As Women's Equality Day, celebrated annually on August 26th, approaches, it's important to take a moment to reflect on the remarkable strides made towards gender equality in the realm of Information Technology (IT). 

In an industry long dominated by men, the voices and perspectives of women have grown increasingly influential and vital.  This year, we heard from a number of talented and accomplished women in the IT community who provided their thoughts and insights on this momentous occasion. Their reflections not only serve as a testament to the progress achieved but also highlight the ongoing challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to champion gender equality within the tech world.

In this round-up article, we learn from their perspectives, experiences, and visions as we commemorate Women's Equality Day and the transformational role women play in shaping the future of IT.

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Becca Chambers, Chief Communications Officer, ControlUp

I'm approaching Women's Equality Day with a messy cluster of emotions: pride in how far we've come, frustration at how far we still have to go, and a nagging question: seriously, it's 2024—why isn't this easier by now?

Don't get me wrong—I'm thankful for every hard-won victory our foremothers won. This isn't on them; they're the reason we've made progress at all. But it's 2024, and that glass ceiling we've been hearing about for decades? It may have more cracks, but it's still there. And sometimes, it feels like we're just hurling ourselves against it.

We were told we could have it all—the career, the family, the personal fulfillment. We've been given the encouragement to dream big but not the infrastructure or societal position to support those dreams. Paid family leave? Still a luxury for many. Affordable childcare? Good luck. Being taken seriously by default? Nope. Equal pay? We're getting closer, but that gap is stubborn. I could go on and on.

I'm aware of my privileges, and I know many women face even steeper climbs. But that's exactly why we need to keep talking about these challenges: to push for real, structural changes in our workplaces and our society, to call out the barriers placed in our way, to back each other up, to seek allies, and to hold space for every one of our voices.

My small contribution is giving up on pretending that I'm okay with how things are. I'm over it. Come to me for thoughtful vent sessions. I'll bring snacks; I get hangry.

Of course, progress isn't a straight line. It's messy and frustrating, and sometimes it feels like we're stuck in a time loop, having the same conversations over and over. But every effort matters, every voice counts, and every small win adds up. We're not just changing policies; we're rewiring very entrenched societal circuits.

I don’t want my daughter to still wonder why it’s not easier. I know this ‘fight’ is slow and tedious, but it’s necessary. Good thing we'll have snacks.

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Melissa Stein, Director End User Computing, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Women are only beginning to have their voices heard in the rapidly evolving field of technology. McKinsey reports that 37 percent of women leaders had a coworker take credit for their idea, and that they were two times more likely to be mistaken for someone junior.  By encouraging women to not only share their insights and expertise, but to vocally give them credit for their ideas in the presence of higher-ups and the opportunity to execute them, can we challenge the existing gender imbalance and foster a more inclusive tech industry. I had the opportunity to create strategies and build the products to execute on those strategies, which made all the difference in my career. However, it didn’t start that way.

Growing up, I was quite shy, much preferring one-on-one settings to share my ideas and opinions than in front of a group. Professors in my master’s program encouraged me to take the lead role in projects, which gave me the courage I needed to express myself in my career. While often uncomfortable, I kept challenging myself to take on newer and bigger opportunities. In my first product management role, it would have been easy to just do my job, but I took the opportunity to share my expertise at conferences around the world. And when my colleague left their position, I made a case to my manager to take on their project in addition to my own, which led to me managing the entire product line. If I did not receive support early on, my ambition would likely have stayed unfulfilled. I encourage you to champion girls and young women through mentorship, education, and hands-on experience, so that they can confidently pursue careers in technology. This advocacy will give them a voice in this important industry and enable them to be the next set of leaders who inspire others to follow.

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Natalia Casey, Marketing Director, SIOS Technology

I have had the pleasure of working with many women in tech that have demonstrated how to navigate this industry. They all shared the same quality of determination to be heard, valued and respected. These women are a force to be reckoned with. They exemplified the possibility of what my career could look like. It is because of these women that I remained in tech. I hope one day others can say the same about me. Representation matters.

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Kelly Wells, Vice President of Global Operations at Object First
 
With over 17 years of experience in the IT Channel, I’ve witnessed the ebbs and flows of the industry and its growth over time. As more and more women enter the technology field, it’s incredibly important to recognize Women’s Equality Day. Women often must overcome imposter syndrome, especially when they do not see someone who looks like them in a leadership position in technology. I have struggled with imposter syndrome throughout my career. It has been most prevalent when I have taken on new responsibilities or entered a new area of the business. When I begin to feel self-doubt or fear of failure, I lean on my network and learning. When women take on new responsibilities, they should reach out to their networks. Their network can help provide information and guidance. Women should continually be learning, and when they are given opportunities, they need to use these opportunities to learn new skills.
 
Women drive innovation, meet customer expectations, and promote efficiency across our organizations. We must recognize that women are not only equal but essential to organizational health and deserve to be recognized and compensated accordingly. Organizations need to acknowledge and value the women in their organizations and focus on developing their skills and opening opportunities for advancement. Throughout my career, I have not only been provided with opportunities to take on new challenges, but I have consistently looked for where I can add value and gain more skills. I distinctly remember having a conversation with my CRO about looking for a new challenge in a different part of the organization; he worked with me to define the opportunity and supported me in making it happen. Women should look to uncover areas of the business that need additional focus and then use their voices to ask for opportunities. In honor of Women’s Equality Day, I urge organizations and their leaders to put action behind their initiatives to uplift women. Let’s not just give women a seat at the table, let’s ensure you’re listening to what she has to say.

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Rekha Shenoy, CEO of BackBox

I was recently interviewed by a well-regarded (male) cybersecurity professional. When I walked into the room as a female CEO with my female CMO, he was visibly taken aback. He told us that this was the first time in his 30 years of interviewing experience in the cybersecurity space that two female executives had come to a meeting with him. So, we have work to do in 2024 to recruit more women in cybersecurity and elevate women in leadership positions. I am passionate about supporting women in roles where we all unconsciously expect a man. The more we show up, the more we change that bias. I hope to inspire women in cybersecurity and IT technology to go after leadership roles, know their worth, and feel confident they have earned their seat at the table.

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Wendy Zveglic, VP of engineering, Fluent Commerce  

As we celebrate Women's Equality Day, we emphasize how diversity drives innovation. The future of technology is being written today, and days like these remind us that a future representative of all is only possible when it is built by a set of diverse hands. Technology designed by a homogenous group is always going to be biased, and the consequences of that are dire. It is really crucial to encourage women to contribute their ideas and talent to the industry to correct existing gender bias and prevent more from creeping in. 

As we commemorate the strides made towards women's equality, let's also commit to a culture that doesn't just invite women in but champions their success and invites others to the table. It's about creating an environment where women's contributions are not just welcomed but are seen as essential to innovation and change that moves us all forward.

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Chrissay Brinkmann, PreSales Engineer, Leaseweb USA  

As an engineer in the tech industry, I celebrate Women's Equality Day. Women contribute greatly to STEM, and I'm glad to see more women entering this field. To be an effective engineer, it is important to have as many unique viewpoints in the room as possible, and that includes those of women. It is significantly easier to drive solutions when you have diverse perspectives.  

I encourage all girls and women who dream of a career in engineering to follow their passion and pursue their goals. I commend all the organizations already going out of their way to empower and recruit women into these roles.

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Sarah Ahmed, M&A Specialist at Evergreen

Women's well-being and gender equity aren't just women's issues; they are crucial to support families, strengthen communities, and drive the entire economy forward. When women have equal access to education, healthcare, and opportunities in the workplace, it leads to healthier families, reduced poverty, and more cohesive communities. Women's Equality Day serves as a celebration of the hard-fought victories gained and a powerful reminder of the ongoing efforts to ensure equal rights for all.

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Samantha Clarke, VP Channel and Partnerships, VDURA  

Women's Equality Day is a powerful reminder of both how far we've come and the work that still lies ahead. My career in technology has been driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to building meaningful partnerships that drive real results. Throughout my journey, I've learned that true success comes from embracing challenges, seeking out mentors and leaders who push you to grow, and always remembering to give back. 

At VDURA, I'm proud to be part of a team that believes in these principles and works every day to foster an environment where every voice is valued and where results speak for themselves. Let's use Women's Equality Day as a moment to reflect on our progress and to recommit to creating a future where every woman in technology has the opportunity to thrive.

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Neha Pawar, Founding Engineer and Head of Data, StarTree

I've spent 10 years in the tech industry, evolving from a shy, introverted individual contributor to my current role as the Head of Data Infrastructure at StarTree, where I lead a dynamic, high-performing team. At StarTree, I’ve spearheaded initiatives like Tiered Storage and StarTree Serverless. Additionally, I’m deeply committed to fostering the Apache Pinot open-source community, and I’ve had the privilege of speaking at several conferences about the innovative work we’re doing with Apache Pinot and StarTree.

What has driven my growth and success is a simple mindset: believe you can do anything, and surround yourself with women and allies who will uplift and support you. Say yes to every opportunity, even if they seem daunting at first—you will figure things out along the way. Remember, all the wonderful things in life lie just outside your comfort zone.

As we celebrate Women's Equality Day, I hope every person in tech finds that belief and support and lets nothing hold them back!

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Chen Webber-Kentor, Group Product Manager, Zerto  

As I reflect on the state of women's equality, I reaffirm my belief that gender parity provides diverse perspectives and introduces different problem-solving approaches that create more unique and innovative solutions.  

Companies aiming to create a work culture that supports gender equality must have their leadership commitment- to set goals for diversity and inclusion and track their progress, be fair to all, and teach their staff why diversity and inclusion are enablers to the organization success. 

On this year's Women's Equality Day, my message to women is simple yet challenging: Dare. Get out of your comfort zone, indulge your curiosity, stay open minded and proactively seek out opportunities to enrich your skills and knowledge to continue to make an impact. 

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Luz Geist, Director of Engineering, Cubic Defense 

This Women's Equality Day, we honor the incredible achievements and contributions of women in their respective fields. The holiday was created in 1971 commemorating the certification of the 19^th Amendment which granted women the right to vote on August 26, 1920. The day serves as a constant reminder of the progress made in the fight for equality.    

The annual holiday recognizes the past, while inspiring next generations to continue the pursuit of equality. The day celebrates strength, resilience and determination of women who have broken barriers and shattered glass ceilings in every field imaginable.   

August 26 is a day to reflect on the importance of diversity in our workplaces and communities. I'm proud to say, Cubic Corporation has created a powerful platform for women, embracing new opportunities, professional growth, while urging a healthy work-life balance.   

I encourage pushing boundaries, implementing new initiatives that empower, recognizes and encourages women at all levels of the organization to be ambitious through the sharing of content and honest conversations.

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Cindy Heiner, CISO, Aiden Technologies 

When I think back on my journey, I am reminded of the early years of my profession when I was frequently the only woman present in meetings, conferences, or teams. I quickly concluded that the best way to ensure my voice was heard was to become an expert by specializing in a certain field. I decided that application security and the use of tools for dynamic application security testing was my bread and butter. It is niche, but it has served me well. By developing this deep expertise, I was able to increase my knowledge, skills, and influence over time while also becoming a priceless asset to my employers.  

 On this Women's Equality Day, I want to encourage all women to find their niche and cultivate it with passion. By becoming an expert, you carve out a space where your expertise is recognized, and your voice is amplified. It is a powerful way to drive your career forward and make a lasting impact.  

Beyond individual achievement, though, we also need to hold companies responsible for gender diversity. Many organizations still fall behind in reaching gender parity, despite years of evidence demonstrating that diversity of thought leads to stronger business practices and leadership. Women need to call attention to these inadequacies and choose carefully who and where to conduct business.  

Women's Equality Day serves as a timely reminder that despite our achievements, much work remains. It is our collective responsibility to bring about meaningful change, advocate for equitable representation, and elevate the voices of women across all industries. By working together, we can create a world in which equality is a reality rather than just a goal. 

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Louise Willoughby, Chief People Officer, Beekeeper 

Women's Equality Day provides us with the opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of women across all sectors, as well as, provide visibility to the unique needs women in the workforce have. 

An example of this can be seen with working mothers, who need to balance demanding work schedules while also managing family responsibilities. As we celebrate their resilience and strength, this is also where managers can reflect on the workplace flexibility and predictable shifts practices they have implemented and examine where improvements can be made to better empower their workers. 

It's no secret that frontline industries are struggling to recruit and retain employees. But by addressing the needs of women workers, operational leaders have access to a broader talent pool. Women make up a sizable portion of the potential workforce. If companies don't prioritize creating workplaces that support their female employees, they run the risk of closing themselves off to potential candidates.

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Becky Wallace, head of people, LearnUpon 

Women's Equality Day honors the women who have made a difference across industries, reminding us of the momentum and power we have in global gender equality efforts. While there is still much progress to be made, strong women around the world are finding innovative and creative ideas to break the glass ceilings so that others can follow. 

It is a part of our responsibility as women in executive roles to make sure women - as well as all members of our organization - feel included by spreading awareness of biases and how to overcome them. As part of our core values, we set people up for success by encouraging idea-sharing, active listening, and celebrating contributions. By emphasizing our values, we create a welcome space for everyone at LearnUpon. 

Learning is a huge part of every business's journey towards a more equal and inclusive environment. LearnUpon provides diversity, equity, and inclusion courses for employees to take and hosts organization-wide meetings for people to share their stories to educate leadership and fellow employees, creating a workplace that respects all backgrounds and encourages inclusion across departments. This is our way of putting our values to action, and we continue to foster an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their stories and participating in activities. On this Women's Equality Day, we hope to see many more organizations following our lead this way. 

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Jennette Skaggs, Field Enablement Manager, Progress for Her Co-leader 

Though women have made strides, especially in STEM fields, disparities like the wage gap, workplace harassment and discrimination persist. On Women's Equality Day, applauding women's achievements while acknowledging ongoing challenges is vital. Such reflection reinforces the pledge for gender equity and empowerment in offices.

Terrie Butcher, Director, Technical Support, Progress for Her Co-leader 

Diversity enriches company culture with varied viewpoints and creativity, which propels business success. It's crucial to cultivate an equitable work environment where each person can excel and women have the same prospects for leadership and innovation.

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