Women tech leaders urge structural change on IWD

Women leaders in technology and cybersecurity are calling for structural change in how organisations approach mentorship, opportunity and representation, echoing this year's "Give to Gain" theme for International Women's Day.

They describe a leadership model that builds trust and allyship into systems, links inclusion to business outcomes, and treats support for women as a strategic investment rather than charity.

The comments come as UK industry studies point to billions of pounds in lost value as women leave technology roles. Cybersecurity providers also report rising threats alongside persistent under-representation of women in security teams.

Leadership and trust

Leaders in digital trust and software security said inclusion must sit at the core of how organisations operate, not as an add-on.

Lakshmi Hanspal, Chief Trust Officer, DigiCert, said, "Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have mentors who didn't simply open doors - they walked through them with me long enough to make sure I knew how to navigate what was on the other side. They challenged me to think two levels up, to understand where I was heading, and to never forget those following behind. That guidance shaped not just how I lead, but why I lead."

"In a field where I have often been the only woman in the room, I understand what it means to have to prove your presence. I also understand what it means when someone deliberately chooses to make space for you. That choice changes everything."

"In digital trust, we say trust must be engineered into systems from the start - not bolted on as an afterthought. Leadership is no different. When we invest in others with purpose, we build more resilient teams, more innovative technology, and a more enduring culture of trust. That is the only kind of leadership that truly scales," said Hanspal.

Senior leaders at application security firm Veracode linked gender representation directly to the design of AI-driven systems and decision-making frameworks.

Sarah Law, Senior Vice President of Business Operations, Veracode, said, "We're in a moment where AI isn't just changing technology - it's changing how decisions get made and how organisations evolve. The choices leaders make today will shape the way we work for years to come. Women need to be part of those decisions, bringing perspective, judgement and collaboration into what we build next."

"Right now, we are losing women at exactly the moment their involvement matters most. That's more than a talent issue. It's a signal about whose voices are shaping the future we're building."

"The urgency for action is clear: the UK tech sector is losing £2bn-£3.5bn every year as thousands of women leave roles due to stalled progression, lack of recognition and pay gaps - not lack of ambition. As AI reshapes how decisions are made and systems designed, diverse leadership is more critical than ever. When we value collaboration and courage in complexity, women and organisations succeed together," said Law.

Cybersecurity talent gap

Cybersecurity executives highlighted the under-representation of women as a risk to resilience, as attacks rise and ransomware costs increase.

Clare Loveridge, Vice President and General Manager EMEA, Arctic Wolf, said, "Women account for less than a quarter of the cybersecurity workforce - an imbalance the industry can no longer afford. This year's theme for International Women's Day, 'Give to Gain', is a reminder that the security industry must provide women and girls with opportunities to join and excel in the sector. As UK cyber breaches continue to rise sharply and ransomware payments exceed the global average, businesses urgently need broader perspectives and stronger talent pipelines to build true resilience."

"The industry must invest in action. This means creating career pathways for women and girls through early education, work placements and greater support for working mothers. As anxiety around AI grows, particularly its impact on tech-sector jobs, it's critical to demonstrate that opportunities exist. This is especially important amid increasing calls for social media bans and tighter AI chatbot restrictions, which risk leaving young girls digitally illiterate and further distanced from the industry."

"Actively investing in women's cybersecurity careers, from early-years education through to the C-suite, is the only way to ensure the diverse perspectives needed to withstand today's escalating cyber threats," said Loveridge.

Product leaders also highlighted the importance of women's perspectives in identity and access management and in emerging technologies.

Diana Jouard, Group Product Manager, Ping Identity, said, "In cybersecurity, women bring diverse perspectives that strengthen how we protect digital trust and expand what's possible in a field that's still overwhelmingly male-dominated. I've seen firsthand how curiosity, resilience and inclusive collaboration drive better solutions. As women step into leadership, we're not just shaping technology - we're shaping a more equitable and innovative future for the industry."

"My advice to women considering a career in cybersecurity is to stay curious and never stop learning. Emerging areas like decentralised identity demand a strong mix of technical knowledge and human-centred skills, while AI and the future of AI agents will need serious security rigour to manage properly - making a strong core foundation essential. And don't shy away from projects that feel challenging; those are often the moments where real growth happens and confidence is built," said Jouard.

"Give to Gain" theme

Several leaders reflected on this year's "Give to Gain" theme, connecting personal career experiences to wider organisational practice.

Suneetha Uppalapati, Head of Client Platform Solutions, WaveMaker, said, "As we mark International Women's Day, inspired by this year's theme Give to Gain, I often reflect on a defining moment early in my career when someone offered me their time, their trust, and a seat at a table I had not yet earned. That moment did more than encourage me; it accelerated my trajectory. It shaped a conviction I carry forward: giving is not generosity - it is a strategy and a force multiplier."

"Throughout my career, I've seen that people are the true pillar behind every success. Every transformation I've led reinforced the same truth: technology enables, but people deliver."

"I have always chosen to lead with respect, clarity and accountability. Giving intentionally - through mentorship, coaching and creating pathways for growth - ensures that organisational goals and individual aspirations are achieved."

"Women don't just navigate complexity; we build through it, bringing others along. When we give intentionally, we elevate organisations and shape enduring impact. Give to Gain is not a theme for one day; it is a leadership philosophy for every day."

Another engineering leader at WaveMaker connected the theme to shared responsibility across genders.

Deepika Srimanthula, Engineering, WaveMaker, said, "This year's UN theme really stood out to me. Some may feel it leans in favour of women and, honestly, why shouldn't it? Women have been giving for generations, and it's time we fully gain from the progress we've created."

"But I also believe this theme is not just for women. It's a reminder that growth happens when all genders uplift one another."

"While many of us celebrate Women's Day in women-only circles, the real power comes when we celebrate together - women, men and everyone in between. Empowered women don't just rise; they elevate," said Srimanthula.

WaveMaker's human resources leaders described "Give to Gain" as both a social and organisational principle.

Chetna Ravishankar, Human Resource, WaveMaker, said, "This year's theme, 'Give to Gain', reminds me that empowering women is not just an act of support; it is an investment in a better future."

"When we give women equal rights, we gain stronger communities. When we give them confidence and encouragement, we gain bold leaders. When we give them platforms to showcase their talents, we gain innovation, creativity and progress."

"Throughout history, women have proven that opportunity transforms into impact. Trailblazers like Kiran Bedi, Indra Nooyi, Kalpana Chawla and Michelle Obama exemplify how empowered women can inspire change and uplift generations."

"Give to Gain is a powerful call to action. By giving women respect, education, equality and opportunity, we gain a world that is fairer, stronger and more compassionate. This Women's Day, let us choose to give so that everyone can gain," said Ravishankar.

Aishwarya Sitaraman, Human Resource, WaveMaker, said, "Give to Gain reminds me of the quote: 'When women thrive, all of society benefits, and succeeding generations are given a better start in life' - a powerful reflection of giving as a multiplier. Change begins at the grassroots with access to education, health care, public infrastructure systems, and policies thoughtfully crafted by nations, and strengthened by community-led groups working to remove barriers for girls."

"A well-designed system goes beyond education to build the pillars that accelerate the participation of women in the workforce and society. Such long-term structural change requires intentional allyship that supports individual achievement and creates opportunities for women to give back and support others."

"By helping solve challenges, sharing knowledge and contributing to communities, women create impact beyond personal success and drive gains that ripple across generations. To me, the future requires women not just to be represented across sectors, but to be influential in shaping it. Let's achieve it together," said Sitaraman.

Product leaders at vulnerability management firm Tenable framed "Give to Gain" around visibility and agency for women at senior levels.

Liat Hayun, SVP Product Management and Research, Tenable, said, "The technology industry has made headway on inclusion, but meaningful representation at the top remains a major challenge. You can't aspire to what you can't see. To move forward, the industry must rethink its 'default settings' - including being mindful of who leads meetings and who takes notes."

"Throughout my career, I've been intentional about visibility: not just being seen, but staying credible and engaged. I want women to see that being a mother and a leader can coexist. For me, that means staying close to practitioners, speaking daily with CISOs and developers to understand what's truly breaking, and remaining hands-on with new tools myself. With visibility and credibility also comes the responsibility to pull the next person up."

"My advice to women in tech is simple: don't wait to be invited to the party; leadership is about agency. If you see a gap, fill it. When you act with this level of ownership, the seat at the table usually follows," said Hayun.