Navigating Tech: The Experience of Women in a Male-Dominated Industry

The technology and events industries have long been defined by rapid innovation, constant change, and global collaboration. Yet both have historically been male-dominated fields. Today, that landscape is beginning to shift.

 More women are building careers in product, engineering, operations, and client-facing roles, bringing new perspectives, leadership styles, and ideas that continue to reshape the industry – and history!

For this Women’s History Month, we spoke with four women at Swapcard who bring different perspectives from across the company. Giulia, Senior Event Marketing Manager, was recently recognized by PCMA as one of the 20 Young Event Industry Leaders. On the engineering side, Gabriela, Backend Software Engineer, contributes to building the product as the only woman in her squad, while Amisha, also a Backend Software Engineer, is among the very few women on her team. Sarah, Chief Legal Officer, plays a key role in shaping the company’s strategic and legal direction and is currently the only woman on the leadership team. Together, their experiences reflect different paths into the tech and events industry and what it means to grow in a field that is still largely male-dominated.

Their experiences reveal a common thread: while the path may not always be straightforward, curiosity, support systems, and confidence in one’s voice can make all the difference.

Finding Purpose in Problem-Solving

For many women in tech, what keeps them engaged is the opportunity to solve meaningful problems and see the impact of their work.

Amisha & Gabriela describe one of the most rewarding aspects of their role as the ability to tackle real-world challenges while continuously learning. Working on complex products pushes them to grow quickly, and they find motivation in seeing how their contributions directly shape the user experience.

For Giulia, the appeal of working at Swapcard lies just as much in the people as in the work itself. She values the diversity of perspectives and the dynamic environment where every day brings new projects and opportunities to collaborate across teams.

Sarah highlights the broad scope of her role as Chief Legal Officer. Having the ability to influence the company’s direction and contribute to key decisions gives her a strong sense of impact on the organization.

Together, their stories highlight what often draws women to tech: a combination of intellectual challenge, creativity, and the chance to build something meaningful.

The Reality of Imposter Syndrome

Even with meaningful work and strong contributions, self-doubt can still appear along the way. Imposter syndrome is a shared experience among the four women. They emphasize that confidence grows over time through experience, learning, and consistent self-reflection, rather than from knowing everything at the start.

Giulia believes that imposter syndrome is something nearly everyone experiences at some point, particularly young women early in their careers. 

Sarah takes a more direct view, describing imposter syndrome as a kind of “self-induced pain in your brain.” Her strategy is to consciously counter those thoughts by repeating positive messages to yourself and opening up to trusted peers.

Amisha has experienced similar feelings when working alongside more experienced people. Over time, she realized that asking questions is not a weakness; it’s an essential part of learning. Making mistakes, she says, is simply part of the process of growth.

Gabriela recalls comparing herself to others early in her career and questioning whether she was good enough. Eventually, she recognized that she brought her own strengths to the table, including strong intuition and problem-solving abilities.

Their experiences highlight an important truth: confidence often develops over time, not from knowing everything, but from realizing that growth is part of the journey.

Challenges in a Changing Industry

While Swapcard provides a supportive and inclusive environment, the broader tech and events industry still presents obstacles. Giulia notes that young women often feel the need to prove themselves, even in sectors with significant female representation. Sarah recalls how, early in her career, being a young female lawyer meant building credibility was more difficult than for her male peers.

Gabriela also remembers moments early in her career when she felt underestimated, especially as one of the few women on her team. Over time, though, she has seen progress in the industry and now feels stronger in her identity as a woman in tech.

One of the biggest challenges Amisha highlights is ensuring that your voice is heard and that your work is recognized. Learning to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, she says, can make a significant difference.

Despite these challenges, each of them also sees positive change happening across the industry.

Advice for Women Entering Tech

When asked for advice to women considering careers in tech, their responses centered on curiosity, confidence, and community.

Sarah believes confidence begins with self-esteem. Investing in yourself and recognizing your own value is essential. Most importantly, she encourages women to ask for what they want and take ownership of their careers.

For Amisha, patience with the learning process is critical. You don’t need to know everything from day one. Speaking up, sharing your perspective, and building relationships with supportive mentors and colleagues can help accelerate growth.

Gabriela’s advice is simple but powerful: don’t compare your journey to someone else’s. Finding mentors and being flexible about the path your career takes can make a significant difference.

Across all their answers, one message is clear: confidence develops through experience and support; it is not something you need to have fully formed from the start.

How Companies Can Support Women in Tech

Individual resilience is important, but companies also play a key role in creating environments where women can thrive.

Representation is one important factor. Giulia highlights how having other women in the team and building internal support networks can make a meaningful difference. Transparency around salaries, roles, and project opportunities is also essential to ensure fairness across the organization.

For Gabriela, equal access to high-impact projects and clear, transparent career paths are crucial to ensuring women have the same opportunities to grow as their peers.

Sarah also stresses the importance of workplace flexibility, particularly in supporting parents. Parenting responsibilities should not be treated as a woman-only challenge. Companies have a role to play in helping both parents manage the load that often comes with balancing family life and work.

Moving the Industry Forward

The experiences of Giulia, Sarah, Amisha, and Gabriela show both the progress made and the work that remains.

Giulia’s recognition as one of PCMA’s 20 Young Event Industry Leaders, along with her recent Smart Women in Meetings Rising Star Award by Smart Meetings, reflects the growing influence of women shaping the future of the events industry.

As the tech and events industries continue to evolve, these stories serve as a reminder that diversity is not just about representation; it is about creating environments where all perspectives are heard, valued, and empowered to shape the future.