From your perspective as a Women in Tech community leader, what role will women play in shaping the future of the global tech-driven business landscape?

For me, this is not just a prediction — I see it every day through my roles at Adsterra, Women in Tech Cyprus, and Integrated Professional Growth. Women are already shaping the future of tech, often in ways that are less visible but deeply transformative. The future of business won’t be defined only by how fast we innovate, but by how responsibly we do it. Women bring empathy, resilience, and community-building — qualities I also see in the leaders I train through IPG. These are not just soft skills, they are power skills, strategic drivers. And they’re exactly what we need to make sure technology serves humanity and not just profit.

How can companies of the future balance rapid business growth with employee well-being and inclusivity as core drivers of success?

I’ve spent over 15 years in high-pressure industries and have seen firsthand the cost of growth without balance: stress, disengagement, and talent loss. That’s part of why I co-founded Integrated Professional Growth — to help organizations embed wellbeing into their culture as a growth strategy, not a perk. At Adsterra, we see that when employees feel supported, innovation and revenue follow. Companies of the future must normalize recovery cycles, inclusive leadership, and cultures where psychological safety is a baseline. A business that takes care of its people will always outperform one that runs on burnout.

What systemic changes do you believe are needed to ensure more women step into leadership roles in technology and business?

When I was named in Forbes 20 Women in Tech Cyprus 2023, it mattered to me because I don’t come from a traditional “tech” background. My path was through leadership, marketing, and community building — and still, I became recognized in this field. That’s the message I want other women to hear: you don’t have to be a developer or an engineer to have an impact in technology and business. There is space for your skills, your talents, and your perspective. We need more women stepping into leadership in tech, and that includes those who never thought they “belonged” in the industry.

That visibility matters. But beyond inspiration, we need systems that open the path. Early STEM programs for girls, investors who intentionally fund women-led startups, and boards that are held accountable for gender balance. At Integrated Professional Growth, we see how leadership training designed with women in mind can unlock confidence and resilience in environments where they’re still underrepresented. It’s not about “fixing women” — it’s about fixing the system.

As AI and digital transformation accelerate, what skills should the next generation of women in business focus on developing to stay ahead?

AI fluency will be non-negotiable, but it won’t be enough. The real differentiator will be human skills: emotional intelligence, growth mindset, communication, strategic vision, adaptability. In my own career — moving from international events to leading marketing at a global tech company — what made the difference wasn’t just technical knowledge, but the ability to connect, to inspire, to accept challenges and grow in many ways, and to keep balance under pressure. That’s also what we teach at Integrated Professional Growth: how to combine resilience and conscious leadership with digital skills. The women who thrive will be those who can bridge technology with humanity. 

Looking ahead 10 years, what is your vision for Women in Tech Cyprus and its role in shaping the future of business in the region?

When we started Women in Tech Cyprus with Tanya Romanyukha, now General Manager of TechIsland, we wanted it to be more than a networking club. In 10 years, I envision it as one of the driving forces for the island’s economy and reputation — a regional hub where women-founded startups scale internationally, where women sit confidently on boards and in policymaking roles, and where young girls grow up seeing this as the norm, not the exception. My vision is that Cyprus will stand out as an example of how empowering women in technology and business creates ripple effects across innovation, investment, and society as a whole. 

Women in Tech Cyprus is proud to contribute to the Erasmus+ project “Fit for the Future,” in partnership with Eurosuccess Consulting. Our participation in the Good Practices Collection highlights the work we do in Cyprus to challenge gender bias and empower women in technology and business. We are honored that our actions are seen as a valuable example — and this is only the beginning. There is so much more to come!

What advice would you give to leaders balancing high-performance growth with personal wellbeing?

I’d say: stop thinking of growth and wellbeing as two opposite sides you have to trade off. In my own journey, I learned the hard way that if you sacrifice balance for performance, eventually both collapse. True high performance is sustainable only when you build in recovery — the same way athletes train for championships with rest cycles, not constant sprinting.

As leaders, we also have to model this. It means leaving on time, showing our teams that family, health, and rest matter, and creating cultures where people don’t burn out to prove their loyalty. My best advice: treat your energy like your most valuable business resource — because it is.

What have you learned through Integrated Professional Growth about how leadership training can prepare businesses for the future?

Through Integrated Professional Growth, I’ve seen that the future of business isn’t just about strategy or technology — it’s about people who can adapt, stay resilient, and lead with clarity under pressure. The companies that invest in conscious leadership training now are the ones that will thrive later.

What I’ve learned is that leaders don’t only need technical or business expertise; they need self-regulation, emotional intelligence, and the ability to create environments where teams feel safe to innovate. When leaders practice these skills, growth becomes more sustainable and organizations become more future-ready.

Author: Gala Grigoreva

Welcome — I’m Gala Grigoreva, a mindful CMO, corporate well-being trainer, and energy yoga coach passionate about helping people and organizations grow with purpose and...