{"id":151847,"date":"2025-08-26T16:18:02","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T15:18:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/2025\/08\/26\/celebrating-womens-equality-day-with-six-female-leaders-as-diversity-in-technology-hits-an-all-time\/"},"modified":"2026-06-16T15:41:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T14:41:58","slug":"celebrating-womens-equality-day-with-six-female-leaders-as-diversity-in-technology-hits-an-all-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/2025\/08\/26\/celebrating-womens-equality-day-with-six-female-leaders-as-diversity-in-technology-hits-an-all-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating Women\u2019s Equality Day with SIX female leaders as diversity in technology hits an all time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

 <\/strong>As we celebrate Women’s Equality Day, we recognise the vital role of women in every field, including technology. This day commemorates the hard-fought battles for equal rights and serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing journey towards a more equitable society. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the world of technology, women have made pioneering contributions, from Ada Lovelace’s foundational work on algorithms to the hidden figures of NASA’s space programme, who paved the way for modern computing. Their contributions have demonstrated that a diversity of perspectives is essential for creating groundbreaking and inclusive solutions. By highlighting their achievements, we hope to inspire the next generation of female leaders and innovators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is with this spirit that we highlight some of the key developments and innovations in the industry. The following comments provide a snapshot of the major themes and technologies that are defining the future of cloud and sustainable AI infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Deann Evans<\/strong><\/a>, Managing Director, EMEA, <\/strong>Shopify<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWomen\u2019s Equality Day gives us a moment to pause and celebrate the positive impact women in entrepreneurship make, not only creatively but economically, to encourage more women into starting their own journeys. Positively, we\u2019re heading in the right direction: at Shopify, we\u2019ve seen a 44% growth<\/a> in women-owned businesses since 2007, and Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) reported one in three<\/a> high-growth entrepreneurs and nearly two in five export-oriented startups are now led by women. It\u2019s an inspiring testament to the ingenuity and determination women bring to business building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecoming an entrepreneur doesn\u2019t require luck or a background in business. All it takes is ambition. Accessibility, funding, and support, is all vital to make any intention a reality for women entrepreneurs. This means lowering barriers to starting a business with simple, affordable technology; ensuring women have fair access to capital; and fostering strong networks through mentorship and community. Education and skills development are also key, helping women gain confidence in areas like commerce and marketing. Just as important is celebrating and amplifying the stories of women founders to inspire others, and creating initiatives to make entrepreneurship more sustainable. Together, these actions create an ecosystem where women can thrive as entrepreneurs and leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Sapir Hadad<\/strong><\/a>, Executive Director of AI and Innovation, <\/strong>Fiverr<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy journey as an entrepreneur began when I was six years old, selling flowers on the streets of Israel during the holidays. I didn\u2019t realise it then, but standing on a curb with a bunch of bouquets taught me everything I needed to know about resilience, hustle, and believing in your own worth. My father – a real estate entrepreneur – used to tell me, \u2018You\u2019re worth seven men.\u2019 That phrase stuck with me, especially as I entered the tech world and began to understand just how necessary that mindset would be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeing a woman in tech has never been an easy journey. When I was a pregnant founder pitching investors, the bias was overt in the room. And while we\u2019re seeing more women in this space today, the truth is, there\u2019s still a long road ahead toward equity. My experiences didn\u2019t discourage me – they made me more intentional, and committed to creating space for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt Fiverr, I\u2019m proud to lead our AI Innovation Solution team, building the tools and intelligence that power the next generation of freelancers, and creating the best experience for our clients to identify and collaborate with the right talent. But innovation only matters if it\u2019s accessible. We need to design technology – and the ecosystems around it – with inclusion at the core. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn Women\u2019s Equality Day, we\u2019re reminded that progress happens because people choose to push for it.  Women deserve a seat at the table, not just in the room.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Meryem Habibi<\/strong><\/a>, Chief Revenue Officer, <\/strong>Bitpace<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs the Chief Revenue Officer of Bitpace, a company at the heart of fintech and crypto, Women’s Equality Day resonates deeply with me. This day is a powerful reminder of the incredible women who have broken barriers and are now leading the charge in an industry once dominated by men. I see every day how diverse perspectives can challenge the status quo and lead to more inclusive financial solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHowever, we can\u2019t celebrate this progress without confronting the data that shows how far we still have to go. Women in fintech and crypto still face a significant leadership gap, often overlooked for top roles despite their expertise. They battle against implicit biases and a culture that sometimes struggles to recognise their value. From the persistent gender pay gap to the \u201cmotherhood penalty,\u201d these challenges aren’t just statistics. They are real obstacles that limit potential and stifle the growth of our industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe more women leading this change, the more inclusive, dynamic, and resilient our financial systems will be. In a leadership role, I\u2019m committed to leaving a legacy of inclusivity, collaboration, and trust, proving that when we bring different voices to the table, we can build a financial future that works for everyone. By investing in women, we\u2019re building a more robust and innovative future for fintech and crypto, not just checking the boxes for DEI.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Marni Baker Stein<\/strong><\/a>, Chief Content Officer, <\/strong>Coursera<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs Generative AI continues to transform labour markets, one consistent research finding is that women are significantly less likely to use the technology than men, with Deloitte research<\/a> suggesting that 43% of British men have used GenAI models – compared to just 28% of UK women. This gendered disparity in usage is also reflected in Coursera\u2019s platform data: in the UK, approximately 68% of enrollments in GenAI courses are from men. Among under-30s, this gap is more pronounced, with men representing 77% of enrolments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese disparities are concerning because GenAI fluency will increasingly empower individuals to seize economic and career opportunities. Microsoft\u2019s Work Trend Index 2024<\/a> indicates that 71% of employers say they\u2019d rather hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills than a more experienced candidate without them, while a recent Coursera survey<\/a> of technology leaders finds that 72% of them expect new hires, regardless of their specific role, to understand how generative AI could be applied to their work tasks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen women use GenAI less than men, and when women do not access GenAI training at the same rates as men, it increases the risk that they will be unable to unlock the immense economic opportunity<\/a> that AI promises to create. This is not just a risk for women in technical roles: those best-placed to thrive in the emerging AI economy will be those who understand how to leverage AI to improve their productivity, whether they are in Marketing, Product, Sales, HR, or other core job functions. A world in which fewer women are involved in the production and regulation of AI is also one that threatens to produce models that fail to reflect – and support – the needs of half of the world\u2019s population. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEnsuring that the UK closes the gender gap in GenAI skills is essential to ensure that the AI economy is an equitable, inclusive one. However, interventions<\/a> that provide personalized learning support, structured milestones, real-world case studies, and mentorship opportunities have been shown to improve persistence and completion rates among female learners. Building on these best practices, and making concerted efforts to bring them to more of the UK\u2019s female workforce, is imperative to enable all women to upskill, reskill, and thrive in the GenAI economy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Dr Andrea Johnson<\/strong><\/a>, Chief Information Officer, <\/strong>Pipedrive <\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen people hear the word \u201cdoctor,\u201d only 5%<\/a> assume that person is a woman. I\u2019ve known this stereotype first-hand, most are surprised to learn I have a PhD in computer science. I used to joke it was in knitting, until I realised that even small jokes can reinforce the stereotype that women don\u2019t belong in tech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t aspire to what you can\u2019t see, visibility is vital. If young girls don\u2019t see women thriving in tech, they may be less likely to imagine themselves there. It\u2019s not just about hiring women, it\u2019s about showing them they belong. That means putting more women on stages, on boards and in leadership positions. It also goes far beyond the workplace. It should apply in classrooms, adverts, and the stories we tell about who gets to lead in tech and other male dominated professions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt Pipedrive, and through my work with Women in Technology and Science Ireland, I\u2019m committed to opening doors, and keeping them open, so the next generation of tech leaders knows they have a place in this future. Because the future of tech should have room for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Samantha Wessels<\/strong><\/a>, President EMEA, <\/strong>Box<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis Women\u2019s Equality Day, championing gender parity in emerging technology fields is highly important. Take AI, the pace of change is remarkable. From our report \u2013 The State of AI in the Enterprise<\/a>, 90% of survey respondents are planning to increase AI spending next year, and projections indicate that 25% of business processes will be AI-augmented within three years. AI-related change is bringing so many benefits, and we need to democratise its access for everyone. That means equal pay for women in AI development roles, greater representation in model design and application innovation, and fairer hiring and upskilling strategies across the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDiversity of thought is essential to the future success of AI, which is why finding the right people for the job and giving them the confidence to thrive is key. We need individuals who are ready to be comfortable working with AI, and hands-on training is the best way to make it second nature. Gender doesn\u2019t define belonging. Young women need to know they have every right to participate in the AI workshift. We need more women in tech and sales, fields still dominated by men, but hungry for diverse voices and perspectives. If you\u2019ve got the skills, AI literacy and the drive, don\u2019t let bias or self-doubt hold you back. Let your talent shine, great leaders will recognise it, and the right environment will help you thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

 As we celebrate Women’s Equality Day, we recognise the vital role of women in every field, including technology. This day commemorates the hard-fought battles for equal rights and serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing journey towards a more equitable society. In the world of technology, women have made pioneering contributions, from Ada Lovelace’s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4017,"featured_media":151876,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19041,21064,15835,21224,4,17482,14589,55,9442,33,57,18793,20673,36,22074,7359,22293,17535,19042,15836,19136,29,15425],"tags":[22887,158,65,6189,17502,3967,22888,20557,22889,22890,400,22891,22892,21088],"class_list":["post-151847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-africa","category-ai","category-apac","category-applications","category-cloud","category-cybersecurity","category-data","category-data-centres","category-digital-transformation","category-energy","category-enterprise-security","category-europe","category-expert-opinion","category-green","category-hot-topic","category-industry-expert","category-innovation","category-latam","category-middle-east","category-north-america","category-people","category-software","category-tech","tag-ada-lovelace","tag-ai","tag-cloud-infrastructure","tag-data-centres-2","tag-decarbonisation","tag-diversity","tag-female-leaders","tag-inclusion","tag-innovators","tag-nasa","tag-renewable-energy","tag-sustainable-technology","tag-women-in-technology","tag-womens-equality-day"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151847","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4017"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=151847"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151847\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":169868,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151847\/revisions\/169868"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/151876"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=151847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=151847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.intelligentcio.com\/eu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=151847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}