Happy International Women’s Day from the team at Women Love Tech!
Every year, we produce a powerful video series for our site, Women Love Tech, inviting senior female tech leaders from around the globe to share their views on shifting the status quo. This year’s resounding theme is “Balancing the Scales”: a profound call to action that challenges us to rethink inclusion, not just in the global tech landscape, but everywhere we go, including the spaces we travel and explore.
You can watch the incredible compilation of over 20 plus senior tech leaders sharing their truths here:
Drawing from the wisdom of these global leaders, here is what “Balancing the Scales” truly means for women today, whether we are navigating a boardroom or navigating a new continent:
“It doesn’t have to be this way” | Johanna Weaver
And Silke Barlow, Country Manager at Lenovo A/NZ, points out “Leadership is a choice, not a title.”
Equipped, Not Just Included
Louise Nobes, Head of Education at WiseTech Global, says “Balancing the scales means that women should not just be included, they should be equipped. Stereotypes starts early with girls.”
Praveena Raman wisely points out that talent is equally distributed, but opportunity often isn’t. Gender equality has moved far past being a “nice-to-have”, it is a strategic imperative.
The 3% Problem: Why We Need More Women in Entrepreneurship I Ines Besbes Founder and CEO Seedext
Tando Matanda, CEO of Musa, focuses on the importance of supporting women in the start up world.
“Around the world incredible women are building business and driving incedible societal growth but the system that are in place to move opportunities and capital leave them feeling unseen. When we build clearer pathways we build better business outcomes and communities,” she says. “That is why we built Musa.”
Julie Imam, Co-Founder & CEO — Tractor Ventures says: “To balance the scales, we need to have more men in these conversations.”
What true equity in tech means for Carolyn Breeze, CEO Scalare Partners.
Beyond the Quota
Valuing Women’s Ideas is what matters says Danielle Johansen, THREADICATED
Standing Out in a Sea of Uniformity
One tech leader recalled walking into a room of tech men all dressed in black, wondering where she fit in. But she realised the real question was: Where do I stand out?
Instead of shrinking to fit a system we didn’t design, Kate McKenzie is the Chief Executive Officer of the ENTECH Roadshow chose to be the colour in the room.
“My introduction to the industry where I work was a sea of men in black,” says Kate, reminding us that we need to share our unique perspectives, and boldly lead our own path.
While Mariette Syman, Marketing Director for ANZ at IFS, highlights a frustrating reality in corporate leadership, noting that “Women are often expected to be strategic and likeable when men are simply expected to lead”. She shares her own firsthand experience with this double standard, explaining that when she has challenged decisions in boardrooms, she was told she was “way to direct while my male peers were praised as decisive”. She firmly calls out that this “is unfair”.
To move forward and really balance the scales, we need everything to be “equitable” – and that includes equal pay.
Equality Happens by Design, Not by Accident
Progress doesn’t just happen; true equality happens by design, Lisa Claes , President of Cotality
Many senior female tech leaders said redesigning these environments and our own mindsets is vital so that women have the absolute freedom to lead authentically without double standards.
Amplifying Diverse Voices and Opportunities
Currently, only a fraction of global venture capital goes to startups founded by women, yet women continue to innovate, build, and shape tomorrow. When we empower women to lead—whether they are building resilient tech communities, directing films, or creating economic independence for refugee and migrant women through initiatives like The Social Outfiit – we strengthen entire industries and communities.
A Heartbeat Throughout the Year
Tipping the scales toward a more inclusive future isn’t achieved through one giant, grand gesture, nor should it be confined to a single day of celebration. It relies on a continuous “heartbeat” throughout the year, said Nicola Dow Smith, the ANZ Senior Region Director at Cricut.
Carolyn Breeze, CEO of Scalare Partners echoed her sentiment.
It is the everyday choices we make—the small actions, the mentorships, the transparent pay structures, and the daily accountability.
The Future We Want to See
As one leader Silke Barlow, Country General Manager Australia, Lenovo beautifully states, ‘leadership is a choice, not a title”. We all play a role in tipping the scales.
“For the young girls of tomorrow, we want a world where they are safe, heard, and completely free to shape their own futures,” said Sara Elmstrøm, CEO, CXO2.
Why Intentions Aren’t Enough: Shifting the Dial on Gender Equity | Dr Kathryn Daley, RMIT
Just as these incredible women advocate for taking up space and driving innovation in the tech world, we at Women Love Tech encourages you to boldly take up space globally. Find the clarity of your purpose, never hesitate to speak up, and let your unique perspective expand what leadership looks like for us all.
When the tide rises, everybody lifts. Happy International Women’s Day!
