Voices of Empowerment: Championing ICT Women’s Leadership

As part of our SHEEO (SHE Empowers Others) global campaign, we’ve gathered a collection of insightful advice spotlighting ICT Women’s Leadership. Our aim is to inspire and empower women to thrive across various industries.

• Caitlin Nguyen – Head of Digital and Customer Engagement at Abbott
• Meri Rosich – CEO, Oceconomy / Ex – CDO/CIO Visa, Standard Chartered Bank, Docomo
• Geraldine Wong – Group Chief Data Officer at GXS Bank
• Indrani Chandrasegaran – Executive Cyber Advisor / Top 30 Women in Cyber Security ASEAN/ Top 20 Women in Cyber Security Singapore
• Thalia Bondoc – Head of Community, Women in Tech® Malaysia / CEO & Founder, Eduloco
• Maria Elena Martyak – Founder & Director at Doyle Blackfriars Ltd.
• Shivani Mukherjee – Fintech #65 Leader Singapore / Singapore FinTech Association
• Mei Lee – Partner at Boston Consulting Group
• Siew Ting Foo – Global Head of Brand & Insights at HP
• Laura Nguyen – Head of Vietnam at Ava Labs
• Mathilde Swierczynska – Co-founder and Director at Inspiring Girls SG
• Lee Chew Tan – Group Chief Commercial Officer (Market Development) at ST Engineering

The tech narrative has brightened and evolved

Caitlin Nguyen:

“Today, there are more women leaders in the space of digital and business transformation, which is very encouraging. I believe this is a reflection of a higher level of diversity in general in the workforce and particularly amongst those moving into senior leadership roles. The role of community and building support networks is not to be underestimated, as this not only serves to further empower women but it’s also a great way to strengthen learning agility and continuously improve oneself as a professional and individual.”

Meri Rosich:

“The tech industry has long been dominated by men, but we are witnessing a shift towards greater gender diversity and inclusion.

Women’s leadership in tech is crucial for driving innovation, fostering diverse perspectives, and creating products and services that cater to the needs of a broader audience. Having more women in leadership positions within the tech industry can inspire and empower the next generation of girls and young women to pursue careers in STEM fields, thereby perpetuating a cycle of increased representation and diversity.”

Geraldine Wong:

“I do see that with more female leadership in the tech industry, this sets the tone and provides a form of role model for future generations to follow. In my current capacity as Group Chief Data Officer at GXS, I hope to inspire others within and outside the organization to stay the course, and I remain optimistic that women leadership in the tech industry will increase.”

Indrani Chandrasegaran:

“​​In the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, women are poised to play a pivotal role. With their innate ability to nurture and protect, women bring an unparalleled eye for detail and a determination to safeguard what matters most. Their analytical prowess, attention to detail, and perseverance underscored the critical role that women have long played in the realm of cybersecurity and cryptography. The cybersecurity landscape benefits immensely from the expertise and dedication of women professionals.”

Thalia Bondoc:

“I’m optimistic about the future of women in tech leadership. My own path as a Filipina entrepreneur, breaking into the tech scene with Antler’s VC backing at just 25, has shown me the untapped potential and opportunities awaiting women in this sector. Diversity in leadership, I’ve come to see, is not just a milestone but a necessary driver of innovation and inclusivity.”

5 actions for female leaders to bring other women up along the way

Being empathetic

Maria Elena Martyak:

“Always try to understand others. It’s important to recognize them as individuals, not merely as “workers” or “employees”.

Take the time to understand others’ interests, professional aspirations, experiences and limitations. That way you can offer almost bespoke advice on what they are doing well, where they can improve, and how they can grow, from both a practical and theoretical perspective.”

Approaching a balanced leadership

Shivani Mukherjee:

“I believe in total and logical leadership. “Total” means ensuring your life are fulfilling and inspiring others to live a life balanced across 4 domains: work, community, health and spiritual. I also believe in practicing logical leadership, which involves leveraging data & eliminating biases when guiding others. It doesn’t mean there is no space for emotions. We are all humans, so emotions are inevitable. However, being able to balance your thoughts, prioritizing empathy over emotions, and making informed decisions help us to empower people around us for collective success and growth.”

Seeking inner validation

Mei Lee:

“Understanding your self-worth, your identity, and what truly grounds you is crucial. Reach a point where you don’t seek external validation, yet still love and feel proud of yourself. This comes from knowing your story, recognizing your strengths, accepting your flaws, and remaining confident in your self-worth.”

Siew Ting Foo:

“My advice for females is – Be your best version of yourself. What do I mean by that? It means having the self-confidence and humility to constantly strive for the best version of yourself. It also means not being afraid to “own your own voice,” to speak your mind, and to be your authentic self.”

Building mentorship / community culture

Laura Nguyen:

“Programs like mentorship are key. In a fast-paced field like blockchain, mentorship is even more crucial.

It’s important to give women the chance to share their diverse perspectives on various topics, not just gender-related issues. Starting with small changes, like diversifying moderator roles and panel topics, can help create a more inclusive environment where everyone’s voices are heard and valued.”

Mathilde Swierczynska:

“A career is not a sprint, but a marathon, so make sure you are well-prepared and well-accompanied.

First, you need to know yourself: what energizes you and what drains you. Then, look for a mentor for specific projects (up to 6 months) and create a network of like-minded individuals. Most importantly, build a team around you like any athlete would, to help you progress faster.”

Empowering success through positive impact

Lee Chew Tan:

“When considering success as a female leader, I’m often asked what success means to me. From my humble experience, success manifests in winning the respect of others, amplifying the best in others, and being guided by leaving a positive impact on the world.”

Running from March (Women’s Day) to April (Girls in ICT Day), our first-ever global campaign, SHEEO (SHE Empowers Others) serves as a platform for influential women worldwide to share their stories and guidance with the next generation. If you’re a woman leader with impactful stories to share, reach out to us to be part of this empowering journey!