To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Gaia-X continues its campaign “Her Voice in Tech: 3 questions with…”, designed to amplify the voices of women within the Gaia-X community who are driving change, fostering collaboration, and shaping the digital future. In this interview, Isabel Borges, Senior Consultant at TICE.PT, shares her thoughts on the role of collaboration in shaping the digital future, the importance of creating a more inclusive tech environment, and how Gaia-X can contribute to building a trusted and interconnected data economy.
- As a woman in tech, how have you leveraged your voice to drive change in your field?
I have long been passionate about advocating for greater inclusion and visibility of women in tech. For several years, I served as the Head of the Training and Certification Department at the Research, Development & Innovation division of a leading Portuguese Communication Service Provider. In that role, I led both national and international training programs and established strategic partnerships with external training organisations. This position, along with my current responsibilities in the TICE.PT Cluster, allowed me to work closely with a diverse group of tech professionals, mentoring both men and women and, through my example, fostering respect and open-mindedness. I am confident that I have contributed to creating opportunities for women in technology, I am encouraged by the positive changes I’ve witnessed in numerous international projects, and I believe these advancements are the result of everybody’s collective effort. When we lift one another up and ensure women’s voices are heard, we can drive genuine transformation within the tech industry.
- What change would you like to see in the tech industry that will empower future generations of women?
I dream of a world where gender equality isn’t an aspiration but the norm — where women thrive in leadership, boardrooms and design teams reflect the diversity of the world they serve, and young girls see no limits to their ambitions.
To build this reality, we must ensure equal opportunities, champion mentorship, and foster inclusive education. We need workplaces that embrace work-life balance, recognising that no one should choose between a fulfilling career and a meaningful family life. But beyond this, I long for an industry where we empower women because we don’t just change an industry—we change the world.
- What problem in your industry do you hope Gaia-X will solve in the next 5 years?
In the next five years, I envision Gaia-X as a catalyst for a more open, fair, and trustworthy digital world, one where true data sovereignty is a reality. Gaia-X has the potential to break down silos, reduce data dependency, and create a truly decentralised, interoperable ecosystem. However, Gaia-X represents something even greater: an opportunity to foster inclusivity and innovation—to build a digital foundation that is not only secure and sustainable but also deeply aligned with our values.
For women in tech, this shift is especially meaningful. A more accessible and equitable digital infrastructure means breaking down barriers, reducing biases, and creating space for more women and underrepresented groups to lead, innovate, and thrive—and open doors to new voices, fresh ideas, and a future where diversity is not just encouraged but essential.
Gaia-X is more than a framework; it’s a movement toward a digital world that belongs to everyone, and that is why initiatives such as this one are so important!