IWD 2025: Celebrating the boons of an environment that is conducive to all
According to the latest statistics, women represent just under 51% of the global population yet comprise just 42% of the workforce. In the technology sector, which is at the forefront of innovation, women still make up less than a third of the world's workforce in technology-related fields. In the U.S., that number hovers around 35%, and according to the Women in Tech Network, women only account for roughly 18% of new computer science degrees.
It's not all doom and gloom. Meaningful conversations are taking place and we are seeing efforts to bring more women into tech fields, even if it's happening slower than we might like. The reality is that in an ever-evolving industry, such as identity and governance administration, adaptability, unique perspective, cohesion and continuous learning are essential. Diverse teams perform better, hire better talent, have more engaged members, have greater retention, and give cybersecurity teams the advantage needed to combat modern, nefarious actors.
We know that representation matters, and one of the most important ways to encourage more women in tech is to showcase other women who are already working in this field. So, in light of International Women's Day, I'd like to take the time to highlight and recognize the achievements of just a few of the impressive women I work with at Omada.
Nicole Eickhoff, Product Owner
Nicole Eickhoff's path into technology wasn't linear. Starting her career in business development, she helped women start and grow their businesses. Serving on the board of the National Association of Women's Business Centers, she spearheaded a transformation in their approach by making it more welcoming for women entrepreneurs seeking guidance through thorough business analysis.
Eickhoff has carved out an impressive track record in data science and analysis that she's used to drive her career path forward. She was the first woman to earn a patent at ScienceLogic for designing a patented anomaly detection algorithm for IT data. She's won multiple awards as she's climbed up the ladder into bigger and better roles that enable her to create innovative and impactful solutions.
She challenges the stereotype that the industry is less welcoming to women tech workers. Having selected great teams to work with, she highlights work-life balance and focuses on performance over politics as improvements, even over working in a women-centric field.
Eickhoff praises the importance of mentors and colleagues in her professional journey. "Start early and explore your aptitude – really engage with your mentors and colleagues. Choose your partners wisely, ensure they will support you and your aspirations, and be sure to return the favor," she said. "Leadership skills are crucial, and certifications can bridge the gap if formal education isn't readily available."
Jenny Mulcahy, Account Executive
Jenny Mulcahy's journey into cybersecurity wasn't exactly planned – in fact, in her own words, it found her. She's always approached opportunities as if they were there for the taking – and believed in her ability to create opportunities rather than waiting for them.
Mulcahy started her career in tech in the active directory space, working in several different sales-related roles at various companies before a colleague recruited her to come work for an Australia-based identity and access management company.
When she first started in tech, there were very few women and she worked hard to get herself up to speed quickly while also raising four children. She took courses in DOS and advanced DOS at the local community college so she could speak the same language as the practitioners and customers she worked with. She became a top sales representative; a feat she attributes to her ability to really understand her customers' and prospects' perspectives and approach her job with empathy.
She eventually worked for another identity access and management company as the senior sales executive and later, sales director, vastly expanding her knowledge of the space. She refers to that time as being like "getting a master's degree in identity," given all that she learned.
In the past five years, she's noticed a significant demographic shift in the identity space, with far more women now working in these fields. She estimates that about half of her clients today are women and building those strong relationships has been key.
Veselina Korshunova, Digital & Marketing Operations Manager
Veselina Korshunova earned a bachelor's in business administration in her native Bulgaria before moving to Denmark, where she earned a master's in marketing. She began her career working for a digital legal information service provider and later transitioned to work for a company focused on helping regulated companies meet compliance mandates. From there, she moved into the cloud data backup and recovery space before joining Omada.
For Korshunova, her university provided key opportunities for student jobs and paths toward working with startups and small-scale companies. Through her background in business administration and marketing, she discovered a passion for innovative tech startups that fueled her desire to make a more significant impact. Starting as a digital marketing specialist at Omada, she worked her way up to digital and marketing operations manager, overseeing digital campaigns, SEO strategy and much more.
Final Reflections
Each of these individuals is instrumental to the work we're doing. Without the cumulative experiences, educational experiences, professional roles and personalities of our diverse team members, our organization would be a shell of its current state. We take pride in continually learning alongside our staff to create a more inclusive environment for all – which only leads to greater success and innovation down the line.