Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategist & CISO Advisor, KnowBe4, on leadership, inclusion, and driving innovation in enterprise technology.
As part of Techitup Middle East’s International Women’s Day 2026 Leadership Series, we spotlight women leaders shaping the future of technology across the region. In this feature, Anna Collard shares her professional journey, leadership insights, and advice for women in tech.
We are entering a defining AI-driven era. How is AI changing leadership expectations for women in tech?
Anna Collard: In the AI era, women in tech are not just expected to participate, but to help shape how technology is built and governed. There is a growing recognition that AI systems can amplify bias if diverse voices are not involved in leadership and design. That creates both an opportunity and an added responsibility for women leaders to shape how these systems are built and governed.
This also means expectations are higher for women in tech, as representation is not only about presence at the table, but about actively influencing outcomes and ensuring these technologies serve society as a whole.
What is one structural barrier that still needs to change for women to scale into more C-level and board positions in tech?
Anna Collard: One of the most significant structural barriers is retention. Research shows that over 50% of women leave tech by mid-career, which severely limits the pipeline to C-level and board roles. Women don’t leave tech because they aren’t capable. They leave because we still live in a society that expects women to do most of the unpaid care work at home, looking after children, household and elderly family members.
This simply doesn’t align with leadership roles that expect long hours, constant availability, and uninterrupted career paths. Women globally spend, on average, three times more hours than men on care work, but this figure hides differences between countries, in some countries it’s much worse. If we want women to stay, we need a culture shift that recognizes how much the unpaid care work actually adds to our plate.
What leadership trait has helped you the most in navigating the tech industry?
Anna Collard: A systems mindset has helped me the most. Technology does not operate in isolation. It sits within organisations, policy environments, and increasingly AI ecosystems. Thinking in systems allows me to focus on structural change rather than isolated wins.
It also means knowing when to say no. Time is finite, and being intentional about where I invest it enables me to build platforms, pipelines, and structural pathways that create impact at scale instead of spreading myself too thin.
Equally important is mental agility. The industry evolves constantly, and AI has accelerated that pace. The ability to zoom out, see the bigger picture, and then concentrate deeply on what truly matters is a leadership advantage in an environment defined by urgency and constant change.
Lastly, what practical advice would you give young women entering the AI and digital economy today?
Anna Collard: Don’t wait until you feel 100% ready. Technology evolves so fast that nobody ever feels fully prepared. Say yes and learn on the job. Ask lots of questions and foster your curiosity.
And protect your attention. In an industry driven by urgency, AI, and constant change, your ability to focus deeply is a competitive advantage. Develop that early. Whether through disciplined learning habits, reflection, or mindfulness, train your mind as intentionally as you train your technical skills. Cognitive flexibility is what is going to set us apart from machines in the future.
This interview is part of the Techitup Middle East IWD 2026 Leadership Series, for women leaders who continue to accelerate innovation, champion diversity, and redefine the technology ecosystem across the Middle East and beyond.
