Eileen Hahn on behalf of EY Women in Technology:
Reflecting on My Journey
As a Women in Tech Global Awards 2025 winner, what does this recognition mean to you, and how does it reflect your journey and impact in tech?
For me as the Global EY Women in Tech Program lead, winning the ERG / Corporate Initiative of the Year - Gold Award (STEM, Talent Pipeline & Career Impact) is far more than a trophy; it’s a validation that inclusion, when made actionable, becomes impact. Over the past three years, our 40 EY Women in Tech communities around the world have delivered hundreds of initiatives, engaging tens of thousands of people in EY and externally, and inspiring almost 200,000 girls through the EY STEM App. Those are not just numbers; they are doors opened, and ambitions sparked.
I’m deeply grateful to our sponsor, Catherine McCourt, and our core team – Abigail Gooch, Agnieszka Rak, Anna Ludwiczak, and Seerat Chaudhry – whose dedication to creating an inclusive culture turned this program into a phenomenal success. This award is testament to our collective commitment to creating an environment where everyone can succeed in technology.
Tech Industry's Most Rewarding Aspects
In your experience, what is the most rewarding aspect of working in the tech industry, and how has it influenced your career path?
The most rewarding aspect is seeing siloe’d teams and “strangers” turning into collaborators and friends. Leaders, practitioners, women and allies alike - freely sharing knowledge, data, and lessons learned to accelerate progress for everyone.
Being with EY for 20 years, I’ve witnessed repeatedly that the greatest breakthroughs happen when different perspectives come together and meet a clear purpose. Leading EY WiT enabled me to operationalize our values: convene communities, connect people across borders and competencies, and convert intent into outcomes – with learning programs, mentoring circles, external collaborations, and client-facing events for our women and allies, accessible for everyone.
My Tech Career Milestone
Could you share a defining moment or a key achievement in your tech career that has been particularly impactful or meaningful to you?
Becoming the Global WiT Program Leader almost 4 years ago was my defining moment. I always had a passion for supporting inclusion and belonging, so when the opportunity presented, I jumped on it, with the aim to support women more broadly and the next generation of talent in STEM. I have a background in business administration and marketing, and over time was able to leverage that knowledge and my EY network to connect a community of thousands of people around the world.
Being recognized by the WomenTech Network for that collective effort affirmed that our design – community led, outcomes-driven – does more than celebrate inclusion; it compounds it.
Empowering Women in Tech: Real Stories, Career Advice, and Tips
From your experience, what essential advice and practical tips would you offer to women aspiring to establish a successful career in tech?
- Build your circle early (Mentors & Sponsors): Mentors help you grow; sponsors help you advance. Be clear about your goals and ask for advocacy.
- Lead with values, show your work: Speak at meetups, publish insights, teach what you learn. Visibility is a career accelerant and a community gift.
- Ship small, learn fast: Turn ideas into pilots. Measure outcomes, iterate, and scale what works. Progress beats perfection.
- Own your growth plan: Stack credentials (certs, micro-courses), rotate roles, and partner cross-functionally. Tech rewards curiosity and range.
- Join strong communities: WiT and WomenTech Network create collaborative spaces where opportunity travels.
- Practice courage and kindness: Ask for the stretch assignment. Take the seat at the table. Be generous with feedback and introductions.
- Mind your energy: Burnout helps no one. Protect time for rest, reflection, and relationships - the foundations of sustained leadership.
Who would you recommend to join the WomenTech Network, and why?
WomenTech Network is for everyone who wants to support inclusion in tech, women and allies alike, as it offers global, hybrid events and initiatives that make it easy to connect, learn, and collaborate across time zones and disciplines. It’s a powerful complement to EY WiT: together, we support future talent, multiply the share of voice, and create career-defining moments, from first talks to executive roundtables.