Tech Ladies®’s Post

On Tuesday, September 19, we hosted our very first Women in Tech Cafe event, and I'm very proud of the teamwork that made it possible. 😊 Our Chief Product Officer, Maite Zubiaurre took the stage to share our big goals for 2030, and her dedication to driving change is truly inspiring. 👏 The highlight of the event was our guest speaker, 🎤 Raisa Ghazi , who delivered an amazing keynote on Women in Leadership. She shared shocking insights, along with funny stories and practical tips to help us reach our life and career goals. 🌟 I also felt honored to share some of my personal experiences as a woman in tech and talk about retention and career development. Closing the gender gap for tech companies isn't easy. We encounter many challenges that we all know, such as having fewer women working in tech, facing gender biases, dealing with a shortage of role models, and perhaps even failing to nurture the talent that is out there. With the support of my incredible colleagues, we're on a mission to tackle these challenges. Our aim is simple: to become the best workplace where everyone, regardless of gender, is acknowledged and succeeds while being their true selves. We're aware that achieving this goal means making changes within our company. For instance, in my career, I've noticed too many situations where women tend to underestimate their abilities, which holds them back from getting the promotions they deserve and advancing in their careers. It's not just their problem; it affects us too. So it requires providing personalized support that fosters the career development of every individual. 🌱 And the best part is, sometimes the solution is very simple – a bit of encouragement at the right time is all that is needed. It's truly rewarding to sit back and witness their careers taking off. 🚀 #WomenInTech #DiversityMatters #ChangeIsPossible Anastasija Efremovska Noha Shafik, MSc Ayşegül Güldeş van Westen Bellamie Persad Caroline Langerak - Grünbauer Katalin Tatar (She/her) Maria Dourouka Marije Jonkers Michaela Radstaat- aus dem Spring Rosalie Reitsma Saskia Stekelenburg

A happy early celebration of International Women’s Day 2024 yesterday, spent with a positive group of women in tech, hosted by Taggstar. In the frame are CEOs, sales, marketing, development, customer success, HR & business development. Great fun and great 🍣 sushi. Fact: Diverse businesses outperform. Also a fact: The tech industry is struggling. Only 3% of females say a tech career is their first choice. Only 5% of tech leaders are women (PwC study). Continue to keep pushing - and promoting - your daughters, sisters, friends, partners. A great industry is missing out. #iwd2024 #WomenInTech #TechnologyJobs #UKTech #RetailTechnology #Telecoms #techleadership

Yesterday I attended the Women Tech Council Innovation Summit and was honored to accept a 2024 Shatter List Award on behalf of Qualtrics. Women Tech Council always puts on thought-provoking, worthwhile events (you should go to all of them). Here's one of my powerful takeaways: Being an ally means: A: Amplify underrepresented voices. One easy way to do this is in meetings, when you want to emphasize or build on a point made by someone from an underrepresented group, simply state their name, their point, and what you want to build on. For example, "Joanne, you added an item to the agenda that I want to revisit..." Using their name and emphasizing their point draws attention to the person who might otherwise be overlooked. L: Live out loud. Especially as leaders, be transparent about the demands on your time and your personal priorities. In doing so, you normalize the unique responsibilities each person has. For example, don't just leave for a long lunch; tell your team on Slack, "Hey - I'll be out this afternoon for my kids' preschool performance." L: Lift as you rise. As you move up in the organization, look for opportunities to shine the spotlight and give opportunities to others. Use your new role and voice to also raise others. Y: Say, "Yes, I believe you" when someone from an underrepresented group expresses frustration, hurt, or feels overlooked. Lean into their concern and learn more. What are your favorite go-to skills in allyship? #ally #womenintech

Meet Alicia Jackson, Technical Operations Manager in the ISG Software & Solutions Development group. Beyond her role, Alicia leads LIFT (Lenovo Inspiring Feminism in Tech), empowering women in technical roles. As we celebrate International Women’s Day under the theme #InspireInclusion, we delve into Alicia's insights on inclusion, her career journey, and her contributions to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment at Lenovo. This year's International Women’s Day theme is #InspireInclusion. What does Inspire Inclusion mean to you? "Inspire Inclusion means encouraging others to embrace differences, especially in the context of International Women’s Day. It's about influencing positive behavior to respect and value women, addressing historical challenges and biases." Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped who you are today? "Becoming an Offering Delivery Team Lead (ODTL) in ISG was transformative. Working with diverse teams and geographies taught me that different perspectives lead to better solutions. This experience shaped my appreciation for all perspectives, especially those different from my own." If you could share a piece of advice, what would it be? "Find an environment where you can thrive. As Alexander Den Heijer said, 'When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment, not the flower.' Don't compromise your authentic self; instead, seek an environment that supports your success." How do you contribute to creating a more inclusive and diverse work environment? "As a board member of LIFT, I develop activities and programs to impact employees globally. In my daily work, I intentionally incorporate inclusive content in newsletters, presentations, and images to foster an environment where everyone is represented." What makes you proud to work at Lenovo? "I am proud to be part of a company that prioritizes diversity and inclusion as integral to our culture. Lenovo's commitment to smarter technology for all and measurable DE&I initiatives show bold foresight, and I look forward to LIFT contributing substantially to its progress." #InternationalWomensDay #WomenHistoryMonth

🌟 It’s time to celebrate achievements in the tech industry without gender being the focal point! 🌟 In the tech world, we’ve come a long way, but there’s still a crucial journey ahead. 🚀 While it’s heartwarming to see increasing diversity at leadership levels, it’s equally important to recognise that gender should not be the primary reason for applause. Women have proven time and again that they belong in tech leadership roles, not as exceptions but as equals. 🙎🏾♀️ Today, I want to emphasise that promotions or new job opportunities should be celebrated for the skills, expertise, and dedication they represent, irrespective of gender. It’s not about being one of the first women in a role; it’s about making a positive impact, driving innovation, and inspiring future generations. 🙌🏾 Let’s shift the narrative and support one another in a way that focuses on accomplishments rather than stereotypes. Together, we can create a tech industry that’s truly inclusive, where success knows no gender. 🎙️ Just a reminder of the exciting news I shared in the previous weeks – I’ll be joining the round table discussion at the Karren Brady's Women in Business & Tech Expo with Hitachi Solutions Europe this coming Wednesday. The enthusiasm is still running high, and I can’t wait to engage in meaningful conversations about empowering women in the tech industry. Let’s keep pushing boundaries and breaking barriers together! 🙋🏾♀️🙋♀️ #WomenInTech #DiversityInTech #TechLeadership #Empowerment #publicspeaker #publickspeaking

🚀 The gender gap in tech leadership positions is concerning. In 2023, only 28% of tech leadership roles are held by women, and an alarming 50% of women in tech leave the industry by the age of 35. Additionally, 32% of women in technical and engineering roles often find themselves as the only woman in the room at work. 🗣️ Last week, I had the honour of hosting an enlightening conversation with Marie-Christine Caron, Supply Chain Automation Leader at GE Aerospace, during Vention's Demo Day 2023 (an initiative by the Women@Vention group). Our discussion shed light on the imperative need for more women in tech and the changes required to bring about this transformation. 💡 When I asked Marie-Christine for her advice to women interested in or contemplating a tech career, her response was simple yet profound: "We need you because we need more diverse points of view." 👥 Surprisingly, my audience, which typically consists of 99% women, was predominantly male on this occasion. The great news? They were genuinely interested in understanding how to attract and retain female talent and had insightful questions for Marie-Christine. 🙏 I'd like to extend my gratitude to Vention (Christine Boivin and team) for the invitation, and I am excited for all opportunities to ignite conversations and inspire actions in the realm of gender equity and female leadership. Together, we can make a difference. 💪🚺 #GenderDiversity #WomenInTech #LeadershipMatters

I am delighted to share that I recently attended an inspiring webinar organized by #Accenture, titled "Tech Thrivers: Building Limitless Opportunities for Women." This event served as a powerful reminder of the immense potential women hold within the tech industry. By acknowledging and celebrating their achievements, we can continue to dismantle barriers, motivate others, and support each other on this transformative journey towards limitless opportunities. The two-hour session was profoundly impactful, leaving attendees both uplifted and empowered. This enlightening webinar underscored the significant ways women are revolutionizing the tech landscape, transforming business challenges into opportunities, and laying the groundwork for future generations. Here are a few important insights: ✅ Creating Inclusive Workplaces: A workplace that achieves gender balance is crucial, as it nurtures diverse perspectives, promotes innovation, and ensures equal opportunities for professional development and progress. ✅ The Art of Adaptability: Adaptability is crucial in today's fast-paced tech environment. It involves being flexible, open to change, and willing to learn continuously. By embracing adaptability, women can effectively navigate challenges, seize new opportunities, and drive sustained success. ✅ Empowering Women Leaders: Empowering female leaders, particularly through initiatives like "Women Leading Women in Organizations," is pivotal. When female leaders actively empower and mentor other women, they foster an inclusive workplace environment that spurs innovation and facilitates organizational expansion. I sincerely thank #Accenture for hosting the insightful webinar on women's empowerment, "Tech Thrivers: Building Limitless Opportunities for Women." The event was both informative and motivational. I want to convey my heartfelt appreciation to the exceptional mentors who led this influential session- Ruhi Ranjan, Namrata Bhattacharyya, Jyothi Ganapathi, Sneha Maddela, Meera Raveendran, Sangeeta Iyer, and Gopali Raval Contractor. #Empowerment #WomenInTech #TechThrives #Inspirational #accenture

Today's Thursday Tech Tip is for young women in the tech industry: Embrace your unique perspective and skills. As a young woman entering the tech industry, particularly in managed field services, recognize the value of diversity in problem-solving and innovation. Your unique experiences and viewpoints can contribute fresh ideas and insights. Don't shy away from showcasing your skills, whether they be in communication, collaboration, or leadership. Leverage these skills and use your youth to your advantage. Just like this week's Motivational Monday post, disrupt the industry, disrupt yourself, and shine. #thursdaytechtip #careerdevelopment #careerchange #careeradvice #professionaldevelopment #professionalgrowth #techjobs #techcareers #techrecruiting #techrecruiter #teamgtn

🌟 Thrilled to share that I recently attended an inspiring webinar on Tech Thrivers: Building Limitless Opportunities for Women, conducted by #Accenture! 🌟This webinar was a powerful alarm of the amazing potential women hold in their journey. By acknowledging and celebrating their achievements, women can continue to break new ground and inspire others and also to continue to support and empower each other in this transformative journey towards limitless opportunities. The entire 2 hours of session was productive enough in order to uplift the internal being of someone. This enlightening session shed light on how women are transforming the tech landscape by turning business challenges into opportunities and paving the way for future generations. Here are some of the key takeaways: 💥 Gender-Balanced Organizations to Uplift Women: A gender-balanced workplace is not just a goal but a fundamental necessity as It fosters diversity of thought, encourages innovation, and uplifts women by providing equal opportunities for growth and advancement. 💥The Art of Multitasking: As per my understanding from this webinar is that the art of multitasking is nothing but the art of prioritizing the work and creating or developing a good approach to solve the things in your own way by evaluating how crucial a task is in achieving long-term goals or meeting key objectives. 💥The Art of Bold Leadership: As per the talk bold leadership in this era of empowerment of women is "Women Leading Women in Organizations". Bold leadership by women is a transformative force in modern organizations, especially when female leaders actively uplift and mentor other women. This approach not only fosters an inclusive and empowering workplace culture but also drives innovation and growth. I am deeply grateful and thankful to #Accenture for hosting such an insightful webinar on the topic of women empowerment. The session, Tech Thrivers: Building Limitless Opportunities for Women, was both enlightening and inspiring. A special thank you to the amazing mentors who delivered this impactful webinar Ruhi Ranjan Namrata Bhattacharyya Jyothi Ganapathi Sneha Maddela Meera Raveendran Sangeeta Iyer Gopali Raval Contractor #WomenInTech #WomenEmpowerment #LimitlessOpportunities #BoldLeadership #CareerReboot #SelfRecognition #GenderBalance #MultitaskingMastery #accenture #connections

Happy International Women's Day! 💜 As a proud woman in leadership within the tech industry, celebrating this day holds a special significance for me. It's a moment to acknowledge our remarkable progress in empowering women and fostering their presence in an industry that has historically lagged with inclusivity. Although there's still more progress needed, let's take a moment to reflect on some promising statistics that give me hope for the future of women in the workforce: • Women currently make up 28% of the tech workforce, an increase from just 9% in the early 2000s. • Over three-quarters of tech companies (75.5%) have established pay equity policies in the workplace. • Women hold 32.8% of entry-level positions in computer science-related jobs. • From 2016 to 2022, the technology industry showed the biggest increase in the hiring rate for women in leadership. (Sources: Women in Tech Network, Exploding Topics, and World Economic Forum) Although plenty of work is still to be done, it’s clear that companies are beginning to get on the right track to address the need for more women in tech (@Formant being one of them!). I'm also fortunate to work alongside inspiring women who break barriers in tech daily. I’m so grateful to have learned from all of you along my journey… let’s continue to pave the way together!