Despite DEI Pushback, Women Tech Leaders Say They Are ‘Thriving.’ Will That Change?

Women are finding unprecedented success in technology, but some say there are still hurdles to overcome.

A new report reveals that 88 percent of women in technology say they love their work in the space. Eighty-three percent of tech women leaders even say they are excelling in their roles.

In the last decade or so, there has been a rally for more diversity in STEM – with many organizations and events advocating for more women and underrepresented groups in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

President Donald Trump and his administration have moved to stop many diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, leaving some wondering if the pushback will have a negative impact on women’s presence and happiness in industries like technology, where they have been historically underrepresented and often faced hostile working conditions.

The report, “Doing it for themselves: How women are rewriting the rules of leadership,” published by AND Digital, a software consultancy firm with a stated mission of addressing gaps in digital skills, offers other insight into how women view their roles in tech. Here are some other key findings from a survey of 310 women tech leaders:

• Women make up 47 percent of the U.S. workforce.

• Twenty-five percent of tech roles are filled by women.

• Of that 25 percent, 11 percent are in tech leadership positions.

• Eighty-two percent of women tech leaders said their organization has a good work-life balance for senior employees.

• Among women tech leaders, 45.9 percent said one of their biggest career aspirations was to mentor other women.

Yet, the report revealed that challenges remain for women in tech.

• Fifty-six percent of women leave the tech industry 10-20 years into their careers, double the rate of men.

• On average, women in tech earn $15,000 per year less than men

• The ratio of women to men in tech roles has dropped in the past 35 years
• 86 women are promoted for every 100 men. But in tech, it’s 52 women for every 100 men.

• Women in tech are 1.6 times more likely to be laid off than men.

“I have succeeded as far as the corporate world will allow. They are still very biased against women. I did not imagine that this would still be a problem in this day, but it is,” the report quoted one woman tech leader as saying.

Lisa Benjamin, VP at AND Digital, told MES Computing via email that while the report reflected some positive thoughts from women tech leaders, it also showed lingering issue with women in the tech space.

“It is a pivotal moment for women in tech and it is incredibly encouraging to see so many women in the industry are not only thriving, but also deeply passionate about their roles. Women love tech, and this is a testament to the dedication and resilience of women who are shaping the future of the sector,” Banjamin said.

“These findings should serve as a clear message to CEOs and business leaders that their efforts to build diverse teams are paying off. Creating an environment that supports women in leadership not only fosters inclusion but also contributes directly to business success, driving productivity and profitability,” she said.

“However, there is still a long way to go. There is an ongoing concern about mentorship and networking opportunities which underscores there is still work to do. Addressing these gaps in support, especially with tailored mentorship opportunities, is critical for empowering the next generation of female leaders in tech and ensuring greater representation and providing women with the tools to mentor and lead will not only help individuals thrive but also improve the industry as a whole,” Benjamin added.

MES Computing asked Benjamin her thoughts on whether the political pushback on DEI initiatives could have a negative impact on gains woman have made in the tech industry.

“I’ve been really impressed by the determination and resilience of the women in our survey-they’re clearly committed to growing and succeeding as tech leaders. It’s great that over 80% feel supported with opportunities to upskill and advance. But nearly 73% said their organizations could still do more to support women in leadership. While we didn’t specifically cover DEI, the report shows a strong desire for more empowerment programs like webinars, Lean In Circles, and the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Initiative. These kinds of programs can really help women aiming for senior roles in tech,” Benjamin said.