The Imperative of Female Leadership in Tech

Accenture’s Emma Tolhurst set the stage by emphasizing the urgency of women’s representation in technology. In a world where technology is evolving at lightning speed, ensuring women are empowered and represented in the tech industry is more critical than ever.

Ms. Tolhurst stressed that diverse perspectives and emotional intelligence are essential for inclusive innovation. Despite their proven capabilities,women remain underrepresented in various sectors. She argued that the future requires women’s voices, leadership, and boldness to correct AI bias, lead lasting tech initiatives, and reshape financial systems.

It’s time to be visible, take the leap, and lead the change we want to see.

Emma Tolhurst, Accenture

Strategies for Enhanced focus and Productivity

Francesca Parmigiani, a Microsoft Research leader, addressed the importance of focus in a world filled with distractions. She shared practical advice on cultivating concentration:

• Dedicated Time Blocks: Allocate specific periods for distraction-free work.
• Eliminate Interruptions: Minimize mobile use, Teams notifications, and household tasks during these blocks.

Ms. Parmigiani acknowledged that achieving this level of focus requires effort but emphasized the transformative rewards in productivity and innovation.

Leveraging AI for Simplification and Efficiency

Alkim Mete, Microsoft Azure Data and AI Lead, discussed the strategic use of AI to enhance productivity and streamline workflows. She advocated for using AI to solve specific problems and improve efficiency, rather than simply for its novelty.

I use AI to improve my productivity or resolve something across my role or team that I couldn’t do myself, Ms. Mete said.

She noted the tech industry’s shift toward optimization and simplification,urging attendees to consider how AI can resolve customer pain points and improve daily life.

The power of Purposeful Meetings

Lina Chan, Holland & Barrett’s director of Women’s Health, championed the concept of purposeful meetings as a key element of effective teamwork. She emphasized the importance of clear agendas and defined outcomes.

We set an agenda in every invitation and make the proposed outcome very clear, Ms. Chan explained.

Ms. chan also highlighted how technology facilitates autonomy and flexibility, citing scheduled messages and out-of-office replies as tools that enable effective time management and reduce pressure on colleagues.

Technology is there to enable you to work at your own time without pressuring others to do the same, Ms. Mete added, underscoring the empowering potential of thoughtful tech use.

Recharging and Maintaining Work-Life Balance

Conference participants acknowledged the ongoing challenge of work-life balance, especially for those working remotely.Ms. mete suggested incorporating divider activities to decompress and transition from work to personal life.

Something like a work-out class, talking to a loved one, or meditation – it splits the working day and helps you decompress, she advised.

Ms. Chan encouraged stepping back from work when feeling overwhelmed. It’s so easy for us to want to react instantly, but the best thing to do is to take time to react. Find what works for you to calm down.

When work gets difficult, the absolute best thing you can do is step back, she added.

The panelists agreed that mindfulness and intentionality are crucial for maintaining balance.

Authentic Networking and Shared Experiences

Jalila Keita, CGI’s Global Contracts Manager, shared a candid reflection on self-doubt and the shared human experiance of navigating insecurities. The feeling of not being enough is so personal. We all have insecurities – even the moast confident board member. It’s part of being human. We’ve all got things we need to deal with.

Ms. Keita’s vulnerability highlighted the spirit of TechHer as a supportive space for women to share their journeys and overcome challenges.Participants recognized the power of connection in professional growth and collaboration,emphasizing that building meaningful relationships strengthens individual careers and women’s collective impact.

TechHer: A Catalyst for Change

For many participants, TechHer is clearly more than a programme – it’s a movement to empower women to shape the future of technology, said Lauren Dixon, Chair of TechHer.

Ms. dixon emphasized that TechHer provides a platform to address industry challenges and celebrate women’s contributions to innovation by fostering focus, embracing balance, and championing purposeful connections.

The event’s consistent message was about resilience, authenticity, and empowerment.Through initiatives like TechHer, women are not just participating in technology, they are transforming it, paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse future, Ms. dixon concluded.

TechHer is …a movement to empower women to shape the future of technology

Lauren Dixon, Chair, TechHer