As technology continues to redefine our lives, it's crucial to recognize and applaud the remarkable women who are making their presence felt in the industry. In this article, we invite you to six outstanding women in tech whose books are a source of inspiration and valuable knowledge. Come with us as we delve into the experiences and wisdom of these pioneers who are not only influencing the tech sphere but also lighting the way for future innovators.
Alana Karen is an award-winning tech leader, author, and speaker whose work impacts many of our everyday lives. From Google Search to Ads, Fiber to Google Grants, Alana has been leading the charge to develop, scale, build, and drive team and product development that has seen a rippling industry impact. Her book, Adventures of Women in Tech: How We Got Here and Why We Stay, aggregates hundreds of stories on these topics with a follow-up workbook released last year.
The Adventures of Women in Tech shares and explores stories from over 80 women about their journeys paving a career in tech. The core message is one of belonging as these women have different backgrounds, interests, personalities and roles, and they all are finding their way in tech despite challenges. It’s also one of strength as they navigate opportunities and build their skills and confidence.
My Challenge was...
I wrote the book with three young children running all over the house, and I have fond memories of them eavesdropping on my interviews and asking questions. Sometimes they were distracting too! In the end, I consider the book a testament not just to my career but also to my family.
Advice for Aspiring Writers
Start! Try to write every day without judgment on the quality or topic. Our inner critic will hold us back and there will always be a reason to not write, so make it a habit and find joy in the practice. With time, you’ll love the results.
“I’m reminded of an old game we played as children: “stiff as a feather, light as a board.” It was a game we played at sleepovers. We’d surround one girl who was lying on the ground. We’d place our fingers beneath her and recite, “Stiff as a feather, light as a board” like a meditation prayer. After thirty seconds or so, we’d lift the girl using just our collective fingers. As a child it was magical. But it’s not magic—it’s the collective effort of all of us helping each other, a power we often underestimate. And when we all do it, the load is light.”
I love this idea that we all, even in small ways, can help further change and that we should share the load.
Anna McDougall is Software Engineering Manager at HelloBetter, based in Berlin, Germany. Anna has helped hundreds of career changers pursue new careers in tech, with her book "You Belong in Tech: How to Go from Zero Programming Knowledge to Hired" quickly hitting #1 on Amazon for Career Guide New Releases in July 2022. In 2023, she delivered her TEDx Talk for the Technical University of Berlin, titled "Finding and Proving Your Value as a Career Changer".
You Belong in Tech is a practical guide to beginning a career in the tech space, with a focus on software engineering and technical roles. The book's blurb makes the case that people from all backgrounds should be involved in technological evolution, "even if you don't look like the hackers in the movies". The book is split into three sections: learning the technical skills needed; developing a brand and a network; and job applications and interviews. McDougall answers all the most common questions asked by new programmers, like what programming language to learn, how to learn skills for free, where to find a mentor, what to include on a portfolio site, and how best to prepare for interviews.
My Challenge was...
The biggest challenge I had while writing the book was to ensure that my own personal story didn't form the basis of my recommendations. My own story of changing from opera singer to software engineer is unique, and how I did it was based on a lot of luck - of course also skill and preparation, but in large part luck. To use my own experiences as a benchmark for a successful strategy would be truly flawed, so at every step of the writing process I had to "check in" with myself and really ask: "Is this just what you experienced, or is it truly what works?". I've seen so many stories about career changers, both successful and unsuccessful, and had to ensure I used those to guide me. The end result is a book that is highly practical and pragmatic. Yes, I used a lot of the techniques in my own success story, but readers can rest assured that everything I recommend is also deeply rooted in observations and data from thousands of new techies.
Advice for Aspiring Writers
My biggest piece of advice for women looking for a career in tech is to back yourself up and approach the work with confidence. We have been taught our whole lives to focus on what is missing, what is wrong, what we can do better, etc. It is great to work on yourself and your skills, but always keep the mentality about forward momentum. Be proud of what you achieve. Apply to jobs where you don't meet all the criteria. Be confident and loud about your strengths, while quietly working on your weaknesses.
In order for your work to speak, somebody needs to be listening, and nobody will be listening if they aren’t interested in you."
Many people attracted to technical careers tend to be the type who don’t enjoy promoting themselves. A common phrase you’ll hear among techies is that they want to ‘let the work speak for itself.’ Therefore, many people learn the skills, create great projects, put them online, and then sit back and wait for Google or Netflix to call them. Unfortunately, that’s just not how it works. You have to be able to not only draw attention to yourself and your work but also know how to use your own unique story to drive home the value you bring to employers.
Anna Radulovski is a visionary founder and influential thought leader, sought after as a speaker at premier tech and business events worldwide. She has captivated audiences across the globe and is frequently featured in major media outlets such as Forbes, Bloomberg TV, Entrepreneur, Fortune, CNET, and DW.
As an award-winning leader, Anna serves as the Founder and Global CEO of WomenTech Network. She holds positions as a Board Member at Coding Girls and Executive Women in Tech (EWIT), and as the Regional Director at Founder Institute. With over a decade of experience, Anna has worked alongside hundreds of senior executives from Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, and Oracle.
Passionate about building communities, start-ups, and fostering innovation, Anna is dedicated to creating a more inclusive tech industry that encourages women's success as leaders. Her diverse roles and strong commitment continue to inspire and bring about positive change in the global tech world.
Chief in Tech is like a coffee chat with your personal board of advisors, all seasoned women who've been in your shoes. Starting out strong, climbing the ranks, leading in the C-suite, and leaving a legacy—we've got you covered.
Real strategies, empowering stories, and straight-up advice. It's your guide to breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and soaring to the heights of your ambitions. "Chief in Tech" is a handbook for leaders in tech aspiring to shatter the glass ceiling, pay it forward, and transform the world.
My Challenge was...
Writing this book has been a profound journey of discovery and resilience. Balancing the demands of leading the WomenTech Network, being a mom, and authoring this book often felt overwhelming. Fatigue, sickness, travel, and urgent matters frequently disrupted my writing.
One of the biggest challenges was simply “keeping going”. Writing every day was tough. Writer's block, self-doubt, and extensive research all played their parts. Securing interviews with C-level executives was hard due to their packed schedules, but each conversation was enlightening and reminded me of our collective strength.
I was writing and doing interviews at the same time, which was tough since it requires different skill sets. I didn't have the luxury of time to separate the two, but in the end, it actually helped a lot. All the interviews were beyond inspiring, and through these stories, I rediscovered and reconfirmed my mission, my "why" – the need for such a book. The stories of the remarkable women I interviewed motivated me to keep going as I remembered why it’s important and why I am writing this.
That motivation sustained me, even on the toughest days, to make progress. Following the "never miss twice" mantra from Atomic Habits, even a sentence or two was enough to keep the momentum going.
Advice for Aspiring Writers
Believe in your unique perspective and voice. The tech industry needs diverse stories and insights, and your experiences can inspire and guide others. Start by finding what you're truly passionate about and let that fuel your writing. Don't be afraid to share your personal stories—authenticity resonates deeply with readers.
Do your research, but also trust your intuition and experiences. Your voice adds a vital piece to the broader narrative of women in tech, and it’s important that your unique story gets heard. Connect with other writers and tech leaders for support and inspiration—this community can be a great source of encouragement and ideas.
And remember, it’s normal to face challenges and self-doubt. Persist through them, knowing that your contribution is invaluable and can create a lasting impact. Keep pushing forward—you've got this!
"In a world where technology shapes our future, your voice and perspective are more important than ever."
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Annie Jean-Baptiste is a business disruptor and the author of Building for Everyone. She previously served as an intrapreneur in residence at the University Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education, a member of both the CTA Health Equity and Access Leadership (HEAL) Coalition and sits on the IEEE's Executive committee. As the co-founder and director of product inclusion & equity at Google, she leads product inclusion & equity strategy across the company. She’s been covered in Vogue, Essence Magazine, Business Insider, Teen Vogue, MSNBC, CNBC and was recognized as one of Ebony's Power 100 in 2022. Follow her for more on social media @its_me_ajb
Building for everyone is the first book about product inclusion and equity, and looks at 12 dimensions of identity and the intersections of those dimensions. The book is focused on practical guidance to help people across industries build for everyone, with everyone, and brings to light new insights on the business case for inclusion.
My Challenge was...
I definitely had imposter syndrome as it related to the book. I never considered myself a writer and didn't know if people would want to hear my message. As an introvert, I am much more comfortable in the background, but I knew that the message was important and I wanted to be able to share my learnings in the hope of building an ecosystem that brings voices from historically marginalized communities to the center.
Advice for Aspiring Writers
Speak your truth can be a vessel for work and causes you care about. Leaning into your lived experience, because those ripples become waves that open up opportunities for others behind you across multiple dimensions of identity.
"Build for everyone, with everyone" and "you can do well and do good."
Edwige A. Robinson is a Senior Executive with over 20 years of experience in telecommunications and technology. She specializes in leading strategic initiatives to drive transformative change within Fortune 100 companies. From her beginnings as a Field Technician, she has risen to become a top-ranked leader in Telco Innovation. Edwige is a globally recognized speaker and mentor, dedicated to closing the digital divide. This summer, Edwige will release her book, "Believe It’s Possible." A narrative of hope, courage, leadership, and the unwavering belief in the potential within each of us.
"Believe It’s Possible" by Edwige Robinson is a compelling narrative of hope, resilience, and leadership. It chronicles her journey from humble beginnings to becoming a transformative force in technology. The book emphasizes the power of believing in one's potential, embracing challenges, and driving change with courage and innovation. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, Edwige inspires readers to overcome obstacles, lead with vision, and realize their dreams, highlighting the impact of mentorship and digital equity.
My Challenge was...
While writing the book I faced many tribulations – the most prevalent one is a family crisis related to the brevity of life and how sometimes we have to pause on the busyness of life to focus on what is more important. As we chase our dreams and strive for success, it's easy to lose sight of the things we can't replace and the most valuable currencies we have: Our time, Our health and Our loved ones. These irreplaceable pillars of our lives are the most valuable currencies we possess. The book gave me the courage I needed while I was writing to encourage others to define their own terms. Life has a funny way of showing up for all of us when it matters the most.
Advice for Aspiring Writers
Embrace your unique perspective and voice. The tech industry needs diverse stories and insights. Stay curious, keep learning, and don't be afraid to challenge the status quo. Find mentors, build a strong network, and believe in your potential. Your contributions are invaluable and can inspire the next generation of women in tech.
“Sometimes courage is not a choice, it’s our only option “ – Edwige A. Robinson
This quote resonates deeply with me because it reflects my personal journey and professional experiences. From her humble beginnings as a field technician to becoming a senior technology executive, I faced numerous challenges that required me to summon extraordinary courage. Whether navigating the complexities of the tech industry, driving transformative projects, or breaking barriers as a woman in a male-dominated field, courage was often not just a choice but my only option. This perspective underscores my belief in the power of resilience, determination, and unwavering belief in oneself, which are central themes in my leadership and my book, "Believe It’s Possible."
JeanAnn Nichols aims to spark visionary, inclusive discussions that inspire positive change as a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator. Drawing on her extensive professional experience, she incorporates illustrative stories, relatable humor, and practical advice into her presentations. Nichols began her career as a manufacturing supervisor and process engineer, eventually rising to the position of Vice President and General Manager at Intel Corporation. She holds a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University. Currently, she is an executive coach, best-selling author, and leadership instructor at Stanford University Continuing Studies.
"Intentional Power: The 6 Essential Leadership Skill for Triple Bottom Line Impact" is a call to action for the next generation of leaders to move beyond an entirely individual focus toward a more sustainable approach to how they lead. It offers a new model of leadership, the HEARTI® model, built on six core power skills: Humility, Empathy, Accountability, Resiliency, Transparency, and Inclusivity. With urgency and passion, Intentional Power delivers a roadmap for a more inclusive, comprehensive approach to leadership. It is a guide for delivering triple bottom line impact: enhancing profits, people, and the planet.
My Challenge was...
Life imitates art. So many of our clients have told us “Technology is easy. It’s the people that are hard!” While writing Intentional Power, my co-authors and I found the technical aspects of writing a book were only mildly challenging, but navigating our feelings and respecting each other’s perspectives pushed us to express the best of our HEARTI® leadership skills! Coordinating schedules across three busy families, 1800 miles and two (or more!) time zones created real-life opportunities to practice humility, empathy, accountability, transparency, and inclusivity. Did we have missteps? You bet! Bouncing forward from failure helped us grow our resiliency skills.
Advice for Aspiring Writers
The best advice I got about becoming an author was to get really clear on your ideal reader and what they need from you. Writing for technical leaders who want to increase their impact, it was clear to me I had to convey how “hard skills are soft and soft skills are hard.” My reader needs to know that ‘messy’ people skills are the power skills that enable you to positively change yourself, your team, company, community and the planet. Many people view those ‘soft’ people skills as feminine traits – which can be to our advantage as modern leaders! Technical leaders want proven, practical tips that they can put into practice immediately. Focusing on the technical expert who’s expanding their modern leadership skills made writing and editing much more efficient.
"Modern Leaders who want to use their power with the intention of driving long-term sustainable results need a new set of skills. In the past, leaders deemed as effective were identified by their command and control of people and operations. We recognized that Modern Leaders needed a new set of power skills to fuel their success. We developed the HEARTI® model of leadership competencies – the six power skills we identified from our research and interviews that are needed by Modern Leaders to use their power with intention. HEARTI stands for humility, empathy, accountability, resiliency, transparency and inclusivity. All six are essential for leaders who are committed to creating long-term, sustainable, triple-bottom-line impact (people, planet, and profits)."
Netta Jenkins is the CEO of Aerodei, an inclusive performance platform that democratizes and quantifies inclusion efforts. She's also the Founder of Holistic Inclusion Consulting, a doctoral student specializing in quality systems and management, and the author of "The Inclusive Organization," a Forbes-recommended DEI book. With over 15 years of advisory experience, she's gained a 300k+ LinkedIn following and Forbes recognition as a top 7 Anti-Racism educator. Netta's groundbreaking TEDx talk, "Reimagining the Workplace," and features in Black Enterprise, Forbes, Business Insider, CNN, and awards attest to her impactful work in corporate and startup diversity. CIO Views recognized her as one of "The Top 10 Most Influential Black Women in Business to Follow in 2021."
This book is a hands-on guide to creating an inclusive organization and operating from an Inclusive perspective. Whether you're a CEO, board member, individual contributor, or an ally, there's always room for growth. In a rapidly changing world, employees seek support in managing their personal and professional lives. People are the heart of any business, and to foster inclusivity, organizations must engage, educate, and empower their workforce. With accountability and clear metrics, we can ignite a DEI movement, emphasizing that people will always be at the core of business success.
My Challenge was...
As I embarked on the journey of writing my book, the challenge that loomed large was my overpowering urge to pour everything I had learned and experienced onto the pages. The wealth of insights and stories threatened to overwhelm the narrative. To address this, I knew I needed a structured framework that would keep me on course. I carefully contemplated how I wanted my readers to feel and the specific actions I hoped they would take after reading. It was imperative to find my voice in the writing process. I aspired to be a trusted friend to my readers, guiding them through a range of emotions that mimic the complex dynamics of organizations and life. Ultimately, it was in these challenges that I found the means to make my book not just solution-oriented but deeply relatable.
Advice for Aspiring Writers
For women aspiring to write in the tech industry, my advice is simple: believe in your story, journey, expertise and voice. Embrace your unique perspectives and experiences, as they bring valuable insights. Connect with a supportive network, seek mentorship, and don't hesitate to share your knowledge. Your contributions can inspire and empower others in this ever-evolving field.
Arianna Huffington shared a powerful quote from my book that went viral “Organizations should always invest in their people and remember that the best ways to do so are by keeping their people interested, informed, and inspired.”
What makes these books extraordinary isn't just their content; it's the incredible accomplishment of their authors. Writing a book in the fast-paced tech industry is no small feat. It's a testament to dedication, expertise, and a desire to share knowledge that can benefit us all.
These amazing women show us the boundless possibilities within the tech world - they inspire us to adapt, think differently, and forge our own paths.
So, if you're hungry for more inspiration and eager to learn from heavyweights in tech, why not meet other role models at theWomen in Tech Global Conference 2025?
It's an opportunity to connect, share, and empower one another on this exciting journey through the ever-evolving tech landscape.
