As we mark International Women’s Day 2026, we’re proud to shine a light on the women of the Oracle ACE community—the speakers, mentors, authors, organizers, and builders who show up consistently to share what they know and make space for others to grow. Although International Women’s Day falls on Sunday, March 8, we’re celebrating it a little early, by amplifying the voices of women ACEs around this year’s theme: “Give To Gain.”

“Give To Gain” is a reminder that progress isn’t a solo journey. When we give our time, our knowledge, our encouragement, and our sponsorship, we don’t lose impact—we multiply it. The reflections below capture what giving has meant in each contributor’s career and community work, and how that generosity comes back as confidence, connection, learning, opportunity, and collective strength. We hope their words inspire you to share, to mentor, to contribute, and to help forge a more inclusive future in tech.

Ambili Thottathil, Oracle ACE Director:

On Women’s Day, what could be more beautiful than reflecting on this year’s theme of how ‘Give to Gain’ can truly transform our lives?

“When we give light to others, it brightens our own path!” – This thought deeply resonates with my own journey in the Oracle community and beyond. Looking back, what stands out most is how generously life was rewarded, whenever I simply followed my passion for sharing what I have learned. Whether through corporate training, mentoring, knowledge transfers, presenting at forums, or writing articles and blogs – the act of giving has always brought so much joy and personal growth, in return.

On this Women’s Day, I encourage every woman to explore her passion with courage, nurture it, and share it generously with others. When we choose to give – our knowledge, our time, our voice; the rewards – growth, strength and opportunity – follow naturally. Share your light and own your journey!

Clare Murtagh, Oracle ACE Apprentice:

International Women’s Day continues to matter because the strength of our society is shaped every day by the women who lead, create, support and inspire. Their contributions are woven into our families, our workplaces and our communities, often in ways that go unspoken but never unnoticed. This day gives us a moment to recognize that impact with the appreciation it deserves.

Communities like Oracle ACE make that appreciation real. They give women a place to be visible, to share their expertise and to influence the direction of our industry. They remind us that progress is something we build together, through encouragement, mentorship and the simple act of showing up for one another. When we champion women, we strengthen the whole community, and when we strengthen the community, we create more space for women to thrive.

International Women’s Day is a reminder of what is possible when we value every voice and lift each other with intention.

Clarisa Maman Orfali, Oracle ACE Pro:

Anyone who knows me has heard me say this: “When joy is shared, it multiplies and when sadness is shared, it gets lighter”. For me, that’s exactly what “Give To Gain” means: every time we give our time, our knowledge, or a helping hand, we don’t end up with less, we create more.

More confidence, more opportunities, more community. This year I want to keep sharing what I learn, mentoring, and opening doors so more women feel encouraged to participate, contribute, and lead within this great community, because when one woman dares, we all grow. And that shared growth is, for me, the real “gain.”

Debra Lilley, Oracle ACE Director:

Give to Gain suggests action. If I turn it over, Gain from Giving, it sums up what I think about volunteering, for mentoring, for charities I believe in, for user groups – I get so much in return. I learn from the people I help; their needs help my empathy, their questions make me assess my own content, look at things from their perspective and tells me where the gaps are in my learning. All that makes me a better person, privately and in business. And my biggest personal gain, is when someone I have helped, succeeds, overcomes the immediate need through to being successful in their career. Their gain is my reward.

So, the action call, on this special day, is to think about what you Give, and what you Gain as well as those you give to.

Heli Helskyaho, Oracle ACE Director:

Giving your knowledge and time to the community is not a sacrifice, but the most profound investment in your own growth and the future of the technology industry.

Ioana Stofor, Oracle ACE Associate:

Give To Gain truly comes to life within the Oracle CCC community. By supporting fellow members and sharing my expertise, I’ve not only helped others navigate complex scenarios, but I’ve also stretched myself beyond my comfort zone and strengthened my own thought leadership.

There have been times when I needed guidance too, and the community showed up. That mutual exchange is powerful. As an ACE, I’m committed to continuing to share knowledge, contribute meaningfully, and help create an environment where generosity leads to collective growth. When one of us gives, we all gain.

Jackie Mcilroy, Oracle ACE Pro:

To me, “Give To Gain” is a reminder that visibility, knowledge, and inclusion aren’t finite resources; they multiply when shared. As an Oracle ACE, I give by showing up at conferences, sharing expertise openly, and building cultures where every voice belongs. As COO of United Codes, I see daily how intentional inclusion drives better innovation. When we give generously, everyone gains.

Janis Griffin, Oracle ACE Pro:

As a Christian, ‘Give To gain’ means offering your time, help, and kindness the way Christ gave to us—trusting that God brings the increase. When you serve others at work, you gain influence, favor, and spiritual growth.

Karen Cannell, Oracle ACE Director:

To women out there:  

If you haven’t figured it out yet, you get far more when you give to help others along their path. It is my honor to pass on what has been given to me – to help other women along this cool crazy exciting world of Oracle technology  – to help the next generation of women in technology into and along this unique and rewarding path.  

Oh yes – and have fun along the way!

Kate Helmer, Oracle ACE Director:

“Give To Gain” is a celebration of what happens when women lift each other up through mentorship, coaching, and shared opportunity. Every time we offer guidance, open a door, or champion someone’s potential, we spark confidence and momentum. When we give generously and grow together, we don’t just advance careers — we create a vibrant, unstoppable community driving gender equity forward. 

Lucia Hustatyova, Oracle ACE Pro:

To me, “Give To Gain” means giving courage, confidence, and support to women who may feel that IT is still a man’s world. I know many talented women hesitate to step forward, to speak up, or to pursue leadership roles because they doubt themselves. But technology needs their intelligence, creativity, and perspective.

As an Oracle ACE and technology leader, I believe that when we share knowledge, mentor openly, and visibly support other women, we reduce fear and build confidence. This year, I will continue encouraging women to be bold, visible, and unafraid—because when women step forward, the entire industry gains.

Lida Gholizadeh, Oracle ACE Associate:

For me, “Give To Gain” is not just about giving, but rather the generous receiving of knowledge. This big lesson I learned on my Oracle learning journey from one of the longtime members of the Oracle community.

He shared his knowledge generously and without any expectation or strings attached. He made time for every question and approached every topic as an exciting challenge. I learned from him and made him a role model in my life, because he always said that “Sharing knowledge is the best way to deepen and solidify your own knowledge”.

This sentence planted itself like a seed in my mind, and I made a promise to myself to never hold back from sharing my knowledge in any field, just like him. With every article I write or video I create, I feel like I’m watering that same seed.

Being part of the Oracle ACE community has multiplied my motivation many times over and given me even greater faith in my path, because I’ve met so many successful people with the same mindset, and it has been a true confirmation that I’m on the right track.

To support this Give To Gain theme in 2026, I’ve decided to speak as one of the few female presenters at APEX Connect, delivering a talk on the latest Oracle knowledge. My goal is to inspire other women in the IT world so that in the future, we see a much stronger and more visible presence of women at such conferences. I hope I succeed in achieving this goal and become part of this beautiful cycle.

Magaly Iraheta, Oracle ACE Associate:

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give To Gain” reflects the idea that every time we share knowledge, create visibility, or open doors for others, we strengthen our entire Oracle community.


As an Oracle ACE member for the past years, I’ve witnessed first-hand the impact of sharing experience and expertise. This year, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring and training talented women in our field, and I look forward to continuing to encourage their participation and leadership. When we give our time and support, we create growth that benefits us all. When we invest in each other’s development, our community becomes stronger and more resilient.

Mia Urman, Oracle ACE Director:

“Give to Gain” reflects what I’ve been privileged to witness over three decades in the Oracle community. When we invest in others, we don’t diminish ourselves, we grow stronger together. From launching Women in Technology initiatives to mentoring emerging Oracle ACEs, I’ve seen how creating opportunity, fostering meaningful connections, and championing women generates a powerful multiplier effect. One of my proudest achievements is seeing the women I once mentored step forward to mentor the next generation, strengthening our community and advancing lasting impact.

Mirela Ardelean, Oracle ACE Director:

I started 15 years ago by giving my time to help build a strong community, without expecting anything in return. But I gained so much more than I imagined. I learned from others’ experiences tips you won’t find in any book. I met people from all over the world, some of whom are now close friends. ACE Program gave me the international recognition. I feel a true fulfillment when watching a MASH mentee deliver their first talk: knowing I played even a small part in their success is the real reward.

My time, my ‘give’, is small on its own, but when we all share our time and knowledge and support – we grow together. Give to gain, give to grow.

Nagatanmayee Gunukula, Oracle ACE Associate:  

“The most powerful women in the room are the ones reminding other women they belong there too.”

I believe “Give To Gain” is about creating spaces where women uplift one another, amplify voices, and ensure that opportunities are shared—not gatekept. When we give confidence, support, and belonging, we gain stronger leaders and more inclusive communities.

Nidhi Chaturvedi, Oracle ACE Associate:

“Give To Gain” is a reminder that true growth comes from generosity. Before becoming an Oracle ACE, I often shared my knowledge quietly, without fully realizing the value of my voice. Becoming an Oracle ACE significantly increased my confidence, visibility, and sense of responsibility within the community.

Working with Oracle APEX, I have seen how giving knowledge, mentoring, and encouragement creates confidence and opportunity—especially for women in technology. I’ve learned that by sharing our skills, we multiply impact. I actively mentor aspiring developers, contribute to the APEX community, and encourage women to step forward, lead, and believe in their potential. When women thrive, we all rise together.

Rita Nuñez, Oracle ACE Director:

“To me, “Give To Gain” means that when I share my time, knowledge, and voice, everyone grows together. This year I will continue giving through public presentations, writing Oracle technology articles, and leading the Oracle User Group Argentina as an Oracle ACE Director—all voluntary. By sharing expertise, inspiring others, and elevating diverse voices in tech, I hope to gain greater connection, opportunity, and collective progress toward inclusion and innovation.”

Rhianna Albert, Oracle ACE Associate:

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is personal for me because my own growth has been shaped by people who gave their time, trust, and advocacy when they didn’t have to.

As a customer experience leader, I’ve seen that the most meaningful outcomes come when we lead with generosity, listening deeply, mentoring intentionally, and creating space for others to lead.

Giving means showing up for women with sponsorship and honesty which sometimes can be hard, not just advice, and building communities where belonging is designed, not assumed. When we give like that, the impact comes back stronger than we expect.

Sarah Dow, Oracle ACE Pro:

As a proud member of the Oracle ACE program, active participant in several Oracle user groups, plus a committed community mentor, Championing International Women’s Day by supporting & uplifting women in achieving their full potential is a true passion of mine. Wishing everyone an inspiring “Give To Gain” IWD 2026!

Shikha Agarwal, Oracle ACE:

To me, Give to Gain is best reflected through giving knowledge. Knowledge is one thing that grows when it is shared. By mentoring, teaching, and openly sharing what we know, we help others move forward in their journeys. In return, we gain sharper thinking, deeper understanding, and continuous self-growth. Giving knowledge creates a ripple effect — it strengthens individuals, builds communities, and drives collective progress. 

Sanae Bekkar, Oracle ACE Pro:

For me, Give To Gain is simple – When I give, I grow.

When I share knowledge, I strengthen my own voice.
When I mentor, I learn.

Perfection isn’t required. Presence is.
My voice matters. My experience matters.

When I contribute, I connect.
When I support others, we all rise.

As an Oracle ACE member, I choose to give openly and consistently because every act of contribution builds not only my journey, but a stronger, more equal community for all of us.

To every woman who contributed to this post: thank you for your honesty, your leadership, and the impact you create—often in ways that aren’t always visible, but are always felt. Your stories make clear that giving is not a sacrifice of ambition; it’s a catalyst for growth—for individuals, for teams, and for the community as a whole.

To everyone reading: whether you’re an Oracle ACE already, a future ACE, or simply someone who believes in building others up—consider what you can give this month. Share a lesson learned. Invite someone to speak. Review a draft talk. Make an introduction. Encourage a first blog post. Sponsor a new voice. Small actions compound quickly, and they change who feels welcome to participate.

From all of us in the Oracle ACE community—happy International Women’s Day. When we give, we gain. When we lift others, we rise together.