WIT annual reflection: 2024’s triumphs + our vision for 2025

With International Women’s Day just around the corner, now is the perfect time to celebrate the incredible work of 5Y’s Women in Technology committee.

Below, we reflect on our success in 2024 and outline our vision for the year ahead.

Reflecting on 2024

Last year, our Women in Tech committee grew from five to 32 members across four countries. We transformed from a grassroots initiative into a thriving community that oversees professional development programmes, networking opportunities, and community-building initiatives.

Here are some of the highlights:

• The wonderful Annette Mencke ran two professional development sessions for our team on leadership and storytelling in business
• We completed the CliftonStrengths 34 report as a group, which identified key strengths for each individual (because women tend to usually focus on their weaknesses only)
• We created development plans based on the report’s results to enhance our strengths

• Networking-wise, we attended the Global WIT Event in April and a local event in Manchester

• We raised £611.08 for Breast Cancer UK

Our vision for 2025

That’s a wrap on 2024, but what about the year ahead? In 2025, our theme is about accelerating action. We want to build on the incredible momentum our committee has generated over the past year by increasing visibility, fostering allyship and increasing education.

We also want to help women at other tech companies build their own thriving communities and grow the movement as a whole. That means lifting the curtain on our in-house initiatives, networking with other incredible women from across the industry and sharing our thoughts and expertise at as many speaking events as possible.

We’ve broken down that vision into four core goals:

1. Visibility & Representation

We want to enhance the visibility and representation of women in technology fields via active participation and leadership.

We’ll achieve this by:

• Speaking events. We’ll organise and participate in speaking events where women in tech can share their experiences, insights and achievements. These events will create a platform for women to showcase their expertise and inspire others to pursue a career in the field.

• Competitions. We’ll host and promote competitions that encourage women to display their skills. These events will foster a competitive spirit and highlight female talent.

• YouTube. We’ll launch a YouTube channel dedicated to our committee’s activities. The channel will serve as a resource and inspiration for other tech companies that want to start their own initiatives.

2. Allyship & Support

We want to build a supportive network that fosters allyship for women in tech and promotes an inclusive workplace.

We’ll achieve this by:

• Walk a day in her shoes programs. We’ll create a program where colleagues can experience the challenges women face in the tech industry to increase empathy and understanding.

• Allyship training. We’ll run training sessions that teach employees and partners how to be effective allies.

• Allyship recognition. We’ll build a recognition programme that celebrates individuals who actively support and champion women throughout their careers.

3. Awareness & Education

We want to raise awareness and educate our community on the key issues that impact women in technology to enhance understanding and support.

These include:

• Imposter Syndrome. We’ll create educational resources to address feelings of imposter syndrome and bolster confidence.

• Unconscious Bias. We’ll work to identify and reduce unconscious bias in the workplace to create a more equitable work environment.

• Menopause Awareness. We’ll organise sessions to educate allies about the impact of menopause in the workplace.

4. Community & Growth

We want to cultivate a thriving community that supports the continuous growth and development of women in technology.

We’ll do this through:

• 5Y's Women's Day: A day dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women across our organisation.

• Social WIT Calls. Regularly scheduled social calls among members to share experiences, challenges and advice.

• Mentorship. We’ll implement a mentorship program where experienced professionals guide and support younger women entering the field. It will provide career guidance, knowledge sharing and professional development opportunities.

"At 5Y Technology, we believe that diversity drives innovation, and supporting women in technology is essential to building a stronger, more inclusive industry. The Women in Tech group is a fantastic initiative that not only empowers our team but also fosters a culture of mentorship, growth, and opportunity. I’m incredibly proud of the committee for their dedication and leadership in creating a space where women can thrive, and I look forward to seeing the impact they will have both within our company and beyond."

Jamillie Sammour, Co-Founder & COO

Join us on our journey

Are you building your own Women in Tech community? Can your skills and experience help us achieve our 2025 vision?

We’re always looking for ways to grow and collaborate with our community. Connect with us on LinkedIn or email us at wit@5ytechnology.com.