Boston is a unique place for women in tech. 5 professionals explain why.

The stats about women in tech can be sobering. At current rates, it’s predicted that women won’t achieve equal pay until the year 2220.

Instead of waiting around for 200 years, Boston women in tech are taking matters into their own hands. Local women are overcoming hurdles like equal pay with strong networks and hyperlocal communities.

We caught up with five women in tech who shared why Boston is a unique place for women to tap into their collective power and level the playing field.

 

LeanIX’s SaaS solution helps maximize the potential of IT departments with data-driven decisions.

Leah Nguyen, customer success support at LeanIX, uses her tech chops both in and out of the office. She’s an active member of local networking events and a proponent of the city’s women-led tech courses.

 

What do you think makes Boston a unique place for women in tech?

Boston is among the most ethnically and racially diverse cities in the country. You can easily find and join many networking events, meetups, workshops and courses led by women. I didn't start my career in tech until I was 30 years old. I made a leap of faith and decided to pursue a career change. I enrolled in a coding bootcamp and landed my first tech job just three months later with the tremendous help and inspiration from my mentors.

You can easily find and join many networking events, meetups, workshops and courses led by women.” 

Are there any local or company programs, networking events, or spaces that have helped you navigate your career?

I'm an active member of Tech Ladies and Girl Develop It Boston. Tech Ladies is an amazing community and job board for women in tech. You can share your experience, ask for advice and support about career decisions, and network with other tech ladies. Girl Develop It is another wonderful community for women who are interested in learning web and software development.

 

PlacePass helps travelers find and book unforgettable experience across the globe.  

Customer Success Analyst Kimberly Tower told us how women are playing an important role in the ever-evolving culture of Boston’s tech scene — and why that matters.

 

What do you think makes Boston a unique place for women in tech?

Boston is a unique place for women in tech because we play a role in building the culture. We’re in a position to make a difference and have our voices heard. We’re not where we need to be in terms of equality, but we’re on our way. There are a lot of strong, powerful women who are leading the charge and setting up events specifically for women in tech to help us feel empowered and ask for what we want.

We’re not where we need to be in terms of equality, but we’re on our way.”

Are there any local or company programs, networking events, or spaces that have helped you navigate your career?

I am a big fan of the events run by She Geeks Out and Tech Ladies. Listening to the speakers has been highly motivational, but my favorite part of attending those events has been the camaraderie of networking with other women in tech. I have met some incredible women who give me ideas about where I want my career to go. My company also holds regular “ladies nights” where the women in our organization get together, talk about the challenges we face, and brainstorm ideas about creating more inclusive environments.

 

Fintech company Intralinks provides a simple and safe platform for financial deals and transactions.

Senior Product Designer Jeanne Harran has been with Intralinks for five years and explained how the city that raised her also helped build her career.

 

What do you think makes Boston a unique place for women in tech?

I was born and raised on the South Shore so there will always be a special place for Boston in my heart! In terms of this city and women in tech, there are a wealth of opportunities from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Also, there is a strong meetup culture; I can find an interesting talk or networking event to attend weekly. In fact, I often land on the waitlist for events with Women in Tech or Ladies that UX because the community is so active, and the events fill up quickly!

There are a wealth of opportunities from startups to Fortune 500 companies.”

Are there any local or company programs, networking events, or spaces that have helped you navigate your career?

Active networking with fellow alumni at Bentley University has significantly helped build my career. The Human Factors and Information Design program attracts a passionate and active student body. Between the many campus events and mentorship opportunities, I’ve been able to meet many like-minded, customer-centric designers and grow my career here in Boston.  

I also look forward to working closely with my colleagues at Intralinks to foster an inclusive environment with their “Women in Leadership” program. We’ve already hosted a trivia night to celebrate women’s history month. I’m excited to see what we have in store for the coming months!

 

LevelUp connects customers and merchants with a seamless mobile payment experience.

Technical Brand Management Manager Jaime Argyriadis explained that Boston is a great place for women in tech due to a coveted trifecta: solid academic institutions, a thriving culture and booming business.

 

What do you think makes Boston a unique place for women in tech?

Our network of distinguished and creative women in tech is what makes Boston unique! Between the academic institutions, successful organizations, and incredible startup culture, the region is booming with women making an impact.

The region is booming with women making an impact.”

Are there any local or company programs, networking events, or spaces that have helped you navigate your career?

I'm fortunate to have mentors in my professional life who help me develop my career. I apply the feedback provided, listen to advice on new opportunities and collect tips that drive me toward my strengths. I've also created friendships with professionals in Boston, and through a referral, I was able to join the LevelUp team. Since then, I've referred women who I've worked with previously to join us. I believe that forging strong connections and giving your best effort are the most powerful tools in navigating your career.

 

Acquia provides a technology platform that improves digital experiences at scale, simplifying often complicated digital transformation processes and easing the lives of marketers and digital team leaders.

UX Director Sarah Korval offered up some of her favorite local tech groups, including Boston Product and Ladies That UX, as great options for Boston women seeking useful knowledge and career connections.

 

What do you think makes Boston unique as a city for women in tech?

Boston has many strong women role models who lead startups, flagship tech companies, and networking and learning communities. While I’ll always advocate for even more women in technology, it helps to feel the presence of women already there — a presence that is definitely felt in a city the size of Boston.

From the hiring manager perspective, Boston benefits from the multitude of higher education institutions. Those benefits extend to our access of strong women candidates as well.

While I’ll always advocate for even more women in technology, it helps to feel the presence of women already there.”

Are there any local or company programs, networking events, or spaces that have helped you navigate your career?

Some local groups I’ve come to appreciate are Boston Product and Ladies That UX for their live programming and networking events. Making connections over LinkedIn has been perhaps even more beneficial. I’ve been able to reach other tech folks and swap stores over one-on-one coffees.

Networking doesn’t always come naturally, but you can find the version that’s comfortable for you — even if it’s making connections through special interest Slack groups. While it might not seem obvious at the time, you never know when a connection can come in handy for you or even more importantly, for them.