SheCanCode tech community gives great support to gain gender equality, hear from their community
SheCanCode is a collaborative community working tenaciously to tackle the gender gap in tech.
Marking International Women' Day (IWD), the group encouraged its global community to address and reflect on the Give To Gain campaign theme focus.
"IWD marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. This year’s theme is Give to Gain, encouraging a mindset of generosity and collaboration. Give To Gain emphasises the power of reciprocity and support. When people, organisations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase," said SheCanCode.
Marking IWD, SheCanCode gathered powerful quotes from across its community
SheCanCode gathered a significant volume of quotes from its tech community of women and male allies across diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and ages to share what IWD means to them, and how they and their organizations Give To Gain.
The quotes covered important topics, from how generosity can help grow stronger careers and tech communities to why visibility, representation, collaboration, and allyship matter.
Be inspired by the many insightful IWD quotes from the SheCanCode global community here.
Let's hear from just a few ...
"Give to Gain” resonates deeply with me. A senior executive took a chance on hiring me into Computer Sciences Corp right out of college with a liberal arts degree. She generously mentored me and helped kick start a career that has been deeply rewarding. I’ve never forgotten her support, and throughout my career I’ve looked for ways to foster talent, authentically share my learnings, and help other women soar.”
- Jean Lawrence, Vice President, Global ABM & Field Marketing, Nokia
"Giving isn't just generous, it's strategic. When we give women access to education, opportunity and visible role models, everyone gains. This International Women's Day, 'Give to Gain' is a reminder that diverse perspectives strengthen decision making, fuel innovation and builds more resilient organisations."
- Fran Woodward, Global Managing Director, English, Cambridge University Press & Assessment
“Mentorship has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career – the gentle nudges, the honest conversations, the people who chose to believe in me. That’s why ‘Give to Gain’ resonates so much. When we lift someone up or open a door for them, we’re not just helping them grow – we’re shaping a kinder, stronger, more diverse industry for all of us.”
- Jemma Ashley, AVP Strategy, LexisNexis Risk Solutions
“Creating a supportive and equal workplace means giving generously, with our time, knowledge, and opportunities, in order to help women thrive. By mentoring, advocating, and opening doors for women, we can remove barriers like the gender pay gap and underrepresentation in tech. When women are empowered to lead in areas like data and analytics, innovation flourishes, businesses grow, and everyone benefits. Giving the lift to others is the key for driving progress.”
- Sheila Flavell CBE, COO, FDM Group
"For me, Give to Gain is about making mentorship, coaching, and transparent career conversations the norm, not the exception. While senior women play a vital role as visible role models, real change happens when everyone actively gives their time, knowledge, advocacy, or opportunity to champion one another. By sharing stories of success, failure, and how we navigate challenges together, we build confidence, create opportunity, and foster a stronger, more supportive community in tech and beyond."
- Pauline Taylor, VP of People, HowNow
”Give to Gain’ highlights a specific leadership mindset. Giving opportunities, listening carefully, giving women a seat at the table and working collaboratively is how we move from resistance to results. When we give with intention, we gain collectively from individual success, which inadvertently strengthens teams, businesses, and entire industries. That's where I think meaningful progress is made. It's just about being given the chance - and that is easier said than done!”
- Cassie Petrie, Managing Director SMB EMEA at SAP Concur
“Give to Gain speaks to the power of leadership through generosity by sharing knowledge, creating space for diverse voices and actively supporting women in technology. When we invest in inclusive teams and mentor the next generation, we empower individuals and strengthen innovation across the organisation.”
- Aishling Meyler, AVP Technology, LexisNexis Risk Solutions
"Give to Gain” means moving beyond encouragement to active sponsorship. It’s about using your voice in rooms where decisions are made to advocate for women to take on stretch roles, lead visible projects, and shape strategy. I’ve seen how powerful that can be. When we share access and opportunity, not just advice, we build stronger organisations and create momentum that benefits everyone, not just individuals.”
- Kat Jones, Group Axis Director, SMG
“Creating a ‘Give to Gain’ culture means choosing collaboration over competition. When we share opportunities instead of guarding them, we don’t lose ground; we expand it. Every skill we pass on, every door we open, and every voice we encourage becomes part of something bigger that enriches us and others.”
- Daniela Anastasio, Product Manager, Onetag
Hosting a free hGive To Gain Power Hack
Turning generosity into action, SheCanCode, Foundry and Addleshaw Goddard have partnered for a hackathon centred on the IWD Give to Gain theme – in support of the charity Young Women's Trust.
The free hackathon in London UK provides participants with an opportunity to build a tech solution for good enabling people, communities, or organisations to support one another. A fabulous full day of ideation, collaboration, and coding as participants build tech solutions that make a real impact on women’s lives.
With participants guided by tech mentors from Foundry and Addleshaw Goddard, a chance to present to the judging panel offers a chance to be the winning project.
“Give to Gain is about the power of generosity, collaboration, and reciprocity. When we share knowledge, time, and access, everyone benefits. This Power Hack challenges you to turn that mindset into technology that genuinely lifts others,” said SheCanCode.
Supporting women to pursue tech careers
SheCanCode encourages and supports women to pursue careers in the tech sector, whatever stage they are at. The social enterprise provides a free, collaborative community for women aspiring to enter the tech industry and those already part of it. Community members have access to information about IT careers for women, a supportive network, opportunities, jobs for women in tech, and guidance so they can excel in their tech career.
SheCanCode is also on a mission to close the tech gender gap, by promoting and advocating for companies that are focused on increasing diversity across their tech workforce.
Supporting IWD Giving through fundraising for Young Women's Trust
Young Women's Trust is a charity that works to create a more equal world of work through raising young women’s incomes. The group offers young women free coaching, feedback on job applications, and information to help them get where they want to be. It brings together a network of thousands of young women to support each other, build their self-belief, and have their voices heard. Young Women's Trust works with young women and anyone who experiences misogyny and sexism to campaign for equality in the workplace. Its research provides insight into what young women’s lives are really like, fuelling campaigns for change.