Despite increased awareness and initiatives, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles within the STEM, tech, and finance sectors. This isn’t due to a lack of ambition or capability, but often stems from systemic barriers that begin early in their careers.
According to McKinsey & Company's 2024 Women in the Workplace report, the “broken rung” is one of the biggest obstacles holding women back across sectors. The term refers to advancement to mid-level management, where women are promoted at much lower rates than men. In 2024, for every 100 men who got that first promotion to manager level, only 81 women did. That gap means men end up outnumbering women at the manager level, which makes it harder to close the gender gap further up the ladder.
In the tech industry, the challenges are even greater. McKinsey's research shows that women in technical roles are significantly less likely than men to be promoted early in their careers. Specifically, for every 100 men promoted to manager, only 52 women in technical roles received the same advancement. This disparity contributes to a cumulative disadvantage, making it more difficult for women to move into higher leadership positions.
Professional development workshops don’t just teach, they transform. And the impact goes far beyond a single event; it sets off a ripple effect that shapes careers, teams, and organisational culture.
Leadership starts with mindset, and many women begin their careers without the reinforcement or space to see themselves as leaders. That’s where workshops come in. According to the Harvard Division of Continuing Education, well-designed women’s leadership programs lead to higher promotion rates and retention, stronger confidence, broader networks, and a deeper understanding of complex workplace dynamics. These programs help women build new skills and shift how they view their potential.
Workshops also offer something many women working in fields where they are historically underrepresented miss: community. As the American Society for Microbiology notes, mentorship, sponsorship, and peer support are “crucial for building confidence and long-term success” for women in STEM. Development programs create intentional opportunities to connect with peers, facilitators, and mentors, helping women build the trusted networks that fuel growth and resilience.
If you want to read our tips on successful networking, read our blog “Connecting for Success: The True Value of Networking”.
Upskilling in structured workshops also lead to tangible professional gains. The University of Minnesota outlines how professional development directly enhances skill sets, marketability, and access to new opportunities. For women in fast-moving fields like tech and finance, these programs serve as accelerators, helping them confidently pursue stretch roles, navigate transitions, and position themselves for leadership.
Perhaps most importantly, the benefits of structured learning and networking create ripple effects. When women grow into leadership roles, they change more than just their own trajectory. Women leaders influence how teams are built, how decisions are made, and can drive company-wide inclusion. Studies have shown that women leaders help increase productivity, enhance collaboration, inspire organisational dedication, and improve fairness.
At OLLMOO, we run in-person and online workshops focused on supporting women and underrepresented professionals at key points in their careers. Our sessions are designed to be practical, inclusive, and interactive, with space for real conversation and applicable tools.
We cover topics like:
Event formats range from short, high-impact online sessions to immersive in-person workshops, with options for personalised mentoring.
👉 Learn more about what we do at ollmoo.com/events
❓ Curious to see what our workshops are like?
Join us on Wednesday, 16th July, for the “Women Leaders: Find Your Professional Competitive Advantage” online workshop. The session is designed to help you identify what sets you apart, amplify your strengths, and leverage your competitive advantage to advance your career. Click here to read more.
💛 If you’re part of an ERG, work in HR, or want to explore ways to support women’s career development, we’d love to connect. Feel free to share this blog with your team or get in touch.
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