Breaking Barriers, Building Futures: Women Leading The Charge In Tech & Leadership

"When I started my career, I was often the only woman in the room. The key to being heard was specializing deeply in one area. For me, it was application security and Dynamic Application Security Testing tools. Finding a niche and becoming an expert not only made me invaluable—it gave me the chance to lead.
 
My advice to all women: carve out your own space of expertise. Specialization helps you stand out, contribute meaningfully, and shape the conversation.
 
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, we must also hold companies accountable for their commitment to gender diversity. Diversity of thought has long been proven to drive innovation and better leadership. If companies aren’t prioritizing it by now, it’s a choice. It isn’t about choosing gender diverse candidates for the sake of diversity alone. It’s about allowing your company to benefit from diversity.
 
We need to challenge those with all-male leadership teams and make decisions based on their real commitment to inclusivity. Ask yourself: Are they genuinely seeking diversity, or simply ticking a box? And when the answer isn’t clear, let your choices drive change.”

Cindy Heiner, CISO, Aiden Technologies

“As an HR professional, I have personally witnessed how women tend to undervalue their experience and skills, discarding applications if they don't meet every requirement, while men tend to still apply if they believe they are just partially qualified. A lack of confidence, not of capability, can stop women from pursuing new opportunities. And it’s no wonder, as research has revealed that organizations often undervalue exceptionally qualified female applicants and take their skills for granted compared to their male counterparts.
 
Although the tech industry has made significant strides for women and many companies are trying harder to encourage female applicants, there is still more work that can be done to promote equality. For example, HR departments can conduct company-wide analysis to identify any gender disparities in departments or candidate pools and work to fix any issues they find. These kinds of initiatives show that the organization values representation and inclusion, which may inspire more women to apply for tech roles.
 
I would advise women in the technology industry to realize their strengths, have more self-confidence, and not be scared to voice their opinions. Pay attention to how you speak, especially in emails; avoid using the words "just," "maybe," and "I think" too much. And stop saying you're sorry for everything -- I've seen that many women do this a lot! I would also advise women who are just starting to look for a great female role model or mentor who will support and encourage you along the way.

Continue to network and establish connections with other female professionals, but don't compare yourself to others. Everybody is traveling along a different path, and each of us has our own unique talents and abilities.”

Sheyman Addas, Vice President of People, StorMagic

“International Women’s Day serves as a time to reflect on where women find themselves today and the progress made since the holiday was created in 1971. Throughout my career, working in cybersecurity, cross-domain solutions and payment processing, I have seen firsthand the value of stepping outside of comfort zones, taking on challenges and embracing a learning mindset. Growth does not come from certainty—it comes from taking risks, adapting and using those experiences to support others along the way.

I am thankful for every opportunity and team I have worked on where voices from diverse backgrounds and perspectives are brought into the fold. Success is taking your individual achievements to then foster thriving and productive team environments. Organizations that recognize the value of different perspectives and invest in the next generation are the ones that drive innovation in the future.

International Women’s Day is a reminder of the role all leaders play in opening doors, amplifying voices and championing employees at every stage of their careers. By acting together, we help build a future where women in every industry can lead, contribute and succeed.”
 

Lisa Hawes, Product Director, DTECH, Cubic Defense

“International Women’s Day serves as a powerful reminder of the invaluable contributions women make across industries, particularly in essential sectors like healthcare and social services, where they represent over 64% of frontline workers. Yet, these women face systemic barriers such as unequal access to leadership roles, inadequate support or compensation for caregiving responsibilities, and a lack of workplace flexibility that makes it harder for them to thrive.

This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, calls on all of us to move beyond surface-level recognition and take tangible steps toward workplace equity. For women in frontline industries, this means breaking the mold and advocating for policies that promote equality, growth, and autonomy. However, it’s important to note that creating meaningful change isn’t just the responsibility of women—it requires collective action from employers, policymakers, and society as a whole to create a future where women across all industries are empowered to succeed.”

Louise Willoughby-Petit, Chief People Officer, Beekeeper

“This International Women’s Day, we are called more than ever to provide a model of merit-based positive leadership to our employees. Human capital depends on how much we invest in and expect of people, and offering inclusive opportunities to all employees not only drives value but increases visibility.

Women account for less than one-third of the global technology workforce, and even fewer make up executive roles.

Tech companies are well placed to create equitable high-performing work environments that have an interest in the unique voices of all employees, including women. This includes ensuring equitable hiring practices, implementing practical and supportive policies and processes, creating platforms for all employees to share their ideas, and fostering environments where all employees can bring the best of themselves to work. By fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion, and diversity, companies can not only enrich their organizational dynamics but also drive innovation and success within their industry.”
 

Terri McBride, Chief People Officer, Protegrity

“As a leader, navigating challenges unique to women in tech has required resilience and a focus on results. It's easier today than it was 20 years ago, as women are now more expected to be in the room. However, when I entered the workforce, it was transparently a man's world, and I had to make a conscious choice to become a part of it and deliver results.

The key has always been producing expected outcomes regardless of obstacles, and while we've made progress, there's still work to be done. I hope to see an increase of women in leadership roles beyond founder positions over the next 5-10 years, with hiring managers focusing on the whole candidate and their ability to deliver results.
 
My perspective is shaped by my own journey in technology. I've been a "geek" my whole life – when my dad lined up at Radio Shack to purchase one of the first home computers, it sparked something in me. Years later, reading about the booming tech industry in the Toronto Star, I knew I had to be part of it. That passion still drives me, more than 25 years into my tech career, starting in straight commission sales selling OCR solutions and working my way up to Chief Growth Officer at StorMagic.

In my experience, encouraging more women in tech starts with parenting. Career success in tech comes from a passion for technology, and the earlier this encouragement and exposure starts, the better. We must instill the belief in young girls that they can achieve anything they set their minds to and expose them to as many opportunities as possible.
 
My advice to women entering the tech industry is simple: just go for it. Nothing in this world that’s worth achieving is going to be easy, and no one’s journey is a straight path. Every turn on the road is a learning opportunity. Tech moves faster than any other industry and that means it is risky, but it is equally rewarding with a resilient mindset, discipline and work ethic. A career is a journey, not a race.”

Susan Odle, Chief Growth Officer, StorMagic

“For me, I choose to celebrate International Women’s Day by both appreciating how far we’ve come, but also recognizing that there’s still work to do. I celebrate by supporting the women around me, sharing their wins, encouraging them to reach higher, and mentoring the next generation. It’s about making sure we all keep moving forward and creating space for the voices that deserve to be included at the table - not just on one day, but all year long."
 

Chrissay Brinkmann, Presales Engineer, Leaseweb

“On International Women’s Day, I am reminded that I have been in an enviable position to have had men and women throughout my life that have encouraged me to pursue my passion for STEM – teachers and mentors who believed in me, peers who inspired me, and leaders who opened doors and provided opportunities to grow, learn, and contribute – and earn my way up the corporate ladder.

On International Women’s Day, and all year long, I continue to pledge myself to doing whatever I can within my community and inside my organization – from offering guidance, support, mentorship, or simple words of encouragement – to help others unlock their potential and navigate their own career journeys; as well as help to break down biases, racism, and prejudice to ensure that the most deserving, qualified person gets the job based on merit and talent alone.”

DeeDee Kato, Vice President of Corporate Marketing, Foxit