This year, four women from across the tech sector – Natalie Rutgers (Deepgram), Jamie Hawkins (DH2i), Chrissay Brinkmann (Leaseweb USA), and Jennifer Rojas (Leaseweb Canada) – reflect on what INWED means to them, the importance of inclusive cultures, and the value of supporting the next generation of engineers.
Natalie Rutgers, VP of Product, Deepgram
“International Women in Engineering Day is a chance to celebrate the women who are building, designing, and innovating not only on the front lines, but behind the scenes, often in spaces where we’re still underrepresented. It’s a chance to recognise the creativity, empathy, and perspective that these women bring to the table, not only through comments and discussion, but both loud and quiet influence.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with women who knew they were destined to be engineers, and others who lived many different lives before landing in the field. That range of perspectives is critical, and it results in women often being the backbone of many teams. So, for girls and women out there wondering if they belong in engineering or any STEM career, the answer is yes. We need your expertise, knowledge, and ideas, as well as your questions and your voice.”
Jamie Hawkins, Marketing Director, DH2i
“When young girls are told, subtly or directly, that STEM isn’t for them, we all lose. I was lucky. I had people around me who championed my curiosity, who didn’t flinch when I broke things just to understand how they worked, who believed in my entrepreneurial drive even before I fully understood it myself. That kind of encouragement changed my life.
“Now, as Marketing Director at DH2i, I’m proud to be part of a company that doesn’t just check the diversity box – we fight for it. Because we know that groundbreaking innovation only happens when every voice is heard and every perspective is welcomed.
“On International Women in Engineering Day, I challenge everyone – especially leaders – to ask: What are you doing to make space, lift others up, and build the kind of culture where the next generation of innovators can thrive? It starts with us.”
Chrissay Brinkmann, Solutions Engineer, Leaseweb USA
“International Women in Engineering Day is such a powerful moment to reflect on how far we’ve come, and how much farther we still need to go. For me, it’s personal. I was lucky to grow up with people, women and men, who never questioned my place in STEM. They didn’t treat it like something unusual or out of reach. They just cheered me on, challenged me in the best ways, and helped me see that my voice and ideas belonged in this space. That kind of support changes everything.
“These days, I get to work at Leaseweb. And honestly, I feel that same kind of support here every single day. It’s not just lip service. Diversity is part of the way we show up for each other. The way we solve problems together. And ultimately, how we win as a team. When people with different perspectives come together, the ideas get richer… the questions get sharper… and the solutions get better. It’s just that simple. I’m proud to be part of a team that gets that. And I really hope that by sharing my story, more women feel seen, encouraged, and maybe even inspired to explore a future in engineering too.”
Jennifer Rojas, Director of Operations, Leaseweb Canada
“June 23 isn’t just a day on the calendar. It’s this really powerful reminder of what’s actually possible when women are truly seen and supported in engineering and tech. For me, it brings up so much gratitude. I think about the mentors who nudged me forward when I didn’t know what the next step even looked like, and the people who believed in me, even before I really believed in myself. That kind of support? It changed everything. It helped me take chances I probably wouldn’t have taken otherwise, follow what I was curious about, and start imagining a future that felt bigger… and actually doable.
“Now, being part of Leaseweb, I get to pay it forward. This is a company that genuinely walks the walk when it comes to inclusion. It’s not just talk. We see every day how having different voices around the table makes us sharper, more creative, and more human in the way we solve problems. Celebrating women in engineering isn’t just about fairness. It’s about building smarter, better teams. And I hope the next generation sees that and knows: there’s absolutely room for you here.”
