Breaking Barriers: Women in Tech Across The Org

Technology is often viewed through the lens of engineering and coding, but the reality is far broader—women in tech span every role, from marketing and operations to engineering, sales, and leadership. Yet, despite this diversity of opportunities, women still make up only 25% of the technology workforce.

The underrepresentation of women isn't just about numbers; it's about the missed innovation, untapped potential, and limited perspectives in an industry shaping the future. To close the gender gap, we must redefine what it means to be a woman in technology and ensure that women see a pathway to leadership—no matter their role.

Redefining Women in Tech: It's More Than Just Engineering

The misconception that technology careers are only for engineers and developers often discourages women from entering the field. In reality, tech thrives because of a diverse range of roles, including marketing and communications who craft the stories that define brands and engage customers, operations and strategy who drive efficiency, process innovation, and business transformation, sales and customer success, who connect customers with solutions and ensuring long-term success, engineering and product development who build and innovate the technology itself and of course, leadership and executive role that shape company vision and drive industry change.

Every woman working in tech, whether as a marketer, engineer, strategist, or salesperson, plays a role in shaping the industry. The key is recognizing the value of each contribution and ensuring women have a seat at every table.

Networking: The Key to Career Growth

One of the biggest accelerators for women in tech is networking -- and networking specifically through mentorship. Having guidance from those who have navigated similar career paths helps women build confidence, develop critical skills, and expand their networks.

Why Mentorship Matters for Women in Tech

• Provides career navigation insights—whether in engineering, marketing, or sales.
• Offers encouragement in male-dominated fields where women may feel isolated.
• Opens doors to leadership opportunities by connecting women to industry leaders.
• Builds confidence to take risks and step into new challenges.

Networking is a valuable part of career growth and paired with mentorship, it can expose you to circles you would never have known. For every networking call, ask for 3 people for that person to introduce you to as an intro. Women should seek out mentors who understand the nuances of their field but then also, seek out networking opportunities that differ from what they do to expand their knowledge of business. The more diverse the mentorship network, the broader the career opportunities.

Beyond Mentorship: The Power of Sponsorship

While mentorship provides guidance, sponsorship is critical in driving career advancement. Sponsors don't just offer advice—they actively advocate for you, recommending you for promotions, leadership roles, and high-impact projects.

For women working in tech—especially in marketing, sales, and operations—sponsorship is critical to breaking into executive leadership roles. The reality of our situation? Many women aren't offered the same sponsorship opportunities as men.

To close the gap, companies must:

• Encourage women to seek sponsors—leaders who will advocate for their careers.
• Ensure equal access to leadership opportunities across all functions, not just engineering.
• Recognize that women in marketing, sales, and operations deserve the same advancement as their technical counterparts.
• Creating an Inclusive Tech Culture

Attracting more women to technology roles isn't just about hiring—it's about retaining and advancing them through inclusive workplace cultures. Organizations should:

• Expand the definition of "women in tech" beyond engineering to include marketing, sales, admins, ops, strategy, and more. 
• Set clear goals for gender diversity in leadership across all business units.
• Invest in leadership development programs for women in non-technical roles.
• Encourage male allies to advocate for and support women's career growth.

Many companies have recognized that gender diversity fuels innovation and business success. But progress requires more than talk—it requires action to ensure women see real opportunities for advancement, no matter their role in tech.
 

This International Women's Day, the message is clear: Tech isn't just for engineers. Tech is for YOU. Whether you're in marketing, sales, operations, or product development, your role matters in shaping the future of our women leaders.

What Can You Do Today?

✔ Reach out to three women in your industry and learn about their career paths.
✔ Find a mentor or sponsor who can advocate for your growth.
✔ Expand your network by engaging with women across different functions in tech.
✔ Advocate for yourself—ask for leadership opportunities, promotions, and stretch projects.

Women in tech code, lead, sell, market, and strategize. It's time to redefine what it means to be a woman in technology—and claim the space we have earned.