Celebrating International Women's Day - Empowering Women in Finance & Tech: Insights from Our Colleagues

International Women's Day is a chance to pause and reflect on both the progress we’ve made and the challenges that still lie ahead. It reminds me of the incredible strength and resilience of women, motivating me to continue fighting for equality—not just for myself, but for future generations. This day is a moment of solidarity, where we support and uplift each other, showing how important it is to work toward a fairer future. At the same time, it carries a deep sense of responsibility to continue the fight that many women before us have started, taking both small and big steps to create a world where every woman has the opportunity to reach her full potential.

One of the key milestones in my career that I’m especially proud of is reaching a leadership position without having completed a master’s degree. It’s a reminder that women can achieve high-level goals and break barriers, even without following the traditional academic path. I’m proud to show that determination, hard work, and perseverance can lead to success. It’s inspiring to see how women today are able to reach impressive heights in their careers, regardless of whether they have extensive formal education. This accomplishment makes me even more passionate about empowering others to pursue their dreams, no matter their educational background.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a woman in advancing my career has been finding my voice in environments where women are often overlooked or dismissed. It can be difficult to speak up, especially when you’re faced with skepticism or unconscious bias. But over time, I learned the power of persistence and confidence. I started trusting my expertise and recognizing that my perspective is valuable. I sought out mentors and allies who supported me and encouraged me to take up space. Fortunately, I am also surrounded by a family and work environment that supports and encourages me in achieving my goals. Their belief in me has been a huge source of strength and motivation. By staying true to my beliefs, standing firm in meetings, and consistently delivering results, I was able to prove that my voice matters. It’s not always easy, but every step I took to assert myself has not only helped me advance, but also created space for other women to be heard. We are stronger when we support each other, and no challenge is too big when we stand together and keep pushing forward.

My role model is definitely my mother. As a self-employed woman with three children and a single parent, she showed me every day how strong women can be and what is possible when you don’t let challenges discourage you. She never gave up, even when times were tough, and managed to support her family with love, perseverance, and determination. Her ability to balance work and family taught me that there are no limits when you believe in something with passion and dedication. She has always inspired me to push beyond my limits and believe in my own abilities, no matter what obstacles lie ahead.

Balancing professional and personal life is something I’m still figuring out, and honestly, I don’t believe there’s ever a perfect "balance." There are times when family comes first, and there are times when work takes priority. The key for me is embracing the fact that life is dynamic, and what matters most is being present in whichever area you’re focusing on at the time.

What I’ve learned is that it’s essential to create a supportive and understanding environment around you. Whether it’s at home or work, having people who motivate and encourage you makes all the difference. When you have a team—whether it's your family, friends, or colleagues—who truly understands the ebb and flow of life, that’s when the "balance" happens, even if it feels a bit out of sync at times.

For other women, my advice would be to give yourself grace. Life isn’t a 50/50 split every day. Some days will demand more from you in one area, and that’s okay. It’s about finding your rhythm and remembering that your worth isn’t determined by how perfectly you manage every aspect of your life. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and help you keep going, and remember: you’re doing great, even when things don’t feel perfectly balanced.

My advice to women aspiring to enter the field of finance is simple: Believe in your potential and don’t let anyone make you doubt your abilities. The finance industry, like many others, can sometimes feel intimidating, but remember that your unique perspective, determination, and skills are exactly what the industry needs.

Start by building a strong foundation of knowledge, but also trust that learning is a continuous journey. Don't be afraid to ask questions, seek out mentors, and take on challenges that stretch your capabilities. The more you push yourself out of your comfort zone, the more you'll grow. It’s important to recognize that the path may not always be easy, but your persistence will set you apart.

Surround yourself with a supportive network of women and allies who will lift you up and encourage you every step of the way. Find role models who inspire you, and remember that you don’t need to follow a traditional route to succeed. Your path is yours to create, and with passion, resilience, and confidence, you can thrive in finance just as much as anyone else.

Most importantly, embrace your power. Women have the capacity to bring creativity, innovation, and empathy into finance, transforming the industry in ways that matter. Stay true to your vision, keep pushing forward, and always believe that you have what it takes to succeed. You are capable of achieving incredible things.

It is a reminder of the achievements of women, and for me personally, a reminder that my feminine qualities are also my strengths.

Creating a team from scratch and leading it to a stable and even successful place is a very proud achievement of mine.

It is hard as a woman to say, ‘Oh, I didn’t get that promotion because I am a woman’.  It is not something that can be proved.  But can it still feel like a factor?  Definitely.  I try to let my work speak for itself but I know it is a challenge of mine to more directly advocate for the work I am doing and be taken seriously.  When others (read: men) directly repeat something you have said in a meeting, or cut you off when speaking, or address other men in the room as if you are not an equal participant—I think we as women have all experienced that.  The best thing that has happened to me is that I have gotten older.  I don’t care as much to call it out and advocate for myself—I literally don’t got time for that.

It is an eclectic mix because women are multi-faceted people!  My best friend, my mom, Hermione Granger, Cersei Lannister—any woman who is unabashedly herself.

I don’t have Outlook or Slack on my phone.  I never will. Unless someone wants to double my salary 😊  My time and mental health are too precious to me, otherwise.

Even though it is a male dominated field, it is not rocket science.  People only pretend to make it more complicated than it is to make themselves feel important and keep people out.  ‘Soft’ skills and people skills can also really differentiate you and get you way farther than you think.  Do not underestimate those qualities in yourself—they are valuable strengths!

It's about specifically recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women globally and at home. While it's a celebration of progress, it’s also a reminder of the work still needed to achieve full equality.

Coming from a small town in India, to be able to have a successful career in an international firm whilst being a mother to my amazing son. Hopefully, I am able to be a good role model to him demonstrating women are equal in all aspects of life. This is what makes me really proud every day. 

Not having mentors and sponsors early on in my career proved advancing incredibly hard. However, I soon realised the value of having them and actively looked for mentors who I could align with. Their wealth of experience guided me through crucial periods which would have otherwise felt impossible to navigate.

Indra Nooyi, former CEO of Pepsi Co.

It is not possible to "have it all" at all times. Therefore, prioritisation is the key. Clarity in understanding what is important for you personally, and for your family can help in prioritising. Also finding your support tribe at work and outside work can really help in tackling tricky situations with its support. it could mean a supportive parent community or really supportive and understanding colleagues. 

Please do not be scared by the technical jargons. IT needs problem solving and analytical thinkers. Therefore, it does not matter what background you have, if you are interested in IT and have the zeal of learning world is your oyster. However, join women-in-tech communities and seek out mentorship from experienced women in IT. They will help you understand what steps to take next in your journey.