According to IT Research Ukraine, one in five technical specialists in Ukraine is a woman. Today, women play an increasingly important role across engineering, leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

But the real story isn’t just about representation. From educating future engineers to building global products and leading defense innovation, women are helping shape the future of Ukrainian tech.

1. Tech Is Becoming a Career of Choice

As digital products become part of nearly every industry, more people are entering tech through education, reskilling, and entrepreneurship.

Iryna Volnytska, President of SET University, co-founded the institution after recognizing that traditional education wasn’t keeping pace with the technology industry. Today, SET University combines tech education with entrepreneurship through initiatives like WE.Brave for women founders and Science-to-Market, helping researchers turn innovations into globally competitive companies.

Expanding access to tech careers has also become the mission of Anna Apostol, COO and Co-founder of Mate Academy. Under her leadership, the EdTech company has helped thousands of people launch careers in technology through practice-oriented education, with women making up the majority of graduates.

2. Women Are Building Technology, Not Just Supporting It

The stereotype that women mainly work in non-technical roles no longer reflects reality.

According to IT Research Ukraine, women now hold 32% of C-level positions.

One example is Anna Bulakh, former Head of Ethics & Partnerships at Respeecher and now a member of the Ministry of Digital Transformation‘s AI and Defense AI Regulation Subcommittee, helping shape Ukraine’s approach to responsible AI.

Another is Vira Tkachenko, who joined MacPaw as a software engineer and rose to become Chief Technology & Innovation Officer. Today, she leads more than 180 engineers across AI, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and innovation, demonstrating how women are increasingly leading engineering organizations — not just joining them.

3. Ukrainian Women Are Building Products for the World

Ukraine’s technology industry is increasingly recognized for globally successful products — and many are built by women.

Anna Lissova, Сo-founder of Pleso Therapy, has expanded the mental health platform internationally while making professional therapy more accessible through technology.

A new generation of founders is continuing that momentum. Stacy Pavlyshyna, Сo-founder and COO of Awesomic, helped build an AI-powered platform that connects companies with designers and developers worldwide, while Veronica Korzh, founder of GeekPay, is simplifying cross-border payments for freelancers, tech teams, and international businesses.

Together, they represent a new generation of entrepreneurs proving that Ukrainian innovation is increasingly defined by products — not just services.

4. Women Are Shaping Defense Tech

Defense tech has become one of Ukraine’s fastest-growing technology sectors, and women are helping drive its transformation.

After leading Brave1, Ukraine’s government-backed defense tech cluster, Nataliia Kushnerska now serves as COO of Roboneers, developing unmanned ground vehicles, UAVs, anti-aircraft systems, and situational awareness solutions.

Victoriia “Tori” Honcharuk, Executive Director of AB3.Tech and a former combat medic, connects startups, engineers, investors, and the military to accelerate battlefield-tested technologies.

Together, they illustrate how women are helping shape one of the world’s most innovative defense technology ecosystems.

Looking Ahead

The future of Ukrainian tech is being built by diverse voices — and many of them will take the stage at IT Arena 2026.

This September, attendees will hear from leaders including Lana Malikova, Amazic, ex-Grammarly, Victoriia “Tori” Honcharuk, AB3.Tech, Natalia Denikeieva, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, and Alexandra Balkova, Startup Wise Guys, Founder of Ethix, alongside more than 100 speakers from around the world. 

Want to hear from the women shaping Ukraine’s tech ecosystem firsthand? Join us at IT Arena 2026 and be part of the conversations defining the future of AI, product innovation, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and defense tech. Get your ticket today.