The technology industry is undergoing a noticeable transformation, transitioning from a mostly male-dominated field to one where women are increasingly taking on leadership roles. Moreover, women are making significant contributions across various sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity.
While Women in Tech research from 2023 highlights a persistent gender gap with women comprising only about 26% of the IT workforce, this article celebrates the women who are breaking barriers and leading the tech charge in 2024.
Albeit underrepresented, women leaders have steadily but surely curated their path in the male-dominated industry. Even the most influential women in technology have dealt with their fair share of challenges but they have been breaking barriers in the tech industry for decades. One might question how many tech CEOs are women. According to Rahmonbek, an SEO Manager, “Roughly 17 percent of technology companies currently have a woman serving as CEO.”
Women in technology statistics showcase that “women make up 35 percent of employees in STEM in the US,” according to WomenTech Network, a staggering difference across the genders. However, some have remained steadfast in their journey to accomplish their dreams, despite all odds
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Clare Barclay
Clare Barclay is a leader in the tech industry, with nearly 30 years of experience.
Currently, she leads Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) UK as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
In this role, she actively shapes the organization’s strategy for all products and services offered within the UK, while also prioritizing the continued growth and success of its commercial customer base and partner network.
Beyond her corporate leadership, Clare is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion initiatives. This passion is evident in her external roles, such as her involvement with the Advisory Council of the British Heart Foundation and the CBI’s President’s Committee.
Ruth Porat
Ruth Porat currently holds the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Alphabet and Google. Prior to joining this tech giant, Porat’s impressive career at Morgan Stanley saw her ascend to the role of Executive Vice President and CFO.
Her financial skills and unwavering leadership were demonstrably evident during the global financial crisis. In fact, she played a critical role in steering the company through those tumultuous times.
This experience, combined with her resilience and proven expertise, has garnered her widespread respect within the investment banking community.
Beth Galetti
As the Senior Vice President of “People eXperience” and Technology at Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), Beth Galetti spearheads a massive team tasked with overseeing the growth, development, and support of over a million employees worldwide.
Leveraging her experience in senior technology and operations roles at FedEx, Galetti has revolutionized HR practices at Amazon.
She actively leads a team dedicated to building user-friendly HR technology, fostering a work environment that prioritizes innovation and directly benefits Amazon’s customers.
Mira Murati
Ermira “Mira” Murati is an Albanian engineer, researcher, and tech executive who has made significant contributions to the field of artificial intelligence. Currently, she serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at OpenAI, a leading research company dedicated to advancing safe and beneficial artificial general intelligence.
Early Life and Education:
Born in Vlorë, Albania in 1988, Murati excelled in academics throughout her school years, participating in numerous math competitions and Olympiads. Her passion for STEM fields led her to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Dartmouth College, graduating in 2012.
Tech Industry Accomplishments:
Murati’s career trajectory has been impressive. After graduating, she went on to work as an engineer and product manager, notably contributing to the development of the Tesla Model X. In 2018, she joined OpenAI as the Vice President of Applied AI, quickly rising to the position of CTO.
At OpenAI, Murati has played a pivotal role in developing groundbreaking AI tools like ChatGPT, a powerful language model, and DALL-E, a revolutionary image generation system. Her leadership and technical expertise have been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence.
Beyond Technology: Advocating for AI Ethics
Murati is not just a brilliant technologist; she is also a strong advocate for responsible AI development. She recognizes the potential impact of AI on society and actively promotes ethical considerations during its creation and implementation.
A Leading Figure in AI
Mira Murati’s achievements have made her a prominent figure in the tech world, particularly within the realm of artificial intelligence. Her combination of technical prowess, leadership, and dedication to ethical AI development positions her as a key player shaping the future of this transformative technology.
Linda Yaccarino
Linda Yaccarino is a seasoned American business leader currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of X Corp, a position she assumed in June 2023. Her impressive career trajectory is marked by a deep understanding of the media and advertising landscape, along with a proven track record of success.
Early Life and Educational Background:
While the exact date is not publicly available, Linda Yaccarino was born in December 1963. She graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1985 and has remained actively involved with her alma mater, serving as a commencement speaker and mentor.
Media and Advertising Powerhouse:
Prior to leading X Corp, Yaccarino held the prestigious role of Chairman of Global Advertising & Partnerships at NBCUniversal. During her tenure, she became the first executive in the company’s history to unify its advertising portfolio, a strategy that has become commonplace in the industry. Her leadership also led to pioneering achievements, including the development of the industry’s first all-screen measurement solution and the creation of outcome-based advertising guarantees.
Yaccarino’s influence extends beyond the US market. She spearheaded the creation of the first-ever combined advertising and sponsorship program for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and played a key role in uniting the advanced video advertising capabilities of NBCUniversal and Sky, creating a formidable global offering for advertisers.
Recognition and Honors:
Linda Yaccarino’s contributions haven’t gone unnoticed. She has been recognized by numerous publications and organizations, including Forbes’ “50 Over 50” list, The Hollywood Reporter’s “Women in Entertainment Power 100,” and Adweek’s “Ten Most Powerful Women in TV.”
Leading X Corp into the Future:
Since taking the helm at X Corp (the exact nature of X Corp remains undisclosed), Yaccarino’s focus and expertise are undoubtedly shaping the direction of the company. Her extensive experience and proven ability to navigate the ever-evolving media landscape position her well to lead X Corp towards continued success.
Catherine Lian
Catherine Lian has extensive experience in the tech field with almost 24 years in the industry. In 2019, she was titled the Managing Director of IBM Malaysia and now oversees operational decisions not only in Malaysia but other Southeast Asian Nations including the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. Before IBM, the inspiring businesswoman worked at Dell and held varying management roles across Southeast Asia. Lian is highly passionate about mentoring aspiring talents and connecting women in technology. She has also received several accolades for her passion.
Company: IBM
Industry: Technology
Designation: General Manager & Technology Leader, IBM ASEAN
Country: ASEAN
Nationality: Malaysian
Lisa Su
Lisa Su is a Taiwanese-American business leader who has steered Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) to remarkable heights. Here’s a glimpse into her impressive journey:
- Early Life and Education: Born in Taiwan in 1969, Su immigrated to the US with her family at a young age. Her interest in technology blossomed early, and after graduating from the prestigious Bronx High School of Science, she went on to earn bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
- Engineering Expertise: Before becoming a business leader, Su honed her technical skills at companies like Texas Instruments, IBM, and Freescale Semiconductor. During her time at IBM, she made significant contributions in developing silicon-on-insulator technology and designing more efficient chips.
- Transformation at AMD: In 2014, Su took the helm at AMD as CEO. The company was struggling at the time, but under her leadership, AMD underwent a remarkable turnaround. Su focused on innovation, particularly in developing powerful central processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs), to compete effectively with industry giant Nvidia.
- Accolades and Recognition: Su’s achievements haven’t gone unnoticed. She is a recipient of prestigious awards like the Global Semiconductor Association’s Dr. Morris Chang Exemplary Leadership Award and Fortune magazine’s recognition as #2 on its “Business Person of the Year” list.
Today, Lisa Su stands as a role model for aspiring engineers and business leaders alike. Her vision and strategic direction have propelled AMD to become a major force in the semiconductor industry.
Breaking stereotypes
The prevailing stereotype of the tech titan is being challenged as the future increasingly favors diverse perspectives. Women such as Barclay, Porat, and Galetti are at the forefront, leading the charge in reshaping the tech industry.
While these three leaders stand out for their exceptional contributions and achievements, they represent just a fraction of the countless women making significant impacts across various sectors within the tech field.
Their stories highlight how diversity is crucial for tech progress, pushing global boundaries to new possibilities.
Looking to the future
Entities and educational facilities should encourage more women in tech groups and grant women in tech scholarships to ensure STEM fields and jobs in STEM-related fields are accessible to them. Since, woman are often discouraged from getting into such a male-dominated field due to varying concerns.
However, these powerful women in technology prove that a career in the field is not unattainable, and it is possible to become one of the most inspirational and influential female tech leaders and change the tech world for years to come. The global and Arab leaders listed embody integrity, and strength that will inspire the future generation around the globe to get into tech, and similar fields for years to come.
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