Introduction
The Project Management Institute’s (PMI) March 2023 article, The State of Women in Project Management sheds light on the persistent gender disparities in project management. It revealed that male project managers still significantly outnumber their female counterparts globally and across sectors. Women also face challenges such as earning less than men and being less likely to hold project management certifications or degrees. However, the report highlighted encouraging signs of progress, with women achieving near parity in leadership roles.
In alignment with these insights, PMI UK Chapter’s Women in Projects Network serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for advancing gender equity. This initiative is designed to connect women in project management, providing them with a platform to exchange ideas, gain support, and develop their careers. It also fosters mentorship, enabling experienced professionals to guide the next generation of female leaders.
As part of this initiative, PMI UK Chapter has facilitated a range of events and discussions aimed at promoting inclusivity and tackling the barriers women face in project management. Lavinia Descultu, a PMI UK volunteer and lead for the Women in Tech workstream, brought the insights and mission of PMI’s Women in Projects Network to the forefront as a guest panellist at the recent Embracing Data to Lead and Suceed Project:womxn launch event.
The Vision Behind Project:womxn
Project:womxn aims to celebrate women’s contributions while addressing barriers to career advancement. The event’s agenda showcased female leadership, shared experiences and emphasized equipping the next generation with the tools to succeed.
Christoph Kuhle, Operations Director at Projecting Success, opened the event with a warm welcome. He introduced the Project Data Analytics Community (PDA) and The Project Data Task Force chaired by James Garner – two collectives advancing innovation in data analysis, technology and project delivery. PDA Community regularly hosts events to connect professionals and promote knowledge sharing across industries. The inaugural Project:womxn session aligned perfectly with the PMI’s Women in Projects Network mission to empower individuals through collaboration and cutting-edge insights, marking a pivotal moment for inclusivity in tech and data sectors.
Key Takeaways from the Panel Discussions
The panel discussions, introduced by Erin Hewitt, Marketing and Event Executive at Projecting Success, focused on lived experiences. The panellists, Nermeen Latif, Technical Director at WSP, Zoe Bello, Data Analyst Tutor at Projecting Success, and Lavinia Descultu, PMI UK volunteer, shared how they tackled biases, harnessed opportunities, and leveraged data to drive transformative project outcomes. Their insights illuminated actionable strategies for overcoming systemic challenges.
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- The Power of Data to Shape Perceptions and Decisions
Panellists discussed how data has become a critical tool for validating project success and exposing entrenched biases. One shared case study highlighted how data disproved false claims about project performance, showcasing the importance of trusting data-driven insights over assumptions. - Curiosity as a Career Superpower
Young professionals were encouraged to stay curious. Asking the right questions and digging into underlying issues were highlighted as essential skills for uncovering innovative solutions and navigating challenges. - The Human Side of Technology
While technology such as AI is transformative, the panellists stressed that human insight remains crucial. Generative AI can complement decision-making but requires critical thinking to mitigate biases such as groupthink or anchoring. - Building Inclusive Spaces
Representation matters. Women in leadership send a powerful message to be aspiring professionals, showing that success is achievable. Data was highlighted as a tool for tracking disparities and driving organisational change.
- The Power of Data to Shape Perceptions and Decisions
Addressing Challenges in Representation
The panellists at the Project:womxn event addressed the pressing need to foster gender equity in the male-dominated fields of data, technology and project delivery. They underscored the importance of creating inclusive spaces that encourage diverse participation and representation.
Lavinia Descultu shared insights from PMI UK’s Women in Projects Network, emphasizing the power of collaboration across genders in event organization and participation. She noted that while women now represent 28% of PMI UK members – a gradual increase from 26% in recent years – there remains significant work to be done to achieve gender parity.
Despite persistent gender imbalances in education and workplaces, initiatives like Project:womxn and PMI’s Women in Projects network actively encourage women to embrace careers in project management and technology, providing platforms for visibility, mentorship, and support. Such initiatives are critical in bridging the gender gap and fostering an equitable professional landscape.
To address the broader challenges in representation, the panellists proposed actionable strategies:
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- Engaging Early: Encouraging young girls to pursue careers in STEM and project management through outreach and mentorship can spark interest and lay a strong foundation for future talent pipelines.
- Tracking Progress: Organisations should use data to monitor and address gender diversity gaps across teams and leadership roles, ensuring accountability and informed decision-making.
- Creating Role Models: Highlighting successful women in senior positions sends a powerful message of possibility for aspiring professionals, inspiring the next generation to follow in their footsteps.
By combining intentional action, data-driven strategies, and collaborative efforts, these initiatives not only promote inclusivity but also pave the way for systemic change within the fields of data, technology, and project delivery.
The Role of AI and Data Analytics in Empowering Women
AI and data analytics emerged as pivotal tools for empowering women. Generative AI, for example, can challenge biases by offering alternative perspectives and enhancing decision-making. However, barriers like data privacy concerns and security issues were also discussed. Panellists urged organisations to responsibly adopt AI by creating safe innovation environments and investing in tailored solutions.
From Networking to Collective Action
The Project:womxn event was more than a networking opportunity—it was a call to action. Attendees were encouraged to advocate for structural changes within their organisations, including addressing pay equity, creating mentorship opportunities, and embedding inclusivity into organisational culture. Collaboration across industries, from tech giants like Oracle to nonprofits, were identified as essential for sustaining this movement.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Women in Tech and Project Delivery
Initiatives such as PMI’s Women in Projects and Project:womxn go beyond just initiatives; they are movements. The inaugural event set a precedent for future gatherings, with plans already underway for follow-ups that will deepen conversations and expand the community. For young professionals, it offers mentorship opportunities and industry connections. For experienced leaders, it provides a platform to share insights and champion systemic change.
Conclusion
The inaugural Project:womxn event embodied the best of what happens when passion meets purpose. It celebrated the critical role of women in shaping the future of data, technology, and project delivery. By fostering collaboration and championing inclusivity, Project:womxn has taken a crucial step toward addressing the gender disparities highlighted in the PMI’s 2023 report.
As the initiative grows, it will inspire systemic changes that benefit not only women but also the broader professional landscape. Project:womxn and PMI UK’s Women in Projects Network offer platforms for advocacy and communities united by shared aspirations. Together, let’s create a future that is brighter, more diverse, and undeniably inclusive.
About the Speakers:
Nermeen Latif is a Technical Director – Digital Solutions Lead Programme PMCM Transport & Infrastructure at WSP. She has worked in major project delivery for the past 25 years, working in and setting up PMOs, with a special interest in planning and assurance. Nermeen is an advocate of digital revolution and using it to drive the profession forward, ensuring that a data driven approach is the default, and part of what we do.
Zoe Bello is a Data Analyst Tutor at Projection Success who transitioned from a Sociology and Criminology background to a thriving career in tech. With a love for learning and empowering others, she teaches SQL and data skills, inspiring the next generation. Zoe is also a Next Tech Girls mentor, driven by creativity, problem-solving and meaningful impact.
Lavinia Descultu is the Women in Tech Workstream Lead and Chair of Yorkshire and Humberside Branch at PMI UK Chapter. She is a portfolio, program and project professional with 25 years of experience in delivering innovative digital transformation. Lavinia champions digitalisation and has a keen focus on data-driven decision-making to deliver impactful and sustainable results.
Authors: Lavinia Descultu, Sam Leung