Years ago, when Nishita Henry – who is now a principal with Deloitte Consulting LLP and global chief commercial officer for Deloitte’s Amazon relationship – returned from maternity leave to resume her role as a Technology senior manager, it felt comfortably familiar to her. With a robust background in Electrical Engineering and a solid reputation, she was eager to dive back into the corporate world. But for many female technology professionals like Nishita, returning to and navigating the corporate world can come with challenges.
“Despite qualifications and experience, many women in STEM face a bias that undermines our technical capabilities,” Nishita says.
“In the roles I’ve had in my professional career, I’ve felt that too. I’ve had colleagues assume that I lacked the ability to comprehend technical documents, thus limiting my contribution to the project’s core. My technical credentials and competencies were overshadowed by the unfounded bias that women in project manager roles are merely facilitators rather than the driving force at the heart of the work.”
This stereotype is an invisible hurdle, yet it is one that many women in technical roles navigate daily. “Women are not just observers; they are problem solvers and innovators,” Nishita reflects. “My experience is not unique but a shared narrative among women striving to assert their rightful place in more technical roles.”
In addressing these challenges, Nishita has leaned on her network of leaders and sponsors, whose encouragement and advocacy has been invaluable. For Nishita, her hard work and the encouragement from her sponsors and mentors has contributed to her thriving career.
Nishita believes this journey underscores the importance of uplifting women in technical roles. “It’s not about diversity quotas; it’s about recognizing and harnessing the unique perspectives and strengths women can bring to the table. By challenging stereotypes and promoting diverse voices, we fuel innovations that might never otherwise occur.”
Nishita wants her story to empower women searching for tech roles today. “I urge women in STEM and beyond to support one another, to look beyond assumptions about their potential, and to challenge the status quo. Allies must actively address and dismantle stereotypes, continuing to elevate the role of women in STEM to foster a culture of equity, representation, and innovative solutions. The future of technology relies not just on code and algorithms but on the diverse professionals who craft them.”
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More about Nishita Henry
Nishita serves as the global chief commercial officer (CCO) for Deloitte’s Amazon relationship, responsible for the global strategy, positioning, and performance of the alliance—while also helping drive Deloitte’s data and Generative AI investments with AWS. Innovation has been an integral part of her career. In previous roles, she served as Deloitte Consulting LLP’s chief innovation officer and new business innovation leader—focused on shaping Deloitte’s innovation agenda and developing new hybrid businesses. Among the Deloitte initiatives she has helped shepherd are the Smart Factory, ConvergeProsperity™, and the former CortexAI platform, which incorporated analytics and AI as core differentiators. Nishita also serves as Deloitte’s US National Women & Allies Leader, where she is focused on championing programs focused on recruiting, retaining, and advancing women across the industry.
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