by Chaitra Vedullapalli, Co-Founder & President of Women in Cloud
In my 27 years in tech, the number of times I was the only woman or person of color in the room is too many to count. The experience was daunting, not to mention isolating and, at times, reductive.
While there were subtle positive changes over the years, if you blinked you would miss them. It was when I was at Oracle doing my first consulting project at a bank, that I realized that the lack of diversity and inclusion I was experiencing was not due to a lack of talent from diverse communities, but rather a lack of access. At that moment my eyes were opened and I could see the problem clearly and more importantly, the solution.
A recent study reports that less than 3 in 10 people holding tech jobs were women with minority women making up less than 10% of the 25% of women working in tech.
Generating access for underserved and underrepresented communities is the missing link in closing the gender and diversity gap.
The solution? Taking responsibility for generating economic access into your own hands.
In 2019, I was proud to co-found Women in Cloud, a community-based organization that is dedicated to unlocking $1B in new net economic access by 2030 for women and ally tech founders, executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs.
In our effort to generate more access for women around the world, Women in Cloud has proudly partnered with Microsoft to bring 5,100 Cybersecurity Certification Scholarships to women in the US through December 2025 and the AI Innovation Challenge to earn certifications worth $6,000— for absolutely free.
If you are interested in developing your skills in AI or cybersecurity, whether you’re just getting started or have previous experience in these fields I want to personally invite you to apply. An important part of closing the gap is having women, like those in the wonderful She Owns It community, apply for and take advantage of these opportunities.
Since founding Women in Cloud, here are the 4 most impactful ways I’ve learned that we as a community can generate access for women everywhere and how you can get involved today.
- Technical Skilling & Credentials. Empowering women with the technical skills they need through certification and credentialing programs is not just an investment in individuals; it’s an investment in the entire community and workforce. By providing opportunities for women to gain recognized certifications and credentials, companies contribute to the creation of a skilled and diverse talent pool. This investment not only addresses the gender gap in traditionally male-dominated fields but also enriches the overall workforce with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. Moreover, by supporting women in acquiring these qualifications, companies foster a culture of inclusivity and equality, which can lead to higher employee satisfaction and retention rates. Ultimately, access to certification and credentials for women not only benefits the individuals themselves but also strengthens the foundation of our economy by ensuring that businesses have access to the qualified professionals to accelerate innovation and profits.
- Establish business-focused leadership coaching circles. This is a powerful strategy that actively involves company leaders in facilitating access to new job opportunities and contracts for women tech founders. These coaching circles provide a supportive environment where women can receive guidance, mentorship, and valuable insights from experienced professionals, thereby empowering them to navigate career challenges and seize emerging opportunities.
By engaging executive leaders in this process, companies can leverage their expertise, networks, and influence to create pathways for women to thrive in the tech sector. Accenture, for instance, exemplifies this approach with its initiative involving over 50 executive leaders who are dedicated to supporting women founders in preparing for enterprise opportunities. Through mentorship, coaching, and strategic guidance, these leaders help women entrepreneurs develop the skills, connections, and confidence needed to secure lucrative contracts and grow their businesses on a larger scale.
By actively involving leaders in unlocking access to opportunities for women in tech, companies not only foster diversity and inclusion but also tap into a broader talent pool and promote innovation. Moreover, by championing women founders and professionals, organizations demonstrate their commitment to driving positive change and creating a more equitable future for the tech industry as a whole.
- Becoming a Thought Leader. This is an impactful way to invest in yourself and other women within the tech industry. A great way to get started in engaging with speaking engagements and participating in judging panels. When women have and take advantage of these opportunities, companies not only amplify diverse voices and perspectives, but also position them as influential figures within their respective fields.
A notable program that exemplifies this approach and takes advantage of is the Top 100 Global Speaker Prepared Program. This initiative goes beyond simply offering speaking opportunities; it cultivates leadership skills and celebrates the achievements of women in tech. Through rigorous training, mentorship, and exposure to high-profile events, participants in this program are equipped with the tools and confidence to effectively communicate their ideas and expertise on a global stage.
- Lastly, one of the most important ways we can generate more access is by becoming visible. Women often shy away from receiving accolades and praise for their hard work and innovations because they’re focused on a goal bigger than themselves. While this is important, it’s equally important to be an inspiration to other women. This sometimes means stepping into the spotlight, especially when you deserve it. Celebrating your accomplishments creates a culture where we support each other and create more space for more women to shine. If you can see it, you can be it.
This is why Women in Cloud started the #EmpowHERAccess Awards, now in its fourth year, these awards have celebrated and recognized over 2,500 women, allies, and organizations across the globe who have made a significant impact on the technology industry. This year the awards will highlight equitable economic access, fostering a connected and inclusive community, and shaping a sustainable future of technology through policy-driven industry excellence that inspires purpose-driven leadership.
If this sounds like you or a woman or ally you know I encourage you to make a nomination before the June 30th Deadline. Shining the spotlight on deserving women and ally leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs in the tech space is important now more than ever – we have to consciously cultivate and support our next generation of Icons and Leaders.
Whether partnering with a hyper scaler to bring opportunities to underrepresented communities, applying to be the recipient of scholarships and opportunities, joining a community to champion these opportunities to others, or stepping into the spotlight to be a role model for others, generating access is one the most impactful ways to support diverse women around the world and tangibly close the diversity and gender gap in tech.
Chaitra Vedullapalli is the award-winning Co-Founder and CMO of Meylah and Co-Founder and President of Women In Cloud.
In her 26 years in tech, Chaitra has driven billion-dollar expansions for both Microsoft and Oracle, has been recognized with the Forbes 1000 Next Entrepreneur title, Microsoft Women’s Leadership Award, set a new Guinness World Record, and is listed as one of 100 Most Innovative MarTech Leaders by World Marketing Congress.
Presenting before the UN, at TedX, Grace Hopper Celebration, and Microsoft Inspire, she is a purpose-driven, strategic, high-growth thought leader who seamlessly bridges business and technology to help companies globally scale and drive digital economic development.
Her mission is to generate $1B in new net economic access for women entrepreneurs and professionals by 2030 through global partnerships with corporations, community leaders, and policymakers.
