As an executive woman in tech who has been in many male-dominated boardrooms, I’ve learned how to leverage my unique voice and experience.
When I’ve been in the minority, I’ve learned how to embrace my role and clearly share my distinct point of view…more often than not it’s been appreciated by the other leaders at the table. Speaking up in this way, has helped me see firsthand how diverse perspectives bring immense value to innovation, strategy, and customer experience and pave the way for more diversity in boardrooms and project teams.
Don’t shrink from sharing. Be clear about what you represent and what role you want to play based on your diversity, beyond your gender. For instance, in my role, I’m not deeply technical but I understand how technology enables innovation and how it impacts people so the role I play is to be the representative of the people who are impacted by innovation rather than the tech purist pushing to define the new boundaries of technical discovery. That has helped me become a valuable team player in the leadership teams I’m involved with because I uncover the blind spots that impact customers, partners and employees. Women, either technical or not, have a unique voice to offer in technical organizations and once defined, can be extremely powerful and commercially impactful.
State of the Industry
Having said this, the gender gap in technology remains significant. Women hold only 28% of computing and mathematical roles (National Center for Women & Information Technology, 2023), and the leadership disparity is even more pronounced. The skills gap is another challenge—despite growing demand for tech talent, women are often underrepresented in STEM education and career pipelines.
Barriers persist, many rooted in unconscious biases and ingrained behaviors rather than intentional exclusion. Women frequently face challenges being heard in male-dominated spaces, a struggle that extends beyond gender to also affect introverts and those from diverse backgrounds.
Another concern is the decline of girls’ interest in STEM. Research shows that by middle school, many girls disengage from STEM subjects due to a lack of support from teachers, parents, and role models (Microsoft, 2018). If we want to close the gender gap in tech, we need to intervene early and make technology careers more visible and appealing.
What Companies Can Do
Companies are moving beyond conversations to implement concrete policies and programs that support women at all stages of their careers.
At Publicis Sapient, we’ve launched initiatives such as:
- RISE Programme – An executive sponsorship and mentorship platform focused on skills development and career advancement for women.
- Spring Programme (India) – A dedicated initiative helping women re-enter the workforce after career breaks, addressing biases that often hinder their return.
These programs don’t just talk about inclusivity—they back policies with action, ensuring the support for talent and the diversity of voices at every career stage.
The Importance of Mentorship
Mentorship is crucial for empowering women in tech and helping them find their voice. While women-focused leadership resources are valuable, diverse perspectives help build well-rounded leadership skills. If existing resources don’t meet their needs, women should proactively build their own support networks. That is why we built an Experience driven mentorship programme at Publicis Sapient. Beyond general mentorship, craft-level mentorship is also critical to growth and development within an individual’s role and this programme pairs individuals of varying career stages with experts in their own craft, enabling them to gain key knowledge and insights into career growth specific to them.
Advice for Women Entering Tech
For women aspiring to tech careers, technical expertise alone is important but not enough. Understanding the broader industry landscape, business strategy, and cross-functional collaboration is essential.
- Expand your network beyond your immediate area of expertise.
- Learn from those who have paved the way, seeking mentorship and peer support.
- Be proactive in career development, advocating for opportunities and leadership roles.
Empowering women in tech is a shared responsibility. Companies must create inclusive workplaces, while individuals should support and uplift one another. Recognizing and celebrating the contributions of women in tech is essential to driving real change.
With the rise of AI and transformative technologies, women must play a pivotal role in shaping the future. By ensuring diverse voices are included in decision-making, we can create a more innovative, ethical, and impactful tech industry.
