Global WITDAY Celebration: Breaking Barriers and Redefining Leadership in the Age of AI

In celebration of Women in Tech Day (WITDAY), WomenTech Network hosted a powerful global panel bringing together trailblazing women leaders who are not only navigating today’s tech landscape but actively reshaping it.

It was a candid, energizing, and deeply human conversation about what leadership really looks like in a world defined by AI, rapid change, and persistent inequality. From navigating bias to redefining success, the discussion brought forward the real, often unspoken experiences behind leadership in tech today.

The event opened with a striking reflection from Anna Radulovski, CEO & Co-Founder of WomenTech Network, setting the tone for everything that followed: “At the current pace, it will take 123 years to reach gender parity—and that’s a signal the system is not designed to close the gap.”

It was a call to action and a reminder that leadership today must be intentional, not passive.

Moderated by Lori Lizotte, Global CRO and Head of Strategic Partnerships at WomenTech Network, the panel featured: 

• Bo English-Wiczling, VP Global Developer Relations at PayPal

• Ewa Kleczyk, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Prolaio

• LaTanya Ingram,  Product Portfolio Manager at EY

• Vidya Shankaran, Field CTO - Emerging Technologies at Commvault

Navigating Change: Leadership in a World That Won’t Slow Down

One of the defining themes of the discussion was how leadership is evolving in response to constant disruption. In a fast-moving, AI-powered world, leaders are no longer expected to have all the answers. Instead, they are expected to provide direction, stability, and clarity.

Bo English-Wiczling captured this shift powerfully, describing leadership today as being a “steady ship”—one that helps teams stay focused amid constant noise—and “shining a light towards [the] north star.” But this clarity must be grounded in something deeper than strategy.

As Vidya Shankaran emphasized, the pace of innovation can feel overwhelming and even dehumanizing, making empathy a critical leadership capability: “We can make a massive impact… with leadership that’s steeped in empathy… and ensures technology is human-centric and inclusive.” This is where leadership becomes more than execution—it becomes responsibility.

Breaking the Silicon Ceiling: Credibility, Bias, and Real Influence

True to the spirit of the event, the panel did not shy away from the realities women continue to face in tech. From subtle bias to questions of visibility and recognition, the conversation unpacked what it actually takes to build influence—and keep it.

LaTanya Ingram delivered one of the most defining insights of the session: “Visibility may open the door… but credibility is really what keeps you in the room.” In an industry that often rewards visibility, the panel emphasized that sustainable leadership is built on trust, consistency, and impact—not performative presence.

At the same time, bias continues to shape experiences in ways that are often difficult to name but impossible to ignore. Bo English-Wiczling shared the reality of navigating environments where women’s ideas are not always immediately recognized: “You do have to very subtly say—that was my idea.”

Rather than meeting bias with reaction, many of the speakers highlighted the importance of strategy, composure, and intentional communication. Vidya Shankaran offered a striking example of this approach: “Silence is a strong weapon, and I use it rather liberally every time I get questioned on my expertise.”

From Imposter Syndrome to Impact: Redefining Success in Tech

One of the most relatable and honest parts of the discussion centered on imposter syndrome, resilience, and growth. Despite their seniority, the speakers openly acknowledged that self-doubt does not simply disappear.

Instead, what changes is the relationship to it. Ewa Kleczyk offered a refreshing perspective on navigating pressure and perfectionism in today’s AI-driven world: “Don’t worry about perfection. We are in the AI world that can create perfection in every single email. Be who you are.” The message was clear: authenticity is not a weakness—it is a leadership strength.

The conversation also challenged traditional ideas of success. Bo English-Wiczling reframed how we measure progress, reminding the audience that impact is not only found in big, visible achievements: “You don’t have to do something grand before you can say, ‘I’ve done something successful.’”

Small wins, consistent progress, and the courage to keep moving forward—these are the building blocks of long-term success.

Shaping the Future: Inclusive Leadership in the Age of AI

As the discussion turned toward the future, one idea stood out above all: the systems we are building today will define tomorrow. And without intentional inclusion, those systems risk reinforcing the inequalities of the past.

LaTanya Ingram captured this urgency with clarity: “If we’re not intentional about inclusion in AI and tech, we’re not building the future—we’re just replicating the past.”

In an era where AI is influencing decisions at scale, leadership must go beyond innovation—it must include ethics, responsibility, and diverse perspectives. Because leadership in this new era is not just about building faster. It is about building better.

We’ve made the full conversation available for our community so you can explore the insights, share them with your network, and continue the dialogue.