Women Leaders in Tech: Insights from SheSparks 2024

In a landmark discussion at SheSparks 2024, three influential women leaders in the tech industry shed light on the persistent underrepresentation of women and offered insights into fostering an inclusive environment. Teja Manakame, Goda Ramkumar, and Priyanka Swain emphasized the critical role of mentorship and sponsorship in sustaining women’s careers in technology.

Challenging Statistics: Despite constituting 36% of India’s tech workforce, women face a steep decline in representation as they ascend the career ladder. Only a mere 7% hold executive-level positions, showcasing the glaring gender gap that permeates the industry.

Breaking Barriers: Teja Manakame, Vice President (IT) at Dell Technologies, shared her journey from the Indian Air Force to the corporate realm, underlining the importance of discipline, integrity, and teamwork instilled during her early years. She emphasized the need to dispel biases that label engineering as a male-dominated domain, encouraging women to pursue their passions in technology.

Fostering Inclusivity: Goda Ramkumar, Vice President of Data Science at Swiggy, addressed the challenge of balancing career aspirations with motherhood, a unique hurdle predominantly faced by women. She advocated for organizational flexibility and support systems to accommodate diverse needs, recounting her own experience negotiating reduced work hours during maternity.

Overcoming Stereotypes: Ramkumar highlighted societal conditioning that often shapes women’s perceptions of their roles as mothers and professionals, leading to feelings of guilt and inadequacy. She urged women to challenge traditional norms and seek support when needed, emphasizing the importance of creating an ecosystem that enables them to thrive.

Navigating Challenges: Priyanka Swain, Director of Engineering at Tally Solutions, emphasized the need to combat the ‘superwoman syndrome,’ where women feel pressured to excel in every aspect of their lives. She encouraged women to prioritize their passions and seek external support to navigate the demands of both personal and professional spheres.

Conclusion: As the tech industry strives for greater diversity and inclusion, the insights shared by Women Leaders Manakame, Ramkumar, and Swain serve as a rallying call for systemic change. By fostering mentorship, challenging stereotypes, and advocating for supportive policies, women in tech can pave the way for a more equitable future, where talent knows no gender boundaries.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Her story