Insight
Empowering women and allies in tech is the pathway to a brighter future
Technology has long been hailed for its innovation. Yet, despite its forward-thinking nature, the industry, like many others, has struggled with inclusivity and representation.
Women and underrepresented groups continue to face significant barriers to entry and advancement. Fortunately, the voices and actions of trailblazing leaders, supportive allies, and vibrant communities are paving the way for a more equitable future.
An event that celebrates the work of such individuals is the #empowHERaccess Prestige Awards hosted by the Women In Cloud organisation.
This industry awards platform is not just a matter of recognition; it’s a crucial step in driving systemic change and ensuring a more inclusive tech ecosystem. Exemplifying the time-honoured adage, “If you can see it you can be it.”
We spoke with five of this year’s #empowHERaccess Prestige Award winners, Simone Bennett, principal consultant and elements core (Azure Landing Zones) product owner at Arkahna, Martin Bernier, chief information officer at the University of Ottawa, Julia Armstrong D’Agnese, CEO of Earth Knowledge, Priyanka Mitra, partner at M12, and Akua Opong, senior associate at LSEG, to share their insights on the key areas that are the foundation for a more equitable and inclusive future.
The right mindset to overcome challenges
It all starts from within and tech is no exception. Winner of the Corporate Equality Advocate Awards, Priyanka Mitra, partner at M12 and founding partner of GitHub Fund, offers a compelling perspective on overcoming challenges.
Mitra emphasises the importance of mindset. “I’ve believed that life is always happening for me and that every adversity contains the seed of an equivalent advantage.”
This mindset that every challenge is an opportunity for growth has been instrumental in Mitra’s success, she shared that it has allowed her to “find the good and the learning in the situation or circumstance and choose to leverage difficult, uncomfortable, or trying situations to my advantage”.
Julia Armstrong D’Agnese, CEO of Earth Knowledge and winner of the B2B Women Tech Entrepreneur of the Year Award, echoes the importance of self-belief and adds how instrumental a support system is.
Her advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs includes surrounding oneself with supportive people and maintaining a strong sense of personal vision.
“Be aware and potentially eliminate contact with people, if necessary, who bring you down. They may not have had support nor followed their own light and may undermine yours just as theirs was undermined. Giving birth to a company, new paradigm, new technology is a very vulnerable process, and having others close who could hurt it, will undermine you.”
Being part of a community
Diverse communities are the grassroots support for diverse voices and viewpoints in tech. Finding and engaging with a community provides numerous personal benefits while creating a chain reaction of access to new opportunities.
To Akua Opong, senior associate at LSEG and winner of the Community Leadership and Community Choice Awards, community is so important. She firmly believes the power of collective effort can drive significant change. Her work with organisations like WeAreTheCity and Global Tech Advocates highlights how crucial it is to support and uplift each other.
Opong stated that by “lifting each other as we climb,” we can collectively advance our goals while creating a more supportive environment.
Julia Armstrong D’Agnese echoes this, she believes that participating in networks or communities like Women in Cloud is a crucial pathway for advancing inclusivity.
Both Opong and Julia’s experiences highlight that engaging with and supporting diverse communities not only addresses existing disparities but also drives meaningful progress and innovation in the tech industry.
Supporting underrepresented voices in tech
Supporting underrepresented voices in tech is essential for cultivating a more diverse and innovative industry.
Akua Opong shared from her experience that learning to “communicate effectively and developing negotiating skills to articulate ideas and visions” helped her overcome biases. She stresses the need to build a support network of mentors, sponsors, colleagues, friends, or coaches to provide vital support and insights.
Similarly, Priyanka Mitra underscores the impact of having strong advocates, noting that having mentors, sponsors, and supporters who are “willing and excited to go to bat for you and highlight your accomplishments” is crucial for addressing gender discrepancies in male-dominated fields.
As winner of the Ally of the Year Award, Martin Bernier’s experience further enriches this perspective by emphasising the importance of visibility and trust-building in supporting underrepresented voices.
He shared that being a visible ally is crucial. When asked about his approach to Allyship Bernier shared that it includes “empathy, active listening, and co-mentorship,” stressing that these are the fundamentals for creating a supportive environment.
Bernier believes that by engaging with underrepresented groups allies can better understand their needs and challenges. He noted that regularly seeking feedback builds a trustworthy environment where diverse perspectives can thrive. This holistic approach of visibility, support, and empathy helps foster a tech ecosystem where all voices can contribute to meaningful progress and innovation.
Innovate new approaches for inclusivity
The cornerstone of tech is its dedication to innovation, and the same approach should be applied to inclusivity. A great way for the tech industry to innovate new paths for inclusivity is by actively engaging with diverse community insights and feedback.
Simone Bennett, principal consultant and elements core (Azure Landing Zones) product owner at Arkahna and winner of the Cloud Technologist Visionary Award, exemplifies this approach through her commitment to staying connected with various tech communities.
She states: “I regularly attend user groups, Microsoft or local tech community calls, and meetups to hear what others are doing and share ideas.”
By immersing herself in these forums and incorporating direct feedback from customers and internal teams, Bennett and her company, Arkahna, continuously refine their solutions. This practice ensures that innovations are responsive to the diverse needs of users.
Additionally, Bennett emphasises the importance of “hands-on delivery” and “real-time” feedback, highlighting how interactive engagement can lead to more inclusive and effective technology solutions.
Furthermore, the tech industry can foster inclusivity by blending technological advancements with human support. Bennett’s observation that companies are beginning to realise “the real power lies in combining tech with skilled people” illustrates this shift.
Instead of relying solely on automation, companies are acknowledging the need for human oversight and expertise. Bennett points out that “lifting and shifting servers to the cloud didn’t eliminate the need for someone to manage them” but rather, it highlighted the importance of integrating technology with human skills.
Innovations like Arkahna’s Elements Core product, which simplifies deployment while aligning with best practices, demonstrate how technology can be designed to support diverse skill sets. This approach optimises performance and ensures that technological advancements are inclusive and adaptable to varied user needs.
Diverse and inclusive role models
Seeing role models with diverse identities achieve success or take on influential positions can profoundly impact the tech community.
Women In Cloud believes in the power of role models so deeply that the organisation recently produced its first documentary short film called ICONS. Recently screening at the Oscar-Qualifying HollyShorts Festival, the film shares the impactful journeys of 19 diverse women in tech.
The winners of this year’s #empowHERaccess Prestige Awards exemplify what it means to be an “ICON”. Priyanka Mitra stated that seeing people who looked similar to her ascend to roles of influence in tech and finance has been “instrumental to my progression and success”.
She believes visibility empowers others to ask themselves, “why not me?” and to pursue their aspirations. Winning the Corporate Equality Advocate Award, she hopes, will convey that “there are people out there like myself who care deeply about issues of corporate equality” and that it will inspire others to reach new heights.
Julia Armstrong D’Agnese echoes Mitra’s sentiments describing her experience with #empowHERaccess Prestige Awards as part of an “amazing transformational movement” that recognises traditionally overlooked figures, including women and those from diverse backgrounds.
She emphasises that the recognition she and others receive helps to strengthen and expand this movement, offering women a seat at the table and a platform to share their stories.
Akua Opong shared how role models have positively impacted her life, stating that figures like Katherine Johnson and Maya Angelou have shaped her aspirations and demonstrated the significance of representation and fairness.
Opong views the recognition from the Community Leadership and Community Choice Awards as an opportunity to “convey a powerful message to women and allies that perseverance and advocacy can lead to positive change.”
Similarly, Martin Bernier speaks to the importance of diverse role models, asserting that “success is achievable regardless of background”.
Celebrating change and looking forward
The collective efforts of leaders like Mitra, Armstrong D’Agnese, Bernier, Opong, and Bennett demonstrate the powerful impact of celebrating and supporting women and allies in tech. Their work advances the conversation around equity and provides tangible examples of how to drive change.
The path to a brighter future in tech is paved with the collective efforts of women, allies and supportive communities. By uplifting voices and embracing the strategies and mindsets of diverse trailblazers we can foster an inclusive environment that will move us closer to an industry where everyone has the access to the opportunities needed to succeed.
These leaders and their contributions are not just a recognition of past achievements but a beacon guiding us toward a more equitable and innovative future.
The #empowHERaccess Prestige Awards will return for its fifth year in the summer of 2025. Women In Cloud encourages women and allies in tech to nominate themselves or deserving colleagues to help uplift diverse role models for the future.
You can learn more about the awards, the ICONS documentary, and join the community of over 100,000 women and allies at www.womenincloud.com.
Ki-67, a protein used to measure tumour growth, may also help prevent chromosome errors that drive cancer, a study suggests.
The findings could change how scientists view Ki-67, a marker commonly used in breast cancer and other tumours to assess how quickly cancer cells are growing.
Researchers found the protein may help preserve genome stability by maintaining the structural integrity of centromeres, key parts of chromosomes that help ensure DNA is shared correctly during cell division.
The research was led by professor Paola Vagnarelli at Brunel University of London in collaboration with scientists at the University of Edinburgh and the Technical University of Berlin.
Professor Vagnarelli said: “Doctors already measure Ki-67 to see how aggressive a cancer might be. But our results suggest it is actually helping maintain genome stability.
“That means it may be more than a marker. It could potentially also be a therapeutic target.”
The study examined three proteins that attach to chromosomes during cell division and help rebuild the molecular system that tells each new cell what kind of cell it is.
Every human cell carries identical DNA. What makes a liver cell different from a brain cell is which genes are switched on and which are kept inactive.
When a cell divides, that entire system of switches must be rebuilt. The three proteins involved in this process were Ki-67, Repo-Man and PNUTS.
Vagnarelli’s team developed a method that individually removes each protein from a living cell at the precise point of division. Older techniques could not isolate that moment cleanly.
They found that cells rely on all three proteins to reset themselves after division, but each failed in a different way when removed.
Without PNUTS, gene activity spiralled out of control and thousands of genes switched on at once.
Without Repo-Man, cells escaped safety checkpoints that usually stop damaged or abnormal cells from continuing to divide.
“What we didn’t expect was how clean the separation was,” said Vagnarelli.
Each protein fails in its own specific way. There is no redundancy, no safety net. Which means there are three separate points at which this process can go wrong.
“When the system breaks down, cells can emerge with the wrong number of chromosomes. That condition, called aneuploidy, is seen in disorders such as Down syndrome and in many cancers.
“We also found that these chromosome errors can trigger inflammatory signals inside the cell.”
Aneuploidy means a cell has too many or too few chromosomes, which can disrupt normal growth and function.
Inflammatory signals are chemical messages that can make a cell behave as if it is responding to injury or infection.
“These cells behave almost as if they are under attack,” said Vagnarelli.
“The immune response switches on because the genome is unstable.
“That link between chromosome imbalance and inflammation could help explain patterns we see in several diseases.”
The researchers said the findings may help cancer scientists better understand how chromosome instability, loss of gene regulation and cells dividing before they are ready contribute to tumour growth.
They said understanding the normal machinery that prevents these errors may help researchers find ways to push cancer cells into making mistakes they cannot survive.
“We now have a clearer map of the machinery that resets the cell after division,” said Vagnarelli.
“That knowledge gives us a starting point for thinking about new therapeutic approaches.”
After more than a decade of campaigning, doctors around the world have agreed to rename polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
It is hoped the new name, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS, will help end the misconception that the condition is all about cysts, which campaigners say has contributed to missed diagnoses and inadequate treatment.
The condition affects one in eight women, or 3.1m women and girls in the UK, and is linked to hormone fluctuations that can affect weight, mental health, skin and the reproductive system.
The renaming was spearheaded by UK patient charity Verity alongside Professor Helena Teede, director of Melbourne’s Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation.
It followed 14 years of consultation with clinicians and patients around the world.
The new name was published in a consensus statement on May 12 and announced at the European Congress of Endocrinology in Prague.
The paper states that PCOS should now be referred to as PMOS.
“This is a landmark moment that will lead to desperately-needed worldwide advancements in clinical practice and research,” said Professor Teede.
“It was heart-breaking to see the delayed diagnosis, limited awareness and inadequate care afforded those affected by this neglected condition.”
When doctors first named PCOS in 1935, they thought it was mainly caused by physical changes to the ovaries.
Decades of research have since changed that understanding, with clinicians now agreeing the condition is far more complex.
“What we now know is that there is actually no increase in abnormal cysts on the ovary and the diverse features of the condition were often unappreciated,” Professor Teede added.
“A name change was the next critical step towards recognition and improvement in the long term impacts of this condition.”
The exact cause of the condition is still unknown, though it is thought to be linked to abnormal hormone levels and is associated with insulin resistance and raised levels of testosterone and luteinising hormone.
Insulin resistance means the body does not respond properly to insulin, the hormone that helps control blood sugar. Luteinising hormone helps regulate ovulation.
Common symptoms listed by the NHS include irregular periods or no periods at all, difficulty getting pregnant, excessive hair growth, weight gain, thinning hair, oily skin and acne.
Campaigners have acknowledged that the name change could cause temporary confusion.
“Despite decades of tireless advocacy to improve awareness, we recognised that the risk of change would be worth the reward,” said Rachel Morman, chairwoman of Verity.
“This shift will reframe the conversation and demand that it is taken as seriously as the long-term, complex health condition it is.”
It is also unclear if, or when, the NHS will change the language it uses.
An NHS England spokesperson said: “We routinely review and update content on the NHS website to ensure it reflects the latest clinical advice and will carefully consider these recommendations.
“The NHS will also continue our work to improve women’s healthcare, including for this important group, which involves giving women more choice over their care, bringing down waiting times, and delivering more care in communities.”
News
The RESIL-Card tool launches across Europe to strengthen cardiovascular care preparedness against crises
By Women As One
Women As One is proud to have contributed to the development of the RESIL-Card tool as an active Advisory Board member, ensuring that gender equity and the perspectives of women cardiologists were embedded from the outset.
Through strategic input on the project’s design, formal support of its EU4Health funding application, and ongoing participation in advisory activities, Women As One has helped shape both the direction and implementation of this initiative.
By amplifying awareness, facilitating engagement from our global community, and advocating for inclusive representation, we have worked to ensure that RESIL-Card reflects the diverse realities of cardiovascular care and supports more equitable, resilient health systems in times of crisis. Read more about our involvement here.
On the European Day for Prevention of Cardiovascular Risk (March 14), the RESIL-Card consortium proudly announces the official launch of the RESIL-Card tool, a free online resource designed to help hospital cardiovascular professionals and other stakeholders assess and strengthen the resilience of their care pathways — ensuring that lifesaving care remains accessible even during times of crisis.
Available now at https://www.wecareabouthearts.org/resil-card/online-tool/, the RESIL-Card tool offers a structured self-assessment framework for evaluating the preparedness of cardiovascular services and identifying concrete actions to maintain continuity of care when health systems face disruption.
“Cardiovascular care must remain uninterrupted regardless of the challenges health systems face,” said Professor William Wijns, Research Professor in Interventional Cardiology, University of Galway, Ireland, and We CARE – RESIL-Card Coordinator.
“The RESIL-Card tool provides healthcare teams with a practical way to assess preparedness, identify improvement opportunities, and ultimately ensure that patients continue to receive lifesaving care when it matters most.”
Why the RESIL-Card tool was developed
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in Europe, making the continuity and resilience of care pathways a public health priority.
Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, recent crises – from pandemics to geopolitical instability – have exposed the vulnerability of healthcare systems.
In today’s increasingly uncertain health landscape and global environment, proactive preparedness is no longer optional – it is essential.
The RESIL-Card tool was developed as part of an EU4Health-funded initiative to support organisations providing lifesaving cardiovascular care in strengthening their preparedness, improving coordination, and safeguarding patient outcomes in times of disruption.
The initiative focuses on practical resilience strategies to help health systems anticipate challenges rather than simply react to them.
“Healthcare systems today operate in an increasingly complex and unpredictable environment,” said Ariadna Sanz, Health Policy Manager at the Catalan Health Service (CatSalut).
“Tools like RESIL-Card help shift the focus from responding to crises toward proactively building strong, adaptable cardiovascular care pathways that protect patients over the long term.”
A collaborative and evidence-based methodology
The RESIL-Card tool is grounded in a robust, multidisciplinary development process involving cardiovascular experts, healthcare professionals, public health specialists, patient organisations, and policy stakeholders from across Europe.
Its development combined comprehensive literature reviews and analysis of existing preparedness frameworks with extensive stakeholder consultations and co-creation workshops. Real-world insights from healthcare providers and patient representatives were integrated throughout the process to ensure the tool reflects the practical realities of cardiovascular care delivery. The methodology also included iterative testing and validation phases, allowing the consortium to refine the tool and ensure it is both scientifically rigorous and practical for everyday use.
“From the outset, RESIL-Card was co-created with clinicians, patient representatives, and health system experts to ensure it reflects real-world practice,” said Professor Niek Klazinga, Em. Professor of Social Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centre / University of Amsterdam.
“The result is a tool that combines scientific rigour with practical usability, enabling healthcare teams to translate resilience concepts into concrete action.”
What the RESIL-Card tool is and how it works
The RESIL-Card tool is a practical online self-assessment instrument designed for use by a multistakeholder resilience team led by cardiovascular care providers.
Through a structured four-step process, including a questionnaire and guided analysis, users assess the preparedness and resilience of their cardiovascular care pathways and gain a clear understanding of how well their services can maintain care continuity during periods of disruption.
The assessment process helps teams identify existing strengths as well as potential gaps in service delivery.
Based on the responses provided, the tool offers tailored recommendations and examples of best practices to support improvement.
These insights can then inform strategic planning, helping organisations prioritise actions that reinforce care continuity, strengthen patient safety, and optimise the long-term sustainability of cardiovascular services.
Benefits for Key Stakeholders
For healthcare professionals and organisations delivering cardiovascular care, the RESIL-Card tool provides a structured way to strengthen preparedness and crisis-response capacity.
By helping teams assess their existing systems and identify areas for improvement, the tool supports better coordination across services and clinical disciplines.
It also facilitates evidence-based planning and quality improvement initiatives, enabling healthcare organisations to enhance their operational resilience while maintaining efficient and manageable care processes.
“By promoting awareness about strengths and limitations of each system, the RESIL-Card tool will help physicians to understand where improvements are needed and strengthen coordination and planning to face crises,” said Doctor Alfredo Marchese, Chief of Interventional Cardiology Department at Santa Maria Hospital, Bari, Italy and President of the Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (GISE).
For patients and patient organisations, the RESIL-Card tool contributes to improving the reliability and continuity of essential cardiovascular care.
By encouraging healthcare providers to proactively address vulnerabilities in care pathways, the tool helps promote uninterrupted access to diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up services.
It also supports a more patient-centred and equitable approach to care delivery, encouraging collaboration and transparency in preparedness planning.
Ultimately, these improvements can contribute to better health outcomes and increased safety for people living with cardiovascular disease.
“For people living with cardiovascular disease, continuity of care is not optional — it is essential,” said Teresa Glynn, Senior Executive Strategy & Partnerships at Global Heart Hub.
“By helping healthcare providers strengthen preparedness, RESIL-Card supports more reliable and equitable access to treatment and greater confidence for patients and their families.”
At the European level, the RESIL-Card initiative contributes to a shared effort to strengthen the resilience of health systems.
By providing a common framework for assessing and improving preparedness, the tool encourages cross-border learning and facilitates the exchange of best practices among healthcare providers and policymakers.
It also aligns closely with European Union priorities on health system preparedness, crisis response, and sustainability.
By helping healthcare organisations identify vulnerabilities and implement practical resilience measures, the RESIL-Card tool can support efforts to reduce inequalities in access to high-quality cardiovascular care across EU Member States.
“Strengthening the resilience of cardiovascular care is a shared European priority,” said Rachel Kenna, Ireland’s Chief Nursing Officer at the Department of Health.
“While the RESIL-Card tool has not yet been tested in an Irish setting we look forward to seeing how it can support the development of more sustainable and prepared healthcare systems.”
Call to Action
Cardiovascular care providers and other healthcare professionals are encouraged to explore the RESIL-Card tool at https://www.wecareabouthearts.org/resil-card/online-tool/.
By using it to assess their cardiovascular care pathways, they will identify areas where resilience can be strengthened and ensure that essential services remain accessible during times of disruption.
Patient organisations also play an important role in this effort. By engaging with healthcare providers and policymakers, they can help promote the use of the tool and ensure that patient perspectives are meaningfully incorporated into preparedness and response planning.
Policymakers and health authorities are invited to support the adoption of the RESIL-Card tool within regional, national and European strategies aimed at strengthening healthcare system resilience.
Integrating the tool into policy frameworks can help safeguard access to essential cardiovascular services and enhance the ability of health systems to respond effectively to future challenges.
Learn more about Women As One at womenasone.org
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