Top 10 Women IT Leaders Who Redefined Innovation and Digital Transformation in 2025

Digital transformation is reshaping every industry, but the leadership driving this change still reflects a stark imbalance. In 2024, women held just 11% of executive roles in technology, and only 15% of C-suite positions across NASDAQ-100 tech companies over the past three years. As generative AI, cloud modernization, and data-led decision-making redefine enterprise strategy, the under-representation of women in technology leadership, particularly in AI, remains a critical challenge the industry can no longer ignore.

Yet, change is being led by a powerful cohort of women who are redefining innovation, governance, and digital-first thinking. From steering global platforms to scaling responsible AI and reimagining customer-centric technologies, these leaders are not only navigating complexity, but they are also shaping the future of IT.

In this blog, we spotlight the Top 10 Women IT Leaders who Redefined Innovation and Digital Transformation, trailblazers whose vision, resilience, and impact are setting new benchmarks for leadership in the digital era.

Leading Women Who Shaped the Future of Technology

Exploring Profiles of Top 10 Women IT Sector

1.  Angelica Veness, CTO at IBM

Angelica Veness is the Chief Technology Officer for IBM Australia and New Zealand, where she leads the execution of a cohesive technology strategy aligned with evolving business priorities and customer needs across the ANZ region. With over two decades of experience spanning AI, data analytics, automation, and enterprise technology delivery, she plays a pivotal role in guiding clients through complex digital transformation journeys. Beyond technology leadership, Angelica is a proud sponsor of Women@IBM, championing greater gender diversity and inclusion across all levels of the technology ecosystem.

2. Kavitha Kadambi, CISO at Infosys

Kavitha Kadambi is the Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Infosys, a global leader in next-generation IT services and consulting. She oversees the enterprise-wide information security strategy, driving thought leadership, resilience, and robust security posture across Infosys and its clients. With over 25 years of technology leadership spanning India, North America, Europe, and emerging markets, Kavitha is a seasoned cyber specialist with deep expertise in enterprise transformation, digital services, and secure technology adoption. As a recognized industry leader, she is committed to fostering inclusive technology environments and advocating for women in tech and cybersecurity.

3. Dina McKinney, VP of Engineering of NVIDIA

Dina McKinney is the Vice President of Engineering at NVIDIA, where she leads global engineering teams driving innovation in AI, accelerated computing, and high-performance platforms. She has played a key role in scaling mission-critical technologies that support NVIDIA’s leadership in GPU and data-center solutions. Recognized for her operational excellence and engineering leadership, Dina is known for building high-performing teams and advancing inclusive leadership in technology.

4.  Amanda Blevins, VP, CTO at BMC Software

Amanda Blevins is the Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at BMC Software, a global leader in enterprise automation and IT service management. She leads the company’s technology strategy, driving platform innovation, large-scale modernization, and the evolution of solutions that power hybrid and multi-cloud enterprises. With deep expertise in infrastructure, automation, and digital operations, Amanda has been instrumental in advancing BMC’s vision of the Autonomous Digital Enterprise. Recognized as a respected voice in enterprise IT and engineering leadership, she is known for delivering resilient, customer-centric technologies that improve operational efficiency at scale.

5. Lisa Su, CEO of AMD

Lisa Su is the President and Chief Executive Officer of AMD, a global leader in high-performance computing, graphics, and semiconductor technologies. Under her leadership, AMD has achieved groundbreaking innovations in CPUs and GPUs, driving industry-leading performance for data centers, gaming, and AI workloads. Lisa is widely recognized for her strategic vision, operational excellence, and ability to turn technical innovation into market success, earning her numerous accolades, including being named one of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women and Barron’s World’s Best CEOs. She is celebrated not only for transforming AMD into a technology powerhouse but also for inspiring a new generation of leaders in STEM and technology.

 6. Liat Shmuel VP of IT at JFrog

Liat Shmuel is the Vice President of IT at JFrog, where she leads the company’s global IT strategy and operational technology functions. With experience spanning infrastructure, cloud, security, and business operations, she has held leadership roles at technology companies including Tufin, Amdocs, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Her expertise lies in managing complex IT environments and aligning technology initiatives with business objectives.At JFrog, Liat drives infrastructure modernization, secure IT operations, and cross-functional technology governance, supporting the company’s DevOps and software delivery platforms used by enterprises worldwide.

7. Bhawna Singh, CTO of Okta

Bhawna Singh is the Chief Technology Officer of Engineering for the Okta Customer Identity Cloud at Okta, where she leads technology strategy and innovation for one of the world’s most trusted identity and access management platforms. With over 20 years of technology leadership experience, she has successfully built and scaled global engineering teams, led major tech transformations, and driven systems growth from zero to over 100 million monthly users across multi‑cloud environments.

8. Ailsa Wallace, VP of IT Business Operations of Sophos

Ailsa Wallace is the Vice President of IT Business Operations at Sophos, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions protecting organizations worldwide. With extensive experience in IT applications operations and project leadership, Ailsa drives critical operational excellence and business alignment across Sophos’ IT functions, ensuring scalable and efficient support for the company’s security platforms. Her career spans strategic roles in project management and IT services, demonstrating an ability to bridge complex technology and business imperatives.

9. Nasrin Rezai, SVP, Chief Information Security Officer at Verizon

Nasrin Rezai is the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Verizon, where she leads the company’s global cybersecurity and risk strategy. Recognized as one of the Top 10 Women in Cybersecurity, she brings deep expertise in information security, risk management, and digital resilience. Nasrin’s is responsible for safeguarding Verizon’s critical infrastructure, customer data, and enterprise systems against evolving threats. Her leadership spans security architecture, proactive risk mitigation, and cross-enterprise security governance, ensuring strong protection across network, cloud, and data environments while enabling secure digital transformation.

10. Kristi Cunningham, US CTO, Kyndryl

Kristi Cunningham is the U.S. Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Kyndryl, the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider. In this strategic role, she leads technology vision and execution across complex enterprise environments, helping organizations modernize digital infrastructure, adopt hybrid multicloud models, and accelerate secure, data‑driven transformation. With extensive experience in IT services, cloud, and digital strategy, Kristi is known for aligning business outcomes with innovative technology solutions that drive measurable value.

Leadership Insights: Wondering where IT is heading? Kristi Cunningham Shares Her View

Kristi Cunningham US Chief Technology Officer Kyndryl

“It’s an exciting time to be in IT.  Technology is advancing quickly, and staying ahead requires agility and a readiness to adapt to ongoing changes.  Recent advances in Artificial Intelligence are transforming the way businesses operate and shaping consumer experiences.  For instance, AI-powered chatbots are being implemented by retailers to enhance customer service and streamline interactions.  Collaboration between IT and business teams is fueling innovations such as automated workflows and data-driven decision-making. These advancements are delivering measurable results and pushing organizations forward. To navigate the ever-changing technology landscape, organizations need leaders who can help business executives understand what is possible and stay ahead of the competition. As technology continues to evolve, it falls to IT leaders to foster a culture of innovation and guide their organizations toward success in the digital age.”

Conclusion

The journeys and accomplishments of these ten remarkable women IT leaders highlight how determination, vision, and expertise can redefine the tech landscape. Their leadership demonstrates that innovation thrives when diversity and inclusivity are embraced, and that strategic thinking paired with empowerment can drive meaningful change. Beyond their corporate achievements, these leaders are trailblazers in AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and digital transformation, setting a benchmark for strategic innovation and operational excellence. They inspire the next generation of technologists to embrace emerging technologies, pursue leadership roles, and drive inclusive, high-impact change in the IT industry. While their accomplishments showcase what is possible, the journey toward greater gender equity in tech continues, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, advocacy, and creating opportunities for diverse talent.

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