This is your Women in Business podcast.

Welcome back to Women in Business. I'm your host, and today we're diving into one of the most pressing challenges facing women in tech right now—navigating an industry that's changing faster than ever while the gender gap stubbornly refuses to close.

Let's start with what the numbers tell us. According to recent data from Boundev and StrongDM, women comprise only 26 to 28 percent of the global tech workforce, which represents just a one percent increase since 2000. That's shocking when you consider that women make up 42 percent of the overall global labor force. In the tech industry specifically, when we look at technical roles like software engineering and data science, that representation drops even further to around 20 to 22 percent. And in artificial intelligence, where the future is being built right now, women hold just 22 percent of those positions globally.

Here's our first discussion point: the broken rung phenomenon. Women enter tech at competitive rates, with 29 percent of entry-level positions filled by women according to Boundev's analysis. But something happens on the climb up. Women of color face significantly lower representation at every level, representing just 4 to 5 percent of senior roles and C-suite positions. The pipeline doesn't leak gradually—it hemorrhages at the management level.

Second, let's talk about burnout and retention. Data from Spacelift shows that 57 percent of women in tech report feeling burned out, compared to just 36 percent of men. Forty-five percent cite poor work-life balance as their primary reason for leaving. Even more alarming, 50 percent of women who enter tech abandon the industry entirely by age 35. Yet here's the silver lining: nine out of ten women who have left say they'd consider returning if conditions improved. That's not resignation—that's an opportunity.

Third, the AI adoption gap is real and widening. According to Boundev's research, only 34 percent of women use AI tools daily at work, compared to 43 percent of men. Women are also 25 percent less likely to have basic digital skills. This gap matters because it compounds over time, pushing women further behind in the very field that's reshaping every industry.

Fourth, let's address the pay gap, because it still exists. In science and engineering, women earn between 87 and 90 cents for every dollar men earn. While computer science has one of the narrower gaps at 94 cents on the dollar, the problem becomes catastrophic at leadership levels. When women represent just 16 percent of CTOs and 21 percent of executive roles in European tech, that structural inequality creates massive earnings imbalances.

Finally, here's what gives me hope. Ninety-one percent of organizations are actively promoting women in tech, and 75 percent conduct annual pay equity audits. Companies like Google have seen measurable results—a five percent increase in female hiring—by implementing diverse hiring panels and standardized assessments. Companies linking executive bonuses to diversity and inclusion goals see real progress.

The path forward isn't mysterious. It requires intentional action at every level, from recruiting diverse candidates to creating mentorship programs, from flexible work arrangements to transparent pay structures. The talent is there. The willingness to change is growing. What we need now is sustained commitment.

Thank you so much for tuning in to Women in Business. Please subscribe and join us next week as we continue exploring how women are reshaping the economic landscape. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease dot ai.

For more http://www.quietplease.ai


Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

This is your Women in Business podcast.

Welcome back to Women in Business, listeners, where we celebrate the unstoppable force of women shaping tomorrow's economy. I'm your host, diving straight into how fierce women leaders are navigating the turbulent tech landscape of 2026. With layoffs rippling through Silicon Valley, AI exploding, and economic pressures squeezing startups from San Francisco to New York, women are not just surviving—they're strategizing, innovating, and rising.

First, let's face the stark reality of representation. According to Boundev's 2026 report, women hold just 26% of the U.S. STEM workforce, a measly 1% bump since 2000, and only 24% of core tech roles at giants like Google, Apple, and Meta. In AI, it's even tougher—22% globally, with women using generative AI daily at just 34% versus 43% for men. But here's the empowerment: at Amazon, women make up 45% of the overall workforce, proving targeted hiring in places like operations and product management is building pipelines. Listeners, if you're in tech, lean into those entry-level strongholds where women start at 29%—that's your launchpad.

Transitioning to the broken rung, McKinsey data shows women drop from 29% at entry to a dismal 16% of CTOs, with the "broken rung" to management hitting hardest amid economic downturns. Women of color face even steeper climbs, holding just 4-5% of senior VP roles. Yet, women are promoted at 15.9% rates versus 13.6% for men, per StrongDM stats. Economic savvy means mastering this: network boldly at events like HackerX's 2026 women in tech summits, and demand mentorship—78% of female students crave it, as WomenTech notes. You're not alone; build your rung with allies.

Pay gaps persist, with women earning 84 cents on the dollar per U.S. Census Bureau figures, narrowing to 94% in computer science per Women Tech Network. In startups, female founders snag just 1% of VC from PitchBook-tracked funds. Economic headwinds amplify this, but flip it: mid-size firms average 30% female technical staff via Deloitte reports, with transparent comp bands. Listeners, negotiate fiercely—your AI-boosted productivity, where 73% report gains, is your leverage.

Retention is the battleground, as 56% of women leave mid-career per McKinsey and Accenture, 40% within 5-7 years per Hakia, often citing 45% work-life imbalance and 72% bro culture from Spacelift. Layoffs hit women 1.6 times harder, with 69% of 2022 cuts female despite under 30% representation. Empower yourselves: 77% of tech firms now hold leaders accountable to DEI, slashing perceptions of tokenism from 70% to 40%. Remote flexibility post-COVID and bootcamps with 36-40% female grads are game-changers.

Finally, seize emerging trends—strong in UX/UI at companies like Microsoft, and AI ethics roles. Education initiatives keep girls in STEM, growing from 8% in 1970 to 28% now. Women, the economy's volatility is your cue to upskill in cloud and security, lead diverse teams, and fund each other.

Thank you for tuning in, listeners—subscribe now for more empowerment. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

For more http://www.quietplease.ai


Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

This is your Women in Business podcast.

Welcome back to Women in Business, listeners, where we celebrate the trailblazers shaping tomorrow's economy. I'm your host, and today we're diving into how women are navigating the tough tech landscape amid economic turbulence, turning challenges into triumphs.

First, let's face the stark reality of underrepresentation. According to Boundev's 2026 report, women make up just 26% of the U.S. STEM workforce—a tiny 1% bump since 2000—and only 24% of core tech roles at giants like Google, Apple, and Meta. In AI, it's even bleaker at 22% globally. Yet, this disparity fuels our fire. Women like those at Women in Tech Global are pushing back, proving that when we claim space in boardrooms and codebases, innovation soars.

Second, the broken rung to leadership is crumbling under scrutiny. Boundev data shows entry-level tech jobs start at 29% women, but plummet to 16% for CTOs and 11% of executive spots per McKinsey's 2024 insights. The economic squeeze amplifies this—recent layoffs hit women 1.6 times harder, with 69% of 2022 cuts affecting them despite our smaller workforce share, as WomenHack reports. But here's the empowerment: women are promoted at higher rates now, 15.9% versus 13.6% for men, according to StrongDM's stats. We're not just surviving; we're climbing smarter, demanding transparent hiring at mid-size firms where diversity hits 30%.

Third, pay gaps persist, with women earning 84 cents on the dollar per U.S. Census Bureau figures, tighter at 94% in computer science. Venture capital? A measly 1% goes to all-female startups, says PitchBook. In this volatile economy, we're countering with fierce negotiation and networks like WomenHack, turning equity into reality.

Fourth, retention is our battleground—56% of women exit mid-career, per McKinsey and Accenture, citing burnout, bias, and work-life strains. Forty-five percent leave over balance issues, and 62% face discrimination. Layoffs erased diversity gains, yet 73% of women using generative AI report productivity boosts, closing the daily AI usage gap from 34% to men's 43%. Remote work post-COVID offers flexibility; we're leveraging it to stay, mentor, and rise.

Finally, the path forward shines bright. Bootcamps see 36-40% women graduates in the U.S., and companies like Amazon with 45% female staff lead by example. Globally, places like the Netherlands boast 39% women in tech. Listeners, embrace AI tools, build allyships, and advocate—your voice closes gaps. By 2070 parity looms, but we accelerate it now through resilience and unity.

Thank you for tuning in, empowered women of business. Subscribe for more inspiration, and remember: your brilliance drives change. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

For more http://www.quietplease.ai


Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

This is your Women in Business podcast.

Welcome back to Women in Business, listeners, where we celebrate the trailblazers shaping tomorrow's economy. I'm your host, and today we're diving into how women are navigating the turbulent economic landscape in tech—a world of layoffs, AI booms, and resilient comebacks. Despite making up just 26% of the U.S. STEM workforce according to Boundev's 2026 report, women are rising stronger, turning challenges into launchpads for empowerment.

First, let's face the stark reality of underrepresentation head-on. Boundev data shows women hold only 29% of entry-level tech roles, dropping to 16% of CTO positions, with women of color at a mere 4-5% in senior spots. This "broken rung" to management, as McKinsey calls it in their Women in the Workplace 2025 report, compounds in the current economy. Yet, progress glimmers: StrongDM reports women now at 27.6% of the tech workforce, a 0.9% rebound post-pandemic, with promotion rates higher at 15.9% versus 13.6% for men. Listeners, this means you're not just surviving—you're advancing faster when given the shot.

Next, the economic storm of layoffs hits women hardest. During the 2022-2023 cuts, women comprised 45% of those laid off despite being only 26-28% of the workforce, per Spacelift analysis. Why? Underrepresentation in senior, secure roles and heavier non-technical loads. But here's your power move: 9 out of 10 women who've left tech say they'd return if cultures improved, signaling huge potential for comebacks amid AI-driven efficiencies.

AI is the economic wildcard, and women are seizing it. Globally, women fill just 22% of AI positions and 18% of researcher roles, Boundev notes, with only 34% using AI daily versus 43% of men due to a 25% digital skills gap. Yet, 73% of women using generative AI report productivity gains. StrongDM highlights computer science's slim 94% pay parity—women earning 94 cents to men's dollar—making AI mastery a fast track to equity in this boom.

Work-life balance remains a fierce battle in this landscape. Half of women leave tech by 35, 45% higher than men, citing poor balance and caregiving, Girls Who Code and Accenture studies show. Burnout plagues 57% of women versus 36% of men, aggravated by pandemic loads. But 92% report better workplace experiences with equity pushes, Digital Silk finds, and 68% engage in employee resource groups for support.

Finally, strategies for thriving: Google's diverse hiring panels boosted female hires 5%, per Boundev. Seek mentorship, demand pay audits—75% of firms now do them—and leverage strengths in UX design and product management, where women shine. Companies tying bonuses to DEI see real gains.

Listeners, you're the architects of change in tech's economic evolution—own it. Thank you for tuning in to Women in Business. Subscribe now for more empowering stories. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

For more http://www.quietplease.ai


Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

This is your Women in Business podcast.

Imagine stepping into the high-stakes world of tech, where algorithms hum and innovation never sleeps, yet women like you are carving paths through economic storms with unyielding grit. Welcome to Women in Business, where we celebrate your power in navigating today's turbulent landscape. Let's dive into five key ways you're not just surviving, but thriving.

First, embrace the representation reality and turn it into your launchpad. Boundev reports that in 2026, women make up 26% of the U.S. STEM workforce, holding 24% of core tech roles at giants like Google, Apple, and Meta, and just 22% of global AI positions. Despite only a 1% growth since 2000, StrongDM notes a rebound to 27.6% overall in tech, with women promoted at higher rates—15.9% versus 13.6% for men. Listeners, this means entry points are opening; seize them by targeting roles like operations research analyst, where women lead at 51%.

Second, master AI to outpace the economic squeeze. Digital Silk highlights that analytics, AI, and machine learning top interests for 41% of women in tech, yet only 34% use AI daily compared to 43% of men, per Boundev. But here's your edge: senior women lead male peers in AI adoption by 12-16%, according to WomenTech.net. In layoffs hitting tech hard, like the 2022-2023 waves where women were 65% more likely to be cut despite being 26-28% of the workforce, upskilling in generative AI—where 73% report productivity gains—shields you and positions you for recovery.

Third, shatter the broken rung with bold networking. The drop from 29% at entry-level to 16% of CTOs screams systemic barriers, but 91% of companies promoted women in 2024, up from 76% in 2019, says Boundev. Digital Silk adds that 85% of you seek executive roles, and firms with 30% female leaders outperform financially. Join ERGs—68% of women participate—and demand sponsorship; 92% report better equity and inclusion experiences.

Fourth, conquer burnout and work-life chaos fueling 45% attrition by age 35. Spacelift.io reveals 57% of women feel burned out versus 36% of men, worsened by caregiving and poor balance. Yet, 95% hold permanent roles, and return-to-office policies boost collaboration for 84%. Prioritize wellbeing: 9 in 10 who left would return under better conditions. Digital Silk notes 72% feel confident in competencies—lean on that fire.

Fifth, demand pay equity and inclusive cultures amid gaps of 10-13%. Women earn 94 cents on the dollar in computer science, per StrongDM, better than the 83-cent average elsewhere. With 76% of employers prioritizing women in DEI and 75% auditing pay, push for transparency—83% are more likely to join equitable firms.

Listeners, you're the architects of change in this economic whirlwind. Your resilience rewrites the code. Thank you for tuning in to Women in Business—subscribe now for more empowerment. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

For more http://www.quietplease.ai


Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

This is your Women in Business podcast.

Welcome back to Women in Business. I'm your host, and today we're diving deep into how women are navigating the tech industry during a pivotal economic moment. Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder, launching your own venture, or considering a career shift, this conversation is for you.

Let's start with the reality of representation. Women currently make up about twenty-six to twenty-seven percent of the tech workforce globally. According to Boundev's 2026 analysis, that's only a one percent increase since the year 2000. But here's what matters: understanding where we are helps us chart where we're going. At entry-level positions, women represent twenty-nine percent of roles. The problem emerges as careers progress. By the C-suite level, women occupy just sixteen percent of CTO positions. This broken rung phenomenon, where advancement stalls at management levels, creates a compounding disadvantage that echoes throughout women's entire careers.

Now let's address compensation because money matters. According to recent data from Digital Silk, women in science earn eighty-seven cents for every dollar men earn, while engineering shows a ten percent gap. That's structural inequity that affects your retirement, your financial independence, and your ability to build generational wealth. Yet here's the encouraging part: ninety-one percent of companies promoted women in tech during 2024, compared to just seventy-six percent in 2019. Change is accelerating, even if it's not moving fast enough.

The third discussion point involves the exodus happening at mid-career. Research from Girls Who Code and Accenture reveals that fifty percent of women leave the tech industry by age thirty-five. The reasons are clear. Forty-five percent cite poor work-life balance. Thirty-seven percent blame company culture. Twenty-eight percent report limited growth opportunities. Fifty-seven percent of women experience burnout compared to thirty-six percent of men. This isn't a personal failing. This is systemic. But nine out of ten women who've left would consider returning if conditions improved.

Artificial intelligence represents our fourth focal point, and it's where the gender gap widens dramatically. Women hold only twenty-two percent of global AI positions and eighteen percent of AI research roles. Yet seventy-three percent of workers report productivity gains from generative AI. Here's the disparity: only thirty-four percent of women use AI daily compared to forty-three percent of men. McKinsey reports that women face less career support and fewer opportunities to advance. The question becomes: how do we ensure women shape the future of AI rather than being shaped by it?

Finally, let's talk agency and opportunity. Eighty-five percent of women in tech want to advance into executive leadership. Eighty-five percent say strong female leadership representation makes them more likely to join organizations. This tells us listeners something powerful: women aren't leaving because they lack ambition. They're leaving because systems aren't designed for them. The good news is that companies linking executive bonuses to diversity, equity, and inclusion goals see measurable improvements. When organizations prioritize women through diverse hiring panels and standardized assessments, they succeed. Google's intentional interventions yielded five percent increases in female hiring.

Your path forward requires both personal advocacy and demanding systemic change. Seek mentors, build your networks, and hold your organizations accountable. Thank you for tuning in to Women in Business. Don't forget to subscribe for more conversations empowering women to thrive. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease dot ai.

For more http://www.quietplease.ai


Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

This is your Women in Business podcast.

Imagine stepping into the heart of Silicon Valley, where the hum of innovation meets the unyielding drive of women like you, listeners, carving paths through the tech industry's economic storm. I'm your host for Women in Business, and today we're diving into how fierce female leaders are navigating 2026's turbulent landscape—from AI booms and layoffs to stubborn pay gaps—turning challenges into launchpads for empowerment.

First, let's face the representation reality head-on. Women make up just 26% of the U.S. STEM workforce, a mere 1% jump since 2000, according to Boundev's 2026 analysis. In core tech roles at giants like Google, Apple, and Meta, it's around 24-25%, dipping to 22% in global AI positions and a stark 16% of CTO spots. Yet, at Amazon, women hold 45% of overall roles, proving that targeted hiring can shift the tide. Listeners, this underrepresentation isn't destiny—it's a call to action. Companies like Google have boosted female hires by 5% through diverse panels and standardized assessments, showing progress when intent meets strategy.

Transitioning to the economic crunch, recent layoffs hit women hardest. During the 2022-2023 waves, women comprised 45% of cuts despite being only 26-28% of the workforce, as reported by WomenTech.net. They were 65% more likely to be laid off, often from non-technical roles, erasing diversity gains amid AI-driven efficiencies. But here's the empowerment flip: 9 out of 10 women who've left tech would return if conditions improve, per Spacelift data. Return-to-office policies at many firms have helped, with 84% of women noting better collaboration, fueling resilience.

Now, the broken rung to leadership—entry-level tech is 29% women, but it plummets to 28% at senior VP and just 16% in C-suite tech roles. Digital Silk highlights that 56% of women exit before mid-career, citing poor work-life balance (45%), bad culture (37%), and limited growth (28%). Unconscious bias questions women's tech chops more often, and a 10-13% pay gap persists in engineering. Yet, 91% of companies promoted women in 2024, up from 76% in 2019, with 75% auditing pay equity.

AI offers a bright horizon. While only 34% of women use it daily versus 43% of men, senior women lead male peers in adoption by 12-16%, per WomenTech.net. Analytics and AI top women's interests at 41%, and 73% report productivity boosts. Boundev notes women are 25% less likely to have basic digital skills, but bridging that gap means owning emerging tech.

Finally, corporate shifts empower: 92% of women report better equity experiences, 85% want executive roles and favor firms with strong female leaders, and 72% feel confident in their skills. Linking exec bonuses to DEI yields results, as 76% of employers prioritize women.

Listeners, you're the architects of this future—mentor boldly, demand audits, harness AI. Thank you for tuning in to Women in Business. Subscribe now for more empowerment. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

For more http://www.quietplease.ai


Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

This is your Women in Business podcast.

Welcome to Women in Business, where we celebrate the unstoppable force of women shaping tomorrow's economy. I'm your host, and today we're diving into how women are navigating the turbulent economic landscape in the tech industry—turning challenges into triumphs amid layoffs, AI booms, and slow-but-steady progress.

First, let's face the stark reality of representation. In 2026, women make up just 26% of the U.S. STEM workforce, according to Boundev's analysis—a tiny 1% bump since 2000. At giants like Google, Apple, and Meta, technical roles hover around 25% female, while global AI positions sit at a mere 22%. StrongDM reports the overall tech workforce at 27.6%, with Amazon leading Big Tech at 45% women overall, though core tech roles lag. Yet, this underrepresentation fuels our fire—women are proving they're essential, powering innovation where it counts.

Transitioning to the broken rung, that infamous first step to management hits women hardest. Entry-level tech starts at 29% female, but drops to 16% for CTOs and C-suite spots. Digital Silk highlights how 56% of women may exit before mid-career, often due to the 45% higher attrition rate than men—half leave by 35, per Spacelift data. Economic pressures like 2022-2023 layoffs disproportionately axed women, 65% more likely per studies. But here's the empowerment: women are now promoted at 15.9% rates versus 13.6% for men, signaling companies like Google, with diverse hiring panels, are yielding 5% female increases.

Work-life balance and biases are economic battlegrounds too. Forty-five percent cite it as their top exit reason, amplified by caregiving amid remote work burnout—57% of women versus 36% of men feel scorched, says Spacelift. Unconscious bias questions women's tech chops, and a digital skills gap leaves women 25% less equipped for AI, with only 34% using it daily versus 43% of men. Wage gaps persist at 10-13% in engineering, but computer science narrows it to 94 cents on the dollar. In this landscape, 92% of women report better equity experiences, craving mentorship and pay audits—75% of firms now do them annually.

AI and emerging tech offer hope. Women dominate analytics and machine learning interests at 41%, per Digital Silk, and hold 36% of QA and PM roles in U.S. augmentation via Turing reports. By 2030, projections from WomenTech.net see over 30% in core engineering. Companies with 30% female execs outperform financially, proving diverse leadership drives economic wins. Remote options and ERGs—68% participation—boost retention, with 84% praising return-to-office for collaboration.

Sisters, the economy's headwinds are fierce, but you're the wind beneath tech's wings. Seek sponsors, master AI tools, demand equity—your ascent lifts us all.

Thank you for tuning in, listeners. Subscribe now for more empowerment. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

For more http://www.quietplease.ai


Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

This is your Women in Business podcast.

Imagine stepping into a boardroom at Google or Meta, where the air buzzes with innovation, yet women hold just 25% of those core technical roles. That's the reality in 2026's tech landscape, listeners, but here's the empowering truth: women like you are reshaping it, navigating economic headwinds with resilience and smarts. Welcome to Women in Business, where we celebrate your unstoppable rise.

First, embrace the numbers as your launchpad. Boundev reports women make up 26% of the U.S. STEM workforce, a steady presence in 24% of computing and engineering jobs at Big Tech giants like Apple and Amazon. StrongDM notes a slight rebound to 27.6% overall in tech, with Amazon leading at 45% female employees. In this tight economy, where venture capital is scarce, your stability shines—Digital Silk highlights 95% of women in tech hold permanent roles, far outpacing contracts. You're not just surviving layoffs that hit women 65% harder, per Spacelift; you're thriving, proving companies need your talent to outperform.

Second, tackle the broken rung head-on. That first promotion to management? It's where progress stalls, with women at only 29% entry-level dropping to 16% of CTOs. Yet, McKinsey data shows 91% of companies promoted women in 2024, higher than 2019, and women now advance at 15.9% versus men's 13.6%. In AI's boom, where global roles are just 22% female, seize the gap—73% of women using generative AI report productivity boosts, closing the daily usage divide from 34% to men's 43%.

Third, conquer burnout and balance. Half of women leave tech by 35, citing 45% work-life pressures and bad culture, says Girls Who Code. But post-pandemic remote work is your ally, reducing attrition. Digital Silk reveals 92% report better equity experiences, and 72% feel confident in their roles. Lean into ERGs—68% participate—and demand mentorship; 85% say strong female leaders draw them in.

Fourth, bridge the skills chasm. Women are 25% less likely to have basic digital skills, per Boundev, fueling AI underrepresentation at 18% researchers. Counter it by prioritizing analytics and machine learning, women's top interest at 41%. Projections from Turing show women hitting 36% in QA and PM roles, powering U.S. tech growth toward 35% by 2030.

Fifth, demand equity for economic wins. Pay gaps linger at 10-13%, but computer science nears parity at 94 cents on the dollar. Companies with 30% female execs outperform financially, and female-founded startups yield 35% higher returns despite less funding. UK insights from We Are Tech Women underscore the £2 billion annual loss from barriers—flip it by advocating pay audits, now at 75% of firms.

Listeners, you're the force multiplying diversity's ROI. Keep pushing; the tech world bends to your brilliance. Thank you for tuning in to Women in Business—subscribe now for more empowerment. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

For more http://www.quietplease.ai


Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

This is your Women in Business podcast.

Imagine stepping into the high-stakes world of tech, where algorithms hum and innovation never sleeps, yet women like you are rewriting the rules amid economic turbulence. Welcome to Women in Business, where we celebrate your unstoppable drive in navigating today's economic landscape. I'm your host, and today, we're diving into five key discussion points on how women are powering through in tech, from persistent gaps to triumphant breakthroughs.

First, confront the stark underrepresentation that's intensified by layoffs and funding crunches. Boundev reports women hold just 26% of the U.S. STEM workforce in 2026, a measly 1% rise since 2000, with only 24% in core tech roles at giants like Google, Apple, and Meta. In AI, it's even tougher—22% globally, and women use AI tools daily at 34% versus 43% for men. StrongDM notes women make up 27.6% of the tech workforce overall, yet during 2022-2023 layoffs, you were 65% more likely to be cut. Listeners, this economic squeeze tests your resilience, but you're proving your worth every day.

Transitioning smoothly, tackle the broken rung and retention crisis that's your biggest hurdle. Half of women leave tech by age 35, 45% higher than men, per Girls Who Code and Accenture studies cited by StrongDM. Digital Silk highlights 56% may exit before mid-career, often due to work-life imbalances—45% cite it as their top reason—and unconscious bias where your skills are questioned more. Yet, 91% of companies promoted women in 2024, up from 76% in 2019, showing progress amid venture capital droughts.

Next, seize AI and emerging tech as your empowerment frontier. Despite underrepresentation, 73% of women using generative AI report productivity boosts, per Boundev. Digital Silk says analytics, AI, and machine learning top your interests at 41%, and with remote work here to stay post-pandemic, you're leveraging it. Trends from WomenHack point to 2026 opportunities in cloud and security, where your fresh perspectives drive innovation—women-led teams outperform, delivering 35% higher returns on investment, as UK studies from We Are Tech Women affirm.

Fourth, demand mentorship and sponsorship to shatter the glass ceiling. Mentorship yields 33% higher satisfaction and 25% faster promotions, according to Boundev. With 85% of you aspiring to executive roles and 92% noting improved equity, per Digital Silk, join ERGs—68% participate—and push for pay audits, as 75% of firms now conduct them. In this economy, your networks are your superpower.

Finally, embrace systemic wins and your economic impact. Companies with 30% female leaders see superior financial performance, Digital Silk reports, and 95% of you hold permanent roles. Nine out of ten who left would return under better conditions, per Spacelift. You're not just surviving—you're fueling growth, projected to hit 35% of tech roles globally by 2025.

Listeners, your grit turns barriers into breakthroughs. Thank you for tuning in to Women in Business—subscribe now for more empowering stories. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

For more http://www.quietplease.ai


Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI