When people speak of women transforming the future of technology, the name Jeevantika Lingalwar often shines through. Founder of International Women in Tech and a global leader based in Dublin, her story is one of resilience, purpose, and empowerment—yet remarkably unplanned.
Growing up in a small town in India, Jeevantika’s childhood dreams stretched across worlds. She once imagined becoming a singer, an astronaut, or a writer. Technology was not part of her plan. “It was peer influence that nudged me into engineering,” she recalls. Yet the first time she wrote code and saw it come alive, something clicked. What began as curiosity soon became a passion, as she discovered technology’s unique power to connect people and solve real problems.
From Small-Town Dreams to Big Tech Leadership
Jeevantika’s journey into the tech world was fueled less by a roadmap than by a series of defining moments. After completing her engineering degree, she ventured into roles that challenged her to think critically and lead boldly. Her leap into Big Tech marked a turning point.
At just 25 years old, she became a Chief Technology Officer (CTO)—a milestone that accelerated her career and deepened her commitment to inclusive leadership. “It wasn’t just about strategy and systems,” she says. “It was about culture, about making sure people felt seen, heard, and empowered.”
Working with diverse teams and building scalable solutions gave her not only technical expertise but also a human-centered perspective. It was during these years that Jeevantika realized leadership in tech was not just about innovation—it was about empathy, authenticity, and responsibility.
Influences That Shaped a Leader
Every leader has anchors, and for Jeevantika, those influences came from both home and work. Her mother remains her greatest role model. “She embodied quiet strength, grace, and perseverance,” she reflects. “Watching her taught me that true leadership begins at home—with kindness, humility, and courage.”
Professionally, a key figure was John Shaw, her first CIO and mentor in Ireland. “He saw potential in me before I saw it in myself,” she says. That belief pushed her to take risks and lead with confidence. His mentorship, combined with her mother’s values, shaped Jeevantika’s ethos of empathy, inclusion, and empowerment—principles she carries into every initiative today.
Founding International Women in Tech
While excelling in Big Tech, Jeevantika noticed something deeply unsettling: the underrepresentation of women in the technology sector. It wasn’t only about numbers—it was about visibility, opportunity, and leadership. This realization planted the seed for what would become her life’s mission.
In 2019, she founded International Women in Tech (IWiT), with a vision to create a global community where women could connect, learn, and lead. What began as a small initiative quickly grew into a movement. Today, IWiT connects over 7800+ women across continents, offering mentorship, leadership summits, and global networking opportunities.
One of its most impactful initiatives, Coffee Chat with Jeevantika, has facilitated more than 300 one-on-one mentorship conversations with aspiring professionals worldwide. Each chat has become a step toward clarity, empowerment, and confidence.
Turning Challenges into Catalysts
Building a global movement was never easy. As a young woman championing inclusion in tech, Jeevantika faced skepticism, bias, and the constant need to prove legitimacy. “Credibility and visibility were my biggest hurdles,” she admits. “I had to validate not just my work, but also the movement itself.”
Resource constraints were another test in the beginning. Without a big budget or team, she wore many hats—strategist, mentor, marketer, and founder. Yet the power of storytelling, passionate volunteers, and a shared belief in equity kept the initiative alive.
Global expansion also brought cultural complexities. What resonated in one region didn’t always fit another. The solution? Decentralized leadership. By creating regional chapters and empowering local leaders, IWiT maintained global unity while honoring cultural diversity.
But perhaps the hardest challenge was personal—balancing the emotional toll of advocacy with resilience. “There were moments of burnout and doubt,” she shares. Her strategy was to lean on mentors, practice mindfulness, and draw strength from the very women she served. Their breakthroughs became her fuel.
What Makes International Women in Tech Stand Apart
In a crowded landscape of diversity initiatives, IWiT has carved a unique identity. It is not just a platform, but a purpose-driven movement.
Its flagship Coffee Chat initiative offers intimate mentorship unlike traditional programs. Its regional chapters allow localized responses to cultural needs while maintaining global coherence. Its podcast, The Unplanned Journey – Thriving Amidst the Unpredictable, amplifies the voices of changemakers, innovators, and everyday heroes.
IWiT also stands out for its tech-enabled accessibility. Programs are free, inclusive, and designed to reach women even in remote regions—removing financial barriers to opportunity. From mentorship programs to leadership summits, career workshops, and corporate partnerships, the movement bridges personal growth with systemic change.
“What sets us apart is our forward-looking, values-driven approach. We anticipate trends, adapt continuously, and root every initiative in empathy, equity, and empowerment. Beyond building programs, we build people—driving transformation, not just opportunities. This living commitment is what makes us powerful and keeps us moving forward. International Women in Tech continues to evolve as a global catalyst where women are not only included but celebrated and elevated,” says Jeevantika.
Innovation as a Culture and Catalyst
For Jeevantika, innovation is not just a buzzword—it’s the heartbeat of IWiT. “Innovation means anticipating needs, challenging norms, and reimagining possibilities. Operationalizing innovation starts with our community-first approach. By treating members as co-creators through feedback loops, design sprints, and agile practices, we ensure innovation is continuous, empathetic, and scalable,” she says.
A powerful example is the Global Talent Exchange Platform, designed to connect skilled women in tech with inclusive employers. Unlike traditional job boards, it integrates mentorship, career coaching, and employer engagement, powered by smart matching algorithms. It also allows companies to showcase their culture, values, and DEI commitments. Within its first quarter, it boosted job placements by 40%, matched over 100 mentorship pairs, and attracted forward-thinking corporate partners—creating both impact and revenue while keeping access free for women.
This initiative exemplifies IWiT’s philosophy: innovation rooted in empathy and impact. It’s not about technology alone—it’s about transforming opportunities and cultures.
Leadership Philosophy: Empowerment
If one word defines Jeevantika’s leadership, it is empowerment. “Leadership is not about giving others a voice—it’s about reminding them they’ve had one all along,” she says.
For her, empowerment means creating environments where people feel safe to innovate, lead, and be bold. It’s about lifting others as she rises—whether through mentorship, advocating for inclusive policies, or amplifying unheard voices.
“Leadership is not a title; it’s a responsibility,” she emphasizes. “True leaders don’t just lead from the front; they walk beside others as they carve their own paths.”
Recognition and Milestones
Along the way, Jeevantika has been honored with awards such as Role Model of the Year, Rising Star of the Year, and recognition as a Top Voice of the New Era of Leaders. These accolades serve as humbling reminders of the value of staying true to purpose. A defining milestone was her TEDx talk, “Unveiling the Unplanned Journey of a Woman in Tech,” where she shared a deeply personal reflection on navigating unpredictability and thriving amidst uncertainty.
The Power of Stories and Conversations
Beyond global stages, Jeevantika extends her voice through her podcast, “The Unplanned Journey – Thriving Amidst the Unpredictable.” With over 20 episodes featuring candid conversations with changemakers, innovators, and everyday heroes, the podcast amplifies stories of resilience and growth. For her, these dialogues are more than interviews—they deepen her understanding of the human side of tech and reaffirm her belief that leadership is about empathy, presence, and amplifying the voices of others.
Finding Balance Through Mindful Leadership
Balancing leadership and well-being is a constant practice. For Jeevantika, the key lies in conscious alignment rather than perfect equilibrium.
Mindfulness practices like meditation, journaling, and walks keep her grounded. Physical movement—yoga, dance, or workouts—fuels her focus. She sets digital boundaries, leans on mentors and peers for perspective, and finds strength in purpose.
“In a few words, my anchors are: Mindfulness. Movement. Boundaries. Connection. Purpose,” she says. These practices allow her to show up fully, lead authentically, and sustain resilience in a demanding field.
Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter of IWiT
The road ahead is marked by bold ambition. Over the next two years, Jeevantika envisions IWiT evolving into a globally recognized force for inclusive innovation and leadership.
Strategic Evolution
- Global Expansion: New regional chapters in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
- Partnership Ecosystem: Stronger collaborations with corporations, universities, and policymakers.
- Innovation in Learning: AI-powered personalization and multilingual content in its Digital Learning Hub.
- Thought Leadership: Positioning IWiT as a go-to source for research and insights on inclusive tech leadership.
Operational Evolution
- Invest in Technology: Build scalable digital infrastructure to support community engagement, mentorship, and learning at scale.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Implement robust analytics to measure impact, track progress, and inform strategy.
- Team Growth and Development: Expand the core team with a focus on regional leadership, program management, and tech innovation; also invest in internal learning and wellness.
- Sustainable Funding Models: Diversify revenue streams through strategic partnerships, grants, and social enterprise models while keeping core offerings free and accessible.
Jeevantika’s Personal Aspirations and Corporate Vision
My personal aspirations are deeply intertwined with our corporate vision. I aspire to:
- Be a catalyst for change—not just in tech, but in how leadership is defined and practiced.
- Create platforms that elevate unheard voices, especially women from marginalized communities.
- Lead with authenticity and empathy, modeling a leadership style that is inclusive, resilient, and purpose-driven.
I see International Women in Tech not just as an organization, but as a movement. A space where innovation meets inclusion, and where every woman in tech feels seen, supported, and unstoppable. My personal journey fuels this vision, and every milestone we reach is a reflection of that shared purpose.
In two years, I envision a thriving global ecosystem—powered by community, driven by impact, and led by values. And I’m committed to walking every step of that journey with intention, courage, and heart.
A Journey Still Unfolding
Today, Jeevantika Lingalwar stands as a symbol of what happens when curiosity meets purpose. From small-town India to global tech stages, her path has been anything but linear. Yet it is precisely its unpredictability that makes it powerful.
Her story reminds us that leadership is not about perfection—it’s about resilience, authenticity, and impact. Through International Women in Tech, she is building a world where women are not only included but celebrated, elevated, and unstoppable.
As she often says: “Empowered individuals create empowered communities—and that’s where real transformation begins.”
And for Jeevantika, this journey of empowerment is only just beginning.
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