At the Women in Tech Global Conference 2024, some of the brightest minds in technology and leadership came together to share their insights, experiences, and vision for the future. This year’s event featured groundbreaking talks from influential women leaders who are shaping the tech landscape worldwide. From inspiring keynote speeches to in-depth panel discussions, the conference offered a wealth of knowledge on leadership, innovation, diversity, and inclusion in the tech industry. In this article, we highlight some of the top talks on leadership, showcasing the ideas and strategies driving the next generation of tech leadership forward.
Kate Prouty, CIO Akamai Technologies
Kate Prouty is the Chief Information Officer of Akamai Technologies. Before becoming CIO in 2021, Kate spent over 20 years in technical leadership positions at Akamai, most recently as the vice president of IT Corporate Systems. She is a graduate of the MIT Sloan School of Management. Kate lives in Massachusetts with her husband and their three children, and is an active runner and skier.
Key Takeaways from the session:
If you don’t love every aspect of your company's current culture, you don't have to give up. Be the change!
Don't be afraid of change – it's inevitable, and for many organizations, it's a very good thing!
Organizations have leadership evolution too, not just people. Companies change as much as their people do.
Lakecia Gunter, CTO and VP, Global Partner Solutions Microsoft
Lakecia Gunter is the Chief Technology Officer for Microsoft’s Global Partner Solutions, where she leads technical strategy to drive digital transformation through Microsoft's partner ecosystem, focusing on AI innovations. Previously, she held leadership roles at Microsoft, including Vice President of Device Partner Solution Sales and the Worldwide IoT Partner Ecosystem, overseeing multi-billion-dollar businesses and market growth.
Before Microsoft, she held key positions at Intel, including Chief of Staff to the CEO. Lakecia also serves as an independent director at IDEX Corporation and is involved in various boards and community initiatives. She hosts the podcast *ROAR* and has been recognized as one of the 100 Influential Women in Tech by WomenTech Network.
Lakecia holds a bachelor’s in computer engineering from the University of South Florida and a master’s in electrical engineering from Georgia Tech.
Key Takeaways from the session:
The Art of Making Bold Decisions
Leadership and Resilience
Embracing Courage
Lori Mackenzie, Co-Founder, Stanford VMware Women's Leadership Innovation Lab
Lori Nishiura Mackenzie is a speaker, researcher, and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. She co-founded the Stanford VMware Women’s Leadership Innovation Lab to research barriers to women's advancement and promote inclusive workplaces. Lori also works with the California Partners Project, helping boards recruit for diversity. Named a 2022 LinkedIn Top Voice in Gender Equity and featured in the documentary *bias*, her work appears in outlets like *Harvard Business Review* and *The New York Times*. With 20 years of business experience, she serves on multiple boards and holds an MBA from Wharton.
Key Takeaways from the session:
Culture is comprised of the norms and the behaviors that people experience in relationships (one-on-one, in meetings, groups, etc.) Each and every one of us can be a curator of the culture around us
Meetings are often end up as contests for airtime. Leaders can instead learn to facilitate meetings to maximize participation and enhance decision making.
We often jump into the "work at hand"; yet we can enhance participation and effectiveness by setting the context
A DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) lens can be a powerful tool to boost effectiveness of groups and teams.
Looking ahead, don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the next wave of inspiration at the Women in Tech Global Conference 2025! Whether you want to expand your networks or stay on top of the latest tech trends, WTGC 2025 is an event you won’t want to miss.
Elevate your experience by securing the Executive Ticket, designed exclusively for senior leaders and C-suite executives in the tech industry. This ticket offers unparalleled access to a range of premium benefits, all within a virtual environment that mirrors the intimacy and impact of our top-tier executive gatherings.
With the Executive Ticket, you'll gain:
- Executive Virtual Access to Women in Tech Global Conference 2025, including live keynotes, sessions, and workshops.
- Exclusive participation in Executive Roundtables, fostering in-depth discussions with industry experts on key tech leadership and innovation topics.
- Access to Executive Networking, connecting you with thought leaders, fellow executives, and decision-makers.
- Priority entry to the Mentorship Program, giving you direct access to career-advancing guidance.
- A Resource Library filled with industry reports, whitepapers, and case studies to support your leadership role.
- On-Demand Content: Over 1,500 recorded sessions available for an entire year, allowing you to engage at your convenience.
- Recognition as a leader driving diversity and inclusion, with your name and company featured on the conference website.
- Complimentary Chief in Tech Book, a key resource on women’s leadership in the tech industry.
Secure your Executive Ticket today and position yourself at the forefront of tech leadership at WTGC 2025!
