When women come together to talk about technology, the conversation often goes far deeper than innovation. It touches on belonging, leadership, and resilience.
That’s why the Women Advancing Technology (WAT) community has become so special to me as it’s a space where women can learn from one another, share honest experiences, and grow both personally and professionally.
For me, being part of this community, as well as representing Kenway Consulting within it, has been a full-circle moment. After nearly two decades in both consulting and industry, I’ve seen firsthand that advancing women in technology isn’t just about opportunity; it’s about belonging.
When the culture supports authenticity, women don’t just stay in technology; they lead it forward.
Help and Be Helped: A Culture That Enables Women to Lead
The phrase ‘Help and Be Helped’ was coined years ago by Kenway’s founders as part of defining our purpose. It’s not a slogan; it’s a system of behavior that has real implications for how women experience leadership in technology. It’s our why.
In a field often defined by performance metrics and perfectionism, the idea that help is given without hesitation and received without judgment is radical. I’ve had moments this year where I reached out in vulnerability, sometimes even in tears, and was met not with pity, but with empathy. Leaders shared their own stories, reminded me that everyone struggles, and offered a hand without making me feel small.
That’s the kind of culture that keeps women in the room. It’s one that embraces the whole person, where asking for help is seen as strength, not weakness. And when you combine that level of emotional intelligence (EQ) with the technical expertise (IQ) that drives our consulting work, you get something powerful — organizations that truly “get it” when it comes to women in technology leadership.
“Our clients trust us not only for what we know, but for how we make them feel understood. That blend of EQ and IQ is where the real magic happens.”
— Amy Wilkins, Chief Operating Officer, Kenway Consulting
Partnerships That Multiply Impact
The Women Advancing Technology initiative itself was born out of a partnership between Kenway and PSM Partners — two organizations deeply aligned in both purpose and culture. Through conversations about creating a space where women could come together not just to network, but to learn, share, and grow authentically, WAT was founded.
I saw WAT as an opportunity to help build the same type of safe growth space that has defined my own experience, which is where women lift each other up, share the unfiltered realities of career and life, and build confidence together.
Some of the most meaningful relationships of my career have come from my “working women” circles, where we have helped each other through presenting content, job transitions, family logistics (yes, even syncing calendars so our partners stop asking about after-school schedules), and swapping favorite new restaurants in the West Loop.
At its core, WAT embodies the same philosophy that sustains women in technology everywhere: we rise by lifting others.
Why Women in Tech Leadership Matters
Across the tech industry, imposter syndrome remains pervasive — especially for women navigating environments where confidence and humility must coexist. That’s why communities like WAT, and cultures that prioritize EQ as much as IQ, are so essential.
When women lead authentically, teams perform better. Research shows that organizations with greater gender diversity outperform peers by up to 25% in profitability. But beyond the numbers, the impact is cultural — diverse leadership teams make smarter, more empathetic, and more human decisions.
At Kenway, we’ve seen this play out through tangible outcomes:
These aren’t coincidences. They’re the business outcomes of a people-first operating model that recognizes that technical brilliance alone doesn’t drive transformation; human connection, belonging, and focusing on the means do.
“At Kenway, leadership isn’t about hierarchy. It’s about humanity. The more we lead with empathy, the more effective we become — as consultants and as people.”
— Rhythm Goyal, Senior Consultant, Kenway Consulting
Looking Ahead: The Journey of Hard Things
Leadership — especially in technology — is hard. But as I’ve learned, it’s the ride that matters.
In consulting, as in life, the results are sweeter when they’re shared. We celebrate progress over outcomes. We value humility while expecting greatness. We cheer each other on through the tough miles, and we laugh (a lot) along the way.
As Kenway continues to grow, and as Women Advancing Technology continues to expand its reach, my hope is that more women — whether in consulting, engineering, product, or data — find spaces where they can lead with confidence, connection, and purpose.
Because when women support women — and when companies intentionally build cultures that make that possible — belonging becomes everyone’s competitive advantage.
Join Us
We’re looking for passionate women in technology leadership who want to grow, connect, and lead alongside others who believe in the power of empathy, intelligence, and authentic collaboration.
If this sounds like you, we’d love for you to be part of the Women Advancing Technology community. To learn more about membership and upcoming opportunities to get involved, please visit the Women Advancing Technology LinkedIn page.
Let’s keep helping and being helped.