IWD 2025: Key Takeaways on Inclusion, Leadership & Career Growth in Tech
IWD 2025: Empowering Careers and Fostering Inclusion in Tech was our biggest event yet. Bringing together over 120 tech professionals from across the industry for an afternoon of powerful discussions, career insights, and community building. More than just a networking event, this was a space to tackle the realities of workplace cultures in tech and push for meaningful change.
The speakers shared candid reflections on topics like leadership, inclusion, and sustainable development.
Here are three key takeaways from IWD 2025:
1. Our current moment is an opportunity.
With organisations scaling back or abandoning DEI initiatives, it can feel like the world is moving backwards and progress is slipping away. But several speakers mentioned the unique hope and potential they see in this moment in history.
As WITGBG Board President Anya Ernest reminded us, “Every force creates a counter-force.” Though the setbacks we’re facing can and will cause widespread harm, those setbacks can also create greater urgency and momentum for those committed to diversity and inclusion. This is our chance to rally our community and push back against regression with even more determination.
2. Inclusion helps everyone.
A truly inclusive workplace benefits more than just marginalised groups – it uplifts the entire organisation and, ultimately, society as a whole. Julia Norinder from Zenseact challenged a common but incorrect notion about inclusion work: “Very often, and especially nowadays, we talk about these things as a zero-sum game, where some are winners and some are losers. I’m convinced that that is not at all the case.” She went on to explain how a win-win framework should be the starting point for these initiatives in the tech sector. When businesses embrace that mindset, buy-in becomes much easier and real change becomes more achievable.
3. It’s enough to share your experiences.
The weight of making tech more inclusive doesn’t fall solely to individuals. Women and nonbinary people should take up space in tech, but there are a lot of ways to do that – and each one matters. Vera Roshan from Stendahls put it best: “Taking space doesn’t mean that you have to do all the work. Just contributing to the industry and sharing your experiences and making the leaders responsible [is enough].” The more we share and support each other as a community, the better equipped we are to hold decision-makers accountable and ensure they take action.
Looking ahead to 2025
This year’s event made it clear: our community is strong, engaged, and ready to meet the moment. Huge thanks to WITGBG members for spending the afternoon with us and to our sponsors and partners for helping create a space where these conversations can thrive.
As we look to the rest of 2025, let’s build on this momentum. More events, more collaboration, and more opportunities to strengthen our community and the tech industry. Change happens when we come together, and we’re just getting started.