Each year on International Women’s Day we love to highlight some of our own “best of the best” in the Oracle ACE community. It’s a great moment to celebrate women’s achievements in innovation and technology and demonstrate their commitment to helping others, mentoring, and inspiring the next generation to live in a gender-equal world.
All the Oracle ACE Advocates below agreed to share a few thoughts on this year’s IWD theme – #AccelerateAction. Since all of them “walk the walk” of participating and engaging their communities using technology to create a better world, we invite you to read the below.
You can get involved and help grow the community of Women in Technology by nominating an ACE today.
“A world like this is not only possible – it’s necessary. Equality should stop being just an idea and become a daily practice. It’s not about striving for perfection but creating a foundation where everyone, regardless of gender, can grow and contribute freely, without bias. Diversity is a value, not a difference. It’s time to build it together!” – Carla Muñoz López, Oracle ACE Associate
“On this International Women’s Day, let’s imagine a world free of bias and barriers, where talent and passion are the only requirements to achieve our dreams. Technology offers us an infinite space to grow, innovate, and shape the future.
There are no limits when we dare to learn, challenge stereotypes, and build a more diverse and inclusive world. Your voice, ideas, and talent are essential to accelerating change! Be part of the digital revolution, and together, let’s forge a world of equal opportunities. Happy International Women’s Day!” – Clarisa Maman Orfali, Oracle ACE Director
“I have the privilege to mentor or coach a number of women in the Oracle community. It is a privilege because I learn from them and stay grounded.
I love to hear what they would like to achieve, and sometimes the answer is, “I’d like to be like you.” I normally answer that it is about taking every opportunity, but there is more to it than that. It really helps to have someone sitting on your shoulder saying, “You can do it,” and drowning out your own shoulder percher who is saying, “You are not good enough.”
Congratulations on being part of the Oracle community and engaging here with the ACE Community because it is full of those voices that will encourage you.“ – Debra Lilley, Oracle ACE Director
“Happy International Women’s Day, People! It does not matter how you look like or what your opinions are; we are all People. The only thing that matters is that you are a good person; take other people into account, be kind and nice to others. I would love to welcome many more People to our community of wonderful and helpful Oracle ACE People!” – Heli Helskyaho, Oracle ACE Director
“On this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the incredible women of the Oracle ACE community and the broader technology industry. Your ambition, empathy, and intelligence inspire me every day. In a world where diversity drives innovation, our collective strength lies not only in our individual talents but in the power of community and collaboration. Let’s continue to uplift one another, embrace our differences, and break new ground. Together, we are unstoppable. Join us as we #AccelerateAction and build a future where women’s leadership and adaptability shine. Because truly, who runs the world?” – Ioana Stofor, Oracle ACE Associate
“How will we build a better world? By finding unity in plurality, not isolation in fragmentation. By being connected in purpose. So let us build a better world with intent and commitment, one commitment at a time!” – Ix-chel Ruiz, Oracle ACE Pro
“Happy International Women’s Day! To all the incredible women in tech—your innovation, resilience, and passion continues to break barriers and inspire future generations. Let’s strive to create a world that’s diverse and inclusive – where difference is valued and celebrated! For me, the Oracle ACE community is a place where my voice matters, my expertise is valued, and my impact is recognized. Join me in shaping the future of technology, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another. Wishing you success, empowerment, and endless opportunities!” – Janis Griffin, Oracle ACE Pro
“As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, let’s be both dreamers and doers – challenging assumptions with a smile, breaking barriers with determination, and lifting each other up with genuine respect. As a woman in tech, I encourage you to join the Oracle ACE program and become part of a community that needs your voice and perspective.
By applying your skills and knowledge as a woman in this space, you’ll not only advance your career through valuable networking and visibility, but you’ll also inspire the next generation of women technologists to see themselves represented at the highest levels of Oracle expertise.” – Kate Helmer, Oracle ACE Director
“Happy International Women’s Day! Let’s celebrate the brilliant, bold, and resilient women in the tech world. The industry thrives when we embrace diverse voices, support each other, and create space for new ideas to grow.
Breaking barriers isn’t easy, but together, we can push for a future where skills and passion matter more than gender. To all women out there who are making an impact and shaping the tech world, you inspire the next generation every day. If you’re just starting in tech – know that your ideas, skills, and passion belong here. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise, believe in yourself! You’ve got this!” – Magaly Iraheta, Oracle ACE Associate
“Over the many years that I’ve been part of the Oracle ACE community, I’ve seen how much we’ve grown—more women, more diversity, more voices shaping the future of technology. But there’s still a lot more work to be done.
Especially in this AI era dominated by NLP, artificial intelligence and machine learning, women are needed more than ever. By including women and other underrepresented voices in designing, developing, training, and evaluating AI systems, we can prevent biases arising from homogenous teams, and develop more ethical, inclusive, and objective models that serve a broader range of people equitably.
We must continue to challenge the long-standing biases and discriminatory practices affecting women in the workforce. At the same time, it is our duty to ensure that women have a prominent role in developing these emerging technologies. If we join forces to take up this mission, we can break barriers and accelerate our vision of a world where more women are not only equals — they are celebrated. #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction” – Mia Urman, Oracle ACE Director
“Happy International Women’s Day! This day reminds us of the incredible and invaluable part women have played in history. From keeping communities together in the background to fighting directly on the front lines, you will always find women in critical roles. It’s our resilience and compassion for others that define us. In turbulent times, we can look to and lean on each other. Don’t give up!” – Opal Alapat, Oracle ACE Director
“Happy International Women’s Day! Accelerate Action reminds us that progress needs all of us. To all the amazing women around world, our contributions are shaping the future.” – Sanae Bekkar, Oracle ACE
“Women in tech are not just shaping the future; they’re creating it. Together, we can take action to create a fairer and more inclusive industry. To every woman who is breaking barriers, challenging the norm, and inspiring others—your impact is huge! Let’s keep supporting and lifting each other up, helping more women find their place and succeed in tech. The future is brighter when we embrace equality, celebrate our differences, and support every woman’s potential.
Happy International Women’s Day 2025!” – Shikha Agarwal, Oracle ACE Associate
“Women’s equality has made significant progress, yet bias remains strong in the workplace. Many individuals who grew up with preconceived notions about a woman’s role have not changed their perspectives. I personally encounter this bias daily in my workplace.
However, I remain hopeful that as younger generations step into leadership roles, these biases will continue to diminish. In the meantime, we can drive change by demonstrating confidence, offering solutions instead of complaints, and prioritizing facts over emotions in business communications.
Happy International Women’s Day!” – Susan Behn, Oracle ACE Director
“As a female, it is hard sometimes to feel included and accepted when working in IT. Joining and working together with other members of the Oracle ACE community showed me that hard work always pays off. It’s hard enough to be living and working in today’s society with all the daily challenges and opinions. In the Oracle ACE Program there is no difference between genders; knowledge is shared, and opinions are valued.
So I can say to all other women out there: Happy International Women’s Day, but more important; Don’t make the difference, be the difference and #AccelerateAction.” – Yvonne Bakx, Oracle ACE Pro
For more details on today’s celebration check out the link International Women’s Day.