Women in Tech: Creating Space to Lead, Thrive, and Succeed

Recently, OpenX’s Women in Tech employee resource group hosted a panel discussion titled ”Motherhood, Salary Negotiations & Imposter Syndrome,” which featured three women in leadership roles at OpenX: Ana Calabrese, VP of Data Science; Anna Hitchins, Director of Account Management, Publisher Development; and Stacy Bohrer, VP of Buyer Development. 

Key Takeaways

• Advocating for projects and roles you’re interested in is essential for advancing in your tech career.
• Supporting women in tech leadership roles fosters a more innovative and diverse tech industry.
• By enlisting the help of supportive partners at work and at home, women can successfully navigate both motherhood and a career.

At a time when the ratio of men to women in tech companies stands at 3:1 — and an even wider 4:1 for technical roles — women face unique challenges. With 72% of women in tech reporting they are outnumbered by men in business meetings, the path to leadership often demands more than just expertise and talent.

As tenured leaders in the adtech industry, Calabrese, Hitchins, and Bohrer shared firsthand experiences and actionable advice to empower women in tech roles — from mastering self-advocacy to balancing the demands of motherhood with career advancement, and creating spaces where women can not only lead but thrive.

1. Why self-advocacy is critical to becoming a leader

Women advancing in the tech industry must continuously advocate for their needs, goals, and achievements. Hitchins shared how she put this principle into practice at a previous company when she secured a leadership role by advocating for herself as the ideal candidate to her manager. “I explained why I thought it was so critical to have this leader and why I was the right person for the role,” she said.

“I really feel, had I not advocated for myself, it wouldn’t have happened,” added Hitchins. “I think it’s so important to raise your hand, especially if you’re passionate about a certain thing.”

Reflecting on pivotal moments in her career, Bohrer highlighted how taking a leap of faith and embracing confidence can lead to growth. “I catapulted myself into leadership when I started being braver. The day I decided to leave that role is also the day I became more of a leader because I listened to my gut instinct and it was loud enough that I was brave enough to say, ‘this job is no longer for me.’ That was a big moment for me.”

2. Negotiating is a skill developed through practice

It’s essential to consider the interview process as a two-way exchange, where evaluating the company is just as critical as the company assessing the candidate. Negotiation is a crucial step in that process and, like any skill, requires continuous practice and refinement.

Calabrese explained the learning curve involved in mastering negotiation. “I would say for me, negotiation is a skill, and you have to get it wrong a few times until you get it right. It takes time to learn how to do it well,” she said. Her advice? “Research the company, research the market, and then have confidence. There’s a lot of data that shows women are way less likely to apply for a job if they don’t satisfy every single job requirement. The baseline is a lot higher for us.” 

Bohrer highlighted the need to self-reflect and truly understand what factors matter most to secure desired outcomes within a role. “Is it paid time off that really matters to you? Is it stock? Is it a good salary? Make sure you’re negotiating the right things, and then within them, understand what you’re negotiating: These are the things that I learned over time and are now even more important in conversations when you’re betting your career on a company,” said Bohrer.

3. Managing imposter syndrome in tech roles builds confidence

Underrepresented in the industry, women in tech are often faced with feelings of imposter syndrome despite their clear achievements and qualifications. In fact, 55% of women believe a lack of trust in their abilities is the biggest barrier to their advancement, with 29% reporting a noticeable lack of any clear path forward. 

“I think imposter syndrome is one of those things that affects so many people, especially women. It happens at every point in your career; it’s always there at various levels,” said Calabrese.  

Hitchins encouraged self-forgiveness and patience when starting a new role, specifically in times of self-doubt. “I think it’s so important to just give yourself some grace, especially in the beginning, and take the time to understand how things work,” she said. 

Calabrese offered a reminder to everyone facing thoughts of uncertainty. “If there’s something that I’ve learned over all these years, it’s that even though imposter syndrome doesn’t really go away, it’s manageable. It gets better.”

4. Creating space for women to lead and thrive in tech

Creating an environment where women in the tech industry can speak up and be recognized for their contributions is crucial for their success. Beyond battling imposter syndrome, it’s about ensuring that women’s achievements are truly valued and that their voices are heard, even when the structures in place are sometimes not designed to support them equitably. Valuing individual accomplishments and fostering inclusive recognition are key steps in leveling the field.

Bohrer highlighted that overcoming the most complex challenges uncovers true capabilities, allowing women to leave their comfort zones with even greater assurance: “Knock out those things that scare you because you’re in such a better spot afterward.”

In parallel, Calabrese emphasized the importance of providing women with support and space to speak confidently. “Women are less likely to say something if we’re not 101% sure, and we’re less likely to take risks because we’re afraid we might say something wrong. I think that small action of creating space for women to speak at all levels — not just junior or women entering the field, but every step, is crucial.”

5. Ways to balance motherhood and career advancement in the tech industry

Balancing motherhood and career advancement involves managing demanding work schedules alongside family responsibilities. Leveraging support systems, communicating needs, and fostering a supportive work environment can help achieve professional growth and a balanced family life.

Calabrese highlighted the importance of support at home and work. “I think that it takes a village, that couldn’t be more true — that includes us, our partners, and the companies we work for. Things have come a long way in the past few years, and companies have started to implement more family-friendly policies and be more flexible. This is one of the main things I pay attention to every time I think about a new job. What support systems does this company have in place for women?” 

Nevertheless, Bohrer acknowledged the reality of work-life balance as a busy mother and professional. “The bad news is you can’t have it all every day, but some days you can. Every day, I find that I make a sacrifice somewhere. Some days, it’s my family that I sacrifice because something at work is more important. But then there are some days where nothing on the planet will be more important than my daughter’s recital.” 

Due to this need for flexibility, Bohrer underlined how she prioritized finding a company like OpenX that would work with her home schedule. “When I was interviewing here, I was interviewing my manager as much as he was interviewing me. Can you be my partner in terms of being a mom? The answer was a resounding ‘yes.’”