Women Breaking Barriers: Career Advice from Leading Women in Business, Technology, and Beyond

Are virtual and augmented reality companies better for women than other tech subfields? Or does the nascent VR/AR industry—one which sits at the intersection of video games, the Silicon Valley, and Hollywood, three cultures notorious for their misogyny—present the same old barriers? The truth is it’s a little of both.

Without women’s inventions, would we have modern computers? Mathematician Ada Lovelace was the first person to develop a computer algorithm and imagine an ‘Analytical Engine,’ a device with capabilities beyond simple calculations. Fast forward to today, and meet three women developing new applications of artificial intelligence, along with its inclusivity and capacity for good.

Climate scientists Meredith Hastings and Tracey Holloway are founding members of the Earth Science Women’s Network. Along with fellow research scientists Emily Fischer, Erika Marin-Spiotta, and Christine Wiedinmyer, they discuss the challenges faced by women in atmospheric chemistry and climate science, and how those challenges are being addressed and overcome.

The American cannabis industry is at a crossroads: will it follow the established path of concentrating wealth among a few white men—or will diverse leadership lead a small business and community-building revolution?

Against a backdrop of acute demand for cybersecurity expertise, a proliferation of cyber attacks, and growing concerns about the safety and security of our digital infrastructures, bringing more women into the field is now a priority.

If there is one clear message that the experts we spoke to want to convey to women considering a career in data science and analytics, it’s that there are many paths to success. This is particularly true for education and training in the field.

Earth science and environmental engineering are traditionally male-dominated STEM fields in which women are overcoming barriers and making inroads as geoscientists, field researchers, and environmental innovators. Our experts detail the many routes to a rewarding career in this growing and evolving field.

Finance executives Mary Beth Kreissler, Suzann Cabling, and Marguerite Moyet gently acknowledged historical injustices, but stood firm in their belief that by working hard and refusing to play the victim, they had risen above one of the most entrenched prejudices in the United States: sexism.

The exclusion of women from professional recognition in science fields is only a fraction of their struggles. In recent years, there has been an alarming rate of abandonment among female researchers in genomics, indicating deeper problems and attitudes toward hiring and nurturing their talents.

Six Oregon Senators and Representatives shared their experiences in government, their views on the demographics of the legislature, and their advice for women who are interested in running for office.

Six leaders in public health and epidemiology share their stories and perspectives on being a woman in the field.

Despite a clear gender imbalance and mounting evidence of discrimination across the industry, five exceptional women have risen to prominence in venture capital through their hard work and ability to pinpoint promising ventures at their highest risk points.

While the lack of diversity in the gaming workforce and rampant sexism in gaming communities remain problems, the indomitable spirits of seven exceptional women in the business exemplify what’s right with the industry; their admirable persistence transcends stereotypes and doubt, and they are celebrated here as role models for the next generation of gaming professionals.

It’s no secret that the wealth management profession is largely “pale, male, and stale.” Women represent 50.8 percent of the U.S. population, yet they comprise a small fraction of financial advisors across the country.