International Women’s Day began in the early 20th century, shaped by labor movements that pushed for voting rights, fair pay and safer working conditions. The first National Woman’s Day took place in the United States in 1909, followed by international gatherings across Europe in 1911. The United Nations formally recognized March 8 in 1975, expanding the day into a global checkpoint for progress in equity, representation and leadership.
In cybersecurity and enterprise technology, that progress now centers on who designs systems and how accountability is built into them. Jessica Hammond, Senior Director Product Management-AI, Protegrity, connects the evolution of AI to the need for diverse leadership:
“This International Women’s Day, I am reflecting on what it means to be a woman building technology at a time when AI systems are gaining unprecedented autonomy. As machines begin to reason, generate and act with increasing independence, the defining question is not only what these systems can do, but who is shaping how they do it. Women are not standing on the sidelines of this transformation. We are leading it.
Over the past decade, I have had the privilege of leading product and engineering teams, scaling autonomous AI systems, and bringing generative AI into secure, regulated environments. One truth has remained constant: how we build matters as much as what we build.
Women in technology are defining this next era of AI with technical excellence, operational rigor and ethical clarity. As capabilities advance faster than the policies surrounding them, our leadership is essential, helping ensure accountability is built directly into the systems we design.”
Access to leadership roles continues to shape outcomes across the technology workforce. Kelli Stephens, Director of Product Marketing, Securin, points to gains in representation alongside gaps in advancement:
“Research shows that companies with strong female leadership provide better returns on equity, profits, and innovation through decision-making. So, why aren’t more companies looking at how they can support and promote women more proactively in the workforce faster? For example, over the past 50 years, women’s representation in STEM has increased from 8% to about 28%. That’s meaningful progress. But women make up nearly half of the overall U.S. workforce and remain underrepresented in technical roles, particularly in senior positions where major decisions are made. When representation declines from junior to senior roles, it highlights a gap in long-term career development for women. Advancement in STEM is not just about entry-level access. It requires sustained support, clear promotion pathways, sponsorship and leadership opportunities over time.”
Organizational structure often determines whether progress continues. Patty Lin, HR & Operations Director, Luminys, frames equity as something that requires intention at every level:
“International Women’s Day gives me a reason to pause. It is a meaningful opportunity to recognize how far we have come, while also acknowledging that equity is something we still have to intentionally build, especially in the tech industry. Representation has improved, but in many spaces it is still uneven.
Throughout my career, I have often been one of the few women in the room. Those experiences shaped how I view leadership. They taught me to speak clearly, advocate for myself, and make sure others have room to do the same. Presence alone is not enough. People need space to contribute and influence decisions.”
Leadership pathways remain varied, and persistence often determines who reaches executive roles. Susan Odle, CEO at StorMagic, reflects on navigating a male-dominated industry:
“International Women’s Day is a time to recognize the progress women have made and reflect on the journeys that drove that progress. When I entered my career in technology more than 25 years ago, the industry was overwhelmingly male-dominated. However, I chose to step into that environment and focus on delivering results, while understanding that being a woman was not a limitation.
I began my career in straight commission sales and worked my way through leadership roles to the CEO seat I hold today. Throughout that journey, I have seen that performance, resilience and discipline ultimately drive success.”
Career momentum also depends on policies that reflect real life. Mena Coticelli, Account Director at Theorem, focuses on the link between workplace support and leadership advancement:
“International Women’s Day is a reminder that progress for women at work has to reflect the reality of women’s lives. In advertising and marketing, more women are entering and leading in senior roles. In fact, women now hold roughly 54% of C-suite executive roles in advertising and creative industries. But there is still a gap at the very top and in final decision-making authority.
As a working mother of two young children, I also know there is an invisible load many women carry. Meaningful support has to go beyond statements. It needs to transpire in the form of fully paid leave, flexibility that actually works in practice, and leaders who approach performance with empathy and trust.”
Sponsorship and skills development continue to influence who moves into decision-making positions. Leanne Taylor, Chief Revenue Officer at Syspro, connects opportunity with proactive leadership:
“In an ideal world, we wouldn’t need a day to spotlight women at all. Equality would simply be the standard. The fact that International Women’s Day continues to matter reminds us there is still progress to be made. In an industry that is typically very male-dominated, I’ve only once not had a male leader. But I’ve been sponsored by many women and men in my career, and I’ve always tried to approach opportunities with a simple question: ‘Why not? Why not me? Why not now?’
Particularly today as AI reshapes organizations, we have a real opportunity to rethink skills, not just roles. We need to prioritize re-skilling, challenge linear career paths, and design new roles that reflect the realities of AI-enabled businesses.”
Policy and process determine whether equitable access becomes standard practice. Kellee Classey, Head of Human Resources at C3 Integrated Solutions, ties equity to operational discipline:
“International Women’s Day is a reminder that progress doesn’t happen because we say it should, it happens because we build it into how we operate. Equity shows up in hiring decisions, in how pay is structured, and in whether people feel safe raising concerns. In industries like cybersecurity and defense, structure, accountability and compliance already guide decision making. Equity requires the same clarity and consistency, so opportunity becomes predictable rather than dependent on informal networks.”
Cultural assumptions also influence career trajectories. Deepti Mishra, Director – Product Marketing, Cyware, calls for reflection on how systems shape inclusion:
“International Women’s Day is gradually moving beyond gestures toward something more meaningful. The real opportunity this day presents is reflection. Questioning the conditioning that quietly shapes how we perceive gender, roles, leadership styles and who naturally gets heard in a room. Progress begins when we consciously challenge those patterns. Inclusion cannot only mean fitting people into systems that were not originally designed with them in mind. The next step is building environments where opportunity, influence and leadership are expected outcomes for everyone.”
Representation at senior levels continues to shift, though progress depends on access to decision-making forums. Deepti Mishra, Director – Product Marketing, Cyware, connects mentorship and opportunity to long-term change:
“International Women’s Day, to me, is a moment to pause and recognize both progress and possibility. With over 14 years in technology and product leadership, I’ve seen firsthand how representation in cybersecurity and tech has evolved. While that landscape is changing, meaningful inclusion goes beyond numbers; it demands equal access to opportunity, sponsorship, and decision-making influence.
For me, this day reinforces a simple principle: talent and ambition should shape careers, not gender.”
International Women’s Day continues to function as a checkpoint for progress across industries. In cybersecurity and enterprise technology, the conversation now centers on access to leadership, structural accountability and long-term career development. Each perspective points to the same conclusion: representation shapes outcomes, and sustained progress depends on the systems organizations build every day.
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