International Women’s Day is here, and this year’s theme, “We Give to Gain,” resonates deeply within the technology industry. Technology evolves at a relentless pace, with new innovations emerging every day, but this day serves as a reminder that every breakthrough is something deeply human. The ideas we share, the mentorship we offer, the perspectives we contribute and the opportunities we create for others ultimately strengthen the entire ecosystem. When we give our voice, expertise and support, we continue to gain traction toward a more innovative, inclusive future.
While progress has been made, the data paints a more complex picture. Women hold only 26–28% of computing and technology roles in the US, and although entry-level hiring has seen slow, steady gains, representation drops significantly at senior levels.
“We Give to Gain” is a reminder that advancing women in technology is not just about representation, but about impact. In recognition of this day, we’re sharing a collection of commentary from women leaders in technology. Their voices serve as a powerful reminder that while statistics highlight the gaps, it is vision, leadership and community that drive meaningful change forward.
Jessica Hammond, Senior Director Product Management-AI, Protegrity
“This International Women’s Day, I am reflecting on what it means to be a woman building technology at a time when AI systems are gaining unprecedented autonomy. As machines begin to reason, generate and act with increasing independence, the defining question is not only what these systems can do, but who is shaping how they do it. Women are not standing on the sidelines of this transformation. We are leading it.
Over the past decade, I have had the privilege of leading product and engineering teams, scaling autonomous AI systems, and bringing generative AI into secure, regulated environments. One truth has remained constant: how we build matters as much as what we build.
Women in technology are defining this next era of AI with technical excellence, operational rigor and ethical clarity. As capabilities advance faster than the policies surrounding them, our leadership is essential, helping ensure accountability is built directly into the systems we design.
Today, we celebrate the women engineers, product leaders, researchers and executives who are shaping technology with integrity and humanity. On International Women’s Day, we celebrate not only progress, but the women actively building what comes next.”
Kelli Stephens, Director of Product Marketing, Securin
“Research shows that companies with strong female leadership provide better returns on equity, profits, and innovation through decision making. So, why aren’t more companies looking at how they can support and promote women more proactively in the workforce faster?
For example, over the past 50 years, women’s representation in STEM has increased from 8% to about 28%. That’s meaningful progress. But women make up nearly half of the overall U.S. workforce and remain underrepresented in technical roles, particularly in senior positions where major decisions are made.
STEM jobs already account for about a quarter of total employment and are projected to grow much faster than non-STEM roles over the next decade, and if women are not fully represented in these fields, we are limiting the talent driving one of the fastest growing parts of the economy.
When representation declines from junior to senior roles, it highlights a gap in long-term career development for women. Advancement in STEM is not just about entry-level access. It requires sustained support, clear promotion pathways, sponsorship and leadership opportunities over time. Without intentional structures that help women advance across decades-long careers, organizations risk losing experienced talent just as that expertise becomes most valuable.”
Patty Lin, HR & Operations Director, Luminys
“International Women’s Day gives me a reason to pause. It is a meaningful opportunity to recognize how far we have come, while also acknowledging that equity is something we still have to intentionally build, especially in the tech industry. Representation has improved, but in many spaces it is still uneven.
Throughout my career, I have often been one of the few women in the room. Those experiences shaped how I view leadership. They taught me to speak clearly, advocate for myself, and make sure others have room to do the same. Presence alone is not enough. People need space to contribute and influence decisions.
For me, that commitment is grounded in straightforward values. The first is equity over equality. This means ensuring individuals have the support and opportunities they need to succeed, rather than treating everyone the same. The second is visibility. It involves actively recognizing and amplifying the contributions of women across all levels of the organization. Finally, advocacy. This requires speaking up in key moments to ensure diverse voices are represented and included in decision making.
For women entering the workforce, your perspective is not something to minimize. It informs how you solve problems and how you lead. Take on challenges even when you feel unsure. Ask questions and build relationships. Growth often comes through discomfort, and confidence builds through action. My hope is that we reach a point where representation feels routine rather than measured. That success is defined not by the barriers we break, but by the impact we make. Ultimately, I hope we reach a point where equality is so embedded in our workplaces that we no longer need a dedicated day to recognize it, because everyone has an equal seat at the table.”
Susan Odle, CEO at StorMagic
“International Women’s Day is a time to recognize the progress women have made and reflect on the journeys that drove that progress. When I entered my career in technology more than 25 years ago, the industry was overwhelmingly male dominated. However, I chose to step into that environment and focus on delivering results, while understanding that being a woman was not a limitation. It brought strengths that shape how I lead, communicate and build teams to this day.
I began my career in straight commission sales and worked my way through leadership roles to the CEO seat I hold today. Throughout that journey, I have seen that performance, resilience and discipline ultimately drive success. No career path is linear, and growth comes from learning through each challenge along the way.
In challenging markets and uncertain times, steady leadership, open communication and diverse perspectives make organizations stronger. My advice for women building a career in any male dominated field, committing to the long game, continuing to learn and leaning into your strengths is not just important, it’s imperative and powerful. Our perspective, persistence and leadership belong in every room where decisions are made.”
Mena Coticelli, Account Director at Theorem
“International Women’s Day is a reminder that progress for women at work has to reflect the reality of women’s lives. In advertising and marketing, more women are entering and leading in senior roles. In fact, women now hold roughly 54% of C-suite executive roles in advertising and creative industries. But there is still a gap at the very top and in final decision-making authority. The next step is getting more women into true decision-making roles where strategy turns into ownership.
As a working mother of two young children, I also know there is an invisible load many women carry. Meaningful support has to go beyond statements. It needs to transpire in the form of fully paid leave, flexibility that actually works in practice, and leaders who approach performance with empathy and trust. When companies back up their words with measurable action, women can look beyond just having a seat at the table and instead set their sights on leading it.”
Leanne Taylor, Chief Revenue Officer at Syspro
“In an ideal world, we wouldn’t need a day to spotlight women at all. Equality would simply be the standard. The fact that International Women’s Day continues to matter reminds us there is still progress to be made. At the same time, I value the role it plays in raising awareness, creating space for important conversations, and amplifying voices that deserve to be heard. If it encourages reflection, action, and meaningful change, then it serves a purpose. The real goal, of course, is to build workplaces and industries where opportunity and recognition are consistent, not occasional.
“In an industry that is typically very male-dominated, I’ve only once not had a male leader. But I’ve been sponsored by many women and men in my career, and I’ve always tried to approach opportunities with a simple question: ‘Why not? Why not me? Why not now?’ That mindset has shaped how I lead. I’ve learned that waiting to be invited into the room can mean waiting indefinitely, particularly for women who may not have had champions advocating for them.
“That’s also why I believe so strongly in looking beyond job titles and traditional experience to identify people’s real strengths. There are often women in organizations who haven’t been fully recognized or stretched because they haven’t followed a conventional path. It’s our responsibility as leaders to create space that enables them to step forward. Sponsor them through opportunities and connections. That’s one of the things I’m most proud of since I joined Syspro last year – we have brought in and promoted more women than ever before into more senior roles, ensuring that their voices and valued opinions are heard and that our business growth accelerates.
“Particularly today as AI reshapes organizations, we have a real opportunity to rethink skills, not just roles. We need to prioritize re-skilling, challenge linear career paths, and design new roles that reflect the realities of AI-enabled businesses. If we do that intentionally, we can build more inclusive organizations by design, not by exception. Inclusivity is about creating a sense of belonging, where people want to be and they want to succeed.”
Kellee Classey, Head of Human Resources at C3 Integrated Solutions
International Women’s Day is a reminder that progress doesn’t happen because we say it should, it happens because we build it into how we operate. This year’s theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” resonates with me because equity is not abstract. It shows up in hiring decisions, in how pay is structured, and in whether people feel safe raising concerns. Those aren’t cultural talking points, they’re operational choices.
In industries like cybersecurity and defense, we already understand the importance of structure, accountability, and compliance. Equity should be approached with the same rigor. That means clear expectations, consistent decision-making, and transparency around how people grow and advance. When we intentionally design fair processes and hold ourselves accountable to them, opportunity becomes predictable and sustainable – not dependent on who you know or how loud you are. Real progress is measurable. And it requires action.
Deepti Mishra, Director – Product Marketing, Cyware
International Women’s Day is gradually moving beyond gestures toward something more meaningful. While well intentioned, the cookies and spa vouchers are not the point. The real opportunity this day presents is reflection. Questioning the conditioning that quietly shapes how we perceive gender, roles, leadership styles, and who naturally gets heard in a room.
Progress begins when we consciously challenge those patterns. In cybersecurity, a field that runs on sharp thinking and trust, that kind of honesty about our own assumptions is not just useful. It is necessary.
Inclusion cannot only mean fitting people into systems that were not originally designed with them in mind. The next step is building environments where opportunity, influence, and leadership are expected outcomes for everyone.
- Unlearn: Challenge the assumptions you did not know you were carrying.
- Build: Design systems where diverse leadership is the default, not the exception.
- Extend: Bring this same intention to the women in your life beyond the workplace.
This conversation also extends well beyond any org chart. The women in our personal lives, how we listen, collaborate, and support their growth when we are in a position to do so, matter just as much.
Most people today agree with the idea of equality. The real milestone will be when the statistics around representation and leadership finally reflect that shared belief.
The real measure of change will not be the conversations we have on days like this, but whether the systems we build every day reflect those values. A true celebration is when what we openly claim and what the data shows finally tell the same story.
Shweta Ghosh, Director of Product Management, Cyware
“International Women’s Day, to me, is a moment to pause and recognize both progress and possibility. It celebrates the strength and achievements of women, while reminding us that building truly inclusive workplaces requires ongoing effort and intention.
With over 14 years in technology and product leadership, I’ve seen firsthand how representation in cybersecurity and tech has evolved. Early in my career, women were few in strategic forums and technical leadership roles. While that landscape is changing, meaningful inclusion goes beyond numbers; it demands equal access to opportunity, sponsorship, and decision-making influence.
For me, this day reinforces a simple principle: talent and ambition should shape careers, not gender. As leaders, we have a responsibility to foster cultures where diverse voices are encouraged, mentorship is intentional, and more women feel confident stepping into spaces to innovate, influence, and lead.”
Lata Bavisi, President, EC-Council University
“International Women’s Day is a moment to recognize how far women have come and the resilience they continue to show in fields that were once considered out of reach. Cybersecurity is one of those fields. Today, women are not only entering the profession in greater numbers, they are shaping how security teams think, respond, and lead in a rapidly changing digital world.
The rise of AI is transforming security, and with it the expectations placed on professionals. Women stepping into cybersecurity today bring not only technical capability but also the resilience, adaptability, and determination that complex security environments demand.
What matters now is ensuring that more women have access to the pathways that allow them to succeed. When women are supported with the right opportunities, mentorship, and practical exposure, they do more than build careers. They strengthen teams, challenge assumptions, and contribute to a more capable cybersecurity workforce.
The progress we see today is the result of years of perseverance by women who chose to step forward despite barriers. The responsibility ahead of us is to continue expanding those opportunities so that the next generation of women can step into cybersecurity with confidence, ambition, and the ability to lead.”
