In an industry once synonymous with male dominance, the rise of women in tech is rewriting the rules and sparking a new era of innovation. Today, women are not just making strides—they’re leading the charge, founding groundbreaking startups and taking the reins in leadership positions that shape the future of technology. But while the momentum is undeniable, the journey is far from complete. Persistent challenges like gender bias, age bias, underrepresentation in senior roles and limited access to mentorship continue to create roadblocks for many women in the field.
Despite these hurdles, women are showing resilience and creativity, bringing fresh perspectives that are reshaping the industry. The infusion of diverse thought and leadership is not only transforming the tech world but also creating a richer, more inclusive environment for innovation. Women like Sana Salam, CEO of Sodales Solutions who have forged successful paths in tech, embody this transformation, proving that with determination and vision, the barriers women face can be overcome. As they continue to rise, women are not just changing the face of leadership but also redefining what it means to lead with empathy, collaboration and purpose.
Women in Tech® Canada Features Sodales CEO Sana Salam on Inspiring Episode of “Her Story”
In an empowering new episode of “Her Story”, Women in Tech® Canada sits down with Sodales’ CEO Sana Salam, to explore her inspiring journey of building a successful technology company dedicated to health, safety and employee relations. In this candid and insightful conversation, Sana reflects on the personal and professional challenges she faced while rising to the top, sharing key lessons on leadership, resilience and the power of intuition.
“It’s okay to make mistakes, I need to be kind to myself and to allow myself to try again.”
During the interview, Sana delves into her experiences as a woman navigating the male-dominated tech industry and the importance of not shying away from failure. Sana reflects on the pivotal role that failure has played in her journey, emphasizing that success often comes from learning how to fail effectively. Rather than viewing failure as a setback, she explains how it became a steppingstone for growth and resilience.
Before Sodales became the company it is today, it started as a service business. When Sana and her former business partner parted ways, she found herself losing her customers, her team and her financial stability. The only thing she held onto was the Sodales logo – the one thing she truly wanted to keep. At that point, she considered shutting down the business and questioned whether she truly wanted to continue. Drained and burned out, Sana took time to reassess her goals and shift her mindset away from self-doubt. She began prioritizing her mental health, took a more measured approach in finding the right partner, started volunteering and avoided rushing the process. This deliberate change in approach set the foundation for Sodales’ future success. Over time, she developed a mindset where failure wasn’t something to fear but rather an opportunity to learn and improve. By embracing each challenge, Sana sharpened her skills and strengthened her resolve, ultimately getting “better at failing” and using those experiences to drive her success forward.
“You don’t have to be a successful person or influential person to be able to do this. You have to kick-off the cycle. How do you do it? You write down today’s date and say, where can I make an impact?”
In the episode, Sana discusses the importance of following one’s gut instinct, even when it leads down unconventional paths. She emphasizes that starting small and trusting intuition can help build a foundation that is uniquely suited to individual goals. For women striving to break barriers in tech, she advocates for practicing self-compassion, encouraging them to stop being overly critical of themselves, to acknowledge their successes and to celebrate their achievements, no matter how small they may seem.
Sana’s journey is more than just a story of personal success; it’s a message of hope and empowerment for women globally. This episode of “Her Story” serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience, strength and vision women bring to the tech industry. It is a call to action for future female leaders to step into their power, embrace their uniqueness and continue forging paths in technology.
“Your potential is God’s gift to you and what you do with your potential, is your gift to God.”
Watch Sana’s inspiring journey here: Link to the interview.
The Challenges Women in Tech Still Face
Despite increased representation, the barriers for women in tech remain formidable. Gender bias is one of the most pervasive issues and it manifests in both overt and subtle ways. This bias is further compounded by the tendency for women’s ideas to be overlooked in meetings, or worse, attributed to male colleagues—a phenomenon known as “hepeating.” This erasure of credit stifles innovation and can undermine women’s confidence in their own contributions.
Another challenges women often face is they continue to be underrepresented in senior leadership positions. The “broken rung” refers to the first critical step up to management where women are disproportionately passed over for promotions compared to men. According to McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace report, this barrier prevents women from progressing into leadership roles, creating a significant gap in gender equality at higher levels of organizations. Without this foundational career boost, fewer women reach senior leadership, perpetuating the cycle of underrepresentation in corporate leadership positions.
Compounding these challenges is the lack of mentorship and sponsorship. Studies from Lean In show that women in male-dominated industries often have fewer mentors and sponsors, key advocates who can help propel their careers forward. The absence of these critical relationships can leave women feeling isolated, making it harder to navigate a career path in tech, which is already competitive and challenging. This void in mentorship is especially detrimental in a field where networking and personal connections often play a pivotal role in career advancement.
Shaping the Future of Tech: Why Women Matter
Increasing the number of women in tech is not just a matter of gender equity—it’s essential for driving innovation. The reason is simple: diverse teams bring a wider range of experiences, perspectives and ideas, leading to more creative problem-solving and breakthrough innovations. Women in tech often approach challenges differently, offering insights that can cater to underrepresented or overlooked user bases. Designing with diversity in mind leads to products that serve broader, more inclusive markets.
Also, women in leadership roles create ripples of change that extend beyond their immediate teams. Leaders like Sana, demonstrate the transformative power of women at the helm. In her interview she highlighted how resilience, mentorship and a commitment to empowering others have been key drivers in her success. These values are crucial for creating an inclusive work culture that nurtures talent, innovation and collaboration.
Women leaders are also role models who inspire future generations of women to break into tech and stay there. Their success proves that it’s possible not only to survive but to thrive in the tech industry. As more women rise to leadership, they help create a pipeline for other women to follow, ensuring that the industry becomes more diverse and inclusive over time.
The bottom line is that the presence of women in tech leads to more equitable workplaces and more innovative products. Diversity is not just a “nice-to-have”—it’s a business imperative. Companies that invest in female talent will not only benefit from a broader talent pool but will also outperform their competitors in the long run.
A Future Where Women Lead
The rise of women in tech is a story of resilience, innovation and untapped potential. While the challenges are real, so are the opportunities. By creating a more inclusive industry, we can unlock the full potential of the tech workforce, driving innovation and success for companies and society at large.
Women like Sana, along with many others, are proof that the future of tech is brighter when it includes everyone. As more women enter and rise within the tech sector, the industry will not only become more equitable but also more creative, innovative and impactful.
The road ahead may still be long, but one thing is clear: women are here to lead the way.
