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Rewriting the Script: Women Coding the Future in Tech
This is your Women in Business podcast.
If there’s one thing the past few years have proven, it’s that women in tech are rewriting the script—even when the plot twists keep coming. Welcome back to Women in Business, where we spotlight bold voices and true stories from the front lines of the digital economy. Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on how women are navigating the current economic landscape in the ever-evolving tech industry—where the hurdles are real, but the potential for transformation is even greater.
Let’s call it like it is: despite incredible progress, less than a third of all roles in the digital sector are held by women according to CompTIA’s latest tech workforce report. In the U.S., the number is just over 27 percent, and when it comes to leadership, the story’s even more stark—only about 14 percent of global tech leaders are women, the same as last year, but still almost double the figure from 2015. It’s progress, just not fast enough.
This brings me to our first key discussion point: Representation and the Glass Ceiling. Despite women making up nearly half the U.S. workforce, only about one in four STEM roles are held by women. In fields like artificial intelligence and engineering, it’s even worse. At the executive level, women hold fewer than 20 percent of c-suite positions like CTOs. These numbers matter—not just as a metric of fairness, but as a measure of lost innovation and economic opportunity.
Economic volatility and layoffs in the tech sector have been our second big trend. Recent waves of downsizing have disproportionately impacted women, putting new pressure on careers that were already underrepresented and often marginalized. During the pandemic, remote work offered greater flexibility—but also led to increased burnout for many women in the industry. As we shape the new normal, prioritizing well-being and flexible work arrangements isn’t just progressive, it’s essential.
The third point is about the power of skills and ongoing education. Skillsoft’s Women in Tech Report emphasizes that gaining expertise in areas like artificial intelligence and data science isn’t just beneficial—it’s crucial for closing gender gaps. Yet, as of this year, only about 40 percent of women tech professionals are actively working with AI, and most say it boosts their productivity. To make real gains, we need more targeted training and access to emerging tech for women at all levels.
Mentorship and sponsorship are our fourth talking point, and let’s make this personal. According to the Women in Tech Statistics report, women with strong mentors and sponsors are twice as likely to advance into leadership positions, and significantly more resilient to workplace bias. These relationships build visibility and confidence, and without them, too many talented women remain on the sidelines.
Finally, let’s get real about the future: Closing the gender gap in tech has been estimated by McKinsey to add $12 trillion to global GDP, and most women in the industry believe true parity may still be five, ten, or even twenty years away. But there’s a new optimism fueled by inclusive policies, women-founded startups, and shifting perspectives in forward-thinking metros from San Jose to Columbia, South Carolina.
To every woman shaping the code, the teams, and the future—I see you. Let’s keep pushing for more seats at the table, more hands building the next world, and more stories told.
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Published on 3 months ago