Women in Tech Share Guidance for Future Generations

We all have a role to play in building a more inclusive and equitable world—now more than ever.

Every year on March 8, the world comes together to celebrate International Women’s Day, recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political contributions of women.

As part of our annual tradition for International Women’s Day, StackAdapt is highlighting a few of the inspiring people in our organization who are shaping the future of tech and paving the way for future generations.

Read on to learn how they advanced their careers and the guidance that shaped their journeys—and can inspire yours.

How do you personally challenge gender bias or inequality in your daily work life?

“I challenge gender bias by actively lifting other women and ensuring their voices are heard. If I notice a woman being talked over or her idea going unnoticed, I make a point to redirect the conversation back to her and give credit where it’s due. Success isn’t just about breaking barriers for myself—it’s about bringing others through the door with me.”

Deirdre Chew | Sales Director, Singapore

“I used to feel intimidated in my role of being the expert or running an agenda in my client and internal meetings. I recognized much of this was internalized, as I felt my voice wasn’t valued the same way.”

Cassie Moreno | Senior Account Manager, Client Services, United States

“A key part of my role is building brand awareness through thought leadership, which includes selecting speakers for our events. I actively seek diverse voices, perspectives, and backgrounds to ensure balanced representation. I believe that true innovation comes from diverse viewpoints, and fostering critical thinking within businesses requires a mix of genders, functions, and experiences at all levels.”

Alexandra Pontikis Kennedy | Director, EMEA Marketing, Spain

What’s a challenge you’ve faced that made you stronger as a professional?

“Being taken seriously as a young woman in sales. It was very difficult in the beginning to go to conferences and walk up to people who didn’t know me and didn’t seem willing to give me the time of day because I didn’t fit the typical sales mold at the time. But there will always be people who will give you a chance if you work for it, and once I proved myself, networking events felt easier since my personal brand and confidence grew.”

Katrina Moore | Sales Director, United States

“Overcoming imposter syndrome at various stages of my career has been a significant challenge. I’ve learned that confidence doesn’t come from being the loudest in the room but from being authentic and recognizing the value of my experience and contributions. Understanding that I belong at the table has made me a stronger professional.”

Alexandra Pontikis Kennedy | Director, EMEA Marketing, Spain

“One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced was working with a manager whose communication style was distinctly different from mine. At first, we struggled to see eye to eye, which made alignment difficult. However, we both wanted to do the right thing and drive the best outcomes, so we put in the effort to understand each other’s approaches. Over time, we found common ground and learned how to maximize the most value out of each other’s strengths. This experience made me a stronger collaborator and reinforced the power of adaptability in building successful partnerships.”

Deirdre Chew | Sales Director, Singapore

What’s a risk you took in your career that paid off?

“The biggest risk I took was stepping away from my career to start my own business after becoming a mom. It pushed me to grow and gave me a fresh perspective on business beyond my previous roles. When I returned to the workforce full-time, I focused on finding a high-growth company where I could apply that mindset, leading me to opportunities that truly aligned with my professional aspirations.”

Alexandra Pontikis Kennedy | Director, EMEA Marketing, Spain

“I bet on myself! Nike’s recent female-focused Super Bowl ad is a great example of this: ‘You can’t win. So win.’ I wasn’t sure if I’d be good at sales when I first started, especially with male peers telling me to stay put in my current role. But I believed in my ability to compete, so I did.”

Katrina Moore | Sales Director, United States

What’s one myth about women in leadership roles that you want to debunk?

“Women in managerial and leadership roles are more difficult to work with because they are more emotional.”

Mel Martin | Sales Director, Canada

“That women don’t align with the traditional idea of an executive leader. Often, women are labelled as ‘too aggressive,’ ‘too emotional,’ or ‘too quiet’ based on outdated leadership stereotypes. The reality is that leadership comes in many forms, and it’s important to recognize that different styles, whether confident, empathetic, or thoughtful, are just as effective in driving success.”

Alexandra Pontikis Kennedy | Director, EMEA Marketing, Spain

“Women in leadership roles are quota hires.”

Kim Nguyen | Senior Analyst, Solutions Advertising Technology, Canada

“That women in leadership roles are satisfying quotas or filling the room as tokens. The female leaders I work with are driven, intelligent, and hard-working; I have never doubted if they earned their roles.”

Katrina Moore | Sales Director, United States

What’s one way both men and women can step up as allies and actively accelerate gender equality in the workplace?

“One way both men and women can step up as allies is by cultivating awareness of their own biases and how they shape workplace dynamics. True allyship starts with self-awareness—recognizing moments where unconscious bias might be impacting a situation and making a conscious effort to see, hear, and support colleagues equitably.”

Deirdre Chew | Sales Director, Singapore

“It’s important to recognize that your female coworkers will often accept tasks without question in an effort to not come off as resistant or reluctant to help. We should all think more consciously about the things we ask of women in the workplace versus our male colleagues.”

Cassie Moreno | Senior Account Manager, Client Services, United States

What policy or initiative should companies implement right now to accelerate gender equality?

“Pay transparency for males and females across similar roles.”

Kim Nguyen | Senior Analyst, Solutions Advertising Technology, Canada

“Assess whether your female employees are compensated the same as male employees with the same title.”

Katrina Moore | Sales Director, United States

Have you had a mentor or role model who helped accelerate your growth? Is there a particular piece of guidance they shared that had a major impact on you?

“I had a mentor who was an introvert just like me, and she said it was her superpower because it allowed her to notice things most people miss.”

Kim Nguyen | Senior Analyst, Solutions Advertising Technology, Canada

“The best advice I got from a friend/mentor in my first year was: ‘Stop comparing yourself to others. Worry about yourself and what you can control.’ Once I focused on that, I began to accelerate within my role and grow within the company.”

Mel Martin | Sales Director, Canada

What advice would you give your younger self about advocating for yourself in the workplace?

“Your voice is a muscle, both figuratively and literally. The more you train it, the stronger it becomes. I was very uncomfortable talking about my successes early on, but this can hold you back from an endless amount of opportunities for growth. Being able to take ownership of your achievements and vocalize what you bring to the table is the first step to claiming that recognition.”

Cassie Moreno | Senior Account Manager, Client Services, United States

“Don’t be afraid to speak up because no one else will do it for you. Things can’t get better or change by staying silent. Also, you never know who else is going through the same thing, and by saying something, it could give others the confidence to speak up, too.”

Mel Martin | Sales Director, Canada

“Go for it even if you don’t feel 100% ready. Truthfully, there were many times I gave up opportunities because I didn’t feel completely ready or qualified. I would remind my younger self that the worst that can happen is a “no”—and that’s totally okay.”

Kim Nguyen | Senior Analyst, Solutions Advertising Technology, Canada

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to the next generation of women to help them succeed?

“Always advocate for yourself and your work. Oftentimes, as women, we can feel that being the best team player is the ultimate goal. While it’s a fundamental part of our jobs, our work can easily be brushed under the rug as part of a larger team effort instead of a significant individual-driven contribution. Recognize your own contributions and take pride in the work you do.”

Cassie Moreno | Senior Account Manager, Client Services, United States

“Don’t just accept what is in front of you—always strive for more. Be confident to ask for the things that you want because no one will advocate for you better than you.”

Mel Martin | Sales Director, Canada

“Stop apologizing when there’s nothing to be sorry for. Too often, women preface their ideas with ‘Sorry to bother you,’ or apologize for simply taking up space in a room. Confidence isn’t about being the loudest voice—it’s about owning your presence without feeling the need to diminish it. Your ideas, your time, and your contributions are valuable, so stand by them unapologetically.”

Deirdre Chew | Sales Director, Singapore