Industry Leaders Outline Systemic Changes Needed to Boost Women’s Representation in STEM Fields

Building Systems for Sustainable Inclusion in STEM

Technology leaders are calling for fundamental systemic changes to increase women’s participation in STEM fields, where they currently represent just 28% of the global workforce according to recent industry reports. The discussion comes as the industry reflects on the legacy of computing pioneer Ada Lovelace, whose visionary work continues to inspire generations of women in technology.

From Tokenism to Meaningful Responsibility

Sources indicate that true empowerment in STEM fields requires more than superficial initiatives. Sarah Law, senior VP of Business Operations at Veracode, argues that organizations must build systems that “align capability with opportunity” while holding leaders accountable for ensuring access and clarity. “It’s not about special treatment – it’s about removing bias, ambiguity and friction from the system,” Law states according to the report.

Analysts suggest that inclusion only matters when it creates space for genuine leadership development, a principle that extends across various industry developments and sectors.

Developing Critical Skills for Future Technologies

Building expertise in emerging fields like artificial intelligence and quantum computing is crucial for enabling women to succeed, according to Kathrin Kind, chief data scientist and AI director at Cognizant. She emphasizes the distinction between “a career in AI, and a career with AI,” noting that both paths require curiosity and boldness, and both depend on having women’s voices at the table.

Divya Gautam, head of AI at Dexory, makes a similar case for robotics and other related innovations, stating that diversity serves as fuel for innovation rather than merely being a nice-to-have attribute in emerging sectors.

Mentorship and Structural Support Systems

The report highlights that mentorship plays a crucial role in career development, with Nikita Miller, CPO at TravelPerk, describing her mentors as a “personal board of directors.” However, industry leaders question whether mentorship alone can transform the industry at large.

Nassima Auvray, director of Defence and Security at Orange Business, points to structural programs like the Women Up initiative as essential for meaningful change. “Public commitments like this encourage reflection, challenge stereotypes and help improve retention,” she states, adding that meaningful change requires everyone’s involvement and cannot rely solely on individual market trends or isolated efforts.

Redefining Leadership Culture

For Kat Judd, chief people officer at Lucid Software, the challenge extends beyond bringing women into senior roles to redefining leadership itself. “When we provide opportunities for women to learn from one another, share experiences and build confidence in their abilities, we create the foundation for lasting success,” she explains according to the report.

This perspective is echoed by Sarah Hoffman, director of Research, AI at AlphaSense, who recalls being mistaken for a child during her first internship. “That was the moment I realised how unusual it was to be a woman in technology,” she states, emphasizing that current efforts must ensure women know they belong and that their creativity and problem-solving skills are exactly what STEM needs.

The Path Forward for Women in STEM

Industry experts conclude that progress requires a multi-faceted approach combining authenticity, strong mentor relationships, and structural changes to leadership culture. As the report states, for technologies to better reflect society, women must be provided the tools to play key roles in reshaping the future of STEM fields.

The collective insights from these technology leaders suggest that sustainable change will depend on building systems where women are not only present but empowered to drive innovation and direction across all scientific and technological disciplines.

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