From potential to power: Becoming a leader in tech

About this event

Join us for a dynamic and empowering panel discussion designed to support women in navigating the journey from individual contributor to confident, influential leader in the tech industry.

Despite growing representation, many women in tech still face barriers to leadership - whether it’s lack of visibility, limited access to mentorship, or uncertainty about the next career step.

This event brings those challenges into the open through honest, real-world conversations with women who have successfully navigated them. Open to everyone, there will also be time to network with your fellow Women in Tech Network colleagues.

During this engaging panel discussion, we’ll explore key themes critical to leadership growth in tech.

Please note: To help us accommodate dietary requirements, please register by Monday 22 June 3pm. Requests received after this date will be managed on a best-efforts basis and cannot be guaranteed.

Registrations will close on Friday 26 June at 9am.

Our panel

Global Head of Commodities Technology at J.P. Morgan Pooja Arya Malhotra

Pooja is the Global Head of Commodities Technology at J.P. Morgan. With nearly two decades of experience driving technical and operational transformation within Tier-1 financial institutions- including Morgan Stanley and Bank of America.

Pooja specialises in aligning complex technical roadmaps with front-office P&L objectives. She leads a high-output global department of engineers and product owners, overseeing the modernization of J.P. Morgan’s global commodities platform to enable strategic business growth. A proud graduate of IIT Delhi and London Business School, Pooja is a dedicated champion of inclusive leadership, focusing on building sustainable talent pipelines and fostering cultures of transparency and operational integrity in high-volatility environments

Technology and Data Partner at KPMG Su Crighton

Su is an experienced digital leader with a track record of successfully delivering complex technology and transformation initiatives.

She specialises in technology value management and leads the KPMG AI Platforms & Engineering capability for Corporate and Private Enterprise accounts.

Su has 30 years experience in multiple industry sectors including Retail, Financial Services, Travel & Tourism, Charity, Telecoms and Public Sector.

She has held senior and executive leadership positions building productive engineering teams and advising business stakeholders on technology adoption.

Director Enterprise Data Platform & Engineering at T. Rowe Price Laura Carcedo Sanchez

Laura is a Software Engineering Director at T. Rowe Price, where she leads a team within the Enterprise Data Platform & Engineering department.

Her team is responsible for delivering data products and capabilities that make enterprise data accessible and reliable, ingesting data from disparate sources and transforming it into a clear and consistent view for users across the firm. She has more than 14 years of experience in financial technology, including senior roles at JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs.

Laura studied Physics in Spain and completed a PhD at the University of St Andrews before moving into software engineering. She brings a strong analytical foundation to her work and is passionate about using technology to solve complex business problems

Chair Women In Tech Network & Our Moderator Bhawana Haritwal

Bhawana chairs the Women in Tech Community at WIBF, which she launched in 2025. Through events, thought leadership, and skills-based initiatives, she is creating a collaborative and empowering space for women across the financial technology sector.

Bhawana is a Senior Software Engineer at T. Rowe Price where she develops modern cloud platform technologies that enable portfolio managers and quantitative analysts to conduct market analysis and develop risk models. She combines deep technical expertise with visible, values-driven leadership - championing equity, representation, and the advancement of future female leaders in tech.

After earning her Bachelor of Engineering in Bangalore, India, Bhawana began her career at McAfee as an operations engineer. In 2016, she relocated to the UK through internal mobility and has since successfully transitioned across a wide range of roles. She also made a significant industry shift from cybersecurity to finance. Her career journey reflects her adaptability, deep technical capability, and strong commitment to learning.