Celebrating Women in Tech: Accelerating Action for Equality on International Women's Day 2025

Reflecting on Progress, Embracing the Future

International Women's Day 2025 provides a powerful moment to celebrate the remarkable strides women have made in technology. From coding to cybersecurity, women are shaping the digital world, challenging norms, and leading with innovation.

It's also a time to acknowledge the persistent challenges, including underrepresentation in leadership and the ever-present gender gap. But as we reflect on the road traveled, we also look forward to the possibilities that lie ahead.

Insights and Inspiration from Tech Leaders

To mark this occasion, VMblog has gathered insights from a diverse group of female tech leaders. Their perspectives offer a glimpse into the current landscape and paint a hopeful vision for the future.

Empowering Women to Thrive

Kelly Wells, COO of Object First, emphasizes the importance of empowering women to take ownership and celebrating their wins. "By continuing to put women in the driver's seat," she says, "our organizations will reap the rewards of collaboration and innovation."

Breaking Barriers and Building Belonging

Many leaders echo the importance of mentorship and sponsorship. Lori Thompson, VP of HR for North America at IGEL, reflects on the positive impact of their IGEL4Women in Tech group, highlighting the role of mentorship and visibility. Danielle Coady, VP & Cyber Resilience Evangelist at Index Engines, stresses that when women are fully included, "the industry benefits from a wealth of diverse perspectives, increased innovation, and unlocking untapped potential."

Margaret Hoagland, VP of Global Sales & Marketing at SIOS Technology, celebrates the quiet victories of women in tech: "Let’s remember the unsung women who have shaped the world we live in today in a thousand small ways. And because of them, we rise."

Shaping a More Inclusive Future

Several leaders discuss the need for urgent action. Julia Astashkina, Senior Director of Growth at StarTree, stresses, "We can’t afford to wait for change to happen gradually." This sentiment is echoed by Vicky Wills, CTO at Exclaimer, who notes, "Real change starts with awareness, but progress depends on action."

Mentorship and Advocacy: Keys to Lasting Change

Mentorship, advocacy, and sponsorship emerge as recurring themes. Molly Presley, SVP of Global Marketing at Hammerspace, highlights the impact of her involvement with Women in High-Performance Computing, urging young women to "seek guidance from experienced professionals and engage in activities such as joining professional associations."

The Power of Diverse Perspectives

Many leaders emphasized the power of bringing diverse voices to the table, especially in emerging fields like AI. Suneetha Uppalapati, Head of Client Platform Solutions at WaveMaker, asserts, “Products developed by diverse teams are better positioned to succeed in today’s global marketplace.” Shira Hayon, Product Manager at CTERA, cautions against the dangers of bias in AI, noting how "AI systems are trained on historical data, and that data is riddled with inequality."

A Call to Action: Accelerating Change Together

The overarching message is clear: Accelerating action for gender equality requires continuous effort, intentional policies, and a commitment to building inclusive workplaces where every woman can thrive. From celebrating successes to addressing systemic challenges, these leaders demonstrate that true progress comes from working together to create a brighter future for women in tech.