Originally published February 28, 2023 , updated on March 1, 2023

Men have long dominated the tech industry, but many women have made significant contributions and broken barriers in the field. 

These women serve as inspirations for others who may be considering a career in technology, and their stories demonstrate that anything is possible with hard work and determination. 

From pioneers in computer science to leaders in Silicon Valley, women have made a lasting impact on the tech industry and continue to inspire future generations.

This article reveals the top advice from women with successful careers in technology and marketing. Each woman is a powerhouse in their field, with abundant experience and expertise to pass on regarding career development for women. 

Challenges Women Face in the Workplace

Traditionally, women have faced several challenges in the tech industry. One major challenge is the need for more representation and diversity within the field. According to a 2020 National Center for Women & Information Technology report, women only hold only 25% of professional computing occupations in the United States. 

Underrepresentation can create a culture where women feel outnumbered and unsupported, leading to a lack of confidence and opportunities in career development for women.

Another challenge is unconscious bias and discrimination in the workplace. It can surely make it more difficult for women to advance their careers and be recognised for their contributions. Additionally, the lack of flexible work arrangements can make it difficult for women to balance their professional and personal lives, leading to a high rate of burnout and attrition. This creates a large obstacle for women to sculpt successful careers. 

But despite these challenges, women are still finding ways to succeed and make a meaningful impact on the tech industry. Let’s take a look at some of the leading women in tech and marketing. 

Top 10 Women With Successful Careers

1. Sheryl Sandberg

One of the most prominent women in tech is Sheryl Sandberg, the former Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, now known as Meta. She joined the company in 2008 and has been instrumental in its growth and success. While she stepped down in August 2022, she still serves on the board of directors. 

Before joining Facebook, Sandberg was Vice President of Global Online Sales and Operations at Google. She helped the company grow its advertising and publishing businesses. Sandberg is also a best-selling author and influential advocate for women in the workplace.

Her advice for budding women professionals is to “sit at the table” and “lean in” at work. Never underestimate yourself or make yourself smaller than you are. Take every opportunity that comes your way, and approach each as a chance to grow and prove your worth. 

“In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders.” – Sheryl Sandberg.

2. Marissa Mayer

Another trailblazer in the tech industry is Marissa Mayer, the first female engineer at Google who later served as the company’s CEO. Mayer helped develop some of Google’s most popular products, including Google Search and Maps. After leaving Google, Mayer served as CEO of Yahoo and led the company’s efforts to revamp its products and services.

Marissa’s main career advice for women is to focus on what you’ll learn and the impact you can make within your company and the industry. Zone in on your abilities, skillset, and passion, and ensure everything you do aligns with those three core aspects. 

“I always did something I was a little not ready to do. I think that’s how you grow. When there’s that moment of ‘Wow, I’m not really sure I can do this,’ and you push through those moments, that’s when you have a breakthrough.” – Marissa Mayer.

3., Meg Whitman

Yet another successful woman in tech is Meg Whitman, who has had a long and successful career in technology, business, and politics. She served as the CEO of eBay, where she helped the company grow from a small startup to a global e-commerce giant. Whitman also served as Hewlett-Packard’s CEO and ran for California governor in 2010.

Meg’s main career advice for women is to be true to themselves and their families. During the career development journey for women, you will have to make sacrifices, and there will be tradeoffs. Remember that you and your family matter more, so every decision should be in your best interest. 

“Remember that you can do anything you want to do. Don’t let anyone say, ‘You’re not smart enough, it’s too hard, it’s a dumb idea, no one has done that before, girls don’t do that.’ – Meg Whitman.

4. Maggie Louie

Maggie Louie is a well-known figure in the field of technology and innovation. She is a seasoned entrepreneur and has been involved in several successful startups throughout her career. 

Maggie is also a speaker and mentor in the tech community. She shares her knowledge and experience with others to help them succeed in their own ventures. She is famous for her ability to identify and capitalise on emerging trends in the industry and has a proven track record of developing and launching innovative products and services. Overall, Maggie Louie is a respected leader and influencer in the tech industry.

Her main advice for career development for women is to surely understand what motivates you and choose the right path, company, and profession to fuel your fire. 

“To thine own self be true. Let the ‘why’ you do what you do be ‘true north’.” – Maggie Louie.

5. Netta Korin

Netta Korin is a technology entrepreneur and the co-founder of Orbs Group, a public blockchain solution. She is a pioneer in the blockchain industry and has been instrumental in developing the Orbs platform. Netta deeply understands blockchain technology and its potential to revolutionise various industries. 

She is popular for her expertise in decentralised systems, smart contracts, and digital assets. Netta is also a speaker and thought leader in the blockchain community and has been featured in various publications and conferences discussing the future of blockchain and its impact on society. 

Her main advice for career development for women is never to doubt yourself or let fear get in your way. The only thing that separates you from already successful people is experience. So put in the hard work. 

“Do not let fear get in the way of your success or of your choices.” – Maggie Louie.

6. Jennifer Holmgren

Jennifer Holmgren is the CEO of LanzaTech. It’s a leading sustainable technology company specialising in capturing and recycling carbon emissions from industrial processes to create valuable products such as ethanol and chemicals. Holmgren has been instrumental in the company’s growth and success, leading the development and commercialisation of LanzaTech’s unique technology. 

With over 25 years of experience in the energy and chemical industry, Holmgren brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the company. Under her leadership, LanzaTech has secured partnerships with major companies and governments worldwide. Additionally, others consider her a leader in the field of carbon recycling. Holmgren strongly advocates for sustainable business practices and is committed to driving positive change in the industry.

Jennifer’s main career advice for women is to listen to people, find a mentor to help guide your way, but always listen to your gut instinct. Focus on the prize; if it doesn’t work, don’t let that keep you down. Always get back up and keep working. 

“You can succeed by working hard but be patient and don’t forget your conscience! Dream the big dream and know that good ideas aren’t enough; you need to execute if the idea is going to be a success.” – Jennifer Holmgren.

7. Ellison Anne Williams

Ellison Anne Williams is the CEO and Founder of Enveil, a technology company specialising in providing secure data solutions. Williams is a respected expert in the field of cybersecurity and has over 15 years of experience in the industry. She founded Enveil in 2014 with the goal of creating a new kind of security platform that could protect sensitive data in use, as well as at rest and in motion. 

Under her leadership, Enveil has developed a unique approach to data security that uses homomorphic encryption to protect data without compromising its functionality. Williams is a frequent speaker at industry events and has been recognised for her contributions to the field of cybersecurity.

Ellison’s career tips are to ask for help and seek advice and experiences that will ultimately contribute to your career and personal growth. 

“View challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Areas where I haven’t been able to take a straight path from point A to point B, which is pretty much my entire career, ultimately tended to be the most interesting and rewarding.” – Ellison Anne Williams.

8. Elizabeth Churchill

Elizabeth Churchill is the Director of User Experience at Google. She leads a team of designers and researchers to create innovative and user-centred products and services. With over 20 years of experience in human-computer interaction, Churchill deeply understands how people interact with technology and how to design products that meet their needs.

She is a respected speaker and author in the industry and has been recognised with numerous awards for her contributions to the field. Churchill is famous for bringing together diverse teams and creating a collaborative environment that fosters creativity and innovation. Her work at Google has significantly impacted the company’s products and helped shape how people interact with technology today.

Elizabeth’s advice for career development for women is never to accept being patronised. Speak your mind, and don’t be afraid of what others think. If someone speaks to you condescendingly, reply that you respectfully disagree. Never let the criticism of others bring you down. 

“There are always challenges when one is a member of a minority, and that is doubled when that minority is not the one which has had the institutionalised power for generations.” – Elizabeth Churchill.

9. Reshma Saujani

Reshma Saujani is the founder and CEO of Girls Who Code. It’s a non-profit organisation that aims to close the gender gap in technology by teaching girls to code and building a sisterhood of supportive peers and role models. Saujani began her career as an attorney and political candidate, but after seeing the lack of female representation in the tech industry, she founded Girls Who Code in 2012. 

The organisation has since grown to reach over 90,000 girls in all 50 states, with the goal of teaching 1 million girls to code by 2030. Saujani strongly advocates increasing diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. She is working to empower the next generation of female technology leaders through Girls Who Code.

Reshma’s advice is to stick with it, no matter what. Even if you are alone and scared, keep going. Put in the time and effort, and you will reap the rewards. 

“My mission is to empower girls and women with the tools they need to be brave, not perfect.” – Reshma Saujani.

10. Ann Handley

Ann Handley is a well-known figure in the digital marketing industry. She is the Chief Content Officer at MarketingProfs, a leading training and education company for marketing professionals. She’s also the author of the bestselling book “Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content.” 

Ann is a frequent keynote speaker at marketing and content-related events. She is also known for her expertise in creating and publishing effective content for digital marketing campaigns. She also has a regular column in Entrepreneur magazine and is an adjunct professor at Rutgers Business School, where she teaches digital marketing. 

Ann’s advice is to “poke your nose out” or go out there and grab every opportunity by the horns. Don’t sit back and wait to be invited. You need to put yourself out there and get yourself seen and heard, creating areas of growth and learning for yourself. 

“If you want to do something, you need to just do it. You need to make it happen. You need to figure out who you need to know to become a better writer, or where you need to write, and how to actually get there strategically.” – Ann Handley

Career Advice for Women Summary

These are just a few examples of the many successful women in the tech industry. Despite facing challenges such as lack of representation, unconscious bias, and discrimination, they have achieved great success and made a meaningful impact on the field. Their stories serve as inspiration for future generations of women. Those who are considering a career in tech and demonstrate that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

It’s also worth noting that this is just a small sample of the many successful women in tech, and there are many more out there, from different backgrounds and cultures, breaking barriers and making a real impact in the industry. 

From engineers, product managers, and data scientists to startup founders and executives, these women are leading the way for others to follow. Their contributions are indeed invaluable to the technology industry.

Goodman Lantern advocates for female leaders in the tech world. As a means of recognition and celebration of their achievements, we’ve released our monthly Rising Star Campaign. Each month, 10 women in tech and marketing are chosen and we shine a light on their successes. Learn more about the campaign here.

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