International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women across the world and reflect on the progress made in gender equality. This year’s theme is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.”
“DigitALL” is a call to action for individuals, organisations, and governments to harness the power of technology and innovation to promote gender equality. This means creating opportunities for women to participate in the tech industry, increasing access to digital skills training, and using technology to address the unique challenges faced by women and girls.
Technology has transformed our world in many ways, but it has also widened existing gender gaps. Women continue to face discrimination and bias in the tech industry, which has resulted in lower participation rates and limited access to opportunities. Women continue to be underrepresented in the industry, with just 26% of tech jobs held by women in the UK, and even lower percentages in many other countries.
However, the importance of women in the tech sector cannot be overstated. Women bring unique perspectives, experiences, and skills to the industry, and their participation is crucial for driving innovation and shaping the future of technology.
Women bring unique perspectives and experiences to the tech industry, and their participation can help to drive innovation and improve the products and services being developed. Moreover, diversity in the tech sector is not just an ethical issue, but it also makes good business sense, as companies with more diverse workforces are more likely to be successful and profitable. Therefore, it is important to support and encourage women to pursue careers in the tech sector and to create an inclusive and supportive environment that allows them to thrive.
This year, we are using the occasion to showcase the exceptional women who have generously shared their skills and knowledge with us over the years at our range of events held in Northern Ireland and Glasgow.
Digital DNA Awards
Sarah Friar, CEO Nextdoor
Sarah Friar, CEO of the social media platform Nextdoor, won the Digital DNA Global Recognition of the Year Award in 2021. Friar was recognised for her contributions to the tech industry, including her leadership skills and her commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Her accomplishments have made her an inspiration to many in the tech industry, especially for women who are underrepresented in leadership roles. Winning the Digital DNA Global Recognition of the Year Award is a well-deserved recognition of Sarah Friar’s outstanding achievements and leadership in the tech industry.
Lorna McAdoo, Chief Operating Officer, Version 1
Lorna McAdoo, Chief Operating Officer of Version 1, was recently awarded the Business Personality Award at the Digital DNA Awards 2022. The award recognizes her outstanding contributions to the technology industry in Northern Ireland.
Lorna has been instrumental in driving growth and innovation for the company, which has become one of the largest IT services providers in the country. In addition to her work at Version 1, she is also committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.
She is an active member of Women in Business NI, and has advocated for gender balance in the workplace. Winning the Business Personality Award is a well-deserved recognition of McAdoo’s leadership and dedication to the tech industry in Northern Ireland. She is an inspiring role model for women in the tech industry and her contributions continue to make a significant impact.
Digital DNA Glasgow
Fiona McKinnon, Co-founder of Moment Company
At Digital DNA Glasgow, Fiona, Co-founder of Moment Company, led a session focused on developing mental fitness, mastering your mindset, and learning simple, quick techniques to recharge throughout a busy day.
The aim was to help participants better understand how to improve their mental wellbeing and incorporate self-care practices into their daily routine.
Eve Wallace, Morgan Stanley
Toni Scullion, founder of dressCode and Stacs lead
Lucy Gardner, Morgan Stanley
During an interactive panel session, Eve Wallace, Chief Administrative Officer of Technology Glasgow at Morgan Stanley, Toni Scullion, a Computing Science teacher and the founder of dressCode and Stacs lead, and Lucy Gardner, a Software Development Graduate Apprentice at Morgan Stanley, shared their insights on how to make a positive impact on the field of Computer Science and encourage the next generation of technologists.
The session was designed to provide practical tips and advice for participants to take away and implement in their own work.
Digital DNA Belfast
Ritu Bhatt CTO at iEngageIT and Nuala Murphy Director, at Diversity Mark
At Digital DNA Belfast 2021, an interactive panel discussion featuring Ritu Bhatt, CTO at iEngageIT, and Nuala Murphy, Director at Diversity Mark, highlighted the crucial importance of diversity and inclusion in the business world.
The discussion focused on the need for organisations to understand the business case for diversity, and how it can benefit not only the company, but also its employees and the wider community.
The panellists emphasised that creating a diverse and inclusive workplace is not just a moral imperative, but a strategic one that can lead to improved innovation, increased customer satisfaction, and ultimately, better financial performance. The discussion was well received by the audience, and highlighted the growing recognition of the importance of diversity and inclusion in the tech industry and beyond.
At Digital DNA we believe that diversity in speakers and perspectives is crucial to fostering a rich and vibrant community of innovators and thought leaders. Our events bring together some of the brightest minds in tech and business, and we are committed to ensuring that all voices are heard and represented.
We recognise that women are often underrepresented in these fields and we are dedicated to promoting gender equality and diversity in all areas of our organisation. By providing a platform for women to share their experiences and expertise, we hope to inspire and empower the next generation of female leaders in tech and business.
So, on this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the achievements of women in the tech sector and work to create a more inclusive and diverse industry for the future.
