Women in Tech: Navigating the Digital Landscape for Professional Growth

The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines recently hosted an enlightening event titled "Women in Tech: Navigating the Digital Landscape for Professional Growth," showcasing influential figures Cai Reyes, President and CEO of Asticom, and Sandra Tubale-Dingal, OIC Head of Consumer Segment at Converge Digital. This event aimed to celebrate and discuss the pivotal role of women in the technology sector, focusing on their contributions, challenges, and future prospects. 

Empowering Women in Tech: Cai Reyes' Insights 

Cai Reyes captivated the audience with her compelling presentation on the significance of nurturing the next generation of women in tech. Below are the key highlights from her talk: 

• People-Centered Innovation: Reyes advocated for innovation that prioritizes people, stressing that human-centric approaches drive the most impactful technological advancements. She underscored the necessity of placing people at the heart of technological development to create solutions that truly benefit society. 

• Diversity as a Catalyst for Innovation: According to Reyes, diversity is crucial for fostering innovation and creative problem-solving. She argued that diverse teams are better equipped to tackle complex challenges with unique perspectives, leading to more effective and inclusive technological solutions. 

• Technology as the Great Equalizer: Reyes described technology as the great equalizer of the 21st century. She believes that technological advancements can level the playing field, providing equal opportunities for all, regardless of gender, and enabling a more inclusive and equitable tech industry. 

Embracing Authenticity and Resilience: Sandra Tubale-Dingal's Perspective 

Sandra Tubale-Dingal's presentation focused on the personal and professional growth of women in the tech industry. Her key points included: 

• Be Yourself: Sandra encouraged women to remain authentic, emphasizing that staying true to oneself can lead to unexpected opportunities and impressive achievements. She highlighted the importance of authenticity in building a successful and fulfilling career. 

• Finding Meaning in Work: She stressed the importance of finding purpose in one’s job. Sandra believes that when women find meaning in their work, they are more motivated, productive, and capable of making significant contributions to their organizations. 

• Embracing the Challenger Role: Playing catch-up is not a disadvantage, according to Sandra. She highlighted how market challengers often find innovative ways to compete, turning potential setbacks into strengths and driving creative solutions. 

• Creative Freedom: Sandra discussed the value of creative freedom in the tech space. She pointed out initiatives like free speed boosts without commitments as examples of how companies can encourage innovation and experimentation, allowing employees to explore new ideas without fear of failure. 

• Learning from Failure: Finally, Sandra emphasized the importance of getting ideas out there and learning from experiences. She underscored that failure should be seen as a learning opportunity rather than a setback, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and resilience. 

Conclusion 

The "Women in Tech" event by the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines provided a platform for inspiring discussions on the future of women in the technology industry. Cai Reyes and Sandra Tubale-Dingal shared valuable insights on nurturing talent, embracing authenticity, and leveraging diversity and innovation. Their messages resonated with the audience, underscoring the importance of community, purpose, and resilience in driving the success of women in tech.