March 8th marks International Women’s Day, a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It’s also a day to raise awareness about gender equality and advocate for women’s rights worldwide.
From the early pioneering computer scientists like Ada Lovelace and Grace Hooper, to more recently Dr. Radia Perlman, who invented Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and is often referred to as “The Mother of the Internet”, women have been instrumental in shaping the tech industry as we know it today.
No doubt the current crop of contemporary trailblazers such as Reshma Saujani, The Founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, Susan Wojcicki CEO of YouTube, Julia Hartz - Co-founder and CEO of Eventbrite, to name a few, have been influenced by the work laid out by their predecessors and in turn will be influencing the future stars in the tech field.
We would like to take this opportunity to salute women tech trailblazers past and present. They have paved the way and opened the door and created opportunities for current and future generations. They have, and are, creating a better future for generations to come.
Quantios interviewed some of our own trailblazers to hear about their careers, challenges they have overcome, inspirational figures in their lives and any advice for other aspiring women.
Can you share your journey to this point? What inspired you to pursue a career in your field?
Katherine Chia, Senior Technical Consultant:
In today's tech-driven world, the advancements in technology are transforming how we live and work. I became fascinated by how advanced technologies can streamline processes, improve efficiency, and create innovative solutions. My curiosity and analytical nature then naturally drew me to technology. My career in technology has been marked by continuous growth and exploration. I began with foundational roles, focusing on database management and support. Over time, I expanded my expertise to include data migration, reporting, and data analysis. This journey allowed me to develop skills in visualizing data and providing valuable insights.
Suzanne Pritchard, Senior Product Operations Manager:
My journey into the tech industry isn’t your typical path, with a Degree in Food Science and a Masters in International Business. From an early age, I have always been drawn to problem-solving, prone to asking a lot of “why” and intrigued by innovation - qualities that naturally led me into the tech space. Over the last 4 and a half years, since joining Quantios as a Graduate, I’ve been very fortunate to work with many colleagues that share the same passions and who have fueled and supported my journey to date.
Now, as an expat working in our Malaysian office, I have the opportunity to immerse myself in a culturally diverse environment that continually broadens my perspectives.The exposure to diverse perspectives reinforces the importance of inclusivity and adaptability in an ever-evolving tech industry.
Poh Li Yeow, Senior Manager - Compliance / Internal Operations:
I have always been curious about how things work, especially technology. As a child, I had a passion for problem-solving in IT, which naturally guided me toward a career in the field. I studied Computing in Business and began my career as an Application Support specialist at a large corporation in KL city. There, I discovered my passion for solving IT-related issues and helping people. Nothing brings me more satisfaction than seeing happy customers. From that point on, I began my journey in the tech industry, working across support, technical, and testing teams until now, as a Compliance Senior Manager in the Quantios internal operations team.
Suzeela Baharum, Manager - Entity Management:
My journey started after school, during my Matriculation years. I always excelled in Computer Science and that’s when I decided to go for IT for my bachelor degree. I started my career as a multimedia programmer cum corporate trainer in Cosmopoint Sdn Bhd in 1997. In 2002, I joined NTV7, a broadcasting company, as a Network Administrator. I was the only female member of the IT staff, and we were supporting the whole office on everything related to IT technical support.
I joined Viewpoint Research Corporation Sdn Bhd (now Quantios (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd) in 2006 and that’s where I started my role doing software support. Doing support builds up my knowledge on the software and I was assigned to clients implementation projects, consulting them, mainly on Entity Administration, Document Management and Configuration, including the Security Models. I now lead the Entity Management team at Quantios, which focuses on the same areas that I have been involved in before.
Carrie Holt, Head of M&A and Strategy:
The very early realisation that we all had to embrace technology – regardless of which business we worked for - sparked my interest in understanding how best to use it to service our customers’ needs.
My CV is unusual because my career did not begin in Strategy. I started out as an M&A analyst, but then quickly moved into fixed income and fixed income data and analytics. Working for a small, venture-backed business and growing with that business was hugely influential in my career – evolving with the company and my colleagues as we went through several different changes in ownership. Leaving that business felt like leaving home, but I feel hugely fortunate to have found a new home in Quantios and the people here.
Have you faced any challenges as a woman in your career, for example feeling underestimated, and how have you overcome them?
KC:
I do not feel underestimated as a woman in my career. However, if I ever face challenges or have doubts, I seek support from colleagues or friends. Their valuable advice and encouragement helps me stay focused and positive.
PLY:
Yes, there have been moments when I felt underestimated or had to work harder to prove my expertise. Early in my career, I sometimes found myself being the only woman in meetings, and it took extra effort to make my voice heard.
To navigate those challenges, I focused on continuous learning, delivering results, and building strong professional relationships. I also reminding myself that my skills and experience are valuable. Now, after 15+ years, I lead a team of 10 and enjoy mentoring others in the IT field.
SB:
I experienced this, I think twice, during my career. Basically, I think, we just need to prove what we claim we can do. During the older days, you could not find many females doing IT on the technical side. The challenge is to prove that you could do the same as your male colleagues.
My advice to other women out there facing the same challenges, is always believe in yourself. Believe that you can do what men can do and even better. Don’t just say you can, prove it and people will respect you for that.
CH:
Thankfully, not that I can recall. I am a firm believer that we make the best of the cards we have been dealt, and while I may have missed out on opportunities over the years, I don’t recall any of those misses being gender-related. I genuinely believe that regardless of disappointments, my career always moved on for the better. I would advise people to be honest, be authentic, play to their strengths and never attempt to bluff their way through. People should be encouraged to ask questions, acknowledge a particular topic might not be an area of expertise and ask for help; this is how we grow. I have always respected people who put their hands up, show keen interest and ask questions.
The only barrier I can think of in my career is guilt. As a mother of young children many years ago, I used to have moments where I felt incredibly guilty being away from my kids; perhaps this is something that never leaves us as parents. But if you ask my (much older) children now if I was missed when they were young, they would say no! The most important thing is that they have been loved, looked after, and hopefully have good role models to look up to in their working parents. Given the career choices they are now pursuing, it looks like they plan on adopting a similar work ethic to their parents, so I am hopeful we struck the right balance. I feel hugely fortunate to have always enjoyed my career, wherever it took me along the way. But family time means everything to me, and if I hadn’t felt comfortable with the work/life balance in any role, I would have changed it.
Is there a woman in the tech industry (or beyond) who has inspired you? If so, what impact have they had on your career?
KC:
Yes, a senior colleague who helped me when I was new to the industry has been a great inspiration. Her strong technical skills and eagerness to learn new technologies showed me the importance of mastering them. This has helped me understand that staying competitive, improving efficiency, enhancing problem-solving, and driving innovation are crucial. Today, I continually strive to improve myself by exploring new challenges.
SP:
There are countless women who have made outstanding contributions to the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, from Ada Lovelace: The World's First Computer Programmer, to Hedy Lamarr: The Inventor of WiFi, and Adele Goldberg: The Inspiration For GUI. However, only 24% of the UK STEM workforce is made up of women. Therefore, more work still needs to be done to reverse the mystification that it is all about hard hats and overalls, and reinforce the vital role that STEM plays in the world today. It has never been a more exciting time to work in the technology sector, with digitalisation changing our lives in so many ways that we couldn’t have predicted.
PLY:
A few years ago, during my career in IT service management, I had the opportunity to meet Katrina MacDermid at an IT conference. She is recognised as a visionary in IT service management learning and has redefined how professionals engage with ITIL, human-centred design, and service excellence.
Katrina’s ability to blend technical expertise with human-centred design is what sets her apart. She has developed a unique training methodology that not only imparts knowledge but also ensures that learning is immersive, practical, and deeply engaging. What I admire most about Katrina is her passion for continuous learning and innovation. She does not just teach IT service management, but she transforms it, making it more accessible, user-friendly, and impactful.
SB:
My inspiration has always been my late mother. I watched how she learned to work with a mainframe when I was little. She learned technology although she’s not a graduate.
She is why I am in the technology world today. She showed me how to start with the basics and take on the challenges put in front of me.
CH:
A few years ago, I was extremely fortunate to have access to an excellent professional coach. I can honestly say she changed my whole perspective: how to plan and prioritise effectively; how to negotiate; how to further my career; and how to switch off from noise around us. Everything she said was so simple but made complete sense. I've since been able to take her advice and apply it over and over in so many situations.
How do you think the tech industry is changing for women, and what improvements would you like to see?
KC:
I do notice a shift in gender representation in tech over the years. Offering tailored training and development programs could significantly help women advance their careers.
PLY:
I have seen positive changes over the years, with more women entering tech and companies becoming more aware of the importance of diversity. However, there is still a long way to go in terms of representation in leadership roles.
Companies need to go beyond hiring more women and they should also provide mentorship, equal opportunities for career growth, and work-life balance policies that support working parents. More visibility of women in senior tech roles will help inspire the next generation.
SB:
There are shifts in gender representation especially in Asia. However, the focus for women is mostly on the non-technical and non-leadership roles. Most companies rely on the experience of an individual when it comes to leadership and technical roles, and women have to prove this really clearly to gain the company’s confidence.
It is not easy to change people’s mindset. Initiatives like offering scholarships for women to pursue their education in IT leadership (example MIT Sloan’s Executive Program for Women Leaders) could contribute to having more women in the IT leadership.
CH:
A year ago, I attended a women-only conference. I had no idea what to expect but it was such a fantastic day. There was so much laughter, admiration and respect for one another. When it was over, I wished my daughter had been there to experience it and listen to the inspirational speakers. The only way we can increase the number of women in any field is by raising awareness amongst them. I see opportunities for women emerging everywhere: From the F1 Academy all the way through to my daughter’s local U15s football team. It’s only by communicating what’s out there for women - for our daughters - that they will be aware of the countless opportunities available to them.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the tech industry?
KC:
Stay curious and committed to learning new technologies and skills. The tech industry evolves rapidly, so being adaptable and open to new knowledge is crucial. Most importantly, stay passionate about your work. Passion drives motivation and can lead to greater job satisfaction and success.
SP:
Given how much time we spend working in our lifetime, it has always been an aim of mine to truly enjoy whatever I do. I would encourage women to have the confidence and self-belief to go after what they believe in, to strive to be lifelong learners with a curious and inquisitive mindset, and to be their own champion without the need to rely on external validation and recognition of their abilities. Be curious, persistent, ask a lot of questions and never be afraid to fail. The tech industry thrives on innovation, and diverse perspectives are crucial in shaping the future. Seek out mentors, build a strong network, and continuously invest in your learning. Most importantly, believe in your ability to contribute and make an impact—your voice, skills, and ideas matter more than you know.
PLY:
Entering the tech industry can be both exciting and challenging, especially for women looking to carve out their own space. The tech industry is constantly evolving, so adaptability and continuous learning are essential. Develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and a strong foundation in technical knowledge, but also focus on soft skills like communication and collaboration, as they are just as important in leadership roles.
If I could go back and give advice to my younger self, I would say: 'Seek challenges, not just comfort. Growth happens outside our comfort zone, and the best opportunities often come from stepping into the unknown. Taking on new challenges, whether it is learning a new technology or speaking up in meetings - builds confidence and expands your skill set. Finding mentors and networks is also key, whether through professional organisations, LinkedIn, or workplace initiatives. Surrounding yourself with supportive peers and mentors makes all the difference in career growth.
SB:
For those inspiring to go to technology industry, my advice would be to start from the bottom; i.e. build up your knowledge on, if possible, all aspects in technology. If I could go back to my younger self, my advice to myself would be to be bolder and more confident with the experiences and knowledge that I have. There are a lot of mentorship and networking communities and programs offered in the market to support the growth of women in IT such as The WIT Network and TechLadies.
CH:
Believe in yourself, play to your strengths, and make the best of the most difficult situations. With the right skills you can shape outcomes. Just continue being kind, being authentic and working hard. Know your limits too, and most importantly – enjoy it!
As we commemorate International Women’s Day, let’s reaffirm our commitment to empowering women in tech, creating inclusive workplaces, and fostering a culture of diversity and equality. By working together, we can build a future where women have the opportunity to thrive and make their mark in the world of technology.
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