Code, Courage and Coffee
I still remember the first time I walked into a tech conference and counted the number of women in the room on one hand. Those women were part of the welcoming committee as all the men walked in, eager and excited to see what was about to change the world. Why was I there? At the time, I was working as an administrator at a pharmaceutical company, but an IT friend brought me along for the visit. That was 2001. Fast forward to 2025, and today I’m sipping coffee with four big screens on my desk, surrounded by teams of both men and women building the future in our industry.
I’m Merna, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at WPM (Whitfield Property Management). Ten years ago, I was one of the few women in the tech industry. Today, I have the privilege to work with many people across continents and countries to develop and build systems that bring people closer, allow for greater accountability, communication and transparency.
Tech has changed, and so have we.
In 2025, women aren’t just participating in tech; we also play a fundamental role in what’s leading the way. From quantum computing labs in Berlin to blockchain-based healthcare startups in Mumbai, women are shaping the tools that shape society. The male vs female ratio hasn’t vanished, but it’s shrinking, as we bring our A-game to the table, showing we are capable, offering remote work flexibility, and embracing a cultural shift that values everyone’s perspectives.
I work with “TEAM” not with “I”. I cannot do this alone. We are a mixed group of men and women who are charging forward to see our goals and dreams come to pass. From lead engineers, network specialists, UX designers, project managers and more, we value each one for what they bring to the table. We don’t just build software, we build bridges. The future of tech is collaborative, ethical and deeply human.
AI systems are now trained with fairness audits, and women are at the forefront of designing algorithms that reflect real-world diversity. We’ve moved beyond “women in tech” panels to women leading keynote speeches, venture capital firms and global innovation hubs.
But it’s not just about titles. It’s about impact.
At WPM, it is truly “Where People Matter,” as each one of us steps into the roles and positions we have been hired for. Our company excels in all spheres of our industry. That means that the right person for the job is extremely important to us. WPM is where I have been able to see my dreams grow in the tech world and I know there is more to come.
I smile as I finish my coffee. The world still has challenges, bias, inequality and access, but we’re not waiting for permission to solve them. We’re coding our way forward, one line at a time.
And in 2025, the future isn’t about male or female.
It’s fearless.
