Strategies for Hiring, Retaining & Elevating Women in IT Leadership  

by ProFocus Technology | General

Strategies for Women in IT Leadership
Explore insights from women in tech leadership on recruiting, retaining, and managing IT talent. Learn key strategies for leadership, AI in hiring, career development, and workplace diversity.   Recently, ProFocus Technology hosted a dynamic panel discussion focused on tech talent recruitment, IT retention strategies, and women in tech leadership. Moderated by Jennifer Waldrip, VP and Partner at ProFocus Technology, the discussion brought together industry leaders to share insights on hiring strategies, AI in talent management, and advice for women working in the tech industry.. 

 Decades of Experience 

  • Andrea Ballinger – Vice Provost and Chief Information Officer, Oregon State University. Andrea has over 20 years of experience in higher education IT leadership, guiding digital transformation and IT strategy. She is passionate about reimagining the student experience, building diverse IT teams, and leveraging data for operational excellence. 
  • Smitha Chakravarthy – Senior Director of Product Engineering, Intel. Smitha is a technology leader with over 20 years of experience driving innovation in IT. She has led transformation initiatives across AI, cloud computing, and product lifecycle management. She is also a strong advocate for women in technology and mentorship. 
  • Wendy Demers – CTO & President, RadarFirst. With nearly 30 years of experience in IT, Wendy has successfully led large-scale global implementations and transformation programs. She champions a people-first leadership style and believes in fostering inclusive, high-performing teams. 
  • Emily Rice – Interim CIO, Port of Portland. Emily has 25 years of experience in enterprise technology, business transformation, and strategic planning. She is passionate about culture change, talent development, and aligning technology with business goals. Emily is also actively involved in community leadership and mentorship programs.  
  • Jennifer Waldrip [Moderator] – Vice President of Client and Talent Services and Partner, ProFocus Technology. With over 30 years in the IT staffing industry, Jennifer has led countless tech leaders and companies in navigating the complexities of the tech talent pipeline. She has been with ProFocus Technology for six years, focusing on fostering client partnerships and talent engagement. 
These experts explored the challenges of hiring IT professionals, the importance of employee upskilling, and the future of diversity in tech leadership. 

Recruitment & Upskilling in a Competitive Talent Market 

Tech talent recruitment is evolving, with organizations facing challenges in filling key roles. Staff augmentation and career transition programs were highlighted as effective solutions to address talent shortages. The panelists emphasized: 
  • Leveraging AI in hiring to streamline resume screening and candidate assessments. 
  • Expanding recruitment pipelines to include career changers in tech, particularly women transitioning into IT roles. 
  • Partnering with tech staffing solutions providers to bridge skill gaps with staff augmentation with IT consultants and contract professionals. 
Public agencies and mission-driven organizations, which often struggle with tech talent retention due to salary constraints, are instead focusing on their community impact and workplace culture to attract top talent. Some emphasized that a candidate’s soft skills and how they fit into the culture is more important than their technical skills. 

Retention & Employee Engagement 

To improve IT retention strategies, companies are investing in employee upskilling, professional development, and leadership coaching. Panelists shared key takeaways: 
  • Creating structured mentorship programs and internal leadership cohorts to develop emerging leaders with 1:1 time with existing women in IT leadership. 
  • Offering clear career growth paths to prevent employees from feeling stagnant. 
  • Encouraging psychological safety in the workplace to foster innovation and take calculated risks. 
  • Highlighting the high cost of replacing tenured employees, reinforcing the need for strong retention programs. 
Panelists noted that AI in workforce management is becoming an essential tool, helping organizations predict attrition, assess skills gaps, and tailor learning paths for employees.  

Women in Tech Leadership 

Many women in IT leadership roles entered tech through nontraditional paths, underscoring the need for more inclusive career opportunities. Key strategies for career growth included: 
  • Advocating for workplace diversity in tech to ensure leadership reflects workforce demographics. 
  • Seeking mentorship and sponsorship to navigate career progression. 
  • Leveraging data-driven decision-making to demonstrate impact and gain influence. 
  • Using AI and automation tools to enhance productivity and decision-making. 
Panelists emphasized that visibility is key—women in tech should document their accomplishments, update LinkedIn profiles regularly, and actively engage in professional networks.  

The Role of AI in Talent Management 

The conversation also highlighted how AI in recruitment is reshaping the hiring process and their organizational priorities. AI-driven tools are helping organizations: 
  • Automate resume screening and candidate evaluation. 
  • Personalize learning and development programs for employees. 
  • Address biases in hiring to support diversity in IT leadership. 
While some industries are hesitant to fully embrace AI, panelists encouraged companies to invest in AI upskilling programs to keep their workforce competitive. Wendy Demers pointed out the hesitancy some industries have about adopting AI but acknowledged its potential to drive efficiency and support the talent pipeline. She jokingly said that her industry is still “allergic to AI” while Andrea highlighted OSU’s AI week happening this spring 

Gaining Visibility & Influence as a Woman Leader 

Andrea emphasized the importance of visibility and influence in tech leadership. She discussed resilience, confidence, and leveraging data-driven strategies to highlight key contributions and make an impact. “Do your job well even when no one is watching!” She also emphasized the importance of being consistent – do your job consistently.  To enhance visibility, panelists recommended excelling in one's role, expanding professional networks, and developing a personal leadership playbook. Andrea, for example, is an avid reader, consuming two books per week and frequently listening to podcasts on leadership and IT innovation to stay informed.  Panelists also advised professionals to document accomplishments regularly for internal performance evaluations and resume updates. Additionally, they suggested requesting LinkedIn recommendations after each role to maintain a strong professional presence. Another key takeaway was how individuals introduce themselves—using full titles and accolades to establish credibility. Men do this instinctively, and women should too!  Another critical leadership strategy is managing up—giving managers regular updates on key accomplishments to stay on their radar for promotions and career advancement opportunities. 

The Future of Women in Tech

The discussion reinforced that while challenges in tech talent recruitment, retention, and leadership persist, there are actionable strategies that organizations and individuals can adopt to drive positive change. The panelists encouraged attendees to advocate for diversity, embrace continuous learning, and leverage both AI and traditional leadership principles to shape the future of IT talent.  The session concluded with a Q&A, allowing attendees to engage directly with the panelists and gain deeper insights into the strategies discussed. ProFocus Technology is proud to have hosted this important conversation and we look forward to continuing to support the tech community in navigating these critical talent challenges. Join our Tech Connect Series to stay updated on events and resources.   Thank you to our panelists and attendees for making this event a success! 
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