In an inspiring panel discussion held by Lancom Technology in celebration of International Women's Day, two prominent women in technology Asya Ivanova and Aimee Lin shared their career journeys, leadership philosophies, and strategies for advancing gender equity in the tech sector. Themed ‘Give to Gain’, the panel focused on how giving time, support, and opportunities to others not only uplifts women but also yields personal and professional rewards.

The conversation highlighted the achievements of Ivanova and Lin, both Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), while offering actionable insights for aspiring leaders.

Lin joined Lancom as CTO in early February, bringing a wealth of experience from her consulting background, including work in New Zealand and across industries like aviation, manufacturing, and insurance in various countries. Lin described her leadership evolution as starting with influencing peers through innovative problem-solving, gradually expanding to people management and broader teams. “Leadership for me is about clarity, linking business outcomes to technology and people," she shares. "It's not about knowing everything technically but providing direction.”

Ivanova, CTO at Generate since 2020, recounted her rise from an individual contributor in systems architecture to a leadership role. With a diverse career spanning petroleum, identity management, telecommunications, and property sectors, Ivanova highlighted how her technical skills allowed her to explore varied industries. “I've always been a technologist, moving around and experiencing so much,” she says.

Her transition to CTO marked her first formal people-leadership role, shifting from mentorship and influence to strategic oversight.

Both women reflected on pivotal moments that shaped their leadership styles, particularly as women in tech. Lin recalled realising the power of mindful communication: :As engineers, we're direct, but how we say things matters, especially for women who tend to internalise feedback and question belonging.”

She emphasises creating safe spaces where vulnerability is supported, allowing people to thrive without losing their authenticity. “Belonging doesn't mean fitting in - it means leading firmly and mindfully, grounded in who you are”.

Ivanova shared a challenging period during her CTO appointment, feeling lost in the shift from architect to leader. Engaging a coach led to a breakthrough exercise defining her core values: balance, efficiency, and elegance. “Every conversation starts and ends with: What's the most efficient way, and how do I stay balanced?” she explains.

This mantra helps her approach problems authentically, avoiding over-perfectionism; it’s a lesson for all, where sincerity means being true to oneself, and ‘real’ to colleagues and associates.

Tying into the ‘Give to Gain’ theme, the panelists provided real-world examples of giving and receiving that amplified impact. Lin recounted supporting a hire who needed mental health accommodations, trusting her gut despite concerns. “He became one of my best hires, growing to lead a team,” she says.

Ivanova emphasized mentorship and sponsorship as organic extensions of daily work. She described a structured group mentoring program at Deloitte, where small cohorts tackled topics like vendor management and negotiation. However, she advocates everyday servant leadership: “Mentorship isn't necessarily an appointment,” she says, noting that helping others isn’t always formalized. “It's in how you interact, share knowledge, and match naturally with people.”

She says this approachable culture is exemplified at Generate and fosters openness; embedding mentorship naturally builds skills without formal programs.

Ivanova adds a nuanced observation about how men and women respond in the workplace. “Women often need to belong to perform, while men perform to belong.”

This dynamic, she notes, can hold women back until they feel trusted, underscoring the need for inclusive environments from day one.

Both Lin and Ivanova’s journeys illustrate that authentic leadership, combined with intentional support elevates individuals and strengthens entire organisations.

Lancom Technology is, of course, led by CEO Priscila Bernardes; she stresses that every person in the company is hired on merit first, but adds that empowering women remains a firm priority. “Technology does tend to naturally attract more men than women. However, we’ve found through experience that female perspectives are different, as noted by Asya, and do matter. And we know that this is an essential contribution to the creation and delivery of value for all our customers.”