The future of IT services is being built by leaders who foster growth, drive impact, and challenge the status quo. These women aren’t waiting for change—they’re leading it.
That was the focus of Zennify and Tercera’s International Women’s Day panel, where women from across the Tercera portfolio shared their experiences in high-growth services firms. The conversation wasn’t about barriers. It was about influence, adaptability, and the choices that shape careers in an industry that remains male-dominated at the top.
Authentic leadership: The key to influence
For many professionals, especially women, there’s pressure to fit a certain mold. But the strongest leaders aren’t the ones who conform. They’re the ones who embrace their strengths, set boundaries, and create space for others to do the same.
Margaret Irons, CMO at BeyondID, shared how defining those boundaries early shaped her leadership style. “When I joined, I told my CEO, ‘I go dark every day from 6 to 9 PM for dinner, bath, and bedtime.’ It was a clear understanding from the start, and he was incredibly supportive of that.” Setting that expectation didn’t just help her be a better leader. It signaled to her team that results, not long hours, define success.
At Valiantys, Chief People Officer Holly Mitchell pointed to one small change that’s had an outsized impact: a simple line added to internal emails. “We started including a note that says, ‘You’re receiving this email at a time that works for me, but I don’t expect a response outside your working hours.’ It’s simple, but I’ve had candidates tell me it really stood out. It signals that we’re serious about flexibility and respect for personal time.”
Culture isn’t shaped by broad declarations; it’s built through the daily experiences of employees. Leaders who create an environment where employees feel supported, rather than pressured to always be “on,” build stronger teams in the long run.