How women leaders are shaping the future of work and AI

How Women Leaders Are Shaping the Future of Work and AI
By Susan Hill, SVP of People, Amperity

This year, International Women's Day centers on the idea of  "Give to Gain," a call to lead with generosity, collaboration, and purpose. In a year shaped by rapid AI advancement, shifting workforce expectations, and constant change, leadership is tested in new ways. The women shaping the future of work are driving results and creating clarity amidst the complexity, expanding access and advocacy in ways that create real impact. 

Here are six leadership lessons drawn from women leaders who live the Give to Gain mindset every day.

Be Curious. Leadership Is About Setting Conditions, Not Carrying Everything, Susan Hill, Amperity

When people ask me what leadership lesson I carry with me every day, it's always a tie between "Be Curious" and recognizing that leadership doesn't mean knowing all the answers or being indispensable. 

For a long time, I thought being a strong leader meant carrying it all. Many of us, especially women, fall into the trap and feel pressure to carry the entire emotional and operational load to be effective. But that kind of leadership isn't sustainable; it's exhausting. Over time, I have come to view leadership as less about being the engine and more about creating the conditions for momentum. That means being clear about what matters, removing friction, and creating space for people to be humans.

True leadership is about making the path easier, fairer, and more sustainable for everyone.

Give curiosity. Gain better thinking and shared ownership.

Clarity Is a Form of Respect, Mariel West, Slalom

"One leadership lesson I carry forward every day is that leadership is less about having the right answers and more about creating clarity for others."

The closer Mariel has gotten to the center of decision-making, the more she has realized how much unseen context sits behind every choice. People often assume they need direction, but what they really need is understanding. The why behind the decision, the tradeoffs being weighed, and what the organization is ultimately trying to achieve.

"When people have that clarity, something shifts. They step up. They take ownership. They think more strategically because they can see the bigger picture."

In moments of ambiguity, especially in fast-moving spaces like AI, projecting certainty might feel like strong leadership, but it doesn't build trust. Slowing down, asking thoughtful questions and aligning on purpose does.

Give clarity. Gain respect.

Connection Turns Good Teams Into Great Ones, Shivani Majewski, Deloitte Digital

"I believe in the power of connection. Authentic collaboration only happens when people feel seen, heard, and valued. That sense of belonging is what turns good teams into great ones."

For Shivani, great leadership starts with connection. When leaders create belonging, collaboration deepens, and performance follows.

In a pivotal moment in her career, she was entrusted with full decision-making authority for a high-profile initiative. That trust made all the difference.

"Instead of navigating layers of approval, I could focus on momentum, clients, and truly listen to the concerns of the team. Leading with empathy allowed me to make decisions that balanced business needs with human impact. Not only did we exceed expectations, we also deepened client trust."

Give trust. Gain momentum.

Women Leaders Must Shape How AI Is Built

Susan Hill, Amperity

"The biggest opportunity for women leaders in AI is in how it shows up in people's everyday work lives."

Women leaders are uniquely positioned to make sure AI expands opportunity, not just efficiency. That means redesigning roles thoughtfully, keeping ethics and empathy front and center, and building systems that work for humans. AI will transform how we work, but the question is how intentionally we shape that transformation.

Mariel West, Slalom

"The biggest opportunity is in shaping how AI is informed by data and who that data represents."

Mariel often references Invisible Women by Caroline Criado-Perez as formative in her thinking. The book highlights how much of our world was built on incomplete data that underrepresented women. When data is incomplete, outcomes are biased, and those biases compound at scale.

"AI is only as objective as the data it learns from and the humans who design it. Women leaders have a critical role in asking better questions. Who is missing? What assumptions are embedded? Who benefits and who bears risk?"

The future of AI is about intentional design. Women leaders can ensure broader representation, stronger guardrails, and deeper accountability.

Shivani Majewski, Deloitte Digital

"It's in how we humanize AI. AI will transform how we work, but women leaders have a powerful opportunity to ensure it's built with empathy and inclusivity. We naturally think about the broader impact on people, teams and customers. That perspective is essential in designing AI responsibly."

Give ethical intention. Gain responsible innovation.

There Is No Compression Algorithm for Lived Experience, Susan Hill, Amperity

In the context of AI and leadership, Give to Gain means more than sharing information.

"In an AI world where data is a commodity, the one thing we can't shortcut is experience. As a very smart colleague says, 'There's no compression algorithm for lived experience.'"

I try to honor that by being present and asking thoughtful questions that help people find their own way. I'm not just interested in sharing what I know, I'm interested in helping others discover what they are capable of.

Give presence. Gain growth.

Access and Sponsorship Change Trajectories, Mariel West, Slalom

"Someone gave me a seat in the room before I had the title for it."

Early in her career, Mariel was invited to senior leadership meetings not just to take notes, but to listen, synthesize, and serve as a right-hand in important business decisions.

"That exposure fundamentally shaped how I think. It trained me to see around corners, to connect dots across functions and to operate beyond the scope of my job description."

This also taught her the power of access.

"Titles don't build leaders. Proximity to decision-making does."

Today, she makes a point to give sponsorship in the same way it was once given to her.

"They brought my name into rooms I wasn't in. They spoke about my work, my potential and my impact in conversations that influenced opportunity. Now, if I have influence, I see it as my responsibility to use it to elevate others."

Shivani Majewski, Deloitte Digital

In her twenties, Shivani was working as an optician when someone encouraged her to take Oracle classes.

"I found that I had a passion for database design, and that led to my 27+ year career in IT and consulting. It was the best decision of my career."

Sometimes sponsorship looks like opening a door, but sometimes it's simply saying, "You should try this."

Give encouragement. Gain a future leader.

The Multiplier Effect of Give to Gain

The women shaping the future of work and AI are sharing influence. They're giving:

• Clarity instead of confusion
• Sponsorship instead of silence
• Empathy alongside innovation
• Access before titles

International Women's Day 2026 is a reminder that leadership is a multiplier. When we give intentionally, we gain stronger teams, better systems, and a more inclusive future.