Women in positions in the technology industry face disparate treatment of the genders and, in particular, lower pay compared to the pay for the work of a man in the same position, TechRepublic reports.

This does not prevent women from succeeding in developing their potential in the field of technology. A number of factors that help women succeed in the tech industry actually benefit the entire company, regardless of the gender of the employees.

In honor of Women’s Month, several tech leaders share how they can help women make a career in tech. They also share about the challenges facing women in the tech industry.

According to SRP (a technology modernization company), 73% of women in technology have faced male gender bias in the past year (February 2023 to February 2024).

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, women accounted for 35% of all employees in computer systems design and related services in January 2024.

Data from Statista indicates that the share of women who are technology leaders is gradually increasing worldwide. In 2022 and 2023, women leaders in the tech world are 14%.

Discrimination against women in technology

“Stereotypes persist, which perpetuate outdated standards that hinder women’s advancement in the industry — like those around child or elder care,” said Bhavani Vangala, Onymos Vice President of Engineering.

She also adds that women, for historical reasons, are considered housewives and this belief prevails in the workplace.
Women may feel discriminated against because there is a belief that it is difficult to see a woman in a leadership position.

How can business leaders increase career opportunities for women in technology?

Some of the most significant components to increasing career opportunities for women in technology are:

• Pay transparency – in this way, the difference in pay between men and women will be made public. Understanding that there is a gender pay gap can lead to its elimination.
• Focus on retaining talented employees. According to Randy Weitzman, CEO of Robert Half, if employers support the talent that women possess, companies will be on the path to creating an equal work environment.
• Training and providing a mentor – According to Wangala, mentoring and educational programs for women in the workplace will promote the advancement of women in technology.
• Active listening and encouraging communication – When employees feel heard, they know their feedback matters.
• Flexibility – According to Weitzman, this is the ability to choose to work remotely or in an office. The group WeAreTechWomen adds that telecommuting improves work-life balance. This convenience will help companies retain and attract talent.

In conclusion, gender equality will allow companies to have a wider selection of talent. In addition, the utility and efficiency of the manufactured products will also increase.

Fun Fact: Did you know that 3 out of 4 companies with women in leadership positions see a 5 to 20% increase in profits?

This is stated in the report from the International Labor Organization (ILO) titled: “Women in Business and Management: The business case for change.” The survey involved 13,000 companies in 70 countries around the world.

However, there is still the question “Are women neglected in leadership positions in most industries, including technology? And today we will introduce you to Top Reasons We Need More Women in Tech according to ReadWrite.

High level of commitment in leadership roles
Women have strong communication skills and are genuinely concerned about the people they work with. They are empathetic, have emotional intelligence and create motivated work groups. The tech industry needs leaders who can connect with their teams through multiple channels and foster strong relationships.

Studies show that employees prefer women as directors because of their high level of empathy.

The Power of Women as Tech Consumers
According to a report from the HBR, women now control an astounding $20 trillion in annual consumer spending. Additionally, women outnumber men on major social networking sites. That indicates their strong presence and influence in the digital realm.

However, it is noteworthy that men predominantly dominate the development and design of these products, according to Brave Achievers.

Closing the Wage Gap
Although there has been some progress in closing the gender pay gap globally, this remains a sensitive issue as women are paid less.

According to the World Economic Forum, it will take 118 years to close this gap. One of the factors contributing to this gap is the under-representation of women in the technology industry.

Increasing women’s representation in the tech industry not only promotes gender equality, but also catalyzes economic growth and prosperity.

Women Excel as Leaders More Than Men
According to a research report published by the Harvard Business Review, women have been proven to outshine men in inspiring and motivating others.

But why do women have this advantage to motivate and inspire others better than men? Women are able to connect with their team members on a deeper level, understand their aspirations and provide the support and guidance they need to thrive.

Women insist on building rapport with team members. This sense of belonging that they foster is very important in motivating people to reach their full potential.

Overcoming challenges and promoting women’s participation
One of the biggest challenges relates to the gender biases and stereotypes that persist in the industry. The truth is that women often face unconscious biases during hiring processes, career advancement opportunities and in the workplace.

Few women in technology feel like they are the only ones; therefore, in some cases, prejudice may happen due to the lack of more women around. This bias can limit their access to leadership positions and hinder their professional advancement.

Val was originally a byproduct of the research that Dimi Racordon was doing with Google and Adobe on the Swift programming language and the discipline of variable value semantics, which maintains value independence to support local reasoning. Haskell, Rust, and R are other examples of languages that use variable value semantics.

“This is a project that started around two years ago. I wrote the paper, I collaborated with great people at Google and Adobe. After this paper, I had a small idea in the back of my head and I thought, oh, we’ll try implementing some stuff, it will be a two, three weeks project. And it’s been two years”, Racordon told The New Stack.

Her idea of a language that is all about variable-value semantics is one of the main reasons it created Val.

“Mutable value semantics is a programming discipline that really focuses on notional values. So if I have an array of things, for example, the value of this array is the most important concept that I want to manipulate. That gives me local reasoning”, she said.

Programming languages such as C++, JavaScript, Python, and Java distinguish between primitive data types such as integers or sometimes strings. These types behave like values, she says. Changing the value of an integer doesn’t create an observable side effect elsewhere in the program. This is not the case for other data types, such as aggregates, arrays, or hash maps, because they have reference semantics.

In her view, the optimizer must account for the fact that other references may exist and that some seemingly unrelated part of the program may need the value being mutated, so it is better to do nothing than to compromise that reference architecture.

The language is intended for system programming. It is mostly recommended for applications that work close to the metal and need to squeeze as much performance out of the machine as possible.

This includes uses such as operating systems, memory-intensive applications such as video games or image processing, and other applications that can’t afford a virtual machine or garbage collector. Embedded applications are also “a very interesting target,” she said.

For the moment Val is not something that would be used on the client side, but it could for example be used to embed something like Photoshop into a web browser via LLVM and then Web Assembly. Val has a similar build pipeline as C++.

And although the open source language is available on GitHub, it’s still being created. Racordon is looking for contributors to help develop it. The goal is to make it possible to download a compiler and write an app by the end of the year, she said.

She said Val will fit the same use cases as C++ and Rust, but without the safety issues of C++ and the complications of Rust.

“Our app is really bitter-sweet because, of course, we love that we’re busy. However, we really wish it didn’t have to exist. No-one wants to live in a world where we need a safety app, but sadly there is a place for it,”

The app, WalkSafe, is expecting its new feature – women will be provided with a live map where their friends and family will be able to chat with them and follow their journey. At that moment, the app gives an opportunity to plan the safest route to home, by looking at recent crime data.

According to her, the app encourages people to have precautionary measures to avoid crime, rather than reactionary measures when in an unfortunate situation. She also added:

“We have senior ex-Metropolitan Police detectives and crime analysts comb through this data, and categorize it into areas the user would want to know about. By looking at the crime patterns, users can identify crime hotspots so they can plan safer routes.”

Another safety product is a women’s smartwatch app called ‘Epower’. It is in the process of developing at the University of Bath. It will automatically send alerts every time when the user is in distress, as for that aim it will monitor the heart rate and body motion. E-J Roodt is the co-founder of that idea and admits that she came up with it while jogging in a badly-lit park, and worrying about the risk of an attack. She said:

“When I saw that smartwatches were being used to detect heart attacks I thought, well, maybe that technology could be applied to women’s safety,”

What is more interesting is that the application uses artificial intelligence in order to recognize distress, and respond if a user is attacked when walking or running alone. Ms. Roodt added:

“It occurred to us that a smartwatch with this app may be a way to alert others if a woman is restrained or struggling. The key is that it would all happen automatically, and an assailant would have little or no time to prevent this – which is not always possible with conventional panic buttons, rape alarms or your mobile phone.”

Rich Larsen is a man who believes that his app for smartphones called “bSafe” will help bring about prosecutions. His application has a voice-activated feature that automatically starts live-streaming video and audio to chosen contacts, and records everything that is happening. He said:

“These recordings could be used in evidence in court cases – like rape – which are often hard to prove.”

The reason for this feature is based on his daughter, Charlen, and her experience because she was raped. She chose not to hide and save her anonymity but chose to speak out on the issue. In her words, she wouldn’t be so ashamed if she had had bSafe back then.

The application has been of interest to other companies and in Mr. Larsen’s words, currently, he and his team are developing an API platform that can easily implement these features in other applications. The government also does not remain indifferent to this matter. In July the Home Office launched a £5 million fund to help improve the safety of women when they are in a public space, especially at night.

In Bristol police are using new kits which are supposed to test whether drinks have been spiked in nightclubs. On the other side, Cheshire police are improving current call handling technology which aims to provide an instant visible and reassuring response to a female who is calling for support. Access to an online link with safety information for women on public transport is promoted by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Thanks to bus tracking, there is no longer a need to stand alone at a bus stop, for example.

Although technology is meant to help in that case, there still are people who will be trying to misuse it. That’s why the national anti-stalking advocacy service, Paladin, warns that tech companies need to give their best in order to protect victims of being misused. Rachel Horman-Brown, who is a chairwoman of the charity, said:

“Many victims are tracked and monitored through their phones or tablets by spyware. So actually stalkers don’t even need to physically get a tracking device on the victim to be able to monitor them. Spyware is concerning as it can enable a stalker to switch on the camera on a victim’s mobile phone, so that they can see and hear what is happening. They can also read and send text messages from the victim’s phone, as well as tracking their whereabouts.”

In her words, all these tracking devices which are meant to help you find your wallet, keys, or luggage, are the ones that make it quite easier for a stalker to track their victim’s whereabouts. But it is more than just an issue that can be solved by technologies, though. Farah Nazeer, who is a chief executive at Women’s Aid, says:

“Whilst technology – such as safety apps on phones and smartwatches – can play a role in helping women feel safer on the streets, these interventions are temporary sticking plasters, which ignore the real cause of male violence against women. Women feel unsafe on our streets, not because of a lack of street lighting or safety apps, but because of the culture of sexism and misogyny, which makes violence against women and girls all too common. It must not be tolerated any longer.”

He thinks that we must focus on challenging the sexist attitudes that are deeply rooted in these services and systems so that women can walk home feeling confident that they are safe and protected.

Users who wish to try out the experience can visit Dojacode.com, where everyone will be able to view a futuristic image of Doja Cat which will become pixelated while dragging the mouse over the screen. All users will be able to view three different coloured stars, each of which will represent a different programming language; yellow for CSS; blue for Javascript; and pink for Python.

Users will also be able to make decisions throughout and make use of the codes. The four coded stars will be located on the timeline of the screen which will also show when the video will pause, and which programming language will be showcased.

When the video stops, people will be able to alter different aspects of the video using code.

In one scenario, users will be able to change the colour of Doja Cat’s nails using CSS; the colour you type in alters the color of Doja Cat’s nails in real-time. In another instance, users will be able to enter the name of a city to change the time of day in the video. Additionally, the video will stay true to that location’s current time.

After completing the experience, users will get snapshots of how each area looked after they finished “coding” it. They will also be able to download or share the same, to social media platforms.

While the DojaCode coding experience is not a sure-fire way to learn to program, it is still a fun initiative aimed at inspiring women to take up computer science and programming.

We live in a society where men dominate the top positions in the tech industry but there are women who work really hard in order to drive successful businesses and be at the top positions in the tech world. Now we would like to introduce you some of the most successful women who changed the TECH world and proved that women may be as good in the tech industry as men.

Since February 2014 Susan Wojcicki (1968) has been the CEO of YouTube. Back in 1998 her garage in Menlo Park was rented by Sergey Brin and Larry Page and that’s how it became the first official Google office. A year later in 1999 at the age of 31 she was hired as Google’s sixteenth employee. Even though she is not as famous as she deserves to be, we need to say that she is highly accomplished in her field.

Kelly Steckelberg (1968) is another woman who achieved her goals in the tech industry. She was the CEO of Zoosk which is one of the well-known dating applications. In 2017 however she became chief financial officer of Zoom Video Communications. During the pandemic it became one of the most used apps because of its free access. Not only that but Steckelberg is one of the developers of Cisco’s Webex.

Whitney Wolfe Herd (1989) is the CEO and founder of Bumble which was launched in 2014. Initially, Bumble was just a dating app but it has expanded beyond to a new social application. As described on the site, Bumble was designed to be safe and appealing for women. In 2020 Herd was included in Forbes’ list of America Richest Self-Made women and in 2021 she became world’s youngest female self-made billionaire.

Kimberly Bryant (1967) founded and became the CEO of Black Girls CODE in 2011 which is a non-profit organization dedicated to “changing the face of technology.” In 2015, she explained that her motivation was her daughter. In a personal blog she shared that she didn’t want her daughter to feel culturally isolated. She also admitted that she didn’t want her child to give up on her passions and dreams just because she ‘’didn’t see anyone else like her in the classroom.’’ Bryant believes that every girl needs help in order to succeed and grow up in the TECH world. That’s why Black Girls CODE is born.

All these women who we just listed above have worked really hard in order to become what they are today. Although the TECH industry is a field where men are expected to be constantly on the top, there are women who shaped the TECH world and made it much better. 

Sophia Cheong’s career started at a Korean barbecue restaurant in California while completing her bachelor’s degree in business administration. After graduating she was promoted to assistant general manager and, later, the director of operations. Then a coworker started teaching her how to code. Cheong commented:

“I fell in love. I know it’s cliche, but I felt like it was my true passion. … I was getting up every morning really excited to learn.”

Millions of Americans quit their jobs during the “Great Resignation”. Cheong also had this opportunity during the pandemic to switch career paths, something she had been wanting to do for some time. Cheong immediately used the money she had saved to enrol in a 13-week software-engineering boot camp, where she completed over 1,000 hours of full-stack coding. One week after graduation, she started to look for a job.

Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Cheong applied to every entry-level software-engineering job or internship she could find, spanning 18 countries. While submitting applications, she managed to create an online portfolio.

“I was pretty naive. I thought I’d have a job after a month because Hack Reactor has such a good reputation. But then one month turned to two months and then three and four, and I started thinking, ‘Oh my God, why am I not getting a job? What’s wrong with me?'”

A screenshot of Sophia Cheong’s 359 applications around the world. Photo Credits: Insider

Constantly hearing about the national labour shortage and the ever-growing demand for tech talent didn’t help her morale. According to US labour statistics, the shortage of engineers in the US will exceed 1.2 million by 2026.

Six months later, Cheong had interviews with 40 employers and was rejected 357 times. She said that most interviewers asked why she had switched careers and how her experience in the service industry would help her succeed in tech. The main reason why she has been denied was that other candidates were more senior than her.

The same week Cheong was supposed to head back to working at the restaurant, she received two job offers. One, a junior software-engineer position at Homee, would pay 120% more than her previous salary, she said. The company’s Chief Technology Officer Mitch Pirtle told Cheong during the interviewing process:

“We’re all about taking chances with the newcomers. We know how hard it is to get your foot in that door.”

After getting a job, Cheong posted about her strenuous job hunt on LinkedIn. Hundreds of job applicants struggling to find work flooded the comment section, asking for advice and sharing their similar stories of constant rejections.

Nikolinka Hinkova, Head of the Regional Innovation Center “Ambitious Gabrovo” / RIC /, is an avid dilettante pilot who likes to constantly challenge herself. Nikolinka is an open-minded and communicative person who supports different technical training programs in the country and various initiatives of future engineers, Digital Green Transformation of Gabrovo and the Gabrovo Industry. She adds that the business world relies on long-term relationships that are built on a professional basis of trust. At work, Nikolinka strives for professionalism and to constantly share interesting ideas that would contribute to a win-win situation. Nikolinka shares that optimism is very important for us to succeed because the optimistic person transmits their energy to the people around them. According to her, we need to learn how to accept challenges and turn them into new opportunities. Nikolinka draws inspiration from people with an indomitable spirit. Part of the projects she is currently working on is the Regional Innovation Center “Ambitious Gabrovo”. The centre is a registered non-profit legal entity for public benefit, established at the end of September 2019. It was created in order to support companies in the region in their digital transformation and innovation, for competitiveness in the global market. This unique organisation with a positive idea plays an important role in the prosperity of the region. It is the result of the efforts of the leaders of the member organisations which we truly admire. Nikolinka shares that she has met and continues to meet professional challenges, but if they were related in any way to her career and the fact that she is a woman, she does not pay attention to them. She adds that male colleagues accept her differently, but they are free to do whatever they want. According to her, engineering is still a “male” world, but there are also “male” girls. Nikolinka thinks that the problem of gender inequality is still relevant in Europe and around the world and will be so for a long time. She adds that our decision depends on the degree of digitization and robotization of activities, the degree of education and the intelligence of people. Nikolinka believes that women’s vision and charm can certainly help, but only temporarily.

Favourite clothes?

А dress.

High heels or flat shoes?

Medium.

Which is THE thing you never go out without?

Credit card/phone / Lipstick / since last year – a mask as well.

Favourite lipstick?

Red.

Which is the feminine quality/duty that you don’t possess?.

Nothing human is foreign to me – Vanity – it is not foreign to me, but I just do not emphasize it.

Which cause would you support/ Are you currently supporting?

Technical training and initiatives of future engineers / The digital green transformation of Gabrovo and the Gabrovo industry.

Share something about yourself that we can’t find on LinkedIn.

I am an open and communicative person. You can learn very specific things about me, as long as you are interested in my personality. Especially from Linkedin, you can learn some things related to my work and initiatives to motivate and inspire young people to science and technology. In general, I share specific things on Facebook. For example, it can be understood that I am a dilettante pilot, that I am constantly challenging myself.

I have goals and I pursue them. I appreciate the professionalism and I hope to be accepted as a professional.

Have you ever faced challenges in your career regarding the fact that you are a woman?

I have encountered and continue to face challenges, but if they were related to my career and the fact that I am a woman – I do not pay much attention to them. However, they exist and are on both poles – from hosanna to crucifixion: on the one hand, encouragement and support, cooperation and trust, and on the other – underestimation, scepticism, distrust. I won’t say anything new, but engineering is still a “male” world, however, there are also “male” girls.

Do you know how many women work in your position?

I have no idea how many women work in management positions like mine. It is not easy, especially when you have to take care of children and your family. It’s hard, sometimes I feel like a juggler juggling objects of different shapes, sizes and weights. It’s hard not to drop anything on the ground. But if it was easy, then there would be a lot of competition.

Read More Inspiring Stories for Women in Tech in WRTech here.

Do you think that the problem with gender inequality still exists in Bulgaria and globally?

I believe that there is a problem with gender inequality and it is still relevant in Europe, as well as all around the world. And it will be so for a long time. Its solution depends on the degree of digitization and robotization of activities, the degree of education and intelligence of people.

Which policies does your company follow regarding encouraging diversity?

Our company follows a policy of gender equality. If under diversity we understand both women and men, we value the knowledge and skills and the desire to improve.

How do you get along with men in your company? Do they treat you differently?

Male colleagues accept me differently, but they are free to accept me as they wish – I do not intend to focus on that, to change their opinion or attitude towards me. I have goals and I pursue them. I appreciate the professionalism and I hope to be accepted as a professional.

How do you balance your work with your personal life? Are there any rules that you follow?

It is now easier to combine personal and professional life because my children are big and I no longer have parents to take care of. I make sure one is not at the expense of the other. I don’t know if I am doing this successfully, but I certainly have no rule.

Do a woman’s vision and charm help her be successful in a professional way?

Feminine vision and charm can help temporarily, but only temporarily. The business relies on long-term relationships that are built on a professional basis and trust. In some countries, female charm does not facilitate communication, but in my work, I do not seek to use charm, but professionalism, sharing interesting ideas that would contribute to a win-win situation.

Which sources would you recommend to us? (podcasts, webpages, influencers, YouTubers, etc.)

Nowadays, there are so many sources that let everyone decide which ones they will trust and which sources can contribute to their personal enrichment. Lately, I’ve been following more digital sources of information. I have relatives with whom I exchange information on various topics. In general, I try not to burden myself too much with unnecessary information. If I’m interested in something, I check the information from different sources so I can decide what decision to make. I also discuss it with my relatives.

Will you tell us more about the Gabrovo Innovation Camp?

For several years we have been holding summer camps in the city “Young Technician, Researcher and Inventor”, the aim of which is to draw the attention of students to science and technology, to help them understand the need for theory and to connect theory with practice. The camps are on a variety of topics, including many presentations, demonstrations and the making of various objects, and working models for demonstrations of physical laws. Very often the mentors of the primary students are students, and of the students – engineers from the factories. Students have the opportunity to get involved in various real innovative projects. STEAM training was also held last year. Future technicians, researchers and inventors have the opportunity to get acquainted with the production in our city by visiting the factories. The interest on the part of the children is great and they are very well received among the people in the enterprises – they pay attention to them, explain everything to them, and enjoy them. I have the feeling that the spirit in the company during the camps is uplifted, there is optimism, an influx of energy in the employees. With the participation of students, a laser engraving machine, a packaging machine were developed, and now an intelligent waste house is being developed.

What is your secret for looking at everything with optimism?

Optimism is very important for us to succeed. Despair does not help us at all. Even when it is most difficult for us, we must always think that good days come after difficulties. Everything around us is constantly changing, you can always find a way to succeed, to find a solution. We must not give in to difficulties. We need to accept the challenges and turn them into opportunities. And a person feels best when he has challenged himself and succeeded. An optimistic person transmits his energy to the people around him. So it’s nice to have friends full of optimism. The optimist has dreams, not just goals. The optimist not only has goals but has big dreams. So, dream of the seemingly unattainable, and don’t be afraid to dream!

What challenges has the pandemic posed to technology companies?

The pandemic has opened up new challenges and new opportunities. Digitalisation has literally invaded the lives of technology companies. Constructors are working more on simplifying the settings of automatic lines, on the predictable maintenance of these lines. More and more machines are offered with the possibility of remote monitoring, with augmented reality for error analysis and service. Increasingly, artificial intelligence is used in mechanical engineering, as well as in other industries to optimize the inventory, in shortening supply-customer chains.

Where do you get personal and professional inspiration from?

I draw inspiration from people who have an indomitable spirit. Look around and you will find these around you. These are people who are an example to me in life. Stay away from people who often complain, grumble, all the others are guilty of something, do not take responsibility, and do not improve.

Will you tell us a little more about the directions of action and development of Mechatronics JSC?

The directions of development of the Regional Innovation Centre “Ambitious Gabrovo” for now are five: Talent Incubator, Automation Tools, New Materials and Technologies, Ecology and Environment and Digitalisation of the region. The centre is a registered non-profit legal entity for public benefit, established at the end of September 2019. Members of the association are 8 innovative companies from the region and the rest are represented by the Gabrovo Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Members of the association are the Technical University of Gabrovo, the Municipality of Gabrovo and the District Administration of Gabrovo. The association was established to support companies in the region in their digital transformation and innovation to be competitive in the global market. The aim is to support the regional administration in its work for a cleaner environment.

If You Want to Read More Inspiring Stories for Success and Professional Growth Join the DevStyleR #Tech Influencers Community and Get Access to our Special Editions here.

The Agile coach of Clippings is a lady, with a name of a beautiful flower- Lilly. She is the one who is driving the transition of the entire organisation to Agile. Lilly Lozanova is restlessly working not only on paper but actively incorporating the mindset within every single member of the organisation. She has spent many years in project management in the banking and telecom industries, leading strategic projects with cross-functional and multinational teams in Technology and Business departments. From handling the projects portfolio to managing the nightly releases she has always been leading by example, people-oriented and delivering results. Today, Lilly is a strategic catalyst of change. One can see her talking to the DevOps team, then speaking with the Architect, meeting the Leadership team and the Sales and HR teams. Lilly steps into each task with a positive and professional attitude and creates great achievements with all her colleagues in the Technology, Business, HR, Marketing and Finance sectors. Her hidden or not so hidden talent is to inspire others, to encourage them to seek a solution to every single problem, to empower them for better performance even if there are mistakes that need to be fixed. Her hobby is to be positive and to never give up. Lilly dances and sings, she also sometimes draws – either like a child or like a professional, but always for fun.

Do only what you like as it’s all about the passion and the effort you put in it to make it work.

Favourite clothes?

Neat and comfy, business casual

High heels or flat shoes?

Low heels 🙂

Which typical female quality or household responsibility does not apply to you? 

Nothing female scares me – I have it all.

What is THE thing that you must have in your bag when going out? 

Phone.

Favourite lipstick colour?

Lips colour.

Can you share something specific about you that we can’t find on LinkedIn? 

I’m very emotional.

Have you encountered any challenges in your career in connection to being a woman?

No matter women and men, we all should act like professionals. But yes, I have been treated differently, because of being a woman in the past.

I was exploring different career paths until I got where I am today and I love it so much!

Do you know how many women work in your position? 

Many. In my position, it’s all about how much you care, not which gender you are.

Read More Inspiring Stories for Women in Tech in WRTech here.

Do you think that the problem of gender inequality is still relevant in Bulgaria and globally? 

I think so, yes. That’s why there are so many movements. It comes from history, culture, mentally, traditions, etc.

Which policies does your company encourage regarding gender diversity? 

We have a Diversity and Inclusivity Committee. Our Leadership is strongly involved and supportive.

Do your male colleagues treat you differently? 

No.

Do you think that a woman’s appearance and charm affect their professional success?(For example: does it make communication easier?) 

Charm always affects you, no matter if you are a man or a woman. Appearance can influence, but not as much as attitude.

How do you combine personal and professional life? Do you have any rules that you follow? 

You will see me acting the same way at work and at home. I do my best to always be positive, caring, empathic and energetic.

Which sources do you follow and can you recommend some of them to our audience? (example: podcasts, pages, influencers, vloggers, etc.). 

There are many of them out there. If you are interested in Agile – AgileAlliance.com is your starting point.

What made you choose a career in the tech industry? 

Life took me there. I was exploring different career paths until I got where I am today and I love it so much!

What are the key responsibilities of one successful Agile coach? 

The list is long, but I would start by guiding the organisation, the teams and every individual in it to those “A-ha” moments when they realise they should do only the things there is a reason for and have value. That reflection, continuous improvement and transparency are key to increased productivity and motivated people. Coaching, mentoring, facilitating meetings, workshops and one-on-ones are all part of my day to day job so that we all embrace those Agile values and principles.

What inspires you the most in your personal and professional life? 

The ”little big” things: the smiles, the care, the sea and the sun, the person that is so happy with what just happened, what he or she achieved, the team that is proud with the latest deployment, the manager trusting his/her team, the organization.

What is your advice to the younger generation of women who want to develop a career in the tech industry? 

Do only what you like as it’s all about the passion and the effort you put in it to make it work.

If You Want to Read More Inspiring Stories for Success and Professional Growth Join the DevStyleR #Tech Influencers Community and Get Access to our Special Editions here.

Gergana Pancheva, а Tech Architect at Accenture, Bulgaria, is a professional who has been working in the IT sector for over 15 years, dedicating the last 6 years to her current position. Gergana loves movement, books and often diversifies her daily life by riding a bike in the park. She relieves stress with a headstand. Gergana says that so far she has not encountered any professional challenges in relation to being a woman. She doesn’t notice the problem of gender inequality at her workplace, however, she does not deny that it is still relevant. According to Gergana, both female and male appearance and charm can help us everywhere. Gergana shares with us that at Accenture everyone strives to create a favorable environment with pleasant working conditions. She adds that the company provides various opportunities which facilitate, encourage and stimulate women’s work. Gergana tries to follow some rules for a good work-life balance, however, she admits that it is quite difficult because both personal and professional life are equally important. She adds that with compromises and prioritization, things are going smoothly. Gergana chooses the IT industry as her professional path because this field develops itself at an enormous speed and provides numerous opportunities to all professionals. For her, this is an area where we constantly have to use our mind and creativity. Gergana thinks that the most important qualities that one Tech Architect must possess are communication skills, time management skills and courage. According to Gergana, women in the IT industry are a minority, however, there is a tendency of change in the upcoming years.

“In my work environment I haven’t noticed any gender inequality, however, I think the problem is still relevant.”

Gergana Pancheva, Tech Architect at Accenture

Favourite clothes?

Comfortable ones.

High heels or flat shoes?

It depends on the mood.

Which is THE thing you never go out without?

Lip balm.

Favourite lipstick colour?

Red.

Which is the feminine quality that you don’t possess?

The anger.

Which cause are you currently supporting?

Causes related to defense of human rights, the environment and nature.

Read More Inspiring Stories for Women in Tech in WRTech here.

Share something about yourself that we can’t find on LinkedIn.

I relieve the stress with a headstand.

Have you ever faced challenges in your career regarding the fact that you are a woman?

I don’t think so.

Do you know how many women work in your position?

I haven’t checked.

Do you think that the problem with gender inequality still exists in Bulgaria and globally?

In my work environment, I haven’t noticed any gender inequality, however, I think the problem is still relevant.

Do women’s appearance and charm help you be successful in a professional way?

Feminine appearance and charm help everywhere, as well as male’s.

Which policies does your company encourage regarding gender diversity?

Accenture aims to create a favorable environment with pleasant working conditions. Specifically, if we look at the diversity of “men vs women”, our company provides various opportunities that facilitate, encourage, and stimulate the work of women.

How do you get along with men in your company? Do they treat you differently?

I haven’t noticed any discrimination.

How do you balance your work with your personal life? Are there any rules that you follow?

I try to follow some rules to create a balance, but it’s quite difficult because both personal and professional life are important to me. I make compromises and prioritize my tasks.

Are women “Minorities” in the IT industry?

Yes, but there is a tendency to change in the coming years.

You have more than 14 years of experience in the software industry, can you point out the biggest changes in the IT field that you have witnessed?

Agile & DevOps, Cloud technologies, Blockchain, etc.

What are the most important characteristics that one Tech Architect should possess?

Communication skills, time management skills, and courage.

Why did you choose the IT field for your professional path?

I like the dynamic atmosphere, the fast way in which the IT industry develops, and the opportunities it offers. It is an area where you have to constantly use your mind and creativity.

If You Want to Read More Inspiring Stories for Success and Professional Growth Join the DevStyleR #Tech Influencers Community and Get Access to our Special Editions here.