Ada Lovelace Day, October 8 is a time to encourage women and girls into careers in technology and to create a more inclusive and equitable working environment for them. We asked some successful women in tech about fostering diverse networks and promoting equal opportunities for women in technology.

As the world experiences rapid advancements in AI and technology, the need for diverse voices to shape these developments is critical. Yet, the digital skills gap still poses a challenge, often excluding talented individuals—especially women—from participating in the next wave of innovation. This is why, on this year’s Ada Lovelace Day, the call to support women and girls in STEM to continue breaking down barriers is more urgent than ever.

We asked ten women who have climbed the career ladder in the male-dominated world of software engineering, cybersecurity and technology consulting about the crucial importance of fostering diverse networks and promoting equal opportunities for women in technology.

The Importance of Diversity

Kathy Diaz, Chief People Officer, Cognizant, comments on the role of Ada Lovelace Day as we move into the era of GenAI:

“As we look towards the future, ensuring teams have diversity – both of thought and of background – will be vital if organisations want to make the most of emerging technology like generative AI. This is why Ada Lovelace Day is so important in championing female role models who can inspire the next generation of women to study STEM. On top of promoting traditional STEM skills, it’s also a moment to highlight how tech jobs and skills will evolve in the age of AI. 

With GenAI, a profound shift in how tech workers spend their day-to-day is coming. Human judgement, adaptability and continuous learning will become more vital than ever alongside traditional STEM knowledge, and organizations will require a vast range of skills, from communication to creativity, if they want to make the most of new technology. As a people leader in tech, I have the privilege to empower our employees and our organisation to successfully navigate this transformation and ensure they feel supported on their journey. It’s an exciting time to be in this industry, and diverse thinking and perspectives are more in demand than ever, so I encourage all women to consider a career in technology.”

Sue-Ellen Wright, MD, Aerospace Defence and Security, Sopra Steria highlights the need for a gender-balanced workforce for the well-being of the STEM sector:

“We know better diversity is integral to improved technological innovation which is increasingly impacting our day-to-day lives. The diversity of thought that a more balanced workforce will bring means more ethically designed technology and improved innovation. Not only this, but more women in STEM will widen the talent pool and narrow the skills gap currently faced. As such, women must be encouraged to build their digital skills, aim for senior decision-making roles around technology, and join the sector no matter where they are in their life or careers. Failure to do this will see the STEM industry stagnate.” 

Dawn Rogers, Chief Legal Officer, Veracode, refers to the benefits of have a diverse team:

“Gender diversity plays a key role in cybersecurity and software development – diverse teams bring varied perspectives, enabling them to spot unique threats and devise creative solutions to emerging challenges. In an era where cybersecurity requires constant advancement over increasingly sophisticated threats, this range of insights is essential for identifying vulnerabilities that homogenous teams might overlook. As AI reshapes our industry, entirely new skillsets are required, meaning organisations can open up more opportunities than ever for women to succeed. Innovation thrives when diverse minds work together.”

Catherine Ramsdale, SVP Technology, Pragmatic, refers to her company's positive experience:

“It’s been demonstrated time and time again that diverse companies are more successful. At Pragmatic Semiconductor, I’m lucky enough to work with bright minds from all over the world, with a percentage of female employees significantly higher than the industry average, and a dedicated programme – Female Leaders in Technology – to ensure we’re empowering our women to be the best they can be. As a recently elected Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, I have both the responsibility and the pleasure of working to promote greater equality in the workplace, but early intervention is equally important.”

Claire Montgomery, Senior Director, Software Engineering, G-P, is looking to foster greater diversity and inclusivity:

“In moving up from a technical background to a leadership role, I’ve realised leadership isn’t just about having the right technology skills – it’s about driving positive change and making a lasting impact on others’ careers. For me, a key part of this has always been helping to create a more diverse and inclusive tech industry."