Ten women leading the way across Australia and Asia Pacific share candid views ahead of International Women’s Day 2026, calling for more than symbolic gestures.
International Women’s Day 2026 carries the global theme “Accelerate Action.” It is a call to move beyond conversation and deliver change with urgency. This year, ten women leading the way across the technology sector share what they believe it actually takes to support women, not just recruit them.
Catherine Larroche, Practice Director, Customer Science
“Creating a workplace where women feel safe and supported is the other half of the answer.”
“Giving a hiring manager the green light to bring more women into an organisation is only half the answer to the question of how to even up the IT industry’s unbalanced gender scales. Creating a workplace where they feel safe and supported, and where their efforts and achievements are recognised and rewarded, is the other half.”
Larroche warns that organisations that get the first step right but miss the second face a predictable consequence. Neglect to do so, she says, and there is a high chance those hard-found female hires will quickly begin exploring options elsewhere. She is direct about where accountability sits. “That’s something that starts from the top, from leaders who walk the walk when it comes to treating women equally and respectfully.” Looking ahead, she says she wants to see more leaders giving women the opportunity to join vibrant, successful enterprises where they will be challenged, supported, and valued. “Businesses and the economy have much to gain from their inclusion in this hyper-dynamic sector.”
Heather Pettenon, General Manager, Strategic Markets, Atturra
“All too often, we’re competent but not confident; shorter than we should be on the self-belief that’s needed to assert ourselves in commercial environments”
“I’d love to see more young women take up the opportunity to build their skills and advance in our IT sector, as I’ve been fortunate to do. All too often, as a cohort, we’re competent but not confident; shorter than we should be on the self-belief that’s needed to assert ourselves in commercial environments, despite being secure in the knowledge we’re capable professionals whose insights and opinions are worthy of consideration.”
Pettenon credits direct sponsorship from senior leaders with shaping her own trajectory. “Having my former manager acknowledge the positive outcomes I was achieving reinforced my self-confidence during my early years with Atturra. He removed friction, created space for me to move forward and challenged me to push myself. His mentorship also helped me shape my voice to become more assertive, and he encouraged me to use it in forums and meetings.” Her current manager, she says, has continued that support, and the sustained sponsorship has been central to her career progression. Without that kind of backing, she adds, it can be difficult for women working in male-dominated industries to find their feet and feel genuinely confident in their own capability. “Backing and asserting yourself not only allows you to show you have something valuable to add. It can lead to more and better opportunities, whether that’s being seconded to work on stretch projects, invited to participate in high stakes client engagements or considered for elevation to more challenging roles.”
Lisa Lyssand, Chief People Officer, Anomali
“Meaningful support is never one-size-fits-all. It’s about giving people what they need, when they need it.”
“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that meaningful support is never one-size-fits-all. It’s about giving people what they need, when they need it, in a way that’s authentic and natural, without expectation of anything in return. For some people, what’s most beneficial is getting involved in a formal mentorship program, with stated goals, regular meetings and clear start and end dates. For others, it can be as simple as helping them think through their next step, encouraging them to stretch themselves or instilling the confidence needed to try something new.”
For many women in cybersecurity, Lyssand says, the most significant barrier is internal. “The pressure to prove their capability and worth in what remains a very much male-dominated industry.” As leaders, she adds, whatever can be done to enable and empower people, to make their journeys a little clearer or less daunting, is what should be done. “As leaders, whatever we can do to enable and empower people, to make their journeys a little clearer or less daunting, is what we should do.”
Wendy Koh, Vice President and General Manager Asia Pacific, Hitachi Vantara
“Give women chances to grow their careers, perhaps even before you’re 100% convinced they’re ready.”
“Identifying and developing capable women, and giving them chances to grow their careers, perhaps even before you and they are 100 per cent convinced they’re ready to step up, is an effective way to elevate more high performers into the leadership ranks.”
Koh adds that waiting for perfect readiness is itself part of the problem. When talented employees don’t receive the support they need to grow, she says, they often look for it elsewhere, taking their capabilities and experience to organisations that will invest in their development and offer them room to progress.
Laura Heisman, Chief Marketing Officer, Dynatrace
“The rise of AI isn’t just a call for women to adapt, it’s an opportunity for women to lead.”
“The rise of AI isn’t just a call for women to adapt, it’s an opportunity for women to lead. With an estimated 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 yet to be created, AI is not only reshaping roles, but entire career journeys. Traditional paths are breaking down, opening doors for women to step into emerging opportunities, and redefining what’s possible for soon-to-be graduates and school-aged girls alike.”
This, she says, is the moment to help define the future of work and pave the way for generations to come. But progress is not automatic. “Without intentional action and human connection, women risk being sidelined in this transformation. Learning, experimenting, and getting comfortable with AI isn’t optional. It’s how we remain active participants in shaping what comes next.” When women and future generations are supported through mentorship, intentional recruiting, training, and shared learning, she adds, the result goes beyond opportunity. “We don’t just advance opportunity, we build better technology, stronger businesses, and a more inclusive future. It starts with choosing to learn, experiment, and grow with AI. That is the spirit of this year’s International Women’s Day focus, where we give to gain.”
Diana Jouard, Product Manager, Ping Identity
“We’re not just shaping technology, we’re shaping a more equitable and innovative future for the industry.”
“In cybersecurity, women not only bring diverse perspectives that strengthen how we protect digital trust, but they also help expand what’s possible in a field that’s still overwhelmingly male-dominated. I’ve seen firsthand how curiosity, resilience, and inclusive collaboration drive better solutions, and I’m proud that as women step into leadership, we’re not just shaping technology, we’re shaping a more equitable and innovative future for the industry.”
Her advice to women considering the field is direct. “Stay curious and never stop learning. Emerging areas like decentralised identity demand a strong mix of technical knowledge and human-centred skills, while AI and the future of AI agents will need serious security rigor to manage properly, making investment in a strong core foundation essential. And don’t shy away from the projects that feel challenging. Those are often the moments where real growth happens, and confidence is built.”
Nicola Gerber, Vice President Asia Pacific and Japan, Fastly
“Those of us in leadership have a responsibility to create spaces where individuals can give, take, gain and grow.”
“Collegiate exchanges, in which help is freely sought and readily given, aren’t just a life affirming reminder that human beings, in the main, are thoughtful and generous creatures whose instinct is to look out for and uplift one another. They also illustrate the value of building and maintaining a network of fellow professionals who understand the environment you operate in, the pressures you experience and the often conflicting priorities you’re forced to contend with.”
Those in leadership positions in security, she says, have a responsibility to model this in their workplaces, ensuring they operate as spaces where individuals, both women and men, can give, take, gain, and grow. “As we celebrate International Women’s Day in 2026 and the progress we’ve made to date, that’s something we can collectively give to the next generation of workers and leaders.”
Lisa Tierney, Marketing Campaign Manager, Ricoh Australia
“We need to modernise not just our technology, but our narrative”
“When we talk about attracting women and younger talent into the printer industry, this isn’t a nice-to-have initiative. It is a strategic imperative. Scholarships, mentoring, visible role models, and genuine pathways into the industry are no longer optional if we want print to thrive beyond the next decade. We need to modernise not just our technology, but our narrative. Print should not be something to fall back on. It should be something to actively build a future in.”
Programs that celebrate women’s success, recognise leadership, and make expertise visible, whether through awards, mentoring, or scholarships, she says, don’t just lift individuals. They strengthen the entire industry. Through her own work, she has seen what happens when space is created deliberately. “When we say you belong here, your perspective matters, and your future can be built here, confidence grows. Capability grows. And so does commitment.”
Aparajita Paul, Director APJ, Saviynt
“When women step into technology with confidence, they don’t just build careers, they build the future.”
“Whether in coding, cybersecurity, AI, product leadership, or entrepreneurship, women belong in every corner of the workforce. Let us champion one another, mentor boldly, and create spaces where ambition is nurtured, not questioned. Because when women step into technology with confidence, they don’t just build careers, they build future. Let’s move beyond participation to pioneering, mentoring one another, opening doors, and actively creating pathways for more women and girls to enter and thrive in the cybersecurity space.”
Her message for Women’s Day 2026 is one of collective strength. “As we mark International Women’s Day 2026, my message to all women out there would be about honouring the strength, resilience, and individuality that define womanhood. We are here to drive change and shape the future.” Her closing words are both a reminder and a rallying call. “Our differences are not barriers, they are our greatest advantage.”
Janine Seebeck, CEO, BeyondTrust
“Every effort, big or small, helps build a more supportive and inclusive professional community.”
“As I’ve advanced into senior roles, I’ve made it a priority to pay it forward by volunteering my time as a mentor, sharing my expertise and guidance with colleagues and emerging leaders.”
Seebeck also volunteers with IT Girls, a local Atlanta-based organisation dedicated to increasing STEM exposure for fourth and fifth grade girls. Through hands-on activities and mentorship, she says, the aim is to spark interest in STEM fields, foster awareness, and encourage young students to envision themselves as future female leaders in technology and science. Giving back, she adds, looks different for everyone, and that is the point. “For some, that might be spending time at networking events, engaging in formal mentorship programs, or volunteering for industry initiatives. For others, especially those balancing demanding roles, family, and travel, giving back might mean being intentional with the time you have, reaching out to colleagues who seem to need support, offering advice in the moment, or simply making yourself available when someone calls.”
The most impactful moments, she says, are often the quietest ones. “Spontaneous one-on-one conversations and quick words of encouragement can sometimes have the greatest impact, even more than structured programs. The key is to give in a way that’s genuine and sustainable for you. Every effort, big or small, helps build a more supportive and inclusive professional community.”
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