This year, the UN’s official theme for the day is for ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment, while the International Women’s Day site theme is accelerating action. This year, three leaders in the tech space are reinforcing the importance of accelerating action for gender equality in the sector: Caitlin Stephens (Head of HR at Eagle Eye), Rebecca Taylor (Senior Sales Manager Nexxen – Australia), and Susan Hill (Vice President, People at Amperity).
Caitlin Stephens: Building strong frameworks in the tech sector for gender equality
Caitlin Stephens, Head of HR and L&D at Eagle Eye, is a passionate advocate for creating a supportive, inclusive culture in the tech world. At Eagle Eye, a leading SaaS company specialising in personalised marketing for retail and hospitality, the golden rule of “treat others the way you wish to be treated” is at the core of the business. This principle extends into every facet of the organisation, especially in people and culture.
In her leadership role as Head of HR, Stephens has helped to inspire a flexible, merit-based working environment that values diversity and highlights the voices of women. The “Purple Culture” within Eagle Eye celebrates mutual support and collaborative success, reducing the gender divide in the workplace.
Stephens has been involved in an incredible support network for women, known as the Purple Women ERG (Employee Resource Group). This group connects women across the organisation to learn, share and discuss critical topics related to women’s advancement in the workplace.
“While Purple Women is fully backed by our executive team, witnessing how new female leadership talent has emerged from all levels of the business to lead new initiatives and grow the impact of the group is the best part,” says Stephens.
At Eagle Eye, its policies ensure that women can thrive in their careers without having to choose between their personal lives and professional growth, which include menopause support, enhanced parental leave for both mums and dads, flexible return-to-work policies and financial assistance when returning part-time after parental leave.
“It all comes back to the golden rule,” Stephens shares. “We live by this mantra at Eagle Eye because we believe it creates a rippling ‘loyalty effect.’ Our employees are the beating heart of our company, and it’s crucial that they feel truly valued and supported in achieving their goals.”
For Stephens, International Women’s Day represents the importance of driving meaningful change for women, not only in tech but across all industries. She believes that innovation and transformation go hand-in-hand with fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where every voice is celebrated and valued.
Rebecca Taylor: Mentoring the next generation of women in tech
Rebecca Taylor, Senior Sales Manager, Nexxen (Australia) believes International Women’s Day is a reminder to challenge outdated norms and pave the way for diverse leadership.
“Whether it’s leveraging AI to create smarter advertising solutions, pushing for greater transparency in digital media, or championing a culture of inclusivity, accelerating action means being a catalyst for meaningful change. By continuously innovating and advocating for equal opportunities, we can shape an industry that truly reflects and serves a diverse world,” says Taylor.
As a woman in tech, Taylor is a big advocate for mentoring the next generation of STEM leaders. She believes that now is the time for companies to assess their internal policies and take a meaningful approach to ensuring an inclusive culture that fosters mentorship and equitable opportunities.
“Women in tech still face challenges like underrepresentation in leadership, limited access to mentorship and fewer opportunities for advancement. To drive real change, companies must implement equitable policies, foster workplace inclusivity, and actively support women-led initiatives. Encouraging action means creating mentorship programs, amplifying female voices, and ensuring fair opportunities for growth,” says Taylor.
Taylor also acknowledges that challenges such as underrepresentation in leadership, limited access to mentorship and fewer opportunities for advancement persist in the tech industry. To overcome these barriers, she advocates for companies to implement equitable policies and actively support women-led initiatives.
“Mentorship programs and amplifying female voices in tech are key to creating real, tangible change.”
For Taylor, “Real progress happens when inclusivity isn’t just encouraged – it’s embedded in company culture”.
Susan Hill: Empowering tech sector to drive equity and inclusivity
For Susan Hill, Vice President, People at Amperity, International Women’s Day speaks directly to the urgency of driving gender equity in the tech industry. As a leader in tech, Susan is passionate about moving beyond mere conversations and taking real, actionable steps toward inclusivity, representation and empowerment for women.
Susan believes that IWD is a crucial time to reflect on the contributions of women in tech while highlighting the ongoing need for diversity and equity. Women have played pivotal roles in shaping technology, but the industry remains largely male-dominated. IWD provides a platform for raising awareness of the need for gender diversity and creating action steps to move toward more equitable and inclusive workplaces.
“I remember watching Hidden Figures and learning about Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, whose groundbreaking work at NASA was hidden from history for too long. Reading about Hedy Lamarr, a brilliant inventor behind the foundations of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, made me realize how many women’s achievements have been erased or diminished. That realization was frustrating – these women should have been household names all along.
That’s why IWD matters. It’s not just about celebration; it’s about visibility, recognition, and inspiration,” says Hill.
“It’s about ensuring that today’s girls and women see themselves reflected in STEM, know their contributions matter, and have the opportunities to lead the future of tech. By amplifying these voices and honoring their impact, we accelerate progress toward a more inclusive and equitable industry.”
Hill believes real change in the tech industry can only happen when we address three key challenges:
- Under-representation: It’s essential to recruit, hire, and promote more women, and set measurable goals to ensure that gender diversity in leadership roles becomes a reality.
- Pay gap: Transparency around pay structures and creating programs that commit to equal pay are vital in closing the gender pay gap.
- Unconscious bias: Training and awareness around bias must be prioritised to ensure women have equal access to opportunities and resources.
“We need to break barriers faster, create more opportunities, advocate for equity, and inspire the next generation. It’s not just about making progress – it’s about making it happen now,” she adds.
By addressing these challenges head-on, Hill sees hope that we can accelerate progress and create a tech industry that is truly inclusive.
Paving the road ahead: Celebrating women and championing change
As we reflect on International Women’s Day and its purpose, it’s clear that women like Stephens, Taylor and Hill are at the forefront of accelerating action for gender equality in the tech industry. Their efforts in creating supportive networks, advocating for equitable policies, and fostering inclusive environments serve as a beacon for others to follow.
