Ireland’s ambitions to strengthen female leadership across its technology sector have taken a leap forward with the launch of NOVA – Women in Tech Leadership Programme, designed specifically for the top tier of emerging female tech leaders.
Created by Technology Ireland Digital Skillnet in partnership with Connecting Women in Tech (CWIT), NOVA will focus on combining human-centred leadership with the advanced strategic technology and AI-enabled capabilities expected of senior tech leaders in the years ahead.
For the Technology Ireland Digital Skillnet, the NOVA programme builds on a decade of impact on women in the technology sector, through its multi award winning women tech returner programmes, bringing over 900 women back to the tech sector, and impacting on gender balance across the sector.
The initiative will see over 20 professionals from 25 CWIT member companies advance their leadership journey when the first cohort commences in January.
Máire Hunt, Director of Technology Ireland Digital Skillnet, said:
“As a sector we must continually find new ways to attract, retain and promote women. Particularly in the age of AI, women can be disproportionately affected.
The NOVA programme is a high-performance accelerator specifically designed for women leaders who can shape the future of technology in an AI driven world. It equips participants not just to take a seat at the table, but to shape it.”
Women are often underrepresented in tech and AI leadership roles, which can influence how AI systems are developed and implemented. If AI systems are developed without diverse perspectives, they may perpetuate biases that disproportionately affect women.
Una Fitzpatrick Director of Technology Ireland, said:
“Women in Technology already excel in their technical domain. However, they are under-represented at more senior management positions. Companies across the sector are looking for a sector driven, development pathway that prepares female leaders to make an impact in an AI driven world.”
Technology Ireland Digital Skillnet partnered with CWIT for the pilot NOVA programme, which was formally launched on Friday last.
Maire Hunt added: “CWIT exists to help women thrive in the tech industry, so they were a natural partner for the first NOVA programme.”
The inaugural intake in January includes 25 female leaders across domains such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, fintech, AI services, semiconductors, and enterprise technology. Companies such as Ergo, ADM, HPE, Workday, Kerry Group, ESB, Mastercard, Salesforce, BT, Accenture and Microsoft are represented.
Commenting, Sabrina Staunton of Mastercard and CWIT, said:
“CWIT exists due to the power of the network to attract, retain and promote females to thrive in the technology space in Ireland. We are excited to launch the first-of-its-kind development program to address the challenge of female talent retention across the Irish technology industry, through the power of partnerships built on our collective power to empower.”
NOVA includes modules on strategic thinking, future technologies, emotional intelligence, AI‑enabled decision making, high‑impact communication and personal leadership identity. Combining live workshops, one on one coaching and a leadership impact project, the NOVA programme blends in‑person and virtual sessions, one on one coaching and practical insights.
Held over a six-month period it is designed to build skills progressively and embed new leadership habits.
Individual companies can also deliver the programme in-house for groups of female leaders. Version 1 is one example where the programme is contextualized for a fast-growing AI driven organisation.
Ireland’s technology sector employs more than 170,000 people across global multinationals, high-growth Irish companies and a vibrant start-up ecosystem. As businesses continue to adapt to AI-driven transformation, programmes such as NOVA that develop strategic awareness, adaptability and leadership presence will be in demand.