WOMEN LEADING THE CHARGE IN 2026

Across the technology landscape, women continue to shape innovation with resilience, curiosity, and vision. Their diverse perspectives—shaped by unique journeys, challenges, and triumphs, remind us that progress in tech is driven not only by expertise, but by the voices that dare to redefine what’s possible. This collection of insights amplifies those voices, celebrating the power of women who lead, inspire, and transform the future of technology.

International Women’s Day Comments

Sumaiya Muhammad, Sr. Marketing Specialist at Alteryx –

“My professional journey has evolved across hardware, software, telecom, and now data automation at Alteryx. Working across these domains has strengthened my adaptability and deepened my understanding of how data drives real business value. According to Alteryx research, 48% of leaders plan to increase spending on AI infrastructure and tools, signalling how rapidly enterprise priorities are shifting and how significant it is for women to build confidence in data and AI. A challenge I have consistently faced is navigating constant change in an industry where innovation cycles move quickly. I have realised that continuous learning and investing in upskilling is crucial in this industry.

This International Women’s Day, I encourage aspiring women professionals to step forward boldly and actively shape the future of technology.”

Merhan Gaballah, Construction Technology & PropTech Consultant at PlanRadar –

Throughout my career in construction technology and PropTech, my journey has evolved from commercial roles into strategic advisory positions supporting digital transformation across the GCC.

One of the key challenges has been building credibility in traditionally male-dominated environments, where technical leadership is often predefined. Overcoming this required resilience, preparation, and consistently delivering measurable impact.

Today, I see strong momentum for women in tech. Digital transformation is redefining leadership, placing greater value on collaboration, adaptability, and data-driven thinking—areas where diverse perspectives are essential.

On International Women’s Day, I hope we move beyond recognition toward sustained inclusion, where women are not highlighted as exceptions, but empowered as equal contributors shaping the future of technology.

Alexandra Gartrell, VP and EMEA Legal Lead at Cloudera –

“This year’s International Women’s Day theme, Give to Gain, is a reminder that investing in women’s advancement at work delivers returns for everyone. Diverse teams broaden talent pipelines, improve decision-making, and build workplaces where people are more engaged and more likely to stay.

AI systems inherit the assumptions of the environments that build them. When development teams skew toward a single demographic, bias doesn’t only show up in datasets. It can also appear in which problems are prioritised, how success is defined, which edge cases are tested, and what risks are accepted. In the agentic era, autonomy raises the stakes: small weaknesses in data, design, or oversight can be amplified once decisions are made at scale.

As AI becomes embedded across core business functions, coding ability is no longer the sole marker of technical contribution. Engineers need business acumen, communication skills, and the ability to collaborate across functions because responsible AI depends on context and judgment, not just models.

True inclusion means having diverse voices shape product direction and decision rights and not just representation in organisational charts. Practically, this means auditing datasets for representation gaps, testing models for unequal outcomes, stress-testing edge cases, and involving a diverse panel of human reviewers throughout the AI lifecycle.

According to Cloudera’s WLIT 2025 report, 91% of women leaders in the Middle East remain optimistic that gender equality in AI leadership will improve within five years. When women are given resources, opportunities, and authority in AI development, organisations gain better AI systems that work for everyone. In the agentic era, diversity in leadership and oversight should be treated as part of AI risk management.

Organizations that formalize cross-functional approaches, create transition pathways, and recognize emotional intelligence as a technical capability will build better AI and advance gender equity.”

Fatma Al Naggar, Senior Relationship Manager, Saxo Bank MENA –

“In times of uncertainty, women have consistently proven to be natural problem-solvers and stabilisers, leading their homes, workplaces, and communities with empathy, adaptability, and a profound sense of responsibility.
While women naturally take on the role of emotional anchors due to their deep attunement to the needs of others, it is crucial that providing this support never comes at the expense of their own well-being. Sustainable resilience requires setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and establishing personal rituals that help maintain a positive mindset and focus on what can be controlled amidst the external noise of today’s fast-paced digital world.

As women progress in their careers and redefine leadership across industries, they are bringing a more collaborative, empathetic, and purpose-driven approach that prioritizes transparency and inclusivity over traditional authority. In highly competitive fields, particularly male-dominated sectors like finance and technology, technical expertise may open doors, but it is the mastery of soft skills such as emotional intelligence, relationship building, and strategic thinking that sustains advancement and leadership credibility.

Furthermore, living and working in a multicultural environment like the UAE significantly amplifies this professional growth. The country’s strong emphasis on safety, opportunity, and diversity provides an unparalleled space where women from all backgrounds can pursue their ambitions with confidence, learn from diverse perspectives, and foster inclusive, globally minded innovation.

Yet, achieving true gender equity demands ongoing progress to ensure equal access to leadership roles, mentorship, and career development, while continually challenging outdated perceptions about women’s roles. An ideal workplace must actively promote equality, respect, equal pay, and flexible work options, empowering every woman to reach her full potential.

On this International Women’s Day, my message to all women, especially young girls carving their own paths, is to believe in your abilities, embrace curiosity, and never hesitate to pursue challenging opportunities. By recognizing our inherent strength, owning our expertise with authenticity, and leading with resilience, we can collectively shape a more inclusive and high-performing future for our communities and industries.”

Laura Heisman, CMO, Dynatrace –

The rise of AI isn’t just a call for women to adapt, it’s an opportunity for women to lead. With an estimated 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 yet to be created, AI is not only reshaping roles, but entire career journeys. Traditional paths are breaking down, opening doors for women to step into emerging opportunities – and redefining what’s possible for soon-to-be graduates and school-aged girls alike.

This is our moment to help define the future of work and pave the way for generations to come. But progress isn’t automatic. Without intentional action and human connection, women risk being sidelined in this transformation. Learning, experimenting, and getting comfortable with AI isn’t optional. It’s how we remain active participants in shaping what comes next.

The future will be shaped by what and who we invest in today. When we support women and future generations through mentorship, intentional recruiting, training, and shared learning, we don’t just advance opportunity – we build better technology, stronger businesses, and a more inclusive future. It starts with choosing to learn, experiment, and grow with AI. That is the spirit of this year’s International Women’s Day focus, where we “give to gain.”