The following is a guest article, written by Liza Adams - AI Advisor and Fractional CMO at GrowthPath Partners
When I was 15, I attended a Women in Engineering program for high schoolers at Michigan Tech University. I didn't know it then, but that moment would shape my future. It set me on a path to becoming an electrical engineer and later a go-to-market executive and AI advisor.
Throughout my career, I was often the only woman and the only person of color in executive sessions, board meetings, tech conferences, and AI meetups. These experiences were challenging, but they fueled my determination to succeed and make space for others like me in tech.
Just this spring, I spoke at the Product Marketing Summit in Denver about strategic AI use cases and executive alignment. After my presentation, a young product marketer named Delen Trance approached me.
She said:"Are you Filipino? I am, too. I was inspired to see someone who looks like me achieve what you have. I've never seen a female Filipino tech executive, much less one who talks about AI. I want to be like you."
Delen's words reminded me why I’ve spent decades supporting networks that uplift women in tech, like Wednesday Women, the Empowered CMO Network, Women in AI, Athena Alliance, and Women in Revenue. Every mentoring session and workshop contributes to meaningful change.
However, we still face big challenges. The UN estimates gender equality is 286 years away at our current pace. Recent controversies, like the OpenAI board composition and the "Who's Who in AI" list in The New York Times, show the persistent lack of diversity in top AI roles.
Why do we keep pushing forward? Because AI will fundamentally change our world, and we need diverse voices to guide its development and use. Think of the Justice League: six superheroes with different but complementary superpowers working together to achieve the same mission. Superman brings super strength, Wonder Woman brings combat skills and wisdom, Aquaman brings control over the seas, and each member contributes uniquely to the team’s success. Similarly, AI teams need a mix of viewpoints and skills to ensure this technology benefits everyone.
We need diversity to balance commercial interests with societal benefits. We need varied expertise, from tech skills to ethical insights, financial knowledge to cultural awareness. We also need representation across genders, races, and cultures to build AI systems that serve all people, not just a few.
To women from all backgrounds, your voice is essential. Your perspective is invaluable in shaping an inclusive AI-powered future. Share your knowledge and claim your space. Your visibility and success will inspire others and challenge old ideas about who belongs in tech.
To the broader AI community, let’s actively foster diversity in our teams, boards, and AI councils. Let’s consider a wide range of perspectives, from early-in-career employees to industry veterans, across different departments and backgrounds. This isn't just about fairness; it's about creating better, more effective AI solutions.
The path to an inclusive AI landscape is long, but each step brings us closer. The stories of struggle and triumph shared by countless women in workshops, community events, AI Slack channels, on LinkedIn, and during 1:1s remind me of the importance of this work.
Let’s keep moving forward and making progress where we can. Together, we can shape AI into a force for positive change, creating opportunities for future generations.
What’s your experience in the AI field? How are you contributing to a more inclusive tech industry? Share your thoughts and experiences. Let’s learn from each other and build a future where AI reflects the diversity of humanity.
Follow Liza on LinkedIn, and follow Wednesday Women for more about women executives leading in the field of Artificial Intelligence and beyond!