On March 3rd, during the vibrant week of Mobile World Congress 2026, technology leaders gathered in Barcelona for an exclusive and inspiring evening at the Chief in Tech Forum. Hosted by WomenTech Network and Executive Women in Tech (EWIT) in partnership with EY, the event brought together senior executives, innovators, and industry allies for meaningful dialogue on how leadership must evolve in the era of artificial intelligence.
Held alongside one of the world’s largest technology gatherings, the forum gave leaders space to step away from the pace of MWC and engage in deeper conversations about the future of technology leadership. The evening brought thoughtful discussion, authentic exchange, and new connections among leaders shaping the global tech ecosystem.
Opening the Evening: The Evolution of a Global Community
The evening began with an engaging opening by Anna Radulovski, Founder and CEO of WomenTech Network, Executive Women in Tech (EWIT), and Chief in Tech Capital. She shared the inspiring journey behind the creation of the community—from its early beginnings with Coding Girls, to the global expansion into WomenTech Network, and later the development of Executive Women in Tech, a space dedicated to empowering senior leaders across the technology industry.
The opening set the stage for the forum by highlighting the importance of building strong communities where leaders can collaborate, share experiences, and support one another as they navigate complex transformations in technology and business. Anna also highlighted the broader vision behind the Chief in Tech initiative, including the bestselling Chief in Tech book, which captures real stories, leadership lessons, and practical strategies from executive women navigating leadership in the global technology landscape.
A Powerful Keynote by Julie Teigland
The keynote address was delivered by Julie Teigland, EY Global Vice Chair – Alliances and Ecosystems, who brought a thoughtful and deeply personal perspective to the evening. Her remarks set an inspiring tone for the event, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, partnerships, and ecosystems in shaping the next generation of technology leadership.
“At EY, inclusiveness is embedded in our values and reflected in how we work every day,” Julie Teigland shared. “As a global organization of 400,000 people across 150 countries, spanning multiple generations, our diversity of perspectives, experiences, and skills is one of our greatest strengths. Through communities like EY Women in Tech and partnerships with organizations such as WomenTech Network, we are committed to creating opportunities for women in technology to connect, grow, and lead.”
Her reflections resonated strongly with the audience, highlighting how the rapidly evolving technological landscape requires leaders to remain adaptable, open-minded, and committed to responsible innovation.
Chief in Tech Panel: The New Rules of Leadership in the Age of AI
The highlight of the evening was the Chief in Tech panel discussion titled “The New Rules of Leadership in the Age of AI.” Moderated by Anna Radulovski, Founder & CEO of WomenTech Network, the panel brought together an exceptional group of global leaders who are actively shaping how organizations approach AI-driven transformation.
The panel featured:
Beatriz Sanz Saiz, Global AI Sector Leader, EY
Christine Gadsby, Chief Security Advisor, BlackBerry
Payal Dalal, Executive Vice President, Global Programs, Center for Inclusive Growth, Mastercard
The discussion explored how artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming industries, business models, and leadership expectations.
A central theme of the conversation was how leadership itself is evolving in the AI-native era. Rather than focusing solely on technological adoption, the panel emphasized the growing importance of adaptability, ethical responsibility, and inclusive innovation as defining capabilities for modern leaders.
Panelists reflected on how AI is already influencing leadership approaches, from how decisions are made to how organizations structure teams and develop talent. The conversation explored how executives must navigate the tension between the speed of AI adoption and the readiness of organizations to absorb such transformation.
Another key topic was how companies can responsibly balance innovation with governance. As AI systems increasingly influence decisions at scale, leaders must ensure that strong frameworks for accountability, trust, and transparency are embedded from the very beginning.
The discussion also highlighted how AI is reshaping corporate strategy, workforce architecture, and boardroom priorities. Organizations are being challenged to rethink how they create long-term value, build resilient teams, and develop new capabilities that align with an AI-driven future.
Through dynamic questions, audience engagement, and a lively rapid-fire segment, the panel created an interactive and thought-provoking dialogue that resonated with executives navigating similar challenges in their own organizations.
Meaningful Conversations and Global Connections
Following the panel discussion, the evening transitioned into networking, allowing attendees to continue conversations in a more informal setting. Leaders from across industries exchanged ideas, shared experiences, and explored opportunities for collaboration.
The atmosphere reflected the core mission of the Chief in Tech community—bringing together senior leaders who are committed to shaping the future of technology through responsible leadership, inclusive innovation, and strategic vision.
Being held during MWC2026 added a unique dimension to the event, as many participants had spent the day exploring the latest technological advancements showcased across the conference. The forum provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on these innovations through a leadership lens and consider how executives can guide organizations through the profound changes AI and emerging technologies are bringing.
“Bringing together executive leaders from across the technology ecosystem for meaningful dialogue and collaboration is incredibly important at this moment of transformation. Through our partnership with WomenTech Network, the strength of the EY Women in Tech community, and events such as the Chief in Tech Forum for executive leaders, we are creating spaces where ideas, innovation, and diverse perspectives come together to shape a more inclusive future for technology.” - Julie Linn Teigland, EY Global Vice Chair – Alliances and Ecosystems
“Many of the pivotal moments in my career began with leaders who saw something in me before I fully saw it in myself. That’s why forums like the Chief in Tech gathering matter — they create the space for us to share perspectives, support each other’s growth, and pay forward the mentorship that shapes the next generation of technology leaders.” - Hanne Jesca Bax, EY Global Vice Chair - Clients & Industries
“Leadership today requires us to be ‘Together. All in.’ bringing broader perspectives, sharper ideas, and honest conversations to the table. The Chief in Tech Forum creates exactly that kind of space for leaders to connect, learn from each other, and shape a more inclusive future for technology.” - Mary Elizabeth Porray, EY Global Vice Chair - Client Tech
“Chief in Tech Forum is a powerful example of what happens when leaders come together to discuss the future of AI and leadership. WomenTech Network and Executive Women in Tech have built an incredible community that is driving these conversations forward and helping ensure technology evolves in a more human-centered and responsible direction.” - Monique Jeanne Morrow, President and Co-Founder of The Humanized Internet
“It was truly inspiring to connect with such a powerful group of women leaders at the Chief in Tech Forum. The strength of Chief in Tech network and the conversations about we shared made the experience unforgettable.” - Christine Gadsby, Chief Security Advisor at BlackBerry
“Thank you for the invitation to speak at the Chief in Tech Forum. Congratulations to Chief in Tech, Executive Women in Tech, and EY for fostering important conversations on leadership and the role technology can play in driving opportunity and impact at scale.” - Payal Dalal, EVP, Global Programs, Center for Inclusive Growth at Mastercard
"Anna Radulovski, WomenTech Network and EY, hats off to you for an exceptional gathering bringing together C-suite leaders across sectors with leadership and technology at the intersection. Grateful for the chance to meet Natalia Adler, Sophia Bantanidis, Sonia Madurga Martin, Conny Ploth, Kate Dohaney, Mary Elizabeth Porray, discussing how AI is changing the power structure, the new rules of leadership, and the concept of adaptive capacity as a tool for leading." - Joanna Pamphilis, Founder & CEO of JP Global Consulting
"What an inspiring evening at the Chief in Tech Forum in Barcelona! A huge thank you to Anna Radulovski and her team for hosting the exclusive executive dinner. It was an honor to connect with such a powerhouse group of leaders. I’m also looking forward to diving into my copy of the Chief in Tech book—thank you for the thoughtful gift!" - Priya Saxena, CTO, AI & Cloud Services at Zinkworks
"Thank you Chief in Tech Forum for honoring hard work and innovation of Women in Tech!" - Leticia Latino-van Splunteren, CEO of Neptuno USA
"Hands-down, you have curated the most brilliant and entertaining panel I attended during MWC. The discussion around agentic Talent Acquisition processes is still spinning in my head. Thank you for bringing us all together!" - Conny Ploth, Vice President, Global AI Transformation at Santander
"Events like this remind us how valuable it is to connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen the ecosystem that empowers more women to build with purpose and impact. We recommend following WomenTech Network for their upcoming online conference." - Alexandra Ciobotaru Nørballe, Founder & Board Member of Femme Lead
"On Tuesday, EY and WomenTech Network hosted a fantastic evening alongside MWC. The “Chief in Tech” panel brought together inspiring female leaders who shared their perspectives on leadership, technology, and the future of AI." - Andrea Nitz, Women in Tech Global Co-Lead at Qlik
Continue the Conversation at the Chief in Tech Summit
The Chief in Tech Forum in Barcelona was a powerful reminder that while technology continues to evolve at an extraordinary pace, leadership must evolve just as quickly. The future will demand leaders who combine strategic thinking with ethical judgment, technological understanding with human empathy, and speed with accountability.
Whether you are a C-level executive, technology leader, or aspiring decision-maker, the Chief in Tech Summit, part of the Women in Tech Global Conference, is designed to equip leaders with the perspectives, connections, and inspiration needed to shape the future of technology.
Join us on May 12 to continue the dialogue, expand your network, and hear directly from the leaders redefining technology and leadership.
Learn more and secure your spot at the Chief in Tech Summit.