Women Trailblazers Driving Success : Rewriting the rules of Tech Leaders!

Women leaders are increasingly shaping the direction of the global technology landscape, driving innovation in AI, cybersecurity, cloud, and digital transformation. Their leadership is redefining workplace culture, accelerating inclusion, and influencing strategic decision-making across organisations. As more women take on CXO and engineering leadership roles, they are championing ethical AI, data governance, sustainability, and customer-centric innovation. Their rise signals a transformative shift—where diverse perspectives fuel stronger products, resilient teams, and more equitable digital ecosystems that inspire future generations of women in tech.

The IT and telecom industries, long regarded as male-dominated domains, are undergoing a significant transformation as more women rise into leadership roles. From technical positions to the executive suite, women are challenging long-standing stereotypes and contributing to innovation in powerful new ways. This shift is not only reshaping perceptions but also fostering more diverse, inclusive environments that fuel creativity and sustainable growth.

In recent years, women have taken center stage across IT and telecom, leading global organizations, advancing cutting-edge technologies, and shaping industry narratives. They are assuming C-suite roles, driving large-scale digital transformation initiatives, and redefining business strategies with a broader, more inclusive perspective.
At the same time, female-founded startups are gaining momentum, challenging industry norms and inspiring the next generation of innovators.

While progress is gradual, the presence of women in technology continues to grow, supported by inclusive workplace policies, STEM education initiatives, and sustained advocacy for diversity and equity.

CHALLENGES STILL PERSIST

Despite the progress witnessed, women in technology still face challenges such as pay gaps, underrepresentation, and workplace biases. To continue progress, companies and educational institutions must remain committed to building environments that support women through equal opportunities, career development, and creating workplaces where they can thrive. The tech industry needs continuous effort to ensure sustainable and meaningful progress in gender diversity. Advocacy groups, mentorship programs, and corporate diversity initiatives should create supportive ecosystems to empower women.

The future of technology is brighter with the increasing participation of women. Their involvement is not just a step toward gender equality but a crucial driver of innovation, creativity, and progress in the ever-evolving tech world. Women’s contributions are shaping a more inclusive, balanced, and advanced technological landscape. This emergence is not just a trend but a movement that promises to redefine the world of IT and telecom in the years to come.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exploring new horizons through Tech Leadership

SRILALITHA GOPAL, MANAGING DIRECTOR, TVS ELECTRONICS LTD.

“Gender diversity plays a vital role in how we build leadership capability. While the representation of women in leadership is still evolving, it is a clear priority for us. We are consciously scaling this by creating equitable access to critical roles, leadership exposure, and decision-making opportunities across the organisation - without biasing roles by gender.

I drive innovation by anchoring it to first-principles thinking, real business problems, and strong execution discipline across our products, services, and solutions. We break challenges down to their fundamentals-cost, reliability, scalability, and customer impact-and translate them into clearly defined Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) that allow us to test fast, learn early, and de-risk scale, while maintaining strong engineering rigor and design discipline. Most importantly, innovation is not treated as a standalone initiative, but embedded into how teams think, decide, engineer, and deliver every day across the organisation.

FUELLED BY CHALLENGES, GUIDED BY SOLUTIONS

My journey into technology leadership was inspired by seeing how technology can quietly but powerfully shape outcomes - whether it’s enabling millions of daily transactions, improving operational reliability, or creating scalable impact. I was drawn not just to the technology itself, but to the challenge of translating complex systems into real business value.

Over time, leading teams, building capabilities, and driving transformation at scale reinforced my belief that technology leadership is about clarity, inclusion, and execution. Being at TVS Electronics, where technology directly touches everyday lives, has further strengthened my motivation to lead with purpose and create platforms that empower both people and businesses.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Setting the benchmark for Leadership in the Technology world

SWAPNA BAPAT, VICE PRESIDENT & MANAGING DIRECTOR, INDIA AND SAARC, PALO ALTO NETWORKS

At Palo Alto Networks, we have built an environment where women are encouraged to take risks, put their hands up for bigger roles, and be heard in the rooms where decisions are made. We have very active employee resource groups, including our women’s network, that give employees access to mentorship, career development, and a community that genuinely supports growth. These groups influence how we hire, how we retain talent, and how we make sure women have the opportunities and support needed to move into leadership. For me, enabling more women in leadership ultimately comes down to two things: removing barriers and creating visibility. When women see other women leading not just in pockets but across functions; it sends a clear message that leadership isn’t the exception, but the expectation. And that’s the environment we are creating at Palo Alto Networks every day.

INSPIRATION TO LEAD THE TECH WORLD

My journey into technology started with a sense of curiosity and possibility. The idea that everything could suddenly be connected; that you could communicate over a platform without boundaries, was incredibly exciting. That early exposure shaped my belief that technology can fundamentally change how we live, work, and solve problems. Over the years, I moved across domains — embedded systems, networking, software, cybersecurity — and that breadth gave me a deep view of how systems really work. But leadership came from something more personal: the need to help people grow and use my skills to lead a business. Early in my career, being one of very few women on engineering teams taught me to speak up, to claim my voice, and to lead by example.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inspired to Create Tomorrow with Today’s Tech

NIDHI JAIN, DIRECTOR - PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, INTUIT

“Enabling women to step into leadership roles requires intentional structures, sustained mentorship, and a culture that supports growth at every stage. Through networks like Women Everywhere (WE), Intuit provides mentorship, learning resources, and safe platforms for women to share experiences and build confidence. These communities play a vital role in helping women navigate career inflection points, gain clarity on their aspirations, and develop leadership capabilities. A core aspect of our mentoring approach is shifting the conversation from short-term milestones to long-term purpose, helping mentees articulate their “why” and build a strong foundation for growth. Complemented by leadership development programs, return-to-work initiatives, and supportive policies, these efforts create visible pathways for women to progress and lead. Investing in women leaders is not a “nice-to-have,” but a critical commitment to building future-ready, role-model-driven leadership within the organisation.

EXPLORING THE WORLD THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

What inspired my journey into technology leadership was the deep desire to operate at the intersection of technology, people and meaningful business impact. My path into tech leadership began with one belief: technology has the power to improve lives when people, purpose, and innovation come together. At the same time, I became acutely aware of how few women were represented in senior technology roles.

I felt a responsibility to step into that space, not only to grow my own career but to help widen the path for others. I love building teams and systems that empower others, and I’m driven to create meaningful customer impact.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gaining insights into Strategic Leadership roles through past experiences

VINNY SHARMA, SENIOR DIRECTOR- GLOBAL, FIELD & CHANNEL MARKETING, SECURONIX

Securonix has consistently created space for women to grow by recognizing capabilities and enabling access to leadership opportunities. We are committed to growing gender diversity in the management team and have several other women leaders in senior roles, including myself, who are role models to our fellow female colleagues. At Securonix, we are creating a gender-inclusive workplace as it is proven that women possess a unique set of skills, naturally excelling in communication, strategic thinking, and collaborative leadership. Since technology is no longer limited to engineering but overlaps into cross-functional influence, customer centricity, and creative problem-solving areas where women continue to thrive, Securonix provides them the opportunities to grow in their roles and eventually into leaders.

EXPLORING THE WORLD THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

My journey into tech marketing wasn’t a conventional one. I began with a Commerce degree, later took up foundational technology training, followed by an MBA in Marketing. I leveraged my earlier experiences in customer-facing environments in trying to influence a customer perception, which shapes the narrative, bringing complex technologies to life. My passion for understanding markets, while taking an integrated approach to marketing and the business impact it creates, inspired me to grow as a leader in the space. My current role at Securonix is giving me ample opportunity to learn and grow further. Because of this deep understanding across domains, I transitioned into a leadership role naturally. My role evolved from executing heavy responsibilities to strategic leadership, influencing global programs, and leading my team through organizational changes and elevating Securonix's brand presence across markets.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Helping shape a successful story of Tech Transformation

SILKY SINHA, HEAD OF PRODUCT MARKETING & BUSINESS, NEC CORPORATION INDIA

“Over the years, I have had the privilege of being part of prestigious talent transformation initiatives like LEAP and EMPOWER, which have played a pivotal role in shaping my leadership journey. At NEC India, this work sits at the intersection of operational discipline and purposeful storytelling. Our #WeThinkEqual (DEI) initiative, driven by the marketing team, goes beyond just raising awareness.

It’s also crucial to point out that the marketing function at NEC India is predominantly led by women, with 80-90% of the team comprising female talent. This is a testament to how we are committed to supporting women across various roles and especially in leadership positions. We don’t just prepare women for leadership roles; we make sure they are supported through sponsorship and coaching.

WHEN VISION MEETS INNOVATION

My journey into product and technology marketing leadership in tech feels like a natural path, one that’s been shaped by the rapid changes around me and my own desire to make a real impact. When I first entered the tech space over 12 years ago, India was on the verge of something. I found myself fascinated by how technology
touches human life every second, makes their lives easier, and opens up new opportunities. I realized that product marketing wasn’t just about promoting features, it was about communicating to the people the power of seemingly complex technologies in enhancing their mundane day to day problems, thereby improving the quality of their lived experiences.

Over the course of my career, I have observed several tech companies doing more than merely changing industries, they have shaped our present, and continue to shape our collective futures. NEC Corporation India ranks among these change makers. I have had the opportunity here to lead teams that aren’t just focused on business success, but also on something bigger: using technology to empower people.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shaping Leadership skills through Learning & Responsibility

SUJATHA S IYER, HEAD OF AI (SECURITY), ZOHO CORP.

“Zoho creates an environment where there is a strong focus on learning, ownership, and trust, which allows people to take responsibility early and grow naturally into leadership positions. The organisation ensures there are continuous learning opportunities where employees are encouraged to take on challenging roles and lead critical projects. Also, employees are given the space to experiment, make decisions, and learn from mistakes, which allows them to gain the confidence and experience needed to step into leadership roles and succeed.

INSPIRATION TO LEAD THE TECH WORLD

My interest in technology started with mathematics in school. I enjoyed the clarity and structure of maths, and how every problem had a logical path leading to a solution. As I learned more, I realized that mathematics forms the foundation of computing, from algorithms to data and systems. That connection is what drew me towards computing and eventually into a career in technology. I joined Zoho Corporation nearly ten years ago as an intern, which gave me the chance to learn by doing and understand how real-world systems are built. Over time, I moved into working with AI. My move into security was driven by a very specific challenge it presents—in security, there is no room for complacency. Today, I lead the AI in Security division at Zoho. My work focuses on building AI systems that are reliable, resilient, and trustworthy. This journey has been shaped by constant learning and responsibility, and it has influenced how I approach both technology and leadership.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Coding Curiosity into Reality

APARNA BALASUBRAMANIAN, DIRECTOR OF SOFTWARE ENGINEERING, GOTO

“GoTo enables more women to take leadership roles by fostering an inclusive, gender-neutral culture where leadership progression is driven by capability, accountability, and impact. The emphasis is on creating equal access to opportunities through clear expectations, consistent standards, and visibility into meaningful work. The recipe for leadership doesn’t vary by gender. What sometimes differs is access to the same levels of trust, feedback, mentorship, and exposure.

From a business standpoint, diversity improves decision-making by reducing blind spots and strengthening execution in complex, cross-functional environments. When people feel heard and respected, collaboration improves and teams are more willing to challenge sub-optimal solutions—leading to better products, more resilient platforms, and outcomes that scale with the business. Our organisation has some seasoned leaders who consciously offer the same treatment and support across the board, remove unintended barriers and allow leadership potential to emerge naturally based on capability and impact, not fit or stereotype.

INSPIRED BY PROBLEMS, DRIVEN BY SOLUTIONS

My journey into technology leadership began with a deep interest in programming and problem-solving during school and college. Early in my career, I focused on building systems and understanding how technology worked at a detailed level. What inspired me to move into leadership was seeing how technology directly shapes business results and customer experiences. Technical choices mattered beyond code. As I worked across platform engineering, data and analytics, and large-scale transformation projects, I consistently stepped into leadership roles that brought structure to complex problems. I translated technical decisions into clear business impact and helped teams move forward with confidence in uncertain environments.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Transition made for creating a Lasting Change

RUCHI KULHARI, CHRO, UNISYS

“Empowering women in leadership requires intentional action. At Unisys, we achieve this by actively seeking diverse candidate pools and ensuring our hiring processes are equitable. More than that, we foster what we call a "Winning Culture" — one that demands leaders from different backgrounds and varying areas of expertise. When women see other women in senior positions, it encourages more diversity in our applicant pool. Our leadership bench includes strong strategic and solutions-based expertise from women across the organization, and we are committed to continuing that momentum.

When you have people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives working together, you challenge assumptions, identify blind spots and develop more innovative solutions. India is a perfect example of this in action. Today, nearly 40% of our total workforce is based in India, bringing invaluable perspectives and expertise that strengthen our ability to serve clients globally. This diverse talent base allows us to meet client needs at scale while bringing fresh thinking to every challenge we tackle, disrupting the status quo.

WHERE IMAGINATION MEETS INNOVATION

I didn't start out in the corporate world or in the technology sector. Instead, I began my career as a clinical psychologist, spending years conducting psychometric evaluations, behavioral assessments, and specialized training. This foundation shaped everything about how I approach my current role as Chief Human Resources Officer at Unisys. In psychology, you learn that lasting change only happens when you truly understand people, from what enables them to thrive to the challenges they face. When I transitioned into technology leadership, I brought that same principle with me.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Championing for an Inclusive and Impactful Technology ecosystem

CHAITRA VEDULLAPALLI, CO - FOUNDER, WOMEN IN CLOUD

Women In Cloud is a global network of 150,000 Women Tech Founders, Executives, Tech Professionals, and Allies in more than 100 countries who are committed to inspiring the tech ecosystem to be an inclusive force. So, when you bring so many disruptive minds together, innovation is bound to happen. We are driven by purpose and result and these are the two things that are at the centre of all innovations at Women in Cloud.

There is no doubt that diversity leads to better decisions and resilient business. The speed of innovation in organisations is faster when multiple perspectives are put together to understand the customer better and manage risks more effectively. We launched the “Main Hoon Saksham” campaign, a national initiative designed at creating India’s workforce development programme for making India enabled in AI and cybersecurity, aligned with the country’s ambition for a $7 trillion digital economy. Over the last decade, we have seen that enterprises and governments have poured billions into workforce certifications, digital badges, and AI skilling programs. However, productivity hasn’t grown proportionally. Main Hoon Saksham is our endeavour towards creating professionals, who are innovation-ready.

INSPIRATION TO LEAD AS A TECH LEADER

I have always believed that technology is a great leveler. Deployed at scale, technology can democratize any opportunity. Early on in my career, I have witnessed how digital platforms can unlock immense opportunities for business and communities that have been left out of the formal system. For me, leadership is all about shaping ecosystem that become inclusive and impactful. That was the reason why we started Women in Cloud, which is designed to unlock long-term economic value.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Translating Technological Potential into Measurable Business Outcomes

SIMMI DHAMIJA, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, AIONOS

“At AIONOS, innovation is driven through disciplined execution and a clear focus on business relevance. As COO, my role is to ensure that innovation moves beyond experimentation and is embedded into core operations and decision-making. We are building AI-native, digital-first capabilities that help enterprises shift from pilots to production-grade solutions.

Creating pathways for women to move into leadership roles requires intent, structure, and accountability. At AIONOS, we focus on building an environment where women have access to meaningful opportunities, visible leadership role models, and the support systems needed to succeed. This includes equitable leadership development programs, mentorship and sponsorship, transparent performance evaluation, and flexible work structures that recognise different life stages. Equally important is fostering a culture where diverse leadership styles are valued and decision-making tables reflect a broad range of perspectives.

INSPIRATION TO LEAD THE TECH WORLD

My journey into technology leadership has been shaped by a strong belief that technology, when applied with clarity and purpose, can fundamentally transform how businesses operate and grow. Early in my career, I saw first-hand how strategic use of technology could simplify complexity, improve decision-making, and create scalable impact.

Over time, this evolved into a deeper interest in leadership roles where I could influence not just systems and platforms, but also organisational culture, talent development, and long-term value creation. As technology became more central to business strategy, the opportunity to operate at the intersection of people, process, and innovation naturally drew me into leadership roles. Today, as COO, my focus is on translating technological potential into measurable business outcomes at scale.”