Women in Tech to Watch This International Women’s Month
- Zintle Ramano
- Mar 5
- 3 min read
Technology is shaping the future, and women around the world are leading groundbreaking innovations across AI, fintech, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. This International Women’s Month, we’re celebrating women in tech who are making waves globally—breaking barriers, driving change, and inspiring the next generation of leaders.
1. Fei-Fei Li – AI Researcher & Professor at Stanford (USA)
A pioneer in artificial intelligence, Dr. Fei-Fei Li has played a significant role in advancing computer vision and AI ethics. She co-founded AI4ALL, an organization dedicated to increasing diversity in AI, and continues to shape the future of responsible AI development.
2. Zintle Ramano – Founder, BAAB Media Group (South Africa)
As a digital entrepreneur and founder of BAAB Media Group, Zintle Ramano is redefining digital marketing by merging AI, tech, and human-driven storytelling. Her company focuses on helping brands thrive in the digital era while advocating for innovation in African tech spaces.
3. Reshma Saujani – Founder, Girls Who Code (USA)
Reshma Saujani is on a mission to close the gender gap in technology. Through Girls Who Code, she has empowered thousands of young girls with coding skills, ensuring that the next generation of tech leaders is more diverse and inclusive.
4. Anne-Marie Imafidon – Co-founder, Stemettes (UK)
A mathematician and tech advocate, Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon co-founded Stemettes, an initiative that inspires young women and non-binary people to pursue STEM careers. She’s also a champion for equity in AI and tech leadership.
5. Rana el Kaliouby – AI Pioneer & Author (Egypt/USA)
A leader in emotion AI, Dr. Rana el Kaliouby is the co-founder of Affectiva, a company that developed AI capable of reading human emotions. Her work is shaping the future of human-computer interaction, from mental health tech to ethical AI.
6. Gwynne Shotwell – President, SpaceX (USA)
One of the most influential women in the space industry, Gwynne Shotwell is responsible for driving SpaceX’s commercial success and making space travel more accessible. Her leadership is a testament to the power of women in engineering and aerospace technology.
7. Roshni Nadar Malhotra – Chairperson, HCL Technologies (India)
As the first woman to lead a major IT company in India, Roshni Nadar Malhotra has transformed HCL Technologies into a global powerhouse. Her work in philanthropy and tech has also driven social impact initiatives across education and sustainability.
8. Kate Crawford – AI Ethics Researcher (Australia)
A leading voice in AI ethics, Kate Crawford’s research sheds light on the biases embedded in artificial intelligence. She has been instrumental in advocating for responsible AI and ensuring that technology serves humanity fairly.
9. Wendy Gonzalez – CEO, Sama (Canada)
As the CEO of Sama, Wendy Gonzalez is revolutionizing ethical AI by ensuring that data labeling jobs are accessible to marginalized communities. Her work in AI training data has contributed to some of the biggest advancements in machine learning
10. Dr. Funke Opeke – Founder, MainOne (Nigeria)
Dr. Funke Opeke is a trailblazer in Africa’s broadband infrastructure. She founded MainOne, a company that has improved internet access across West Africa, helping to bridge the digital divide and boost economic opportunities in the region.
11. Merishka Harilall – Co-founder & CEO, Spenda Holdings (South Africa)
At 28, Merishka Harilall is the co-founder and chief executive of Spenda Holdings, a financial technology company. Her role involves shaping the company's vision and leading a team to develop mobile and digital payment solutions aimed at serving underbanked communities in Africa. Recently, Spenda launched the Spenda Scan to Pay mobile application, enabling users to purchase vouchers and pay at over 6,000 merchant locations across South Africa.
These women are shaping the future of technology—from AI to aerospace, from digital inclusion to ethical tech. Their leadership
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