alt: A woman working on a laptop in a lab
title: Gender Balance in Tech

Meta Description: Gain insights on how firms can create gender balance in top tech roles by addressing the leadership pipeline and combating gender bias.

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving technology sector, achieving gender balance in leadership is not just a matter of equity—it’s a strategic imperative. Despite growing awareness and initiatives, women remain underrepresented in senior tech roles. Grant Thornton, a global leader in advisory services, provides invaluable insights into bridging this gap. This article explores these insights and introduces the EmpowerHer Summit, a transformative initiative aimed at fostering gender balance in tech leadership.

The Current State of Gender Balance in Tech Leadership

Gender imbalance in tech leadership persists globally. According to Grant Thornton’s 2024 Women in Business report, women hold only 32% of senior management positions in the tech sector, slightly below the overall average. This disparity is more pronounced in critical roles:

Chief Technology Officers (CTOs): Women occupy just 20.2% of these positions in mid-market tech firms.
Chief Executive Officers (CEOs): Female representation stands at 25.8%, while 45.3% of Human Resources Director roles are held by women.

These figures highlight the need for targeted strategies to promote women into leadership roles that influence technological innovation and development.

Insights from Grant Thornton

Grant Thornton emphasizes that gender diversity is a business imperative. Diverse leadership teams drive better decision-making, foster innovation, and enhance company performance. However, achieving this diversity requires a multifaceted approach:

1. Early Career Development

Building a robust pipeline of female leaders starts with nurturing talent early in their careers. Flexible workplace environments are crucial for accommodating the diverse needs of women as they progress. Grant Thornton’s data shows that 53.8% of mid-market tech firms adopt hybrid working models, which support work-life balance and career advancement for women.

“A hybrid work environment can help overcome the demands of balancing personal and work commitments,” says Andrea Schulz, National Managing Partner for the Technology industry at Grant Thornton LLP (US).

2. Retention Strategies

The tech sector faces a ‘great layoff,’ with over 263,000 global jobs cut in 2023 alone. To ensure women are not disproportionately affected, companies must measure turnover by gender. Only 22.3% of tech firms currently track this data, which is vital for securing the female leadership pipeline.

3. Transparency and Accountability

The gender pay gap remains a significant barrier. European women in tech earn, on average, 26% less than their male counterparts. Grant Thornton advises that tech firms must measure and publicize their gender pay gaps to build trust and attract top female talent.

“Building trust with employees through accountable and transparent actions helps to create an enhanced and inclusive workplace,” says Rena Konomi, Head of Intelligent Automation Services, Technology, Grant Thornton Greece.

EmpowerHer Summit: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact

Addressing these challenges head-on, the EmpowerHer Summit is a groundbreaking initiative designed to unite women across various backgrounds and professions. Building on the success of the Your Next Win IWD Summit, EmpowerHer focuses on education, empowerment, and networking through:

Tailored Workshops: Led by industry leaders, these sessions focus on skill development in technology, entrepreneurship, and personal branding.
Mentorship Programs: Connecting seasoned female professionals with aspiring entrepreneurs to provide guidance and inspiration.
Virtual Networking Platform: An interactive space for women leaders to connect and collaborate beyond the summit.
Pitch Contest: Participants can present their innovative ideas for a chance to win funding and expert mentorship.

Unique Approach

EmpowerHer Summit blends technology, education, and empowerment into a cohesive virtual event. It leverages AI-driven platforms to enhance networking and content delivery, ensuring accessibility and meaningful engagement across North America, Europe, and Africa. Partnerships with leading tech companies further amplify the summit’s impact, providing diverse perspectives and insights essential for fostering an inclusive tech ecosystem.

Combating Gender Bias in Tech

Gender bias in technology, especially in AI development, can have far-reaching consequences. AI systems trained on non-representative data can perpetuate existing biases, undermining efforts toward equality. Grant Thornton stresses the importance of including more women in AI development teams to recognize and mitigate bias from the outset.

“AI is rapidly changing, it’s about making sure that you’re getting more diversity, and that generative AI is reflecting the views of everyone,” says Andrea Schulz.

EmpowerHer Summit addresses this by promoting diversity in tech project teams, ensuring that all voices are heard, and fostering an environment where equitable technology development is the norm.

Conclusion

Achieving gender balance in tech leadership requires concerted efforts across multiple fronts—early career development, retention strategies, and transparency. Insights from Grant Thornton highlight the critical areas where firms can make impactful changes. The EmpowerHer Summit emerges as a pivotal platform in this journey, providing the necessary education, empowerment, and networking opportunities to propel women into leadership roles.

Join us at the EmpowerHer Summit to be part of the movement towards a more balanced and innovative tech industry. Register today and take the next step in shaping a future where women lead and excel in technology.

EmpowerHer Summit: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact

The EmpowerHer Summit aims to unite women from various backgrounds and professions, harnessing the collective power of technology, innovation, and community engagement. Stemming from the successful Your Next Win IWD Summit, this project focuses on three key areas: education, empowerment, and networking. Participants will have access to tailored workshops, mentorship programs, and an online platform connecting women leaders with aspiring entrepreneurs. This initiative emphasizes the importance of diversity in technology, equipping women with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in their careers and contribute meaningfully to their communities. The summit’s star attraction, a pitch contest, allows participants to present their ideas for a chance to win funding and mentorship. By creating an engaging and supportive virtual environment, EmpowerHer aims to redefine what is possible for women in tech and business.

For more information and to join the EmpowerHer Summit, visit Your Next Win Summits.