In Conversation with Julissa Mateo Abad on Women in Tech

In technology, where innovation and transformation are at the forefront, the need for diversity and inclusion has never been more pressing. As the digital landscape continues to shape industries, it’s clear that the voices driving these changes must be as diverse as the technologies themselves. One voice leading the charge is Julissa Mateo Abad—a trailblazer who has spent over a decade shaping the future of technology and advocating for a more inclusive, equitable space for women in tech. 

Julissa is a digital transformation consultant, educator, and passionate advocate for women in the technology sector. She is the founder of STEMERIA, an organization dedicated to empowering women in tech, and the Mujeres TICs Foundation, which strives to close the gender gap in the industry. Her career, marked by an impressive blend of technical expertise and social impact, spans across a wide array of industries, where she has led projects focused on driving technological innovation and efficiency. 

On International Women Day, 2025, we sat down with Julissa to explore her remarkable journey—how she’s reshaping the digital transformation, her vision for the future of women in tech, and the challenges and opportunities ahead. 

Q1. Thank you for joining us today. Your work in the tech community is truly inspiring. Could you tell us more about the community you’ve created? 

Abad: Thank you for having me. We’ve built a growing community of women in tech that spans across the Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Guatemala, and soon, El Salvador. The core of our mission is simple: support one another.

We’re constantly pushing to break the barriers that have kept many women from seeing themselves in tech roles. I’m a technical consultant, with experience as a software developer and project manager. Over time, I found that many women weren’t even considering careers in technology simply because they didn’t see it as a field where they could thrive. That’s why we formed this community – to ensure no one feels isolated.

We’ve had tremendous growth, and it’s been incredible to witness how women support each other, share knowledge, and really see what’s possible in this industry. 

Q2. It’s clear you’ve created a meaningful platform. Can you explain your work as a technical consultant and how you’ve helped companies improve their processes? 

Abad: Absolutely. As a technical consultant, I focus on helping organizations navigate digital transformation.

Whether it’s a startup unsure how to build a technical team or a large government entity that wants to outsource its technology, we guide them through the process. This includes optimizing how they hire, structuring their teams, and implementing technology. One of the key services we offer is Project Manager-as-a-Service. Instead of companies hiring a project manager internally, we select the right professional, interview them, and match them with various projects based on the company’s needs.

It gives companies more flexibility and access to highly qualified talent without long-term commitment. 

Q3. Can you share more about your personal story and what inspired you to pursue a career in technology, especially focusing on women’s empowerment? 

Abad:  It’s actually a bit of a funny story. I wanted to be an artist when I was younger – I loved painting and creative work. I had no intention of getting into tech.

But when I applied to a technical school in the Dominican Republic, I was given a test to determine my strengths. When I failed the art test, they suggested I might do better in a technical field. At first, I resisted – I didn’t see technology as a place for creativity. But once I got into it, I realized how much room there was for creation.

I could design my first video game at 17, build websites, and express myself in ways I never imagined. Technology became my canvas. It wasn’t the path I initially thought I’d take, but I haven’t looked back. 

Q4.That’s a remarkable shift. Now, as someone who works within the tech space, what do you think needs to change to make tech more inclusive for women? 

Abad: I believe the first step is internal – we, as women, need to recognize our value and not shy away from opportunities.

We often don’t even apply for positions because we feel we don’t meet every qualification. But companies also need to step up. HR departments must be open-minded and actively seek out female talent. The industry must see women as competent and capable, especially in fields like AI, where diversity is critical. Leadership plays a huge role here – they need to foster an environment where women are seen and heard.

I think companies should invest more in mentorship programs, workshops, and events that showcase women excelling in tech. If you can’t see someone doing it, you won’t believe you can do it either. 

Q5.You raise an important point about visibility. In your opinion, how can tech leaders ensure that the future of AI is more diverse and representative? 

Abad: AI is like a child being raised by us, the developers. If it’s only nurtured by one part of the population, we run the risk of creating biased technology.

If AI models are trained predominantly on data from one culture or one gender, they will reflect those biases. For instance, if you ask an AI to describe a programmer, it might only show images of young men from the United States, not considering developers from places like the Dominican Republic, China, or elsewhere. That’s why it’s crucial to involve a diverse range of people – from different genders, cultures, and backgrounds – in the development of AI.

This is especially important as AI integrates into everything from healthcare to finance. If we don’t do this, we risk building technologies that only cater to one narrow group of people. 

Q6. Julissa, in terms of generational differences, how do millennials and other age groups approach technology adoption, and how do these differences impact how we develop and roll out tech products? 

Abad: Millennials are in a unique position—they are caught between two worlds. They want to embrace new technologies, but they also have a strong attachment to the ways they’ve always done things.

They’re not entirely ready to let go of their old ways, even if they see the value in newer tech. It is crucial to understand this generational shift when managing any technology-related project. As we develop new projects, project managers and team leaders must recognize the differences in how various age groups perceive and adopt new technologies. The key is not to send a one-size-fits-all message. Each group requires a tailored approach. It’s also essential to identify “winners” from every department or area—people who will understand and become early adopters. Once a few individuals lead the charge, others will follow. 

For example, the way social influence works. Think about how you act when you see a line outside a restaurant—you might feel compelled to join, assuming that the long line means the food must be good. In contrast, if the restaurant is empty, you might hesitate, fearing that you could make a mistake by being the first one there.

The same logic applies to technology adoption. When people see others adopting technology, they’re more likely to follow suit. 

Q7. In terms of AI and its biases, how algorithmic bias, especially gender-based bias, is a growing concern. Could you share your thoughts on how the tech industry can address this issue? 

Abad: Algorithmic bias is an urgent and critical issue, particularly as AI continues to evolve. We’ve already seen examples where AI recruitment systems, for instance, have unintentionally excluded women or other underrepresented groups due to biased data.

For instance, AI systems used in hiring might reject applicants based on name or gender, even if the applicant is highly qualified. This happens because the system is trained on historical data that may reflect past prejudices—if the data shows that women were underrepresented in certain fields, the AI may assume they’re not suited for those roles. 

The solution here lies in better data training. When building any AI model, especially one that will interact with or hire people, ensuring that the training data is diverse and inclusive is crucial. AI must be trained using a broad range of demographic data and information to avoid reinforcing biases. 

Before launching AI-powered products or services, we need to take a step back and ask, “Who are the end-users, and how do we ensure that this model serves everyone fairly?”

By training AI on diverse datasets, we can create systems that don’t perpetuate existing inequalities but instead provide equitable opportunities to all users. 

Q8. Now, in terms of the skills needed to succeed in the tech industry, especially for women entrepreneurs, what advice would you give to those looking to upskill? 

Abad: To succeed in tech, it’s important to recognize that technical skills alone aren’t enough anymore. While coding and technical expertise are essential, the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, has become just as critical.

The days when technical teams worked in isolation are over. Today, the tech field demands strong interpersonal skills, including emotional intelligence, teamwork, and the ability to explain complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Today’s women entering the tech field must develop a deep understanding of AI, blockchain, and big data. AI is an area everyone should familiarize themselves with—it’s no longer an optional skill but a foundational one. Blockchain is another key area. Understanding blockchain technology will be critical as the world moves towards digital currencies. Digital money and decentralized financial systems will likely transform how we handle transactions in the future. 

Big data also plays a huge role. We live in an era where data is a goldmine, and companies need individuals who can manage and interpret vast amounts of information quickly and accurately. This skill is essential for anyone looking to impact today’s tech landscape. Also, cybersecurity is more important than ever. With increasing data breaches and cyberattacks, protecting sensitive information is crucial.

Anyone working in tech must understand how to safeguard data and ensure that systems remain secure. We live in a world where data has become the most valuable asset, and with this comes the responsibility to protect it. 

Q9.That’s a comprehensive list of skills! Looking back at your career, are there any particular moments or projects that stand out to you as being especially impactful? 

Abad: There are two moments I’m particularly proud of. The first is related to my work with the Gurus in Tech conference in the Dominican Republic.

For the first time, we brought together over 1,000 girls and 15 women speakers across Latin America to discuss technology. This was a groundbreaking event in a country where women rarely had the opportunity to speak on tech panels. It was a game-changer for young girls in the Dominican Republic, who, for the first time, saw women speaking about the cutting-edge fields of AI, big data, and more. It was inspiring to witness, and the energy in the room was incredible. 

The second moment was when I had the opportunity to consult with the government of El Salvador as part of their digital transformation project. It was an incredibly rewarding experience to help the country modernize its systems and improve service delivery. For example, medical services that took days to process were completed in just hours. Being part of that transformation, particularly in a developing country, reinforced my belief in the power of technology to change lives. 

As a woman entrepreneur, it’s empowering to see that I’ve had the opportunity to work on projects that impact people not just in my home country, but internationally. It proves that women have the skills and capabilities to make a difference, no matter where we are. 

Q10. It’s incredible to see how much impact you’ve had through your community work, Julissa. Could you tell us a bit more about STEMERIA and its role in fostering women in tech? 

Abad: STEMERIA is the heart of our mission. We created a platform to give women in tech the tools and resources to thrive.

We started with a small group of women, but it’s grown significantly across the Dominican Republic, Bolivia, and Guatemala, and we are looking to expand into El Salvador. Through STEMERIA, we create a space where women can collaborate, support each other, and build networks. It’s not just about technical skills—though those are crucial—but also about empowerment. We provide mentorship programs, workshops, and events where women can gain exposure to industry leaders and learn about opportunities they might never have considered before.

STEMERIA is about changing the narrative that technology is not for women—it’s about helping women see themselves in tech and giving them the confidence to succeed. 

Q11. That’s such a powerful initiative. What has the response been like so far from women in these countries? 

Abad: The response has been overwhelming. We’ve seen women from all walks of life engage with STEMERIA—from students just starting out to professionals looking to switch careers or advance in their current roles.

It’s heartening to witness how women who once felt isolated in the tech industry now have a community to turn to. The support is incredible—whether it’s sharing resources, offering advice, or simply being there for each other when things get tough. This sense of community is exactly what we need to keep pushing forward. 

Our goal for STEMERIA is to continue expanding its reach. We want to ensure that more women across Latin America and eventually the world have access to the resources, mentorship, and networks they need to succeed in tech. One of the next steps is to create more opportunities for young girls, even at the high school level, to explore tech careers.

By nurturing the interest early on, we hope to ensure that more women enter the tech workforce, equipped with both the technical and soft skills required for success. 

Q12. Before we wrap up, is there anything you’d like to add or any insight you’d like to leave with our readers? 

Abad: I would say that, while the tech industry is still evolving, there has never been a better time for women to get involved. The barriers are coming down, and women have more opportunities to make a real impact. It’s important for us to continue pushing for representation, for fair opportunities, and for inclusivity at every level of the industry.

And most importantly, don’t ever doubt that you have the skills to succeed. Women are changing the face of technology—and we’re just getting started.