Removing Barriers In STEM Industries 

Lori MacVittie, F5 Distinguished Engineer, F5, acknowleges the challenges women often face in the workplace:

“Throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand how women can often become excluded from important conversations or have their voices or ideas overlooked or, worse, misattributed. These imbalances are more common than we’d like to admit. In facing these situations, it’s important to remain focused on the outcome of the meeting or the project. If a contribution from a woman is ignored, or misattributed for instance, it’s important to speak up – whether by repeating, expanding on the idea in the moment, or following up with stakeholders afterward."

For Oana Jinga, Co-Founder, Dexory, visibility and representation are crucial:

“While the rhetoric around diversity in STEM being vital to improved products and solutions is true, we must talk about how we can make this industry more appealing to women and girls. Thankfully, it’s an exciting time to be in the industry but female leaders need to be more visible, the female workforce celebrated, and barriers regularly being broken if we’re to encourage better diversity. Remember, inclusion isn’t optional.”

Sophie Cox, Chair of DEI Council, Ricoh Europe, emphasises the need to improve female representation in STEM industries:

“I believe the key to this, and to improving diversity in all manner of speaking, is allyship; when someone outside an underrepresented group supports others within it. Authentic allyship goes beyond words and drives change through action. This can manifest in various ways, both big and small. It can be as simple as recognising and challenging microaggressions in the workplace, to investing in specific initiatives and diversity targets that benchmark and track progress.”

Role for Schools in Tacking the Gender Gap

Julie Kae, VP Sustainability and DE&I, Qlik highlights the current gender gap:

"In the AI industry, for instance, only 20% of the roles are held by women, which reflects the imbalance across the tech sector. As more technologies are developed, maintaining a gender balance will become more important. The gender imbalance in technology starts with STEM education at school, and it is imperative that we do whatever we can to balance these numbers.”  

Clare Loveridge, Vice President and General Manager EMEA, Arctic Wolf, agrees that creating a diverse future has to start in schools:

“Schools and businesses need to make a conscious effort to tackle this gender imbalance by encouraging more women into these careers. This starts with increasing the number of female role models and recruiting employees from a diverse range of backgrounds. This will allow businesses to attract a wider range of talent, perspectives and ways of thinking, contributing to the development of highly innovative solutions to the challenges facing leaders today.” 

By tackling gender disparities, organisations can expand the talent pool and pave the way for a more inclusive, forward-thinking tech industry that empowers women and fosters innovation for future generations. Creating diverse teams not only enhances creativity and problem-solving, but also reflects a broader range of perspectives that drive meaningful change. It’s a win-win for all: businesses strengthen their competitiveness, while contributing for a more equitable society with many more women in STEM fields."

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