Celebrating Women in Tech: International Women’s Day 2025
BY Imogen StubbsInternational Women’s Day is here and, as ever, marks the perfect occasion to celebrate women worldwide and recognize their contributions.
This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, underscores the urgency of driving progress toward gender equality. According to the World Economic Forum*, full gender equality is not expected until 2158—a stark reminder of the need for swift, decisive action.
At Assured, we are committed to being part of this change. As our company continues to grow, we take pride in welcoming more women into key roles across the business, bringing expertise and fresh perspectives that drive innovation.
To mark International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the remarkable women of Assured. To do this, we spoke with three inspiring women from across the business, who shared their experiences and offered invaluable advice for those pursuing careers in tech and beyond.
Meet the Team:
Ellie Lundie, Product Owner
“I have moved into a Product Owner role recently, meaning; I am the person between stakeholders and developers. It is my job to ensure the stakeholder’s issues/wants are broken down into requirements and converted into solutions. I am also responsible for making sure the developers have all of the information to be able to complete their work.”
Kristen Cunningham, National Channel Manager, TSD and Regionals
“As the Manager of our TSD and Regional Channel Sales Team at Assured, I am responsible for overseeing the company’s relationships with our regional partners and TSD’s. My role includes managing the Regional Channel Sales team, developing and implementing strategies for growth and driving the success of our partner ecosystem.”
Sarah Richardson, Senior Developer
“My role involves the development and maintenance of high-quality software solutions, as well as collaboration with key teams. Additionally, I identify areas of improvement for our product and development processes, ensuring that they are scalable and adhere to best practices.”
Insights and Advice:
What career advice do you have for women in tech/STEM?
Ellie – “Want and need are not the same thing. Someone may want a new thing, but that might not solve the issue. I have always asked “why”, even in response to “because.” It turns out, there’s a job for that in tech! There’s more to tech than coding and the right role can give you the opportunity to be incredibly creative.”
Kristen – “For women in tech and STEM fields, embracing resilience and adaptability is crucial. Seek out mentorship from women who’ve walked similar paths, and don’t be afraid to take on challenging projects that can stretch your skills. Surround yourself with supportive networks and make your accomplishments visible. Accountability in your growth is key—track your achievements and share them confidently, especially in environments that may not always acknowledge your efforts right away —it’s important to share your successes and demonstrate your expertise.”
Sarah – “Seek opportunities to learn whenever possible and identify knowledge gaps that you can address. Cultivate a robust network through your colleagues and industry events, such as Wit Notts. A mentor can prove to be invaluable when commencing your journey within an organization, offering guidance and counsel as you navigate challenges and learning opportunities. Furthermore, I would recommend that you strive to be yourself. Authenticity is a powerful asset and attempting to be someone you are not will only lead to exhaustion and is unsustainable.”
What advice do you have for women looking to grow either their own business or within the company they work for?
Ellie – “Celebrate the little wins. Keep a log of all the good work you have done (big and small). Every little helps, and, at the end of the year, being able to see all those little wins will be a confidence booster, and be a handy reminder at annual reviews.”
Kristen – “Growth, whether within an organization or by starting a business, requires persistence, strategic thinking, and leveraging relationships. Whether it’s expanding your professional network or building a business around a clear value proposition, hold yourself to high standards, seek mentorship, and continuously evaluate and pivot your approach to ensure success.”
What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
Ellie – “Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses – always ask for help when you need it and pay it back in supporting others. In many cases, someone may be so deep in an issue, they cannot see the wood for the trees… By asking them to explain it in another way may reveal a new path round.”
Kristen – “For future female leaders, I would emphasize the importance of authenticity, empathy, and courage in leadership. Focus on developing emotional intelligence alongside your technical skills, as this combination will help you inspire and guide teams through challenges while maintaining morale and cohesion.”
How can women strive for greater gender pay equality?
Kristen – “Striving for gender pay equality involves transparency and advocacy. Companies should also push for pay transparency, which can shed light on disparities. Women can collectively advocate for equal pay, which often starts with building communities where we can share experiences and insights on how to close gaps.”
Sarah – “Advocate for yourself, recognize your worth, and request what you deserve.”
How do you push for systemic change around ideas that are new or not that popular?
Kristen – “Pushing for change, especially when the ideas are unpopular, requires strong data, clear communication, and perseverance. I suggest aligning new ideas with the company’s long-term goals, presenting data-driven arguments, and gathering support from like-minded colleagues or mentors who can champion your cause. Patience and persistence are key—systemic change rarely happens overnight, but consistent effort can lead to the cultural shifts needed.”
Sarah – “You must develop a compelling case for this change and ensure that the relevant information is easily accessible while encouraging individuals to engage with it. Collaborate to facilitate alignment of mindsets and goals, and promote an environment where individuals feel comfortable asking questions; this may also highlight any concerns they may have, which you can assist them in addressing.”
How can women develop their leadership skills?
Kristen – “Leadership skills are developed through experience, feedback, and continuous learning. Whether it’s through formal leadership programs, on-the-job training, or seeking out mentors, leadership development is a lifelong process. Don’t shy away from challenges that will help you grow—feedback is a gift, so seek it out, act on it, and continually refine your approach to leadership.”
Sarah – “Identify and seek opportunities to develop these skills, such as mentoring new hires, participating in leadership courses, and implementing or coordinating new workplace initiatives.”
How important is it to have a mentor to grow as a leader?
Kristen – “Having a mentor is incredibly important, as they can provide guidance, feedback, and a sounding board for your ideas and challenges. A mentor can help you grow faster by sharing their wisdom, offering different perspectives, and helping you make informed decisions. Look for mentors who challenge you to step out of your comfort zone, while providing the support you need to grow.”
Sarah – “It is crucial that they offer guidance, support, and valuable information; they can also assist you in navigating the complexities of leadership. They will share their experiences, facilitate networking, and help hold you accountable. This support will aid you in developing the skills, knowledge, and confidence essential for excelling in a leadership role.”
How can women support other women in their organizations?
Kristen – “Supporting other women involves lifting each other up, whether by sharing opportunities, providing advice, or simply offering encouragement. Share your knowledge and celebrate the success of others. A rising tide lifts all boats, and when one woman succeeds, it opens the door for others.”
Sarah – “By actively participating in meetings and facilitating the voices of other women, we can create a more inclusive environment. Seek opportunities to celebrate women’s achievements and acknowledge the sources of innovative ideas. Encourage the women in your circle to pursue opportunities and enhance their confidence. Whenever possible, offer constructive feedback to support their learning and development.”
What strategies can work well to promote inclusion in the workplace?
Kristen – “Promoting inclusion starts with intentional actions and policies. Strategies include diversity-focused recruitment, offering mentorship programs, and creating safe spaces for open dialogue. Organizations should create inclusive cultures where everyone feels valued, regardless of gender, background, or identity.”
Sarah – “Encourage individuals to embrace their authentic selves by demonstrating that it is acceptable to do so. This will enhance their confidence, increase their energy levels, and make them more inclined to present innovative and unconventional ideas, as they will feel less apprehensive about being judged or dismissed.
Foster a more inclusive workplace by incorporating workplace accommodations into the company’s structure, rather than requiring employees to request them. Examples include flexible work hours, automatically generated meeting notes, closed captioning/transcripts, and uninterrupted work time. Workplace accommodations benefit all employees, not just women, those with disabilities, or individuals who are neurodiverse.”
Final Thoughts:
If you’re interested in finding out more about working for Assured Data Protection, please drop us a line at [email protected] or visit our Careers Page to view our latest vacancies.
For more information on International Women’s Day (Saturday 8th March 2025) and on how you can get involved, visit the IWD website.