International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), celebrated annually on June 23rd, has become a global milestone for recognizing women's contributions to engineering while highlighting the ongoing journey toward gender equality in STEM fields. To celebrate INWED 2025, industry leaders and visionaries are reflecting on both progress made and challenges that remain in creating truly inclusive engineering environments.
Since its establishment in 2014 by the Women's Engineering Society (WES) in the United Kingdom, INWED has evolved into a worldwide movement championing diversity and representation in engineering disciplines. This year's celebration comes at a pivotal moment when technology is rapidly transforming industries, creating unprecedented opportunities for diverse perspectives to shape our collective future.
In this special feature, VMblog brings together voices from across the technology and engineering landscape to share insights on mentorship, innovation, workplace culture, and pathways to success. These thought leaders offer practical strategies for organizations committed to gender parity while celebrating the remarkable achievements of women engineers who continue to pioneer solutions to some of our most pressing global challenges.
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Mariia Rymar, UI/UX Designer at Object First
International Women in Engineering Day is a reminder of how far women in tech have come and the incredible impact we continue to make. As women, we offer distinct perspectives that, when shared and celebrated, lead to transformative innovations. I’ve personally experienced the strength that comes from collaboration among women in design, where each of us brings our expertise, unique ideas, and passion to the table.
As a woman in UI/UX design, I’ve seen how powerful engineering becomes when we build together. In my role as a product designer, I tell visual stories that are reflected in the interface, ensuring the user’s journey is both meaningful and intuitive. Every wireframe, prototype, and interface is the result of thoughtful collaboration—not just between disciplines, but among people with different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.#TogetherWeEngineer is not just a theme—it’s a testament to the power of women supporting women in every step of the design process.
When we design together, we create products that reflect our collective vision and honor every woman's contributions. We don’t just design better products; we design a better future where every voice is heard, valued, and celebrated.
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Zoya Schaller, Director of Cybersecurity Compliance, Keeper Security
During my tech studies, I was one of just a few women in classrooms mostly filled with male students. While the imbalance was noticeable, I found genuine value in the exchange of ideas and perspectives which helped me grow and shaped how I approach problem-solving today. Though women have historically faced barriers to entering STEM fields, the landscape is evolving. A career in tech and engineering can be incredibly rewarding, offering not only intellectual fulfillment but also strong opportunities for growth. Women bring unique insights that enrich teams and lead to more thoughtful, innovative solutions. I truly believe that diverse voices are essential to the future of our industry. So, on this International Women in Engineering Day, I encourage young women to follow their curiosity and not let traditional perceptions hold them back. There’s space – and need – for your ideas, your perspective and your voice in engineering.
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Vinithra Sankaran, Senior Quality Assurance Engineer, Index Engines
Women are a continuous source of energy, creativity, perseverance, and emotional intelligence. These remarkable qualities are highly valued in the field of engineering, where innovation, design, and analytical thinking are critical. Women engineers not only bring unique perspectives to problem-solving and conflict resolution, but also demonstrate a deep commitment to their work, the ability to communicate with diverse audiences, and a balanced approach to risk-taking. These strengths fuel innovation and drive positive change across industries and organizations.
To me, women engineers are not only professionals—they are leaders, mentors, and role models for their families and communities. Women in engineering are living examples who inspire and motivate young girls to explore STEM careers, promote continuous learning, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
As we mark International Women in Engineering Day, let's proudly recognize and honor the remarkable achievements, leadership, and lasting impact of women engineers worldwide.
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Kalanit Aharoni Girshtel, Project Manager, Product Manager & Agile Coach, ControlUp
My journey into tech began at the most fundamental level – as a support specialist. What drew me in wasn't a grand career plan, but genuine curiosity about solving real problems and working directly with customers. From there, I grew through various support roles, eventually managing teams of 20 people, until I was fortunate enough to transition into a technical project manager. The key was having incredible female colleagues who provided guidance and encouragement, and seeing their examples helped me understand what I wanted to do next. When I was ready to work hard for what I wanted, Ihad a clear vision of where to go. I believe nothing is impossible.
The reality of being a woman in a male-dominated field is that it takes time to get your voice heard and appreciated. I've faced challenges in gaining recognition for my work, but these experiences taught me something crucial: to be more communicative and clear about what I think, and learn how to present myself and articulate what I need in my daily work. I also discovered that women supporting women can break through any ceiling. This understanding drives me to support every woman I encounter –encouraging them to dare, speak up, and pursue what they want rather than what others tell them they can achieve.
Looking ahead, I see the industry evolving rapidly with AI. Traditional project management roles may become less common, but operational roles that incorporate project management skills – like what we have at ControlUp – will become more valuable. The future lies in empowering people with project management capabilities and giving them the right tools, while AI handles routine tasks like meeting summaries and provides instant project insights. To women considering project management or tech careers: be strong, find mentors, and actively help other women. This field requires excellent people skills and versatility. Always keep learning and never be afraid to ask questions.
I'm proud to represent women in tech every day, especially for my children – my daughter who is a potential future woman in STEM with her love for mathematics, problem-solving, and science, and my son who grows up seeing that women can master this field. On this International Women in Engineering Day, I'm reminded that every woman who speaks up, takes on challenges, and supports others is paving the way for the next generation to dream even bigger.
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Devin Haynes, Product Owner, SIOS Technology
Challenging the Status Quo - Women bring a unique perspective to tech. When women are part of tech teams, innovation improves. We challenge assumptions, encourage broader thinking and reduce groupthink. Women often approach technology with a focus on usability, empathy, and real-world application. These qualities are essential in designing systems that meet our world today. Women bring this diversity of thought to any room and the solutions that are developed are better all around because of it. I often see that girls are hesitant to move into the tech field -- that's why representation matters. When girls and young women see me and others thriving in tech roles, it inspires them to do the same. It challenges the stereotype and opens their minds to a greater possibility. This is critical in a field where women, particularly women of color, remain underrepresented. Bringing more women into tech is a strategic advantage for any company. It leads to stronger teams, smarter products, and an industry that reflects the diversity of the world it serves.
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Mubina Toa, Current Sensing Systems Manager, Texas Instruments
Especially for women engineers, finding work-life balance is always ongoing. Innovation isn't just for our field of work; it's important to continually weigh your priorities, take calculated risks and solve new challenges based on whatever is most important at a given point in time. That is what I admire the most about women mentors and colleagues I have – how effortless they make it all look, from solving design challenges to being a great mom and friend, to having interesting hobbies outside of work. There is a lot of inspiration to seek from women engineers around me!
If I could go back in time and give myself advice, I'd encourage myself to be more vocal! Early-career women often hold back from asking simple but big questions. Chances are, if something doesn't make sense to you – it probably doesn't make sense to someone else, too. The easy thing to do is to not rock the boat, but it is much better to ask questions early so you can pivot versus late in a project when a lot of key decisions have already been made.
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Jasmine Cruz, Director of Product Solutions at Anaqua
To me, International Women in Engineering Day should be a call to action for companies to create environments where passion and innovation are rewarded and encouraged, regardless of gender. It’s also a chance to recognize and acknowledge the great many contributions women have made to engineering and STEM fields more broadly. Celebrating those wins will encourage the next generation of gender diverse engineers to pursue careers across software, product development, manufacturing, R&D, and more.
Modern technological innovation is moving faster than ever, and we need diverse perspectives at the table to help guide our future responsibly. To the women reading this and considering a path in engineering, keep going! Join a great group of strong, curious, collaborative, and smart women who are passionate about solving complex problems and developing solutions that make a real impact.
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Yifan Lin, Software Engineer at Parallel Works
Growing up in a culture where engineering wasn’t seen as a path for women, I didn’t have role models who looked like me in this field. People told us to aim for support roles—to be assistants, not builders. But I knew I wanted more. Entering this profession has taught me that you don’t need external validation to belong. If you’re drawn to solving problems and building things, trust that instinct and follow it—regardless of what others say. You don’t need permission to be here.
We need more women to see that it’s not only possible to succeed in engineering, but also to lead. You’re allowed to take up space in this field. You don’t have to shrink yourself to meet others’ expectations—your future is yours to define. Every line of code we write, every system we build, helps normalize our presence and opens doors for the next generation.
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Julie Dura, Solutions Engineering Director at Akeneo
Being a woman in tech has often meant being the only woman in the room. For a long time, this created an inner need to prove my legitimacy or speak louder just to be heard. Today, however, I’m optimistic that companies have come to understand the urgency, as well as the business case, of empowering women to drive change within a world originally shaped by and for men. More and more, I’ve seen leadership programs, supportive networks, and new opportunities for the next generation. I’ve personally been lucky to have incredible allies in my journey, and I believe that these dedicated spaces for women to speak openly and support one another are key to shaping a more inclusive tech future.
This International Women in Engineering Day, I hope young women dare to speak up and to trust that they belong in every room. I want women at every age and stage in their lives to know that they deserve to be heard and that what they have to say can and will make a difference. I want them to step into the world without the weight of justifying their presence, without sacrificing balance or confidence. The future of tech, when women are involved in its creation, is more diverse, more empathetic, and more human.
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Ratna Puri, Vice President, Product and Domain Leader at Concentrix
Growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones. It happens when we lean into challenge, when we raise our hand, speak with clarity, and choose to lead, especially when it’s hard. We’re not here to fit into legacy systems. We’re here to expand them, evolve them, and when needed, to rebuild them.
In STEM, women aren’t waiting for a seat at the table, we’re already leading. With purpose, precision, and impact. I encourage women to dream big and back it up with action. Don’t just think about the next task. Think at scale. Think transformation. Think lasting change.
I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who saw more in me than I saw in myself, who challenged me, stretched me, and created a space I didn’t yet know I needed. That’s the kind of leadership that endures, and it’s why we must send the elevator back down. Create space, champion others, and model what else is possible. The path in STEM is rarely linear, but when we invest in ourselves and in each other, we don’t just rise, we elevate the entire system.
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Kamini Karunamurthy, Sales Engineer at Accuris
Looking back, one of the most valuable lessons I've learned through my journey in engineering is the importance of persistence. In university and during my early career as a mechanical engineer, it wasn't always about having the perfect answer. It was about showing up, staying curious and learning through doing. That mindset of simply trying every day has shaped how I approach challenges and growth.
Over the years, I've had the chance to work across R&D, manufacturing, and now, in sales engineering. Each step has taught me something different, but the common thread has always been curiosity and adaptability.
To young women considering a future in engineering, you don't need to have everything figured out from the start. Let your passion guide you, and trust that confidence will grow with experience. Your path may shift and evolve, but your willingness to stay open and keep learning will take you far. Bring your curiosity, your perspective and your ideas to the table. Engineering is full of possibilities! So, step in boldly and don't underestimate the impact you can make.
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Charu Chhimpa, E6 Engineer, Whatfix
My journey at Whatfix began as an intern and, over the past seven years, has been one of constant learning, growth, and innovation. Today, as an E6 Engineer working closely with a team of six engineers, I look back with gratitude at the mentors who guided me and the challenges that shaped me. From working across products and teams to securing three patents and winning multiple hackathons, each step has deepened my passion for engineering and problem-solving. One of my proudest milestones has been being the first engineer to start coding for Whatfix Mirror—seeing it now gain traction with multiple Fortune 500 customers has been incredibly fulfilling. But beyond the code, it's collaboration and empathy that have truly driven impact.
To every aspiring woman in tech, my advice is this: take the leap—but take it with intention. Step into spaces that challenge you, surround yourself with people who lift you, and never underestimate the power of your perspective.
With AI transforming how we build, test, and deploy software, now is the time to upskill and embrace tools that amplify your impact. But remember—AI is only as inclusive as the minds behind it. Be that voice of inclusion. Learn the tech, question the bias, and lead responsibly. Let’s keep breaking barriers, building meaningful solutions, and making sure women aren’t just present in the AI era—we're shaping it.
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Anisha Vaswani, Chief Information and Customer Officer at Extreme Networks
My leadership philosophy is rooted in building strong, collaborative IT teams that drive the broader organization’s success. A cornerstone of this approach is ensuring women have a meaningful seat at the table. While we’ve made progress, there is still more work to be done in attracting women to STEM fields and amplifying their voices within the industry. The unique perspectives and talents women bring to the workforce are invaluable. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role as CIO is identifying, hiring, and empowering these exceptional individuals to thrive and reach their full potential.
For anyone considering a career in software engineering or STEM fields, I would encourage them to pursue those goals, because the opportunities for learning and growth are endless. I started in software development and code writing, but what really sold me on the industry was technology’s ability to address and solve business problems, which is what put me on the path to becoming a CIO. A career in IT is never static, and it’s exhilarating to watch, learn, and be a part of all the different waves of technology. And today, with AI's major impact on the ways we live and do business, I can’t think of a more exciting time to jump into the world of tech.
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Jenn Wei, SVP of Product Management at LaunchDarkly
Finding out that this year’s theme for International Women in Engineering Day is “Together We Engineer” really resonated with me. As a builder by nature, I get genuine joy from creating tools that empower other builders—especially here at LaunchDarkly.
The theme of togetherness feels especially timely as AI continues to reshape how we write code, ship software, and collaborate. It’s critical that we work together to ensure AI is used not only to move faster, but also more safely and responsibly—something we take seriously at LaunchDarkly. That’s exactly why we’re investing in AI Configs—to give teams greater control and observability over how AI-driven systems behave in production.
While women are still underrepresented in engineering, I’m inspired by the visibility of strong female role models who are changing that trajectory. I believe leadership at every level matters. At LaunchDarkly, for example, we’ve appointed AI champions on every team—people who help their peers stay up to speed on the latest advancements in their domain. That grassroots energy has sparked more curiosity, more experimentation, and more thoughtful use of AI across the company.
I think the same principle applies to women in engineering: when we support each other, share knowledge, and lead visibly, we don’t just uplift ourselves—we create momentum for the next generation of engineers to thrive.
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