Now in its 11th year, International Women in Engineering Day serves as a reminder of contributions that women engineers make to the tech sector every day – and what’s still needed to overcome its gender gap.
Barkha Herman, Developer Advocate, StarTree
“Diversity is crucial for driving innovation, not just a buzzword. When women and underrepresented groups get equal opportunities, their unique perspectives propel technology forward, creating more inclusive products. For instance, a woman-led company transformed defense robots into the first autonomous vacuum cleaners for homes. Diversity builds our future across industries and in our daily life. We must continue breaking barriers and stereotypes to inspire future generations of women to pursue engineering and STEM careers.
As a Developer Advocate and a Woman in Engineering, visibility is key. Being seen on conference stages and behind the scenes normalizes women’s presence in tech, making it easier for others to follow. It’s about showcasing the diverse skills and viewpoints women bring to the table. Our achievements, whether highlighted or behind the scenes, are crucial to industry progress. We need to support and celebrate each other, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.
Creating equal opportunities in engineering and STEM is not just right; it’s smart business. Embracing diversity and inclusion taps into the full potential of our talent pool, driving innovation and growth. Let’s keep advocating for change, inspiring future generations, and celebrating the contributions of women in engineering today and every day.”
ChanChan Mao, Developer Advocate, Alluxio
“To celebrate International Women in Engineering Day is to celebrate ourselves and the growing representation of women as the tech industry evolves. I am always so in awe every time I attend tech events and conferences and I see a woman on stage confidently speaking on her area of expertise. Growing up as a little girl in the heart of Silicon Valley, it’s easy to be underestimated and overshadowed by the lack of gender diversity. Perhaps the most valuable lesson I’ve learned, as cliche as it sounds, is that we can do it! Our intelligence, our passion, and our innovative minds are beyond gender labels; our opportunities for growth and leadership should also be. We all have incredible potential to achieve outstanding careers in tech, and we are not allowing gender stereotypes to hinder our success.
Elisa La Roche, Senior Director, Support Engineering, Starburst
To women passionate about engineering and technology, be curious, be bold and believe that your ideas are important to achieving a greater goal. To those pursuing a career in leadership, we have more opportunities than ever to influence the change we want to see. Our commitment to developing young women professionals and early education programs to support them strengthens the field of engineering for generations to come.
By celebrating the achievements of women in engineering, we shine a spotlight on their contributions to the industry, highlighting the difference diversity makes and inspiring all those interested in pursuing a future in engineering.”
Margaret Hoagland, VP, Global Sales & Marketing, SIOS Technology
“Remember to be courageous enough to take your time. Trust in yourself and your audience. When you have something to say, know that it is worth the wait. I’ve witnessed countless brilliant women diminish their impact by feeling rushed and speaking too quickly. So, pause. Reflect on your next words. Stand firm. Make them wait. Speak slower, move with purpose. Your voice matters, especially in STEM.”
Saadia Khan, VP of Engineering and DevOps, Hammerspace
“I have devoted my career as an engineer to advancing technology and innovation, consistently breaking new ground with my team and defying stereotypes. Throughout my journey, I have achieved notable successes with several patents, contributed to open-source software communities, and engaged in standardization efforts. My commitment to innovation and progress underscores my belief that International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) is not just a celebration but a crucial societal event showcasing women’s invaluable contributions to engineering.
Despite the distinct hurdles many have encountered in building careers and advancing into leadership in the high-tech space – we can ignite the curiosity of the next generation of women to explore the diverse opportunities available in the STEM fields.
Luz Geist, Director of Engineering, Cubic Defense
“As a female engineer established in my career, I have learned to embrace the good with the bad life lessons along the way, they made me who I am today. Fundamentally, to continue growing and learning, it requires challenging yourself and getting out of your comfort zone not for the certainty of outcome, but for the certainty that you will come out wiser. The value comes when one learns to harness those experiences to support other women striving to meet their ambitions. In today’s fast-paced world it is essential to elevate other women around us, be a good role model and mentor. I always encourage learning from someone else’s experiences, ask questions, push boundaries and take chances.
Annemie Vanoossterhout, Release and Project Manager, Datadobi
“It’s essential for everyone, regardless of gender, to create inclusive workspaces. Remote work is one way to allow for more flexible hours and benefit women tasked with balancing their family life and their job responsibilities. However, the responsibility to challenge the status quo doesn’t solely lie with organizations: as women, we must also push beyond perceived limitations.
The key to accomplishing change is collaboration, and it should not be a solitary endeavor. Together, we can make a significant impact and pave the way for future generations of women engineers.”
Chrissay Brinkmann, PreSales Engineer, Leaseweb USA
“As a woman in STEM, I’ve faced the challenge of feeling the need to demonstrate my value and expertise alongside my male counterparts, something I think other women in my field can relate to. Thankfully, I believe that women have made immense progress in the past 15 years, with more and more women joining the tech industry without having to face the same difficulties that many other women, including myself, experienced at the start of their careers.
Everyone approaches situations uniquely and from my experience, gender parity in STEM provides diverse perspectives, enhances efficiency and facilitates creative solutions. A word of advice to girls and women interested in engineering: there are a multitude of programs to help you find your niche so do your research and remember, a career in STEM puts you at the forefront of technology.”
Prerana Singhal, Founding Engineer, Traceable AI
“Occupations like engineering and tech are no longer considered jobs specifically for men. I am very glad to see that women’s interests in STEM are now being fostered instead of being deterred by what was considered a ‘societal norm’ for women. While there is still a long way to go, strides have been made in ensuring that women have a place in the engineering field. Now we must continue to pave the way for the new generation of female engineers. Young girls need to see more examples of female engineers, they need to see their accomplishments be celebrated, and they need to know that this line of work can be so much fun.”
Soujanya Namburi, Software Engineer, Traceable AI
Young girls can be inspired to pursue careers in engineering by introducing them to STEM opportunities early on, fostering their interests through mentorship programs or clubs, and showcasing diverse role models in the field. For existing female engineers, employers can foster an environment where women feel comfortable leading by prioritizing respect and inclusivity. They can do this by implementing equal pay initiatives and being transparent with promotion processes to ensure fairness and opportunity for all employees. Additionally, they can implement a culture of zero tolerance for discrimination and open communication. These things will help create a supportive atmosphere where women can thrive in leadership roles without fear.”
Chen Webber-Kentor, Group Product Manager, Zerto
“Now in its 11th year, International Women in Engineering Day serves as a reminder of the hard work and contributions that women engineers make every day but also to call attention to the gender gap in the engineering industry. Globally, women hold less than 30% of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs, but in my role as group product manager at Zerto, I have the pleasure of working with a diverse and talented team of engineers. As we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day, I reaffirm my belief that gender parity in STEM provides diverse perspectives and unique problem-solving approaches that lead to more innovative and balanced solutions.
My passion for engineering lies in its challenging nature and the creative possibilities it offers, and I actively encourage more girls and women to pursue this exciting field. Achieving gender equality in STEM requires a proactive approach: setting clear objectives, crafting opportunities, and imparting the significance of diversity and inclusion to all employees. Additionally, fostering an inclusive culture, where women have equal opportunities for career advancement, is key for an organization’s success.”
Deepika Gajaria, VP of GTM and Strategy, Securin
“The STEM field has historically faced challenges in embracing new perspectives and voices. However, you possess the qualities necessary to thrive in this field if you have a passion for problem-solving, a curious mindset, a desire to make an impact, and a willingness to learn and network.
Within my own journey, the experiences and qualities I collected throughout my career have provided me with valuable insights that the technology industry and my organization values. Because of this, I am passionate about enabling more women and individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue their dreams in STEM.
Those willing to learn, build connections, ask questions, and tackle problems independently have significant opportunities to contribute meaningfully, no matter their background.”
