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The tech industry has grown and changed a lot over the years, but there’s still a big problem: a lack of women in tech leadership.
In 2023, only 14% of tech leaders were women, highlighting the fact that there are still not enough women in the tech world.
However, let’s learn from the best and get inspired by the experiences of the five famous women in technology in 2024.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, only 14% of tech leaders were women, which means there are still not enough women in the tech world.
- Still, women in tech are making important contributions, especially in creating new and innovative solutions.
- To fix the issues that are holding women back, companies need to deal with such things as bias in hiring and promoting, and the lack of female role models.
- Mentorship programs and workplaces that support women can help them become leaders in the tech industry.
- Women who stand out include Safra Catz, CEO of Oracle Corp., Julie Sweet, CEO of Accenture, and Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, among many other brilliant ladies in technology.
- Their experiences give them fresh ideas, which help build products that work better for everyone.
- Having more women in tech would lead to products and services that meet the needs of a wider group of people.
Why Is the Lack of Women in Tech Leadership Still an Issue?
Even though leaders are working to make their organizations more diverse, women still face many challenges that hold them back in their careers. These include:
- Unfair treatment
- Stereotypes about their abilities
- Fewer chances to get help or advice from mentors
To fix the issues holding women back, companies need to address bias in hiring and promoting and the lack of female role models.
Mentorship programs and workplaces that support women can help them become leaders in the tech industry. More diversity leads to better ideas, more creativity, and a fairer tech world for everyone.
Let’s take a look at some of the important women in technology who are making a big impact in the tech industry today.
Top 5 Women in Technology in 2024
1. Safra Catz, CEO, Oracle Corp.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Safra Catz |
| Current Role | CEO of Oracle Corp. |
| Date of Birth | December 1, 1961 |
| Year Appointed as CEO | 2014 |
| Previous Role | CFO of Oracle, responsible for financial management |
| Major Acquisitions | – PeopleSoft ($10.3 billion, 2005)
– NetSuite ($9.3 billion, 2016) |
| Focus Areas as CEO | Cloud computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning |
| Financial Impact | Led Oracle through tough economic times while maintaining financial strength |
| Key Contributions | Expanded Oracle’s product portfolio, led acquisitions, focused on emerging technologies |
| Recognized as | One of the most powerful women in tech |
Safra Catz, 61, is one of the most powerful women in tech. She has been the CEO of Oracle Corp. since 2014. Before becoming CEO, she was Oracle’s CFO, where she managed the company’s finances. As CEO, she has focused on cloud computing, which has helped Oracle grow.
Catz has led major acquisitions, such as buying PeopleSoft for $10.3 billion in 2005 and NetSuite for $9.3 billion in 2016. These deals have improved Oracle’s software and added new services.
Catz has helped Oracle stay strong financially, even during tough economic times. She has also led Oracle into new areas, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, which has helped the company stay competitive.
Under her leadership, Oracle has created new products and services, making it one of the best tech companies. This shows how important Catz is to Oracle’s success and why she is considered one of the leading women in technology.
2. Julie Sweet, Chair & CEO, Accenture
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Julie Sweet |
| Current Role | Chair & CEO of Accenture |
| Date of Birth | October 11, 1967 |
| Year Appointed as CEO | September 2019 |
| Previous Role | General Counsel and Secretary at Accenture (Joined in 2010) |
| Major Acquisitions | Novetta ($1.2 billion, 2021) |
| Focus Areas as CEO | Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, environmental sustainability, workplace diversity |
| Financial Impact | Significant growth in profitability, acquisitions boosting cloud and data analysis services |
| Key Contributions | Led the company’s focus on technology advancements and ethical business practices |
| Recognized as | One of the most influential women in tech |
Julie Sweet, 56, is the chair and CEO of Accenture, a company that provides consulting and technology services. She joined Accenture in 2010 as general counsel and secretary and became CEO in September 2019.
Since taking on the CEO role, Sweet has led Accenture’s push into new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing. She has also been involved in a number of acquisitions, including the $1.2 billion purchase of Novetta in 2021, to boost Accenture’s cloud technology, engineering, and data analysis services, particularly for defense and intelligence clients.
Under her leadership, Accenture has grown significantly and become more profitable. One of the most influential women in tech, Sweet has worked hard to make the workplace more diverse and fairer.
She has also focused on environmental sustainability, setting goals to lower the company’s carbon footprint and supporting eco-friendly practices. Since Sweet became CEO, Accenture has won many awards for its tech achievements and commitment to ethical business practices.
3. Mary Barra, Chair & CEO, General Motors
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Mary Barra |
| Current Role | Chair & CEO of General Motors (GM) |
| Date of Birth | December 24, 1961 |
| Year Appointed as CEO | January 2014 |
| Previous Role | Began career with GM in 1980 as a co-op student at the Pontiac Motor Division |
| Historical Achievement | First woman to lead a major global automaker |
| Major Accomplishments | – Led GM through the ignition switch recall crisis
– Focused on electric cars, self-driving systems, and smart car features |
| Global Impact | Expanded GM’s global footprint and strengthened partnerships with other car companies |
| Focus Areas as CEO | New technologies (EVs, self-driving cars), diversity in leadership, workplace inclusivity |
| Financial Impact | Improved GM’s finances and competitiveness |
| Recognized as | Respected leader in the car industry and a major figure in tech |
Mary Barra, 63, is the chair and CEO of General Motors (GM). She began her career with GM in 1980 as a General Motors Institute (Kettering University) co-op student at the Pontiac Motor Division.
In January 2014, Barra made history by becoming the first woman to lead a major global automaker when she was appointed CEO. Shortly after becoming CEO, Barra successfully led GM through the ignition switch recall crisis by making changes to improve safety and restore public trust in the company.
Under her leadership, GM has focused on new technologies, such as electric cars, self-driving systems, and smart car features. She has also helped GM grow globally, built stronger partnerships with other car companies, and improved the company’s finances.
Barra is a strong supporter of diversity, working to get more people from different backgrounds into leadership positions and making the workplace more welcoming for everyone. Her achievements have made her an important woman in technology, a respected leader in the car industry, and helped GM stay competitive.
4. Clare Barclay, CEO, Microsoft UK
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Clare Barclay |
| Current Role | CEO of Microsoft UK |
| Date of Birth | April 1970 (Exact date unavailable) |
| Year Appointed as CEO | October 2020 |
| Previous Roles | – Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Microsoft UK (2016–2020)
– General Manager, Small, Medium Enterprise & Partner Group, Microsoft UK |
| Key Responsibilities | Responsible for all product and service offerings in the UK, supporting commercial customers and partners |
| Focus Areas | Diversity and inclusion, technology skill development for young people, and promoting success in tech careers |
| Industry Experience | Nearly three decades in the IT industry, most in diverse roles across Microsoft |
| Leadership in Strategy | Led strategy and planning for Microsoft UK, oversaw sales, marketing, and services resources |
| Investment in AI | Leading a $3.2 billion AI investment, building new data centers in the UK |
| Advisory Roles | Member of the British Heart Foundation’s Advisory Council, CBI President’s Committee, and Prime Minister’s Business Council |
| Skill Development | Plans to train 1 million people in AI-related skills |
| Recognized as | A leader focused on improving customer experience and tech skills in the UK |
Clare Barclay, 54, is CEO of Microsoft UK. Barclay, who has a strong background in technology and leadership, began her career at Microsoft in 1998, working her way up through different roles, including chief operating officer for Microsoft UK. In that role, she helped manage the company by focusing on making the customer experience better, creating business plans, and helping the company grow.
As CEO of Microsoft UK, Barclay leads the company’s work in the UK. As such, she works with businesses, government groups, and partners. Barclay also works on making the workplace more inclusive and helping people in the UK improve their technology skills.
Barclay was part of Microsoft’s $3.2 billion investment in the UK AI industry. As the CEO of Microsoft UK, she helped announce this big plan, which will take place over three years. The investment is aimed at improving AI technology in the UK by building more data centers in places such as London and Cardiff. It also aims to train about 1 million people in AI-related skills.
5. Reshma Saujani, Founder, Girls Who Code
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Reshma Saujani |
| Current Roles | Founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First (formerly Marshall Plan for Moms) |
| Date of Birth | November 18, 1975 |
| Career Highlights | – Founded Girls Who Code in 2012
– Launched Moms First to support policies for working moms impacted by the pandemic |
| Previous Roles | – Attorney
– Democratic organizer – NYC Deputy Public Advocate |
| Key Accomplishments | – Girls Who Code taught 300,000 girls
– Reached 500 million globally through books and campaigns |
| Advocacy Focus | Economic empowerment of women and girls, gender gap in tech, supporting moms post-pandemic |
| Published Works | – “Brave, Not Perfect”
– TED Talk: “Teach girls, bravery not perfection” (5M+ views) |
| Awards and Recognition | – Fast Company’s Most Innovative Non-Profit
– Fortune 40 Under 40 – Forbes Most Powerful Women |
| Board Memberships | – Harvard University’s Board of Overseers
– International Rescue Committee’s Board of Overseers – Board of Trustees, Economic Club of New York and MoMA |
| Global Impact | Increased diversity and inclusivity in the tech field, inspiring young women to pursue careers in tech |
Besides leading Girls Who Code, Saujani has written several books about coding and technology, including “Girls Who Code” and “Empowered.” She has also given talks and speeches around the world to encourage young girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Saujani has received several awards for her work in tech and education. Forbes has recognized her as one of the Most Powerful Women, and the World Economic Forum has named her a Young Global Leader.
Because of Saujani’s work and Girls Who Code, more girls and young women are interested in tech and computer science. Her work has also helped make the tech field more diverse and inclusive.
The Bottom Line
These influential women in tech are making huge impacts on the industry and inspiring others.
They’re showing that women can lead and create amazing things in tech. These female leaders in technology show that anyone can be successful in tech, no matter who they are.
Their work inspires others and helps make the world a better place.
FAQs
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References
- fw_error_www (Blogs.oracle)
- Accenture CEO Julie Sweet on Leading in the AI Age | TIME (Time)
- General Motors CEO Mary Barra: ‘We Believe In an All-Electric Future’ | CBS Insights (Leading.business.columbia)
- Our investment in AI infrastructure, skills and security to boost the UK’s AI potential – Microsoft On the Issues (Blogs.microsoft)
- Clare Barclay on LinkedIn: As 2023 comes to a close I had the pleasure of spending time celebrating… | 21 comments (Linkedin)
- PAID POST by Clé de Peau Beauté — Empowering Radiant Futures: Reshma Saujani’s Impact on Girls in STEM (Nytimes)
