From Potential to Power: Women in Tech explores leadership, influence and the future of technology

WIBF’s latest Women in Tech event brought together an inspiring panel of senior technology leaders for an honest and thought-provoking discussion on what it takes to build influence, navigate challenges and lead with impact in today’s rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Kindly hosted by KPMG, the event welcomed members and guests for an evening of insightful conversation, practical advice and networking.

We were delighted to open the evening with a welcome address from Senda Kavindele, Head of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (IDE) at KPMG UK. 

Senda highlighted the importance of building workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. She also referenced findings of the Lovelace Report which reveal that the tech industry is losing between £2 billion and £3.5 billion every year due to a broken career framework – one that is driving talent out of the sector, with women disproportionately affected. Reinforcing that improving retention, progression, and access to opportunity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s essential for the long-term success and growth of the industry. 

The panel featured:

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

Su Crighton, Technology and Data Partner, KPMG

Laura Carcedo Sanchez, Director, Enterprise Data Platform and Engineering, T. Rowe Price

Together, they explored what leadership really means beyond job titles, reflecting on the importance of influence, authenticity and creating opportunities for others. Throughout the discussion, the panellists shared personal experiences of navigating senior leadership roles, overcoming self-doubt and learning that imposter syndrome often evolves rather than disappears as careers progress.

The conversation also highlighted the critical role of sponsorship. While mentorship provides valuable guidance, sponsorship actively opens doors, creates opportunities and helps talented individuals progress into leadership positions. The panel encouraged attendees not only to sponsor others but also to be confident in asking for sponsorship themselves.

The stand out message of the evening was the importance of making ambitions visible. Technical expertise alone is rarely enough to progress into senior leadership. The panellists encouraged women to communicate their aspirations, seek stretch opportunities and avoid assuming that managers automatically know their career goals.

Looking to the future, the discussion turned to artificial intelligence and its growing influence on financial services. While AI continues to reshape the technology landscape, the panel agreed that human leadership qualities, including judgement, communication, ethical decision-making and the ability to lead people through change, will become increasingly valuable.

The evening concluded with an engaging audience Q&A before attendees continued conversations over networking, exchanging ideas and building new connections across the Women in Tech community.

Our sincere thanks go to KPMG for generously hosting the event, to Senda Kavindele for delivering such an inspiring message, and to our outstanding panellists for sharing their expertise and experiences so openly.

A special thank you also goes to Bhawana Haritwal for organising and hosting an engaging evening that sparked meaningful conversations and left attendees with practical insights to take back into their own careers.

We look forward to welcoming you to the next Women in Tech event. If you are a member of WIBF and would like to join our Women in Tech Network, you can sign up here.