driving growth, maximizing customer interactions, and fostering a motivating culture within the organizations she serves.

“ERGs are a great place to start building an environment that wants to champion gender equality. Having a platform for employees to discuss topics openly, such as gender equality, in a safe environment will help bring to light issues that are being faced. Other ways to build a work environment that champions gender equality is having ongoing training sessions, mentor programs and Senior Leadership modelling the way. 

Having a company that recognizes gender parity is the first step toward gender parity. After that, ensuring that tech companies provide consistent reviews and follow the same protocol for hiring, promoting for all genders is critical. 

Companies can support women through mentorship programs where they can interact with Senior leaders and benefit from their experiences. Having a trusting relationship with a mentor is so inspiring and helps navigate through situations that can occur for women who want to advance their careers.” 

23. Louise Willoughby-Petit, VP of People at Beekeeper 

Louise Willoughby-Petit is the VP of People at Beekeeper, bringing her two decades of expertise in human resources management. She operates as a strategic business partner alongside senior leadership, driven by a passion for understanding business priorities and leveraging the people function to deliver tangible value to stakeholders.

“Each year, International Women’s Day serves as an opportunity for organizations to reaffirm their commitment to better supporting working moms, female shift workers, and equal access to career advancements. Flexible work has been an ongoing conversation among HR departments for years. But as hybrid or remote office workers enjoy the flexibility and freedom that comes with working from home, frontline workers are asking themselves a hard question — what about us? 

While women make up about half of all frontline workers, they account for over 64% of essential frontline workers in critical industries like healthcare and childcare, according to CEPR. For this reason, addressing the needs of frontline workers, particularly women, is crucial given their disproportionate presence in positions serving vulnerable populations that require significant demands.  

 Female shift workers and working moms in particular are one of the core groups of frontliners waiting for the flexible work trend to reach them. By leveraging better technology to improve daily life for frontline workers, little by little the frontline disconnect and gaps in equity can begin to be mended. This shift not only reduces stress and streamlines outdated processes, but also integrates frontline workers more effectively into their workplace cultures and communities. The result is lower frontline turnover, higher engagement and better customer service. And overall happier team members. 

When frontline disconnect evolves into frontline success, everybody wins.” 

24. Erica Cronan, Global Director of Marketing, Datadobi

Erica Cronan serves as the Global Director of Marketing at Datadobi, bringing with her a wealth of experience in marketing across various industries such as high-tech, sporting goods, financial services, and retail. She is known for her ability to work effectively both as part of a company’s marketing department and as an extension of their existing team.

“I love International Women’s Day – it’s like a global pep rally celebrating how far we ladies have come while firing us up to keep that momentum raging. You can’t help but feel inspired thinking about the bold trailblazers throughout history who broke down barriers against all odds. The unstoppable suffragettes, straight-up heroes like RBG, Amelia Earhart, Serena – those unapologetic women heard “no” and “you can’t” as a challenge to demolish.
Because of their grit and vision, we now get to chase any ambition without archaic limits or questioning our equality as women. We’re CEOs, world leaders, champion athletes – because they kicked open doors that used to be locked shut. Of course, there’s still work to be done. But on this day, I like reveling in how women have defied the haters again and again, proving our limitless potential.

IWD means toasting the brave ones before us while channeling that same spirit as we keep forging new paths. The future’s looking so bright for women and girls – now that’s something worth cheering loud and proud!” 

25. Hana Rivić, Head of AI, Intellias

Hana Rizvić is a seasoned professional in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), currently serving as the Head of AI at Intellias. With a strong background in data science and predictive analytics, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role.

 “I believe women and men are equally capable of working in whatever field they choose. For me, it was STEM, and my love for STEM started early in life. I always liked maths, and since the first grade of elementary school, I was amazed by geometry. On that path, what made me successful is persistence and dedication to finding a solution and the ability to recognize where I can get help if needed.   

“We must inspire inclusion from a young age. Young girls need access to great teachers and education with extra support from mentors, so they can believe in themselves to develop their passions into a profession, with no boundaries.  

In tech and science-related industries, there needs to be greater opportunities and support for women to excel. This includes increased representation in leadership and technical roles, closing the gender pay gap, fostering inclusive work environments with mentorship and flexibility, encouraging girls and women to pursue STEM education and careers, and recognizing and valuing diverse perspectives. By promoting these measures, we can create a more equitable and inclusive landscape, harnessing the full potential of women’s talents for innovation and progress.  

Also, I believe universally and in all industries one of the main challenges women face in their careers is when they take maternity leave. In fast-changing fields, prolonged absence can lead women to fall behind through no fault of their own. I advocate for companies to provide ample support for women upon their return, offering opportunities for learning and catching up to mitigate the impact on their advancement and promotions. I believe as a society we should work on improving overall work– life balance for everyone and help to close the gaps for any inequality. Inspiring inclusion.”  

26. Sheena Blanco, Head of Customer Experience at Next DLP

“The opportunities for women to work in STEM these days are myriad. Back when I was at school, Information Technology wasn’t even on the curriculum, but during my first year at Stirling University, I discovered computer science. It was through my interest in learning computer languages that I found my true calling and embarked on a stimulating and rewarding career in technology. What is clear from my journey is that there is something in STEM for everyone.

Throughout my career, I’ve developed and refined a diverse set of skills crucial to my current role, blending my technical skills in computing science with my proficiency in languages and communication. Achieving this level of expertise required not only hard work and dedication but also resilience in overcoming the gender biases that unfortunately existed in the field of technology. The landscape is now changing for the better, and it’s crucial for women to hold firm in their self-belief and know they have a very rightful place within STEM fields. Our growing presence and achievements underscore a pivotal point: capability and skill transcend
any bias.

My advice for any girls or women taking up studies, or considering a career, in STEM is to go for it. On this day, we must remember that women have already contributed to STEM in some extraordinary ways, and this is only the beginning.”

27. Arti Raman, CEO and founder, Portal26

“Encouraging women to persist in STEM careers requires ongoing representation in these roles. Unfortunately, girls often divert from STEM paths due to disparities in treatment, both in educational settings and professional fields. Recent statistics highlight a concerning 50% drop in women holding tech roles by the age of 35, signaling issues like insufficient support and undervaluation of their capabilities. While progress has been made, there’s more work ahead, starting with enhancing visibility and representation.

As a minority tech entrepreneur, I’m acutely aware of the diversity gap. It’s time to boldly fill this gap in the tech landscape by fostering trust and collaborating for increased representation. Striking a balance between personal growth and shaping the next generation of female entrepreneurs is our responsibility. We can help close this gap by applauding achievements, creating growth opportunities, and consistently reminding all girls and women of their boundless potential.

On this International Day of Women and Girls in STEM, it’s crucial to recognize that educating our sons is equally pivotal for achieving gender equality. Men play a vital role in advancing this cause, and it begins by instilling the right values from an early age.”

Also Read: Top 10 CIO Influence Interviews with Influential Women in Tech

Conclusion

As we conclude our journey through the achievements and insights of the top 50 women IT leaders of 2024, it’s clear that the landscape of the information technology industry is richer and more vibrant because of their contributions. These leaders, through their innovation, resilience, and dedication, not only exemplify the heights that can be achieved but also highlight the importance of diversity in fostering creativity and driving progress.

[To share your insights with us as part of editorial or sponsored content, please write to sghosh@martechseries.com]