This year has been one of transformation for tech. Entry-level roles are at risk, the industry continues to reel from AI as the investment bubble threatens to burst, cyber-attacks hit supermarket shelves, online safety came into law, and social media faces landmark civil suits.

But when it comes to women in tech, it seems things have stagnated, at best. The most recent LoveLace report shows that in the UK, women make up only a fifth of the tech sector, with the percentage tapering off at top roles. 

Each year, around 40,000 women leave tech roles, cyber still faces a debilitating gender gap, and women are still routinely left out of lucrative AI funding rounds.  

As AI takes hold, cyber-attacks permeate the everyday, and tech regulation and policies continue to affect people more personally, it is increasingly vital that women play a larger role in tech’s transformation. 

This International Women’s Day has a theme of Give to Gain; it focuses on mentorship, allyship, and support from communities, individuals, and organisations to promote gender equality. 

To reflect on women in tech this IWD, DIGIT heard from a range of accomplished women in the industry who provided candid experiences and advice to highlight the importance of gender diversity and equality in tech. 

On: Give to Gain

This year’s theme focuses on community and culture – individual actions and success matters, but in the grand scheme of things, grassroots, organisational-level efforts will see the biggest difference in gender diversity progress. 

Samantha Wessels, President EMEA, Box:

“This year’s International Women’s Day theme, ‘Give to Gain’, is a reminder that progress is about bonding with your community. To promote fairness and equality within the workplace, you need to take an active role in advocating for change, communicating and knowledge-sharing. Diversity and inclusion doesn’t happen simply over time. It happens when people and organisations choose to invest in each other. When companies promote trust, opportunity and real allyship, they gain stronger teams, better ideas and cultures where people actually want to stay and grow. 

“Within industry, it’s about the everyday actions: amplifying someone’s voice in a meeting, sponsoring emerging talent, creating space for flexibility, and being intentional about who gets visibility and stretch opportunities. Small, consistent acts of support compound over years. And if businesses want to move the needle on equity, it starts with constructing open forums and environments where people genuinely feel they belong and can show up fully as themselves.

“That means listening, backing up values with action, and recognising that inclusion isn’t a side initiative, it’s a business advantage. At Box, we try to live that through our employee communities, mentorship focuses, and everyday allyship, creating spaces where people can connect, support one another and grow together.”

Kayleigh Davies, Auction Expert at Auctionet:

“This year’s theme of ‘Give to Gain’ particularly resonates because when organisations and communities invest intentionally in women through trust and opportunity, it results in a more resilient business and better pathways of progression for women. I’ve been fortunate to work for supportive organisations that value my expertise. 

“Working at a progressive Swedish company has shown me how, when given support and opportunities, women can thrive in industries that are typically male dominated. It sadly also opened my eyes to how much further the UK still has to go. Women’s careers are more likely to be affected by life stages and caring responsibilities, and while I have been able to continue progressing after having children, the fact that this feels like good fortune rather than the norm speaks volumes. I know many women in our sector who haven’t had the same experience.

“International Women’s Day should remind us that when organisations commit to supporting women throughout the year and promote a culture of genuine diversity, the impact can benefit everyone.”

Lacey Firestone, Managing Partner and Executive Sponsor of Kyndryl UK&I’s Women’s KIN:

“This International Women’s Day, ‘give to gain’ reminds us that we should recalibrate around communities. Gender equity is not a finite resource, it expands when we invest in one another. Every time we mentor, advocate, amplify a voice, share knowledge or open a door, we create momentum. And when women are empowered in their roles, you create a curious, inquisitive culture that delivers real positive impacts on the bottom line. 

“Behaviour change can revert over time, but cultural change sticks, and companies that focus on culture shifts grow more than four times faster (42.2%) than those that prioritise short-term behaviour changes. This is why sustained focus around ‘Give to Gain’ challenges us to move beyond awareness into impact. What can we contribute: time, sponsorship, visibility, access, education or opportunity? Progress is built through consistent, collective generosity. When reciprocity is embedded into how we work and lead, we unlock potential that otherwise remains untapped. 

Ülane Vilumets, Head of Business Development at e‑Residency:

“This year’s International Women’s Day theme, Give to Gain, is a timely reminder that where we direct resources today shapes tomorrow’s economy. 

“With 89% of women entrepreneurs considering major strategic moves – from targeting new customer segments to grow their addressable audience, to expanding the physical presence of their businesses within the UK – the ambition is already there, it’s the surrounding systems that need to catch up.

“For many women entrepreneurs, particularly mothers, time is the scarcest resource. Smart use of technology can give some of that time back: automating admin, enabling work from anywhere, and opening access to global customers beyond local networks. At e‑Residency, we see that when the business environment is digital, flexible and borderless, women can build on their own terms and still think globally.

“Real commitment to Give to Gain shows up in practical support: funding pathways, childcare, flexible systems, mentorship and visibility. As a mother of four, I appreciate first-hand how vital these support structures are. The ecosystems that redesign around women founders will be the ones that unlock the next wave of innovation.”

A Reality Check

While community focused initiatives are positive, International Women’s Day is in its 115th year; is this year, with all of its progress yet persistent difficulties for women, a wake-up call for tech? 

Meryem Habibi, Chief Revenue Officer at Bitpace:

“International Women’s Day is both a celebration and a reality check. We should celebrate the progress women have made in leadership while also recognising there is still significant work to do. McKinsey’s “Women in the Workplace 2025” report highlights that women make up nearly half (46%) of entry level roles in technology, yet hold just a quarter (25%) of C-suite positions. Progress is trickling through, but not fast enough and we need to do more to break through glass ceilings.”

“In financial services and crypto, diversity is about building better systems, and this is done by people from all backgrounds and different perspectives coming together. Stablecoins and decentralised finance are transforming global commerce, particularly in emerging markets where traditional banking has often failed businesses. We need leaders from diverse backgrounds driving financial inclusion, because inclusive services are built on diverse thinking.”

“As a woman leader in this space, I am acutely aware of how few women occupy senior roles. Early in my career, I rarely saw leaders who reflected my own path. That experience has shaped my commitment to visibility and mentorship, to boost women’s representation in boardrooms and decision-making roles. To truly make an impact, as leaders, we have a responsibility to mentor deliberately, challenge structural barriers and create environments where talent from different backgrounds can thrive. If fintech is about removing barriers to financial inclusion, we must also remove the barriers limiting who shapes its future. I do not just want a seat at the table, but I want to give to gain, to expand the table for those following behind me.”

Martha Peterson, Security Incident Program Manager at Pipedrive:

“Gender equality in tech doesn’t fail because we lack ambition or ability. It fails when progress is treated as optional, slow or symbolic. Accelerating action means being willing to give a little extra time and thought into challenging the systems and assumptions that still decide who is seen, heard and trusted to lead.”

“You can’t be what you can’t see, and representation across leadership, technical roles and decision-making tables continues to shape who feels welcome in this industry. But action matters more. That’s why we need structures that empower voices, encourage allyship and turn intent into impact.”

“That’s why action inside the workplace matters. Through our support of the ‘Orange the World’ movement against gender-based violence, we’ve reinforced our commitment to long-term change, including the launch of Pipedrive’s Women’s Employee Resource Group. This ERG is designed to help turn intent into impact by amplifying women’s voices, empowering allies and pushing for practical steps that support gender equity. Working alongside our Men’s ERG and wider community initiatives, it’s helping build a stronger, safer and more inclusive environment for everyone. Accelerating progress means acting now and acting together.”

Camellia Chan, CEO and Co-founder, X-PHY:

‘‘International Women’s Day is a reminder that inclusion isn’t built through slogans or grand gestures. It’s built through systems that help people grow. And with recent reports showing that jobs traditionally done by women are more vulnerable to the impact of artificial intelligence, the importance of empowering women has never been greater.

‘‘In tech and cybersecurity, we often focus on whether women ‘belong.’ However, to really understand what makes women thrive, we need to question whether organisations are creating the conditions for them to lead – through mentorship, peer learning, and real access to emerging tools like AI. 

‘‘In practice, that means moving beyond generic training recommendations and instead building in structured learning time and support to help all employees remain competitive in a rapidly changing world of work. Instead of allowing disruption to deepen existing gender gaps, businesses must create environments where women grow alongside the AI boom.’’ 

Chrissay (Zeeman) Brinkmann, Presales Engineer, Leaseweb USA:

“International Women’s Day is important because, none of the progress women have made just happened on its own; people fought for it, repeatedly. I’m glad to be at a company that walks the talk on diversity, not just words on a site, but real opportunities and listening to different perspectives. In tech especially, getting judged on your work instead of who you are is rare, and it makes all the difference. More places need to catch up.

“On International Women’s Day, I take a moment to reflect on the people, my mentors, colleagues, and managers who’ve opened doors or backed me up when it counted.  And I check that I’m doing my part to pay it forward. Whether that’s making an intro, giving a straight-up endorsement, or just telling someone they’ve got what it takes. Small moves can shift someone’s trajectory in this field.”

Jennifer Rojas, Director of Operations / Directrice des opérations, Leaseweb Canada:

“International Women’s Day is important, but I also think it’s a little uncomfortable on purpose, it forces people to admit we’re not ‘done’ yet just because there are more women in the room. I’m genuinely grateful to work at a company that doesn’t treat diversity like a PR box to check, but as something that actually makes the work stronger and the culture better, even when that means hard conversations.

“One of the best pieces of advice I ever got and now I give as well is, ‘Stop waiting for permission…’ Most of the time, it’s never coming. Growth rarely arrives as a formal invitation; more often, opportunities are claimed long before they are officially granted.

“Another piece of advice that I now give as well is, ‘Surround yourself with people who will both champion your work and challenge your thinking…” Real growth happens when you are supported and stretched at the same time, not when you stay where it’s comfortable.”

Recommended reading

• Are Women Developers Benefiting From AI?
• Women ‘Overlooked’ For Digital Roles Due to ‘Rigid Hiring Processes’
• AI Is Intensifying Violence Against Women, Warns UN

A Way Forward 

Despite persistent challenges and setbacks, women leaders in tech are still looking to the future, not just in terms of technological advancements, but in promoting better gender parity in the industry.

Mandi Walls, DevOps Advocate at PagerDuty:

“Collaboration is the key to success. Software development is a team game and so is gender equality. Within my own area in the software industry, a diversity of experiences and voices is critical for creating products that work for all kinds of people in real situations. Great businesses encourage this through town halls, employee resource groups and initiatives that foster successful cultures based on diverse strengths and abilities.”

“While IWD may be about women, the goal at its heart is to make a stronger, fairer world that benefits everyone across their work and throughout society in general. Where businesses can stand out is acting as a lever, propelling greater opportunities and advancement in areas that have traditionally lacked female engagement and empowerment.”

“This year’s IWD mantra of ‘Give to gain’ is especially fitting. What we share, we get back. If we want stronger, more experienced teams, more profitable businesses, and a fairer society, then we need to be intentional in our reciprocity.”

Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer at Coursera:

“It’s critical that we empower women to develop the combination of technical and human skills required to enjoy the benefits promised by the AI economy. As human-in-the-loop processes continue to be imperative for effective AI deployment, learners who nurture exceptional critical thinking skills will be rewarded in their personal and professional lives. With sustained deliberate investment and targeted support, we can provide better access to GenAI upskilling for women, to scale skills more equitably and effectively, ensuring momentum translates into lasting outcomes for all.”

Jamie Hawkins, Marketing Director, DH2i:

“For me, International Women’s Day serves as a meaningful reminder that diversity isn’t just a policies and regulations check-box. It truly drives innovation and growth. When a team is made up of people that bring different experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds to the discussion, the team is able to challenge assumptions, better understand the communities they serve – or wish to serve, and generate stronger ideas. While it may take a tad more effort and intention to align the team, the outcome is almost always more innovative and ultimately… more impactful. 

“I hope that you, like I do, on this International Women’s Day – and every day for that matter, continue to help build workplaces where talent and hard work are recognized, potential is nurtured, and everyone has access to opportunities. If you are a leader… in a hiring position, please be intentional about creating pathways for diverse talent to thrive. And, if you are not a leader or in a hiring role, you can still make a difference! You can mentor, advocate, amplify voices, and foster environments where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute.

“When people have the opportunity to succeed (or fail) based only upon their own true merits, and not a ‘box’ in which they are thought to fit, no surprise, that’s when true progress happens!”