Microsoft has announced the launch of the Microsoft Power Women Awards 2025, an initiative designed to spotlight and celebrate exceptional female leaders within the technology sector. The awards program aims to acknowledge women who not only excel in their respective fields but are also actively promoting positive change and fostering a more inclusive environment within the industry.
Addressing the Gender Gap in Tech Leadership
Currently, women represent only 28% of all tech-related roles. In STEM fields specifically, women comprise just one-third of the workforce, with a mere 10% holding leadership positions in STEM-related roles. Microsoft recognizes the potential that is lost when the full spectrum of female tech talent isn’t utilized effectively. To this end, the Power Women Awards aim to shine the spotlight on talented women in technology throughout Ireland and the broader EMEA region.
These awards are designed to celebrate women who are role models, innovators, and advocates for diversity and inclusion. The goal is to inspire future generations of women leaders by showcasing the achievements of women who are actively reshaping the landscape of the technology industry.
Nominations Now Open
Nominations for the Microsoft Power Women Awards 2025 are now open. The awards serve as a platform to recognize female leaders who are creating lasting impact within their organizations and communities, while also inspiring others to dismantle barriers and lead with a strong sense of purpose. In 2024, the program recognized 19 extraordinary women from across the EMEA region for their significant contributions to technology. These women not only excel in their professional roles but are also committed to mentoring and encouraging others to pursue rewarding careers in the field.
The previous year’s awards program saw an overwhelming response, with a total of 392 nominations received from various participating countries. In Ireland, the winner of the Power Women Award was Ruth McGuinness, the Director of Microsoft AI Centre of Excellence at Kainos. She was recognized for her leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) and her dedication to promoting ethical AI adoption.
McGuinness leads one of the largest AI teams in Ireland, with 150 members, and generates millions of pounds annually through the delivery of AI technology programs in both public and private sectors across Ireland, the UK, Europe, and North America. Her work focuses on developing robust, explainable, and trustworthy AI tooling, along with advocating for ethical AI practices. Additionally, she is passionate about bridging the gap between academic research and industry as the primary industry partner of the AI Research Centre (AIRC) at Ulster University.
Ruth McGuinness on Winning
Reflecting on her experience, Ruth McGuinness stated, “Winning Microsoft Power Woman of the Year in Ireland has been an incredible honour and a real catalyst for growth in my career. It has opened doors to new opportunities, deepened my relationships within the Microsoft ecosystem, and reinforced my confidence to lead in the AI space. But more than that, it has given me a platform to champion other women in technology – something I’m deeply passionate about. The visibility and connections that come with this recognition have been invaluable, and I hope to use them to inspire and support the next generation of women in AI”.
Expansion of the 2025 Awards
The Microsoft Power Women Awards 2025 will celebrate women from 15 countries across the EMEA region, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK, along with regions across Africa, Central Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Europe. This year there will be the addition of an EMEA award recognizing women with EMEA-wide leadership roles.
All award recipients will be invited to join the Microsoft Women’s Leadership Program 3rd Edition, a program developed by Professor Jennifer Petriglieri at the INSEAD Business School in Fontainebleau, France. This program will offer valuable leadership development opportunities to the winners.
How to Apply
Microsoft encourages nominations for women who:
- Work for a Microsoft partner in one of the participating countries or regions.
- Have a minimum of 15 years of professional experience and have leadership experience in strategic tech deployments or R&D roles.
- Can demonstrate measurable professional growth and impactful results, with a focus on diversity.
- Possess a strong social media presence as an influencer or opinion maker (a plus).
Nomination guidelines and link: https://aka.ms/MicrosoftPowerWomenAward
