Latest news with #WomenInTech
Entrepreneur
07-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Cracking the Ceiling
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. For decades, gender parity in the workplace has been the subject of discussion, debate, and data. But despite years of targeted initiatives, executive pledges, and shifting public discourse, women remain underrepresented in senior roles across most industries - particularly in science and technology. One executive who has seen both the limitations and the potential of change from inside the C-suite is Tara McGeehan, President of CGI UK and Australia, a London based global IT and business consulting services firm. "Throughout my career, I have learnt that as women, we often subconsciously put limitations on ourselves for a variety of reasons," she says. "I have also learnt that sometimes limitations are put upon us outside of our comprehension or ability to control." These barriers - both internal and systemic - remain a defining feature of the female professional experience. Yet McGeehan argues that meaningful progress begins with the choices made at the very outset of a woman's career, specifically, where and with whom she chooses to work. "For women looking to start a career, it is important to work for a company that emulates and reflects your values," she advises. "Does it already employ role models you can look up to and learn from? Will it inspire you? Can you see yourself thriving and developing in your career there?" McGeehan advocates for a level of scrutiny on employers that is often reserved for applicants. In an increasingly talent-led labour market, she believes candidates should feel empowered to ask hard questions. "Ask yourself these questions or better still, ask them at the interview stage and see if it's the right fit for you. You want to work in a comfortable, supportive, and inclusive environment that supports you in your growth and success." The ability to thrive in such an environment, she notes, is also tied to confidence and communication. Speaking up, particularly early in one's career, can be a challenge. But for McGeehan, it is essential. "Once you have secured your first role, I'd encourage you to share your thoughts and ideas. Diverse talent creates diverse ideas. This, in turn, pushes boundaries and innovation." Innovation, she suggests, is not the product of a singular vision, but of collective input from across levels and backgrounds. "It's important to have strong female voices across the whole business, be it those in leadership positions or those in their first professional role." Despite improvements in representation, McGeehan remains clear-eyed about the distance still to go. "There's still a long way to go in tackling the glass ceiling, and so none of us, regardless of our role, can afford to let up in our efforts to make our industry as diverse, equitable, and inclusive as it absolutely must be." That sense of shared responsibility - at all levels - is a consistent theme in her commentary. While individual advancement is important, collective advocacy remains central to progress. So too does ambition, often viewed with discomfort or suspicion when expressed by women in the workplace. McGeehan is unequivocal: such ambition is not only acceptable, it is necessary. "My final piece of advice is that it's okay to aspire to a successful career as a woman," she says. "If you have the ambition and the drive, and are working with a company that embraces this, there's no reason why you shouldn't achieve it." Her words suggest a quiet but resolute optimism: that change is possible, but not inevitable. It must be built - consciously, collaboratively, and continuously.
Zawya
01-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Standard Chartered and Bahrain FinTech Bay select ten female-led startups for the sixth cohort of Futuremakers Women in Tech Programme
Manama, Bahrain – Standard Chartered, in partnership with Bahrain FinTech Bay, has announced the selection of ten promising female-led startups to join the sixth cohort of the Futuremakers Women in Tech Bahrain programme. This initiative continues to serve as a launchpad for women entrepreneurs driving innovation and impact across key sectors in the Kingdom. The programme is part of Standard Chartered's global Futuremakers Women in Tech Initiative, and is supported by strategic partners including Tamkeen, the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), United Nations Industrial Development Organization Investment and Technology Promotion Office (UNIDO ITPO Bahrain) and Innovate for Bahrain. The programme is designed to equip Bahraini women with the tools, networks, and knowledge to accelerate their ventures and contribute to a more inclusive tech ecosystem. Following a competitive application and evaluation process, ten founders were selected based on the strength of their ideas, the potential for market traction, and alignment with innovation and technology enablement goals. The selection event was held at Innovate for Bahrain in the presence of Afnan Al Zayani, Member of the Supreme Council for Women; Bader Sater, CEO, Bahrain FinTech Bay; Noora Al Nusuf, Head of Corporate Affairs and Brand & Marketing, Bahrain, Iraq and Qatar, Standard Chartered; Faisal Alahmed, Senior Officer - Enterprise Programmes, Programmes Partnership Development, Tamkeen; and Ameer Hassan Abubakr, National Investment Promotion Expert, UNIDO ITPO Bahrain. The selected startups span a wide range of industries, including agritech, information technology, e-learning, fintech, marketing automation, and healthtech, among other sectors. The selected ten startups are: Tamam Technology, Information Technology; Engine, FinTech; TellSaleem, HealthTech; Wajba, Marketplace, Food & Beverage; Nabni, Architecture, Real Estate, and Industrial Engineering; AGRI AI, AgriTech; Voxa, Remote Education, Learning, Training; Sadeed Technology, Retail Technology, SAAS; Goodies, Food & Beverage Marketplace and Planway, Event management. Over the next eight weeks, these female entrepreneurs will undergo a curated acceleration journey featuring expert-led workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and pitch development sessions. The programme will also connect them with ecosystem leaders and past alumni, fostering a strong network of support and collaboration. The programme will conclude with a Demo Day, where participants will pitch their ventures to a judging panel, and three winners will be selected to receive financial awards and 3 months' access to a co-working space. The Futuremakers Women in Tech programme reflects the continued commitment to contributing to supporting the potential of Bahraini women in tech. To date, the Women in Tech Bahrain programme has supported over 51 female founders and awarded more than $310,000 in funding since it launched in 2020. About Standard Chartered We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world's most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good. Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges. For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. About Women in Tech Bahrain In collaboration with Bahrain FinTech Bay, Standard Chartered Bahrain introduces SC Women In Tech, a pioneering initiative tailored exclusively for women. This groundbreaking programmeme seeks to empower women not only in workplaces and society but also in the realms of digital startup ventures and innovation. Through this initiative, the Bank pledges to provide vital support and resources to women in the tech sector, thereby bolstering their contributions to the economy.
The Guardian
30-06-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
‘We educate and advocate': how a workplace network is helping women thrive in tech
Helping women thrive in technology is personal for Lulu Isdory, who grew up in a low-income household in Tanzania. 'Working in this area wasn't something I even could have dreamed about before getting a scholarship to study in the UK,' says Isdory, who joined EY as a technology consultant last year. Now Isdory, who specialises in projects that use SAP software to manage business operations and customer relations, wants others to benefit from her experience. She is on the committee for the EY Women in Technology network, an inclusive initiative that supports girls and women to excel at EY. Belonging to the network brings access to resources, training courses and people. 'We connect women across different service lines, such as audit, tax, consulting or support and operations, and across different levels of the business. The idea is they can mentor each other or build strong relationships that will help them to connect, upskill and learn from each other,' Isdory says. 'Our main aim is to ensure we have more women in this space because as of now there aren't that many in the sector and there are even fewer black women with the same background as me. It's about fostering greater levels of diversity across the industry,' she adds. Caroline Morton, senior manager and chair of the Women in Technology network, says the group is 'a space to explore and grow yourself with a network of like-minded people'. Despite the name, anyone can join. 'We educate and incubate, and we innovate and advocate,' she adds. 'Being in tech can sometimes be lonely. People often feel everyone else is the expert and that they can't become the expert themselves. But our network provides the space [for that to happen],' says Morton. The 'multi-service line' approach makes the EY Women in Technology network an ideal space for people – and future recruits – to prosper, she adds. 'You can move across service lines and get a different perspective on something. If a tax transformation project required an IT element or a tech solution, we would have the expertise in the subject matter in terms of the tax area as well as in the consulting and transformation space.' The network also has a big focus on learning and development. In 2024, about 1,300 members took part in an initiative to gain a qualification, 'an EY badge' in AI, accredited by Hult International Business School. 'If you wanted to follow up and do a tech MBA, you could,' adds Morton, who says half of all participants gained an AI badge. In keeping with the ethos of development, Morton herself won bronze in the EY Global Women in Technology Community Leader of the Year Awards this June. The network provides a good place for new recruits to connect or expand their business relationships. Activities range from speaker talks to informal chats over coffee and vary from in-person events to virtual ones. 'A speaker might share her journey to inspire other women, while also talking about any challenges she faced and things that worked for her which might help others,' says Isdory. Belonging to the group can open doors to new opportunities. 'If you're part of the network, you're able to quickly access advice, experience and insights from other members who span the whole business. There is a multiplier effect from what everyone of us knows,' says Morton. As well as being a place to discuss challenges, the group is also somewhere to celebrate – and create – victories. 'I was recently nominated for an external award because of the work I've been doing for the Women in Tech network,' says Isdory, who has won a number or prestigious awards, including most recently a WeAreTheCity Rising Star 2025 Award. Above all, Morton wants her members to be more confident. 'Sometimes you have to remind people that you're just as good as the person standing next to you and that you will bring diversity of thought as well as outcomes to their project.' She recently followed her own advice ahead of taking on a new brief. 'I put myself in a vulnerable position and said: 'Why can't I be the programme director when you look at all the skills I'd bring?'' And guess what? She was. Discover more about tech consulting careers at EY. Join our online talent community to read more career stories and receive all the latest news
Entrepreneur
23-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
International Women in Engineering Day 2025: Why Women in Engineering Still Face a Leadership Cliff
"We do not need to replicate the old boys' clubs. Today, platforms like LinkedIn give us access to knowledge, connections, and visibility on our own terms… That is the kind of culture that helps women not just stay, but thrive," says Rekha Vijayalakshmi, SVP, Global Client Delivery, Mphasis You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. As the world celebrates the 12th annual International Women in Engineering Day under the theme "Together We Engineer", it is time to spotlight the challenges and progress of women in engineering leadership. Despite a growing talent pool, women remain underrepresented in core engineering roles and executive positions in heavy industry and manufacturing sectors that collectively contribute nearly 20 per cent of India's GDP. In 2025, the statistics remain concerning. While women now comprise 40 per cent of India's STEM graduates, they make up only three per cent of the core engineering workforce, and roughly 12 per cent in broader technology roles. The numbers shrink further when we examine representation in mid-management and leadership levels. But the journey is not all bleak. Inspirational leaders across the industry are stepping forward to challenge the status quo, create supportive ecosystems, and lead with purpose. The Drop-Off Dilemma Rekha Vijayalakshmi, SVP, Global Client Delivery at Mphasis, observes a significant fall in female representation beyond entry-level roles. "While nearly 40 per cent of engineering graduates are women, the number reduces to just about 15–20 per cent in mid-management. Many women leave the workforce or opt out of career advancement due to the need to juggle responsibilities, lack of relatable role models, and lack of self confidence in their own abilities." She emphasises the importance of defining purpose early in one's career. "When women know their purpose, they are more likely to aspire for leadership roles and take the necessary steps to achieve them… Purpose-driven leadership not only helps women navigate challenges and make deliberate career choices, but also inspires teams and organisations to pursue meaningful, impactful work." Resilience Through Purpose and Impact Noopur Julka, Senior Director at UST UK, touches on the invisible battles women face in engineering environments. "Women engineers often navigate isolation, bias, and the weight of needing to overperform, I am guilty and work on it daily. Yet resilience is born when purpose meets action anchored in the impact of our work." She highlights a moment of impact from her own team. "Recently, one associate on my team built an accessibility feature that helps people with disabilities better navigate digital experiences: a powerful reminder that we're changing lives, one line of code at a time." On mentorship, she shares a fresh perspective: "Women often seek female mentors, which is valuable but I've found the most transformative insights sometimes come from male allies who challenge assumptions and broaden horizons." Tackling Bias and Creating Visibility Karuna Tiwari, Data Scientist, Digital Products & Solutions at Hinduja Global Solutions, shares how women engineers often have to constantly prove their technical worth. "Women in engineering often face unconscious bias and must repeatedly prove their technical expertise. Many counter this by building strong portfolios, mentoring others, and asserting visibility during reviews." She adds that flexible work options and structured support systems are essential. "Balancing work and caregiving is another significant challenge, which can be addressed through flexible schedules, effective time management, and peer support." Karuna underscores the role of purpose in building culture and future talent."Women leaders grounded in purpose don't just advance their careers; they influence culture, drive ethical innovation, and inspire others to follow. This ripple effect plays a key role in making engineering a more inclusive, impactful, and sustainable field for all." Thriving in Tech, But With Challenges While the Information Technology sector has seen higher participation rates, the path remains complex. Ushasri Tirumala, Executive Vice President & GM at Manhattan Associates, notes, "In India, women are thriving in the Information Technology sector, more than 30 per cent of our centre in India comprises women. Women are also making significant strides in engineering and R&D organizations." However, mid-career off-ramping remains a real hurdle. "Mid-career off ramping due to maternity and family care responsibilities is another major barrier… During key life events, when time is stretched across multiple responsibilities, women are less likely to pursue challenging roles that require significant learning investment or travel." She draws inspiration from pioneering women like Shakuntala Bhagat, India's first woman civil engineer to design over 70 bridges, and Anuradha TK, the ISRO scientist behind several key satellite missions. Ushasri believes that professional networks and purposeful learning are essential to advancement. "To thrive, women engineers need consistent encouragement, purposeful learning and development opportunities and, most importantly, a seat at the table and a voice in the decision-making process." How organisations can help further? Rekha Vijayalakshmi shares how organisations can help women succeed. "One of the most powerful things an organisation can do is create space for meaningful conversations… Mentorship is not about giving advice, it's about asking the right questions and helping people think more deeply about their own journeys." She also advocates for building modern, inclusive networks. "We do not need to replicate the old boys' clubs. Today, platforms like LinkedIn give us access to knowledge, connections, and visibility on our own terms… That is the kind of culture that helps women not just stay, but thrive." The message from Indian women leaders is clear: the leadership must be rooted in purpose, because purpose fuels resilience, nurtures growth, and sparks cultural change.
CTV News
20-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
New group, Women in Trades and Technology, launches in Timmins
The Timmins Chamber of Commerce served as a backdrop for the launch of a new group called Women in Trades and Tech Timmins on Thursday. A general meeting of the Timmins Chamber of Commerce served as a backdrop for the launch of a new group called Women in Trades and Tech Timmins -- or WITT, for short. WITT co-chair Ashley Richards-Gagnon said many women are working in trade- and tech-related fields in the community, but most of them are behind a desk. Women in trades Women in Trades and Technology Timmins (WITT) is open to all individuals working in trades and technology. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News) 'Less than five per cent of the community are women in the trades, which is still very low,' said Richards-Gagnon. 'It would be nice to see more women get hands-on work.' WITT's mission is to foster an inclusive and supportive network for women working in trades and technology across all sectors. Men are encouraged to join the group as allies. Phil Archambault, owner of Fountain Tire, is one of WITT's founding sponsors. 'Women have a lot of great skill sets that are valuable to either mechanical work or tech work, so we feel it's important to explore that opportunity and maybe it's fit for them,' said Archambault. His daughter, Lindsay Walker, is learning a variety of jobs at the family-owned business, including tire changeovers. 'Of course, I was intimidated by it,' said Walker. 'I mean, this is a shop full of men who know what they're doing, and have known for years, right, but I felt like I almost needed to do this to prove to myself that, you know, that I could and kind of give inspiration to other women.' Women trades2 Women in Trades and Technology Timmins (WITT) is open to all individuals working in trades and technology. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News) Richards-Gagnon said one of the biggest obstacles to overcome is education. Starts with education 'It all starts from education: education at home and from the guidance counsellors,' she said. 'A lot of young students, they don't know the different opportunities there are in the construction industry. And if you don't grow up in that environment, it's hard to know about it. I feel that high schools … really pushed university. Even though going to college or going into the trades directly is a really good option.' Membership to WITT is set at $25 to ensure accessibility and to remove barriers. It's open to all individuals working in trades and technology, from welders and electricians to cooks and greenhouse technicians. If you work with your hands, solve problems and build systems, Richards-Gagnon said you belong.
