3 Women Breaking The Glass Ceiling In The Male-Dominated Tech Industry
The tech industry bursts with innovation. It is acclaimed for its creativity and breakthrough approaches to solving age-old problems. And yet paradoxically, here in 2024, it still struggles with diversity and inclusion – especially when it comes to leadership.
In fact, there is even less female representation in tech leadership roles today than there was in in the past. In 1984, 35% of tech leaders were women. In 2023, that number had slipped to 28%.
These three women are powerhouses, breaking through the glass ceiling with a fierce determination to achieve much-deserved gender parity in the traditionally male-dominated tech industry: Katherine Kostereva, CEO of Creatio; Karen Baker, President of Boathouse; and Petula Lucey, Senior Vice President Global Marketing at HqO.
Katherine Kostereva, CEO of Creatio
Founders in the software industry are overwhelmingly male. But Creatio CEO Katherine Kostereva bootstrapped her no-code workflow and CRM automation platform for the first seven years of the company's history before raising $70 million.
And she didn’t stop there. Creatio has experienced record growth over the past two years. Today, the company has 700 employees in seven offices, a local presence in 14 countries, and long-lasting relationships with thousands of customers and partners worldwide.
ForbesWomen: Get the ForbesWomen newsletter, and supercharge your mission with success stories, tips and more.
“I deeply believe that the only way to excel in your career is to have it be fully aligned with your life purpose,” said Kostereva in an exclusive interview with me. “Life is too short to waste it on a career that doesn’t resonate with your passion.”
Kostereva feels blessed to have found that alignment at Creatio. “We're dedicated to empowering knowledge workers without technical skills to use no-code technology to automate their workflows,” she says. “The concept of freedom and self-sufficiency, without having to rely on specialized tech skills or assistance from others, strongly resonates with me. It's incredibly fulfilling to witness Creatio spreading this freedom to people and organizations worldwide.”
Challenges are opportunities, in Kostereva’s view. She believes great career opportunities exist for women in tech who are committed and ready to pursue their vision.
“Fortunately, every year more women are joining the tech industry. Being among the first to adopt innovations like no-code and generative AI can help you greatly!” she advises. “It’s all about focus, resilience, and grit. If you’re truly passionate about your career, no biases can stop you.”
Karen Baker, President of Boathouse
The tech industry faces stark gender disparity, with women struggling to achieve equal titles and recognition to men. This disparity becomes even more evident for women of color in tech, points out Karen Baker, the president of Boathouse. “There is a critical need for equal representation, opportunity, and inclusion.”
Boathouse is an independent, full-service integrated marketing and communications agency that is driven by data, guided by analysis and strengthened by artificial intelligence.
Every seven years, Baker asks herself a critical question: Is her career still aligned with her life purpose, given the new skills she has developed? As a woman in a male-dominated industry, she has noticed the glass ceiling – and she feels it is her purpose as a female leader to help raise it.
“I've embraced Zig Zigler's quote, ‘Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation,’ and it has guided my path as a woman leader,” says Baker. “Over the last ten years, I have remained dedicated to attaining clients who want to tackle complex problems in order to make an impact. This keeps me dedicated to the work and feeling fulfilled.”
Overcoming gender and racial bias requires a two-pronged approach, Baker feels: systemic change and embracing a growth mindset. “The tech industry must actively promote women into leadership positions, including executive and C-suite roles,” she says. “Companies need to break free from the status quo. They must adopt a ‘no box’ approach to fostering greater inclusivity.”
At the same time, Baker advises, women must continue to support one another. They also must challenge narratives that restrict them from achieving full recognition for their contributions to technology. “Disrupting this narrative is crucial for achieving true equality in the industry,” she says.
Petula Lucey, Senior Vice President Global Marketing at HqO
As the world’s leading real estate experience platform, HqO is transforming the way people experience physical space. The tech company’s platform and digital services enable real estate employees to have a more satisfying and effective experience when they are in the office working. HqO has powered 400 million square feet at over 700 properties across 32 countries, maximizing and boosting tenant and employee acquisition, retention, and engagement.
Petula Lucey is the senior vice president of global marketing at HqO. Her guiding purpose is to leave a lasting positive impact on everything she touches. “This drive to influence and inspire those around me comes from a place of deep, intrinsic passion,” she said in an exclusive interview with me. “I take immense pride in channeling this enthusiasm into fostering positive change. I like to think of it as my superpower – as a mom, daughter, sister, friend, colleague, citizen and tech executive.”
Women in male-dominated sectors often face a perception barrier, Lucey says, even though no capability gap exists. “In fact, most women aren't lacking in brilliance, potential or ability, but rather merely fighting to break through the myth of tech as a man's world,” she explains. She has worked hard to dismantle the unconscious gender bias.
“I believe in ownership, mentorship, and recognition,” says Lucey. “I have seen firsthand how these pillars of action and behavior, when practiced with rigor and consistency, can create spaces where women not only thrive, but become the architects shaping the future we're building together, both in and out of the office.”
More Insights
