Making Your Own Lane: Redefining Their Place in Tech

A powerhouse female panel, including Aly Merritt, Hilton Thompson, Li-Ming, and Breyuna Irby, discussing "Making Your Own Lane: Redefining Their Place in Tech."

🔑 Key Takeaways from the Women in Tech Panel – Atlanta Tech Week 2025

1. Make It Easy to Help You.

A standout tactical insight was the power of the forwardable ask. Sending a clearly written, easy-to-forward email when requesting introductions or support. Make it simple for others to advocate for you by controlling your narrative and clarifying your needs.

2. Advocate for Others and Yourself.

Panelists discussed the false binary of lifting others vs. lifting yourself. Instead, it's about rising tides. When we advocate for other women, we inherently create space for our own growth, too. Leadership is not a solo journey; it’s about bringing others along intentionally.

3. Create Systemic Change Through Small Acts.

Progress doesn’t always require big gestures. Offering visibility, sharing opportunities, and opening doors for others, especially when you've been given a platform, can have ripple effects. “Deposit wherever you go.”

4. Not All Allies Wear Capes—Some Wear Armor.

The panel addressed the reality that not all women support other women, and why. Often, protective behaviors come from past environments where being "the only" meant survival. Still, the advice was clear: find your tribe, seek aligned values, and don’t stay where you're unsupported.

5. Grow Into Leadership by Backing into It.

Think about the role you want 18 months from now, and identify the competencies and experiences needed to get there. Leadership isn’t just a title; it’s built through varied experiences, resilience, and intentional self-advocacy.

6. Start Where You Are—With What You Have.

For founders, team leaders, or aspiring entrepreneurs, the advice was simple: don’t wait for perfect systems. Use what you have, adapt as you grow, and don’t get stuck in sunk-cost thinking. Perfection isn’t the goal, progress is.

7. Build Your Board of Directors.

Surround yourself with a personal advisory board: people who will challenge, support, and give honest feedback. Not just cheerleaders, but trusted advisors who help you grow through tough decisions and complex career moves.

8. Ask More. Ask Better. Ask Boldly.

Whether it's for a coffee chat, a promotion, or advice, don’t hesitate to ask. You’d be surprised how many people want to help; you just have to open the door.

A room full of women pioneers at the "Women in Tech" Panel at Atlanta Tech Week.

💬 My Closing Reflection

I never walk away from these conversations the same. Hearing from women who are not only succeeding in their disciplines but actively paving the way for others is deeply inspiring. These rooms where honesty meets empowerment, where tactical advice is matched by emotional intelligence, are where real change happens. It's a reminder that as we rise, we must keep extending the ladder behind us. I’m grateful to be in community with these pioneers, and even more committed to building, advocating, and showing up for others in the same way.