Women in Technology: Turning Challenges Into Confidence, Resilience and Leadership

Reporter: April Christian-Davis

Women in Technology: Turning Challenges Into Confidence, Resilience and Leadership

For decades, women entering the technology industry have often found themselves having to prove they belong.

They have demonstrated their intelligence, creativity and technical expertise while navigating a field that has historically been dominated by men. For some women, that journey has included being overlooked for promotions, passed over for high-profile assignments or excluded from leadership opportunities despite having the knowledge and skills to succeed.

But on September 28, 2026, nearly 300 women in technology gathered at Washtenaw Community College for a conversation that was about far more than professional advancement.

It was about resilience. Confidence. Self-acceptance. Career growth. And the importance of women supporting women.

Award-winning technology leader, author and speaker Alana Karen, author of The Adventures of Women in Tech, immediately captured the audience's attention.

Her introduction was simple:

"Hello, my name is Alana Karen."

From there, the room was listening.

Karen challenged the women in attendance to look closely at themselves—not only as technology professionals, but as individuals managing careers, relationships, responsibilities, ambitions and the inevitable challenges that come with working in a rapidly changing industry.

More Than a Talk—A Workshop for Growth

Karen's presentation became an interactive experience as the audience participated in exercises designed to encourage reflection and personal growth.

That hands-on approach made the event feel different from a traditional technology leadership presentation.

It was intentional.

The conversation moved beyond technical skills and career strategies to address something that can sometimes be overlooked in professional development: the emotional side of succeeding in the workplace.

As Karen writes in The Adventures of Women in Tech:

“Helping people develop and grow their careers is one thing, but nurturing people’s emotions, self-acceptance, and perseverance is a whole other skillset.”

That message resonated throughout the room.

Photo by April Davis 

Technology professionals are frequently expected to adapt to new platforms, emerging technologies, changing markets and increasing expectations. Yet professional development is not simply about acquiring another skill or earning another credential.

It is also about developing the resilience to keep moving forward when the path becomes difficult.

Building Resilience in the Technology Industry

One of Karen's central messages was resilience—the ability to withstand adversity and continue moving forward.

For women in technology, resilience can take many forms.

It can mean speaking up when your expertise is overlooked.

It can mean applying for the leadership position even when you have not previously seen someone who looks like you in that role.

It can mean recovering from a career setback without allowing that experience to define your future.

And sometimes, resilience means recognizing that success does not require perfection.

Karen's book explores How We Got Here and Why We Stay, while providing practical steps readers can take to navigate their careers and their lives. The book includes exercises intended to help readers accelerate personal progress, navigate difficult moments and find their way through challenging experiences in technology.

Everyone attending the Washtenaw Community College event received a copy of the book, giving participants the opportunity to continue the conversation long after the presentation ended.

A Message Women Can Carry Forward

Perhaps one of the most powerful elements of the gathering was its reminder that career advancement does not have to be an individual journey.

Women can open doors for one another.

They can share knowledge, make introductions, recommend one another for opportunities, celebrate achievements and provide encouragement during difficult seasons.

The message is especially significant in technology, where innovation depends on people bringing different experiences, perspectives and ideas to the table.

Karen's work draws on hundreds of stories involving technology, leadership, diversity, talent and innovation. Her career has included leadership roles connected to products and initiatives associated with Google Search, Ads, Fiber and Google Grants, among others.

Her professional journey reflects the scale and reach that women can have within the technology industry—and the importance of using that experience to help others grow.

About Alana Karen

Alana Karen is an award-winning technology leader, author and speaker whose work has influenced products and initiatives used by people around the world. Her career has included leadership in technology, product development, team development and innovation.

She has spoken at conferences on technology, leadership, diversity, equity and inclusion, talent and innovation. Her book, The Adventures of Women in Tech, brings together hundreds of stories and insights around these subjects.

Karen lives with her three children, husband, two dogs and cat in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Last Lesson: Celebrate How Far You've Come

The final pages of The Adventures of Women in Tech offer a message that may be one of the most important takeaways for women navigating technology careers:

You are not alone.

Challenges will come. Careers will change. Doors will sometimes close. There will be moments when confidence is tested and moments when the path forward is unclear.

But those moments do not have to be the end of the story.

Karen's message encourages women to embrace challenges, learn from them and eventually leave them behind. Just as importantly, women are encouraged to recognize their accomplishments and celebrate how far they have already come.

And then comes perhaps the most important challenge of all:

Look around you and support the women coming behind you.

For the women who gathered at Washtenaw Community College, the message was clear: Your knowledge matters. Your experience matters. Your voice matters.

And there is room in technology for you to grow, lead, innovate—and help another woman do the same.

April & Alana Karen  Book signing

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