Ada Lovelace. Grace Hopper. Radia Perlman. Parisa Tabriz. Katie Moussouris. Joy Buolamwini.
These are just some of the visionaries that have transformed the technology landscape in ways that continue to drive innovation today. From Ada Lovelace, the world's first computer programmer, to Radia Perlman, the "Mother of the Internet," to Joy Buolamwini, known for uncovering racial and gender bias in facial recognition AI – each has redefined what's possible in an evolving industry. This International Women's Day, we're celebrating our own technology trailblazers and exploring how we can collectively accelerate progress in digital transformation through diversity.
Why International Women's Day matters in enterprise technology
International Women's Day isn't just about recognition – it's about reflecting on the remarkable progress made while energizing our commitment to future advancement. In enterprise architecture and digital transformation, we've seen growing representation of women bringing fresh perspectives to complex business challenges. Their contributions have driven better outcomes, more innovative solutions, and stronger organizations. Today, we shine a spotlight on our own technology innovators and their vision for an increasingly inclusive future.
"By coming together, we can find innovative ways to create a more inclusive tech industry, where diverse perspectives are valued and everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” says Caroline Prévoteau, Professional Services Director at Orbus Software.
Digital transformation leaders: Narrowing the skills gap
While women currently represent only 26.7% of tech positions (despite making up 47.7% of the global workforce), forward-thinking organizations recognize this disparity as both a challenge and a strategic opportunity. This skills transformation represents one of the most critical imperatives in enterprise technology today.
As digital transformation accelerates across industries, the consequences of inaction are increasingly clear: organizations that prioritize diverse talent acquisition and development gain access to broader perspectives, enhanced problem-solving capabilities, and more comprehensive solutions. And the stats speak for themselves: a McKinsey & Company study found that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 25% more likely to experience above-average profitability compared to those in the bottom quartile.
Enterprise architecture innovators: Redefining leadership in technology
The landscape of enterprise architecture is being reshaped by women breaking through traditional barriers. Their technical expertise, combined with collaborative leadership approaches, is proving especially valuable in complex transformation initiatives where diverse thinking drives success.
Representation creates a powerful ripple effect. Each woman who advances in enterprise technology establishes pathways for future generations, turning previously inaccessible careers into achievable aspirations. At Orbus Software, we're committed to amplifying these success stories.
“Being a woman is a superpower,” says Bhavisha Bhatt, Product Manager at Orbus Software. “We are resilient and adaptable yet nurturing and empathic, all core skills needed in tech.”
Caroline agrees that these qualities are not only key to progressing your own career, but also in creating opportunities for others. "Navigating a predominantly male environment taught me the power of mentorship," she says. "Now a leader myself, I'm committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are not just welcomed, but essential to our success. Becoming a mother has only deepened my understanding of the importance of flexibility, empathy, and resilience in both leadership and life."
Building a diverse digital future
The data shows significant opportunity for growth: women currently occupy 15% of leadership roles in tech, hold 26% of AI positions worldwide, and receive just 2.3% of global venture capital funding. Yet – as we’ve seen – companies with diverse leadership consistently outperform their competitors in innovation, customer satisfaction, and financial performance.
This represents not just a social imperative but a strategic business opportunity. Organizations that invest in developing diverse leadership pipelines position themselves at the forefront of enterprise transformation.
“As a woman working in a male-dominated industry, it can sometimes feel isolating, but I’ve been fortunate to have great leaders who have supported my growth and development,” says Caroline. “Their mentorship has been invaluable in helping me overcome obstacles and advance in my career.”
Ethical AI development: Why diverse teams build better solutions
As enterprise technology increasingly incorporates artificial intelligence, the importance of diverse development teams becomes critical. AI systems reflect the data and perspectives of their creators, so when development teams lack diversity, the resulting systems can perpetuate biases rather than eliminate them. An example of this occurred with Amazon’s AI recruitment system, which unintentionally discriminated against women because they were trained on male-dominated hiring data.
With women significantly underrepresented in AI research and development, the bias in AI systems is a real concern. We recognize that diverse teams create more robust, ethical, and comprehensive AI solutions that better serve all stakeholders in digital transformation initiatives and are proud to highlight one of our internal AI specialists.
"The underrepresentation of women in AI research and development is a real problem, disadvantaging women and minority groups,” said Karolina Wojdyla, Senior Product Manager at Orbus Software. “We know diverse teams drive more innovative and ethical solutions, so by including women’s perspectives, we can design AI systems that better serve all stakeholders, helping to drive successful and sustainable digital transformation.
“While stereotypes exist about who's 'suited' for an AI career, I've been fortunate to work in an environment that actively strives to overcome these obstacles by creating a supportive, diverse culture that truly fosters innovation and growth."
The power of allyship in technology
Though it is called International Women’s Day, advancement in the area isn’t just a “women’s issue” – it’s an industry-wide issue that directly affects innovation, performance, and competitiveness, and requires active participation from everyone in an organization. Effective allies consistently:
- Champion inclusive hiring and promotion practices
- Ensure diverse perspectives are heard in strategic discussions
- Create mentorship and sponsorship opportunities
- Address systemic barriers to advancement
This collaborative approach ensures the conversation shifts from “How can we help women?” to “How can we fix the system so that everyone has equal opportunity?”.
“We need to work together, all genders, on a fairer and more inclusive society,” says Claire De Bie, Principal Product Manager at Orbus Software. “Women can drive substantial change but ultimately we need to have authentic conversations with our peers, listen to each other, and act on this.”
Top tips from our women in tech
- Bhavisha: "Be brave and apply for the role even if you don't meet all the checkboxes. Your career is in your hands, and you will always find support if you put yourself out there.
- Caroline: "Build and participate in a network of supportive peers and mentors. Look for leaders who will not just guide you but actively create space for your growth and support your development. And make sure to do this yourself too; pay it forward at every opportunity.”
- Claire: "Find your strengths – the things you are good at and enjoy doing. Don't invest in skills or paths you think you 'should' have. Being authentic will help you be more trusted and effective."
- Karolina: "Believe in yourself and trust the process. Experimenting, taking risks, and embracing failures are key to growth. Trusting your abilities and staying open to learning is just as important as achieving.”
Making gender equality in tech more than a conversation
The progress in gender diversity represents one of the most promising developments in enterprise technology. While challenges remain, we're energized by the momentum and committed to accelerating positive change.
To the women on our team and throughout the industry: Your expertise drives transformation. Your leadership inspires innovation. And your contributions are shaping the future of enterprise technology.
Happy International Women's Day!