Despite growing awareness of the value of diverse leadership, women remain significantly underrepresented in senior roles across Canada’s digital economy. This leadership gap not only reflects persistent gender inequities—it also represents a missed economic opportunity.
A new report from the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) explores the systemic and institutional challenges preventing women from advancing into leadership positions in high-growth sectors such as cleantech, health tech, biotech, agtech, and advanced manufacturing. Grounded in interviews with women leaders and supported by secondary research, this report offers evidence-based strategies to support women’s advancement in the digital economy.
Key findings include:
- Women remain underrepresented in leadership roles across Canada’s digital economy. While many women enter the sector with strong qualifications, systemic factors continue to limit their progression into senior positions.
- Workplace culture and bias are key barriers to advancement for women. Hiring and promotion practices, motherhood bias, and a lack of mentorship and sponsorship opportunities all contribute to stalled career growth for women in tech.
- Targeted, organization-wide strategies are needed to drive change. Improving leadership diversity requires visible role models in leadership positions, support for caregivers, and integrated programs that foster inclusive, bias-aware workplace cultures.
ICTC’s latest report, Closing the Gap: Overcoming Barriers to Leadership for Women in Canada’s Digital Economy, provides actionable insights for employers, HR teams, and industry stakeholders looking to drive meaningful change. As the digital economy continues to evolve, removing systemic barriers and creating pathways to leadership is critical for equity and economic growth alike.
Read the Full Report
Closing the Gap: Overcoming Barriers to Leadership for Women in Canada’s Digital Economy
This project is funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada.
About ICTC
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) is a neutral, not-for-profit national centre of expertise with the mission of strengthening Canada's digital advantage in the global economy. For over 30 years, ICTC has delivered forward-looking research, practical policy advice, and capacity-building solutions for individuals and businesses. The organization’s goal is to ensure that technology is utilized to drive economic growth and innovation, and that Canada's workforce remains competitive on a global scale. Visit www.ictc-ctic.ca.
