Empowering Women to Unlock Business Potential in Technology

As the first and only women-owned global semiconductor distributor, Rand Technology understands the importance of diversity and elevating all voices to unlock full business potential.

While many companies now share this value, it was not always so widespread. In the early 20th century, women were pioneers in the tech industry, making meaningful contributions as some of the first programmers. However, as the field evolved throughout the 1900s, biases emerged, gradually pushing women out and limiting opportunities for those passionate about technology.

Today, industry leaders must take decisive action to bridge this gap by fostering inclusive work cultures that educate both men and women on diversity and the implications of gender inequality.

Inspiring Girls Early In School

From a young age, many girls develop the belief that working in the tech industry requires a lot of math and that math is “for boys.” It’s crucial to address this misconception while children are still learning so they can all aspire to the same careers on a level playing field.

Women are natural multitaskers, collaborative workers, and creative thinkers, giving them a solid foundation for a career in technology. Schools, in general, can do more to provide resources for tech and supply chain operations and inform students early about the important role they play in our world.

Challenges Faced by Women In the Tech Industry

Like many others, the tech industry is dominated by male leadership. This has proven to be a challenge for women entering the field.

One such reason is the perception among some company leaders that women expect special privileges—benefits and accommodations that men do not require. This bias may sway favoritism to hire a man over a woman and could be one reason why women receive less funding for their businesses.

Ironically, another challenge women face comes from other women. Despite the importance of networking and supporting one another, a competitive culture of judgment and high standards persists. While this isn’t the case in every female-dominated workspace, it should be addressed to promote a more supportive environment.

Women Leaders in the Electronics Supply Chain

According to the Women in Technology Network, women make up 35% of the tech workforce as of 2024, a significant increase from just 9% in the early 2000s. Rand Technology received National Women’s Business Enterprise certification in 2001, firmly establishing the company’s presence within a respected network of women business leaders.

Alaina Andino, the Global Solutions and Services Program Manager at Rand, said it’s exciting to see the rise of female executives running large corporations.

“It’s also thrilling to see all the smaller woman-owned businesses, both near home and when I travel,” she says. “This year at the WBENC show, the attendance was double what it was in 2023.”

Andino offers this advice to aspiring women leaders: “Whenever you believe that you have your bar set, challenge yourself to go higher. Also, sales is not transactional; it is relational. Meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships get you through any market.”

Despite a growing societal shift that supports women and their career pursuits, the recent emergence of Artificial Intelligence tells a conflicting story about our progress. The World Economic Forum reports that women make up only 22% of AI professionals globally, compared to 79% who are men. There is still much work to do to close this gap and challenge stereotypes in the industry.

The Role of Women in Shaping Company Culture

Diversity fosters innovative and creative work environments. Overlooking the importance of representation and diversity can significantly hinder a company’s ability to keep pace with a rapidly evolving industry. Without diverse voices driving it forward, a company risks falling behind.

“Before COVID, there had not been much conversation around getting diversity spend out of the supply chain of electronics,” Andino said. “After companies spent so much money during and right after COVID on board-level components, Rand became even more relevant to our customers. The ability to funnel some of that spend through Rand is a huge opportunity for them to work with a trusted partner and yield that benefit.”

Rand’s emphasis on diversity is a critical factor that distinguishes us from competitors in supply chain solutions. Rand’s diverse leadership, backed by over 30 years of expertise, allows us to not only solve problems but also create a sophisticated partnership across various sectors. Empowering women in technology is not just about closing the gender gap—it’s about unlocking the full potential of the industry and driving meaningful progress for everyone.