To celebrate #INWED25, we’re spotlighting three talented women, Ruth Hazeldine, Customer Experience Operations Manager; Emese Pogany, Technical Writer; and Katja Gröblinghoff, Team Lead – Customer Licensing, as they share their personal journeys in the field of technology. In this Q&A, each of these women reflects on what inspired them, the challenges they’ve faced, and the advice they’d give to the next generation of engineers.

Which skills do you believe are most essential for success in the current tech environment? 

Ruth Hazeldine: In Sales Operations, requirements analysis and problem-solving skills are essential. You need the ability to actively listen to problem statements and translate them into clear, actionable requirements. It is also valuable to be able to change your communication style to effectively engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Emese Pogany: As technology rapidly evolves, the ability to continuously learn and teach oneself new tools, technologies, or concepts is absolutely vital. It is also important to recognise when you’re stuck and seek help.

Katja Gröblinghoff: I think it is always a combination of being a specialist in your area and knowing the technical details on the one hand, and a self-confident attitude on the other hand, which includes being able to present yourself and being communicative.

Can you share a moment in your career when you felt especially proud to be a woman working in tech?

Ruth Hazeldine: When a third-party software vendor provided feedback to our VP of Customer Success, they highlighted how exceptional it was working with us due to the thoroughness of our testing process. It was clear that this was a subtle reference to my contributions, and I truly appreciate the recognition.

Emese Pogany: It was a home office moment when my niece saw me work and found it really cool.  She said she would also work like me when she grows up.  I realised then that I am showing her an example of what is possible as a girl.

Katja Gröblinghoff: When I was at university and studied computer science, I was one of the very few female students among several hundred students. Sometimes a professor asked us a question during their lectures, and I was one of the few students who could answer those questions. That made me proud—especially as a woman—and proved to me that I was in the right place.

What advice would you give to young women or girls considering a career in STEM?

Ruth Hazeldine: Ensure you’re addressing the underlying question behind the request. It’s crucial to understand what you’re developing to avoid investing time in a project that may end up not getting used.

Emese Pogany: Believe in yourself, be brave and stay curious. I think STEM is great because science doesn’t ask “who is thinking?”. We can all be great thinkers and problem solvers.

Katja Gröblinghoff: If you are interested in one of these areas, simply go that route and don’t think about how many male or female fellow students or colleagues there might be. They are all human. And I think it is most important to work in a field you like. Because you will likely do this most of your life.

Have there been any role models or mentors who’ve made a big impact on your journey?

Ruth Hazeldine: Irene Stenzel-Hampe was my role model; she was an amazing project manager who could retain huge amounts of information and talk to sub-projects in detail, and ask questions that enabled other people to think through the knock-on impact of today’s business decisions.

Emese Pogany: I had a physics teacher in primary school, who always admired my quick thinking but always criticised my complicated way of thinking. She challenged me a lot to become a better thinker. She was a great science teacher.

Katja Gröblinghoff: My math teacher at high school made an impact. She was brilliant and taught us a lot. And thus, I felt I could be brilliant and successful in STEM as well, regardless of my gender.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a woman in tech, and how did you overcome them?

Ruth Hazeldine: I initially struggled to provide high-level summaries of topics, often getting bogged down in the details. However, I overcame this challenge by seeking guidance from a mentor through the IGEL Mentorship Program, who helped me develop the ability to step back and focus on the broader picture.

Emese Pogany: One challenge I encountered, especially earlier in my career, was not always being taken seriously, partly because I look quite young. Despite being highly dedicated and serious about my work, I sometimes felt that my appearance led others to underestimate my capabilities. To address this, I took part in several communication training sessions where I picked up practical techniques, such as lowering my vocal tone and slowing my speech pace, which can project more authority. I began incorporating these changes initially without even realising it, and over time, I noticed a difference in how I was perceived. Whether it’s the shift in my communication style, the added experience, or simply growing into my professional presence, I feel that I’m now heard and respected in ways that weren’t always the case before.

Katja Gröblinghoff: I’ve often encountered situations where my input wasn’t acknowledged until someone else repeated the same point, then it was accepted without question. Overcoming this challenge can be difficult, but I’ve found that asserting myself more confidently, sometimes even just by speaking louder or with more emphasis, can make a difference.

Is there something you wish you’d known earlier in your career?

Ruth Hazeldine: 80% solutions that get used are better than 100% perfect solutions that never get used.

Emese Pogany: That I do need to challenge the “be quiet and try not to be in the way” status quo. What truly matters is the strength of the idea, not who it comes from. I’ve learned that speaking up, listening actively, and creating space for all voices fosters not only better outcomes, but also a more respectful and inclusive environment.

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

Ruth Hazeldine: Work doesn’t have to be too serious…think of it as a game to be played and won!

Emese Pogany: Dare to be yourself at work, including your shortcomings. Not because that is the most profitable, but because that is the healthiest and it will make you happy on the long run.

What changes would you like to see in the next 5–10 years for women in tech?

Emese Pogany: While diversity in tech has improved in terms of representation, there’s still work to be done in truly valuing different perspectives and approaches. For example, for me, honesty is one of the most important practices in life and in business. It would be great to appreciate honesty as much as being smart and clever.

Katja Gröblinghoff: I would love women and men to be equally accepted especially in the higher management because I think here are even less women in that area then generally in tech roles.

At IGEL, we believe innovation thrives when it reflects the full spectrum of talent—across gender, background, and perspectives. IGEL4Women has hosted engineering-led panels at IGEL events throughout the U.S. and Europe, and champions representation across our Secure-by-Design OS initiatives, Adaptive Secure Desktop, and sustainability-focused development streams. We also proudly support International Women’s Day and Ada Lovelace Day, collaborating with external women-in-tech networks to broaden access and advocacy.

“As we observe International Women in Engineering Day, it’s heartwarming to consider the ongoing initiatives to create equitable growth opportunities for all,” said Kate Waddington, VP of HR for EMEA & APAC at IGEL. “We acknowledge the industry-wide challenges in promoting and retaining women in technology and are working to address these gaps. One way is through the IGEL4Women resource group, which has actively hosted panel discussions at IGEL events in the U.S. and Germany. We also sponsor activities each year for International Women’s Day and Ada Lovelace Day, and we actively participate in women-in-technology-focused events around the globe.”

Join the conversation: IGEL4Women is building a global network of engineers, designers, and tech leaders redefining secure, inclusive endpoints. Learn more or nominate a speaker for our next panel at IGEL Now & Next Frankfurt. We’re also hiring software engineers, QA testers, and cybersecurity architects committed to innovation and inclusion. Explore the available positions at IGEL Careers.

The post Celebrating the Contributions of Women in Engineering: Insights from IGEL4Women appeared first on IGEL.

As the year draws to a close, we have many accomplishments to celebrate. These include hosting panel discussions during the IGEL DISRUPT 2024 events in Miami and Munich. We also sponsored activities around International Women’s Day in March and Ada Lovelace Day in October and actively participated in women in technology-focused events across the U.S., UK, and Germany.

We are also excited to announce that the IGEL Mentorship program has thrived, with over 30 participants from different departments within the company. This collaborative initiative has not only promoted personal growth but has also reinforced our commitment to helping women advance their careers in technology.

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024

To celebrate International Women’s Day, which this year is themed “Inspire Inclusion” and focuses on diversity and empowerment, the IGEL4Women Employee Resource Group published a blog highlighting two inspiring female leaders at IGEL: Andrea Illing, Senior Marketing Manager for the DACH region, and Divya Saggar, Director for IGEL Ready.

In the post, Andrea and Divya shared important leadership lessons from their careers and emphasized the importance of women supporting each other in the workplace. Only by working together we can forge women’s equality and create a world that values and celebrates differences.

Recognizing Women in Technology at IGEL DISRUPT 2024

The panel discussions we hosted at the IGEL DISRUPT 2024 events in Miami and Munich featuring female executives from IGEL Ready partner organizations were both lively and informative.

In Miami, we welcomed three exceptional women leaders: Patty Winzenread, Senior Director and General Manager for Healthcare at Lenovo; Stacy Scott, Senior Director of Microsoft Business Development at Citrix; and Maryam Alexandrian-Adams, Global Sales Leader for EUC at Nutanix, who shared insights on the rise of remote and hybrid work models and how that is changing workplace dynamics. The conversation also explored the critical role of AI development, emphasized the significance of diversity in the workplace, and delved into the distinct challenges and opportunities that women face in technology and leadership positions.

During the IGEL4Women panel in Munich, our panelists  Jane Ashworth, Worldwide Strategic Partnerships for Lenovo; Maryam Alexandrian-Adams, Global Sales Leader for EUC at Nutanix; and Sarah Swatman, Senior Director, Solution Engineering – Digital Workspace, EMEA for Omnissa, focused on important topics related to the theme of IGEL DISRUPT – “What’s Now and Next,” and how these topics impact our businesses, families, culture, and day-to-day work as women.

We appreciate our panelists and the insights they shared on the evolving role of women in leadership within the tech sector. Thank you also to Patrizia Fioretti, Vice President of Strategic Alliances, EMEA at IGEL, and Divya Saggar, Director for IGEL Ready, for moderating these panels.  The experiences shared during these two sessions left us feeling motivated and encouraged about what’s next for EUC and the important role that women play in shaping the future of work.

Focusing on Allyship in recognition of Ada Lovelace Day

In conjunction with Ada Lovelace Day, which celebrates women in STEM, IGEL CEO Klaus Oestermann hosted a webinar that explored Ada’s legacy. The webinar focused on allyship, or how we can support each other in our careers, foster strong networks, and create a more inclusive environment for women.

Leading the discussion was Orla Power, Senior Principal Consultant, Leadership Development for the UK & Ireland, at Lee Hecht Harrison, a global HR solutions provider. During the webinar, Orla discussed behaviors that help women excel and the benefits of being intentional allies in the workplace. She emphasized that while the journey toward gender equality in tech is ongoing, be we can all be inspired by the achievements of women like Ada Lovelace, formally known as Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, who was also the daughter of the famed poet, Lord Byron.

The insights shared during the webinar reinforce the need for sustained advocacy, mentorship, and leadership development to foster a diverse, inclusive, and innovative tech industry that supports women in STEM.

Playing an instrumental role in bringing new employee benefits to IGEL

In 2024, the IGEL4Women Employee Resource Group was also instrumental in the proposal submitted by the IGEL People Team to enhance the benefits for employees in North America and the UK. With the support of IGEL leadership, IGEL now offers paid maternity and paternity leave in NA and additional benefits for maternity and paternity in the UK.

Participating in industry events

In addition to promoting the advancement of women within IGEL, IGEL4Women has actively participated in external activities and events to advocate for women in STEM. Some of the events we took part in during 2024 include:

• Women in Tech USA, an empowering, inspirational gathering of women leading the way in technology
• Women of Silicon Roundabout, the UK’s largest technology event for women
• FIT Congress, hosted by the Women’s IT network and focused on diversity and visibility for women in IT
• The Channel Company’s Women of the Channel East, the meeting place for women from across the IT channel who are looking to advance organizational diversity

IGEL is committed to encouraging and supporting more women in technology and the IGEL4Women resource group is fully supported by IGEL’s senior leadership team. We are deeply grateful to all our panelists, participants, and supporters who have made 2024 a meaningful year for IGEL4Women.

The post Celebrating Success: Three Ways IGEL4Women Excelled in 2024 appeared first on IGEL.

The growing influence of women leaders

Throughout their careers, each of our panelists has often found themselves as the “only woman in the room” in various situations. This includes being the only female on senior leadership teams, and over time, this has become a topic very close to their hearts. Each reported great progress within their organizations in terms of improvements being made in terms of gender diversity.

Each of the panelists observed that within their organizations, more women are taking on leadership roles – a positive change has led to a stronger sense of community and belonging for women overall. Additionally, over the last several years, they have seen their companies as each offering a more supportive environment for women, with a focus on mentorship. All of this points to great progress being made in terms of diversity and inclusion within the technology sector.

The impact of AI on work cultures

We are amid changing work cultures as we move from hybrid setups to more remote or less hybrid arrangements and various combinations. With this in mind, we asked the panelists if a surprising moment or trend in the recent past has caught their attention.

Our panelists highlighted the co-pilot as a game-changer, especially with support roles within companies decreasing. This is due to its ability to summarize meetings and prepare notes for distribution. They also see its potential to enhance creativity. There was also some discussion around the rapid advancement of chat GPT, including the significant improvement in coherence and accuracy, and reduced errors in a short period. This rapid evolution suggests that while its future capabilities might seem daunting, embracing, understanding, and responsibly managing this technology for beneficial outcomes is essential.

The evolving nature of work

With the shift to remote work due to COVID-19, many employees have experienced the ability to work from home. Curious to know the current situation in the panelists’ organizations, I asked them whether people are returning to the office or choosing to work from home and how their company is handling this hybrid work model.

Our panelists believe that the hybrid work model holds significant value, especially for those living close to the office who can work there for two or three days a week. They discussed how the hybrid approach can enhance human connection and collaboration, turning the office into a hub for collaboration. This approach can be advantageous for those early in their careers, as being physically present in the office allows for unplanned learning opportunities from colleagues.

The panelists also pointed out that the hybrid model can address the feelings of isolation experienced during COVID-19 while also promoting teamwork. Additionally, it provides flexibility, particularly benefiting women, as it can create more equality in household and childcare responsibilities among partners. This flexibility has also led to increased innovation and productivity, as it gives both men and women space to focus both on their work and their families.

The hybrid work model is not without its challenges, however. Panelists noted the emergence of proximity bias, where those working in the office may have advantages in career opportunities due to more face-to-face interactions with executives. This is why leadership training that equips managers with the skills to effectively lead diverse and remote teams in this new hybrid working environment is so important.

AI, gender diversity, and inclusion

One other area we addressed with our panelists is whether leaders are ensuring that policies and checks are in place to minimize biases when adopting AI practices and technologies.

Panelists highlighted AI’s role in HR by enhancing diversity through neutral job descriptions and anonymizing CVs for unbiased hiring. AI also assists in analyzing and addressing the gender pay gap, offering valuable tools for improving recruitment practices. Also emphasized during the discussion was the importance of refining AI algorithms to prevent perpetuating biases. They advocated for using diverse and ethical data. They highlighted the benefits of diversity for companies and society and stressed the need for a collective effort to champion these values and leverage AI for social good. Furthermore, they encouraged women to lead by example in using AI ethically and effectively.

The often overlooked but critical role women play in organizations, particularly in administrative capacities, was also addressed. Panelists talked about how women have skills beyond basic tasks and that using AI to take over routine duties could let them apply their skills and leverage their strengths, like empathy and organization, more effectively, leading to significant organizational improvements.

Our panelists also pointed out the need to support young talent, particularly advocating for more diversity, especially among females, in university degrees through sponsorships and internships. This would enable businesses to bring fresh perspectives into their fold. Changing the input is crucial; what we invest in determines the output. Therefore, investing in a diverse future talent pool through internships and sponsorships is essential for fostering innovation and inclusivity in our workplaces.

Concluding thoughts

We are grateful to our panelists, Jane Ashworth, Worldwide Strategic Partnerships for Lenovo; Maryam Alexandrian-Adams, Global Sales Leader for EUC at Nutanix; and Sarah Swatman, Senior Director, Solution Engineering – Digital Workspace, EMEA for Omnissa, for highlighting the evolving role of women in leadership within the tech sector. Thank you also to Patrizia Fioretti, Vice President of Strategic Alliances, EMEA at IGEL, and Divya Saggar, Director for IGEL Ready, for moderating the panel.

Reflecting on Ada Lovelace Day 2024, the path to gender equality in tech is ongoing but filled with optimism inspired by the achievements of leading women in the field. The insights call for continued advocacy, mentorship, and leadership development to overcome barriers for women in STEM, stressing a collective effort to foster a diverse, inclusive, and innovative tech industry.

The post What’s Now and Next for Women in Leadership: Insights from a Panel Discussion on Innovation, Diversity, and Inclusive Business Practices appeared first on IGEL.

Every year on the second Tuesday of October, Ada Lovelace Day (ALD) is celebrated to recognize the contributions of women in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This day pays tribute to Ada Lovelace, one of the world’s first programmers and a visionary who lived in the 19th century. Her legacy lives on today through ALD, a global movement that honors and inspires women in STEM careers. In this blog article, we take a closer look at the significance of Ada Lovelace Day and celebrate just a few of the outstanding women who have made a lasting impact on the world of science and technology.

Ada Lovelace: A Visionary in the 19th Century

Ada Lovelace was born in London, England, in 1815, and she was the daughter of the famous poet Lord Byron. Her mother, Anne Isabella Milbanke, encouraged Ada’s early interest in mathematics and natural sciences, laying the foundation for her future work.

Her breakthrough came in 1843 when she collaborated with Charles Babbage on his Analytical Engine, one of the earliest concepts of a programmable computing machine. Ada Lovelace annotated Babbage’s work, including the famous “A-Text,” considered the world’s first computer program. In this text, she described how the Analytical Engine could be used not only for numerical calculations but also for creating music and graphics—an astonishing vision that extended far beyond her time.

Ada Lovelace Day: Celebrating Women in STEM

Ada Lovelace Day was launched in 2009 by British scientist Suw Charman-Anderson. This day serves to highlight the achievements of women in STEM fields and raise awareness of the existing gender disparities in these industries. ALD provides an opportunity to celebrate women who have excelled in their respective fields and, at the same time, encourage young girls and women to pursue careers in STEM.

Outstanding Women in STEM

Marie Curie – The Polish-French physicist and chemist Marie Curie is one of the most renowned women in the history of science. She received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911 for her groundbreaking work on radioactivity.

Rosalind Franklin – British chemist Rosalind Franklin made significant contributions to the understanding of DNA structure. Although often overlooked, her work was crucial to our understanding of genetics.

Hedy Lamarr – Yes, the actress Hedy Lamarr was also a talented engineer. During World War II, she, along with composer George Antheil, developed frequency hopping technology, laying the foundation for modern wireless communication systems.

Katherine Johnson – As an African-American mathematician, Katherine Johnson played a key role in U.S. space exploration history. She calculated trajectories for the first manned spaceflights, including the historic Apollo 11 moon landing.

Grace Hopper – Known as “the grandmother of COBOL programming,” American computer scientist Grace Hopper revolutionized software development. Her work led to the development of COBOL, one of the first programming languages.

The Significance of Diversity in STEM

Ada Lovelace Day is not just a day of celebration but also a reminder of the importance of diversity in STEM fields. Women and other underrepresented groups bring diverse perspectives and ideas to science and technology. By recognizing these talents and removing barriers, we can find solutions to the complex challenges of our world more efficiently.

Ada Lovelace Day at IGEL Technology

Ada Lovelace Day is important to IGEL because it provides an annual reminder that we still have work to do in terms of achieving gender equality and diversity in both the workplace and society as a whole. Here at IGEL, we have established the IGEL4Women in Tech initiative, which plays a crucial role in our efforts to raise awareness of the challenges women face, especially in tech-based industries like ours. This group consists of dedicated employees (women and men) who actively support and promote women in STEM careers, through workshops, presentations, and social media activities throughout the year to highlight the unique challenges that women in our industry face. These events not only provide a platform for sharing experiences but also foster discussions on strategies for promoting gender equality. Another important step we take at IGEL to promote diversity in our company is our presence at job fairs specifically targeting women. We recognize the importance of actively reaching out to female talent and hiring them. We firmly believe that diversity in our teams is key to success and contributes to the development of innovative solutions.

Ada Lovelace Day reminds us that together, we can work towards a fairer and more diverse world. Ada Lovelace would undoubtedly be proud of how far we have come in recent years and how far we can still go.

The post Ada Lovelace Day: Honoring Women in STEM Fields appeared first on IGEL.

Who is Ada Lovelace?

Born in 1815 in London, England, Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace was a mathematician, writer, and visionary.

Considered a software pioneer today, Lovelace was the first person to envision the greater potential of Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, a calculation machine with a printing mechanism.  While working on a translation of a paper on the machine from French to English, Lovelace added her own notes. Published in 1943, her translation along with her notes describes how Babbage’s device would work and recognized that given certain input it could be used to create much more than calculating numbers.  She also wrote how it might perform a particular mathematical calculation and set out a detailed plan to weave a long sequence of Bernoulli numbers, considered as the first computer program.

Lovelace was ahead of the time, so much so, that her vision of computing’s potential and possibilities was unrivaled by her peers and went unrecognized for a century.

Studies show that teams with a diverse workforce – across gender, race, age, and other factors – perform better, are more innovative, and lead to more profitable businesses (Hupfer et al.). Despite this research, the tech industry still has a long way to go to reach equal representation for women in the workforce.

Today we commemorate Ada Lovelace and her contribution to computing and information technology. The IGEL4Women in Tech employee resource group is a voluntary, employee-led group that nurtures a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with IGEL’s mission, values, business practices, and objectives. We aim to support female employees and increase recruitment, retention, and advancement by improving the work environment for women at IGEL in all locations. To achieve this the group builds on a global network to transfer ideas, offer support, and host and attend events with inspirational speakers to encourage women at IGEL to develop their professional skills and expand their horizons.

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