Leadership Lessons from SJ Innovation’s Women in Tech

Hillary Clinton once said, “It is hard to be a woman; you must think like a man and act like a lady, look like a young girl, and work like a horse.” To celebrate inclusivity and the diverse perspectives that women in technology bring, SJ Innovation co-founder Shahed Islam sat down with three inspiring women driving the company’s success: Shahera Choudhury (co-founder and COO), Lidya Fernandes (assistant manager, finance), and Akshata Alornekar (HR manager).

They spoke about it all—from women in technology and entrepreneurial grit to breaking stereotypes in tech. They also touched on the challenges they face in leadership, how women in tech can make it in a largely male-dominated industry, and what it takes to be a resilient woman in today's world.

Shahera’s Journey: Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship

Shahera co-founded SJ Innovation in 2004 with a dream to embrace motherhood without sacrificing her career growth in the process. As a mother and entrepreneur, personal flexibility was important. So she made a choice to escape the rigid confines of traditional employment to preserve her identity while also maintaining a steady home life. 

She wanted the freedom to travel, raise a family, and build something meaningful. While she agrees that the early days were tough—uncertain income, sleepless nights— the support of her husband and co-founder, Shahed Islam, and the reward of balancing both worlds kept her going.

She shares her experience starting the company, “It wasn't an easy journey... but it was definitely worth it."

Key Challenges as a Woman in Tech

Shahera candidly addressed women in technology and the gender bias she faced in the male-dominated IT sector:

“Clients and teams often assumed I lacked technical expertise because I’m a woman. Overcoming that stereotype meant proving my knowledge at every step—speaking up, leading confidently, and never downplaying my skills.”

Her Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs:

• Embrace failure: “Be ready to stumble, but never let it define you.”
• Claim your space: “Don’t shrink in male-dominated rooms. Your expertise deserves to be heard.”

Lidya’s Evolution: Embracing Change in a Tech Career

Lidya’s journey at SJ Innovation spans nearly two decades, with roles in QA, project management, and finance. Her secret? A growth mindset and relentless curiosity:

“Every role taught me something new. The trust from leadership and hands-on learning kept me motivated to reinvent myself.”

Advice for Women Starting Their Careers

Lidya urges graduates to stay open-minded. She’s a firm believer in the fact that unless you try, nothing happens. Tech offers endless paths—QA, development, finance—so she urges young women to explore boldly. She truly believes that skills evolve, but adaptability is forever, as she happily chimes, “Try, try until you succeed - that's the motto we go by.”

Key Takeaways:

• Learn continuously: Tech roles are dynamic—stay curious.
• Seize opportunities: Don’t self-reject; confidence opens doors.

Akshata on Building an Inclusive Workplace

As HR manager, Akshata prioritizes inclusivity at SJ Innovation’s India and Bangladesh offices. She credits Shahera’s leadership as a catalyst:

She emphasizes that having a female co-founder shatters stereotypes. Women are bound to join knowing they’ll be valued. SJI’s policies—like flexible hours— help address the unique needs of women without compromising growth.”

Why Women Thrive in Tech

Akshata highlights women’s vulnerabilities and strengths when she says, "Women are known to be overthinkers at times, but that overthinking helps us look into different aspects and angles."

She believes this tendency to overthink makes women natural multitaskers and critical thinkers. That ‘overthinking’ becomes a superpower for spotting risks and innovating solutions.

Her Career Advice:

• Step out of comfort zones: “Initial years demand flexibility—late nights, new skills. It pays off.”
• Use soft skills: Empathy and communication set you apart in tech.

5 Key Lessons for Women in Tech

1. Own Your Expertise: Silence helps no one. Speak up, lead projects, and showcase your knowledge.
2. Flexibility Fuels Growth: Balance structure with adaptability—both in work and career choices.
3. Mentorship Matters: Seek leaders (male or female) who advocate for your growth.
4. Failure ≠ Final: Resilience turns setbacks into stepping stones.
5. Build Your Tribe: Surround yourself with allies who celebrate your wins.

The experiences and insights shared by Shahera, Lidya, and Akshata highlight the challenges and opportunities for women in the tech industry. Their success stories at SJ Innovation demonstrate that with perseverance, flexibility, and confidence, women can thrive in leadership roles and make significant contributions to the field. You can watch the entire interview here. 

Are you a woman considering a career in tech? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and let's continue this important conversation about diversity and inclusion in the industry.