Fostering female leadership in the tech industry

Breaking Barriers: Brenda Darden Wilkerson on Empowering Women in Tech and Driving Equity

Layan Abo Shkier introduced Brenda Darden Wilkerson, a Forbes 50 Over 50 honoree and influential leader in gender equality within the tech industry. Ms. Wilkerson shared her vision for women to align technology with societal needs, advocating for an educational system where everyone’s contributions are valued. She stressed the importance of companies committing to genuine gender and pay equity.

Ms. Wilkerson highlighted the World Economic Forum’s projection of 130 years to achieve pay equity, largely due to historical biases that steer women away from higher-paying jobs. Despite women often excelling in mathematics and holding a majority of master’s degrees, they remain underrepresented in crucial decision-making roles within companies.

This underrepresentation means many societal problems, particularly those affecting diverse populations, are overlooked or addressed ineffectively by technology. The tech industry’s dynamic nature further compounds these challenges for women, creating additional hurdles in their professional journeys.

A primary challenge identified by Ms. Wilkerson is the ingrained perception from childhood that discourages girls from pursuing STEM fields. These biases extend into higher education and the workplace, establishing significant barriers to entry. Women often find themselves in roles below their qualifications, despite possessing advanced degrees.

Ms. Wilkerson also discussed “tokenism,” where women are hired to meet diversity quotas, placing undue pressure on them. Furthermore, personal decisions, such as balancing career and family, frequently lead to women leaving the workforce. This results in a “brain drain” for companies, losing valuable, qualified talent due to insufficient supportive policies.

To counter these issues, Ms. Wilkerson suggested companies re-evaluate societal norms that discourage women from STEM. She emphasized that addressing these disparities is not charity but about dismantling systemic barriers. Her organization, AnitaB.org, champions awareness through initiatives like the Grace Hopper Celebration, honoring pioneering women in tech such as Grace Hopper and Gladys West.

The Grace Hopper Celebration aims to inspire women by showcasing the significant, often unacknowledged, contributions of female innovators throughout history, helping them understand they are part of a rich legacy. Ms. Wilkerson shared how such events also educate men on the critical importance of inclusivity, fostering environments where diverse perspectives drive innovation.

She recounted an inspiring story of a young woman who developed an application to aid her autistic brother’s communication, self-nominated for an award, and subsequently founded a successful company. Ms. Wilkerson’s advice to young women is to value their unique experiences and perspectives, encouraging them to speak up confidently, as their insights are often novel and essential for progress.