Technology innovation and how you can be part of it

TechGirl Masterclass: Technology innovation and YOU

What does innovation really look like, and how can you be part of it?

Tune in to listen to a panel of leaders shaping the future of technology across education, banking, government, and digital services. In this masterclass, you’ll explore how creativity, problem-solving, and technology come together to solve real-world challenges. From AI and automation to climate tech, health tech, and beyond.

You’ll hear real stories from women who started where you are and now lead global digital transformations. You’ll learn how ideas move from problem → prototype → impact, and how your curiosity and creativity can drive the next wave of breakthroughs.

Whether you dream of building apps, designing systems, leading teams, or even changing the world with technology, this session will show you what’s possible, and how to get started.

Meet the speakers:

• Dia Nag, Director of Digital, BetterGov
• Joanna Pamphilis, former CIO, SVP, MD, UniCredit
• Pallavi Deshpande, Director - Technology Transformation, former Pearson

Watch the TechGirl Masterclass below:

Key takeaways from the Masterclass:

• You don’t need to “fit the tech stereotype” to belong in tech
  All three speakers emphasised that technology is not just about coding. Dia shared, “I never wanted to be a software engineer… all I wanted to do was serve users and solve problems.” Roles in technology span design, research, product, policy, leadership, and strategy. Diversity of thought is an advantage, not a gap.
• Careers are not straight lines - and that’s a good thing
  None of the speakers imagined working in technology at 16. Joanna reflected, “Careers aren’t linear, and that’s okay. Your professional life is a puzzle - each piece makes sense later.” Exploration, pivots, and even setbacks are part of growth.
• Innovation is not about shiny tools, it’s about mindset
  Innovation was consistently reframed as day-to-day problem solving. “It’s spotting what isn’t working, understanding why, and bringing the right people together,” Dia explained. Joanna added that innovation is about “embracing change, challenging the status quo, and creating value.”
• Creativity is the engine of technology
  The panel rejected the idea that creativity and technology are opposites. “Technology without creativity is just machinery,” Pallavi said. Creativity fuels better systems, experiences, and solutions; it can come from art, writing, conversations, downtime, or simply asking better questions.
• You don’t need confidence to start
  Pallavi offered a powerful reminder: “Don’t wait until you feel 100% confident. You never will. Start small. Action creates confidence, not the other way around.” Hackathons, side projects, and communities are safe ways to experiment and learn.
• Failure is not a weakness
  Every speaker shared mistakes they had made, from moving too fast to underestimating stakeholder engagement. “Speed without clarity creates waste,” Pallavi noted. Dia added that learning from failure is essential to long-term resilience and growth.
• Soft skills matter as much as technical skills
  Communication, empathy, stakeholder management, and collaboration repeatedly surfaced as critical success factors. Joanna stressed, “You don’t need to be an engineer to succeed in technology, the soft skills are just as important.”
• It’s okay (and important)  to say no
  One of the strongest leadership lessons was learning to set boundaries. Dia shared, “It’s fine to say no if you believe there’s a smarter way, especially when you can support it with evidence.” Saying no respectfully is part of professional maturity.
• Follow problems, not buzzwords
  While AI, data, cybersecurity, and health tech were acknowledged as fast-growing areas, the panel urged students not to chase trends blindly. “Technology is not the destination,” Pallavi said. “Follow meaningful problems, opportunities will follow you.”
• Believe in yourself, there are zero limits
  The masterclass closed with a powerful message of self-belief. “There are absolutely zero limits,” Pallavi concluded. “The only limits are the ones you accept.” Or, as Dia put it simply: “Believe in yourself. Learn. Experience. And go fly.”