In the tech industry — where women still make up less than 30% of the workforce and even fewer in leadership roles — mentorship is more than a professional perk. It’s a proven accelerator. In fact, employees with mentors are 5 times more likely to be promoted than those without, and for women specifically, mentorship can increase promotion rates by 15% to 38%. And yet, a significant number of women in tech still report never having access to formal mentorship.
Now, virtual platforms are rewriting that narrative.
Within the WomenTech Network community, virtual mentorship is making career growth more accessible, personalized, and scalable than ever before. These platforms eliminate barriers of geography and scheduling, while creating meaningful, one-on-one connections that foster skill-building, confidence, and leadership readiness.
In this roundup, WomenTech contributors and Founding Members share how virtual mentorship is opening doors — helping women in tech not only stay in the field, but thrive within it.
Please find the insights on mentorship, leadership, accessibility, and community impact below.
"Virtual platforms expand access to mentorship beyond physical borders, enabling women in tech to connect with global leaders. This broader reach brings diverse perspectives and strategic insights, enriching their growth in an increasingly interconnected and fast-paced industry.
Virtual mentorship programs provide unmatched flexibility by allowing participants to engage at times that align with their individual schedules and responsibilities. This is especially valuable for women who are balancing career development with family care, education, or other personal commitments. The ability to connect remotely removes many traditional barriers, making mentorship more inclusive and accessible to a broader group of women across different life stages and professional contexts." - Daniela Silveira, CEO of Sisluxe.
"In my experience working with virtual platforms, I've witnessed something truly remarkable - they're not just tools, but powerful bridges connecting women in tech who might never have met otherwise. Just last quarter, I saw a brilliant machine learning engineer from rural India connect with a Tech Lead from a Fortune 500 company through a virtual mentorship session, leading to a life-changing career opportunity. These aren't hypothetical scenarios - they're becoming the new normal in our digital-first world. What excites me most is how these platforms break down the intimidating barriers of traditional networking.
You don't need to be the most outgoing person in the room or attend expensive conferences to build meaningful connections. Whether it's participating in virtual hackathons, joining industry-specific forums, or engaging in professional networking spaces, women are finding their tribes in ways that fit their comfort zones and schedules. I've personally seen how a simple question posted in a technical forum can evolve into a mentorship relationship, or how sharing experiences in a virtual meetup can lead to job referrals and collaborative projects. These digital communities aren't just about professional advancement - they're creating safe spaces where women can share their challenges, celebrate their wins, and find the support they need to thrive in tech. It's like having a powerful professional network in your pocket, ready to support you whenever you need it, breaking down barriers and creating opportunities that were once unimaginable." - Gayatri Tavva, Senior Data Engineer at Amazon and WomenTech Founding Member.
"Engaging with mentors from different parts of the world exposes women in tech to a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and cultural nuances. This diversity of insights can be invaluable in navigating the complexities of the tech industry, understanding global market trends, and identifying new opportunities for growth and innovation." - Harshita Pathak, SDE Intern at Veersa Technologies
“Virtual platforms have completely changed the way mentorship works for women in tech. They break down barriers of geography and time, making it possible to connect with mentors and peers from anywhere in the world. In my own journey, I’ve seen how these spaces create genuine conversations, open doors to new opportunities, and give women the encouragement they need to thrive. What makes them powerful is not just the technology, but the sense of community and belonging they help build.” - Laxmi Vanam, Senior Data Strategist at Vanguard
"Virtual platforms have revolutionized mentorship opportunities for women in tech by offering unparalleled flexibility and accessibility. These platforms allow participants to engage at times that suit their schedules, making it particularly beneficial for those balancing career development with other responsibilities like family care or education. Additionally, virtual mentorship programs expand reach, reaching a broader audience of women in tech, including those in remote or underserved areas.
They are cost-effective and offer diverse mentorship options, enabling mentees to choose mentors based on specific expertise or career goals. Continuous support and learning are facilitated through online forums and events, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. Moreover, virtual platforms enable personalized development plans, tracking mentee progress and tailoring guidance accordingly. Overall, virtual mentorship programs empower women in tech to succeed and thrive, regardless of geographical barriers or other constraints." - Nour El Yakine Ben Hachani, Research Fellowship at Yale Young African Scholars
"I believe virtual platforms - especially those with streamlined communication tools - can transform mentorship for women in tech. Dedicated mentorship apps ensure interactions are organized, goal-oriented, and impactful. Features like shared agendas, progress trackers, templates, and integrated messaging help mentors and mentees stay aligned and focused. They also enable flexibility and accessibility with auto-captions, low-bandwidth modes, and async options - crucial for those balancing caregiving or navigating global time zones. Platforms like ADPList, MentorCruise, Hexagon UX, Plato, and WomenTech Network provide excellent ecosystems tailored for tech and UX professionals. Personally, I offer mentorship through ADPList, where I’ve supported over 20 mentees with resume reviews, breaking into UX, interview preparation, and building thought leadership. When supported by the right tools, virtual mentorship not only scales - but becomes a powerful, inclusive engine for career growth." - Priyanka Kuvalekar, UX Research Lead at Microsoft and WomenTech Founding Member.
"Virtual platforms revolutionize mentorship for women in tech by eliminating distance constraints and connecting them with a broader range of mentors globally. They offer flexible scheduling that accommodates busy lives, create safer spaces for discussing sensitive workplace challenges, and allow group mentorship models that scale expertise efficiently. The key advantages are access to mentors beyond your local network, asynchronous communication options, and the ability to find mentors who share similar experiences or career paths. This is especially valuable in areas with limited tech diversity or for women facing unique challenges in their roles. Success depends on choosing structured programs over casual networking - platforms that facilitate meaningful, ongoing relationships rather than just one-off connections tend to produce the best outcomes for both mentors and mentees." - Sowjanya Pandruju, Cloud Application Arhitect at Amazon Web Services and WomenTech Founding Member.
"When mentorship goes virtual, opportunity becomes limitless. Virtual platforms have redefined how mentorship is delivered for women in technology. I have always felt that barriers of geography and time zones no longer limit access to guidance and support. And with online communities, COE, and one-to-one coaching, women can connect with mentors who understand their journey and challenges. The outcome is that these online programs and digital coaching foster diverse perspectives, psychological safety, and continuity of learning. What once depended on proximity now thrives globally—enabling women to accelerate leadership, innovation, and influence. This shift makes mentorship a true catalyst for equity in tech and its truly inspiring to see that Women in Tech are constantly upholding it." - Sumeesha Chandran, Assistant VP Technology at Santander US
The Impact of Mentorship, Powered by Community
As technology reshapes how we connect and grow, mentorship has evolved from a luxury into a leadership essential — and virtual platforms are the engine behind that evolution.
With 87% of mentors and mentees reporting improved career satisfaction, it’s clear that digital tools are doing more than making mentorship possible — they’re making it effective. They’re bridging opportunity gaps, scaling support systems, and helping women gain the guidance needed to rise.
At WomenTech Network, we see mentorship as a shared commitment to equity, empowerment, and community. That’s why we’ve built the WomenTech Mentoring Platform — a global, tech-enabled space where women can connect with experienced mentors, set measurable goals, and build the confidence to lead.
Become a Professional Member to gain full access to the platform, or apply for a mentorship scholarship to unlock opportunities to grow, lead, and empower — no matter where you are in your tech journey.