Sitting at my desk on the first day of business in 2026, shoulder deep in planning the Women in Data® Flagship 2026 event, I stumbled upon the guest list from the very first Women in Data® event, held unbelievably 11 years ago. It set me thinking on how far we have come as a movement and it reminded me of the journey we have made and the people who walked with us.
Even then we were determined to do something different, something memorable and something that definitely had a female slant. In 2014 the ‘Data’ conference scene in Data felt jaded and limited. Our very small but growing community of WiDs considered the environment as elitist and it was viewed quite frankly, by many, including me as downright dull!
But change is hard and many industry leaders were sceptical as to whether a female-focused event in a male-dominated field would work. Someone even said to me “ but Roisin, you are telling me that there are no women in this industry so why are you creating an event for an audience that doesn’t exist’ .Well thank goodness I was naive and pig-headed enough to ignore the naysayers but then I have always been one to back myself when it comes to advancing the cause of women in data.
Our first Flagship
With early investment from my business, Datatech, we pressed ahead. Not for us the slick and glossy hotel conference room, instead a leaking marquee in the quad at University College London on a miserable November Day was the order of the day. We had curly sandwiches, glitchy tech, and handwritten badges.
But we also had something far more unique and powerful-connection, passion and purpose.
My late mother, my role model and champion, became our very first volunteer. She greeted our first WiDs with a warmth and pride that set the tone for everything this community would become.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was real and it marked the beginning of something special.
That first event ignited a vow in me – to ensure our agenda was powered by women stepping forward to share their stories. That November we saw Payal Jain, The Chair of Women in Data® in action for the very first time. Payal talked failure, resilience, optimism and the reality of leading the data and tech function in a FTSE 100 financial services organisation.
The event provided a stage to other leaders who were also driving change across the industry, and they instantly became my role models. Hearing the power stories shared by those early pioneers Claire Thompson, Jackie Clayton, Stacie Maxey among others as they spoke on the realities of being a women in data, of being a Mum in an Exec role and how they ensured their strategy was delivering real measurable value at a time of huge volatility as organisations were going through profound digital and data transformation.
Their stories were practical, relatable and super inspiring, the audience were hyper engaged and I just knew we had done something very different. The atmosphere in the room was like no other I had witnessed, which has only heightened over the years.
We also made a pledge back then that we would make general admission to the Flagship free to all attendees through a ballot, something we maintain to this day.
But as I reflect back today, what means the most to me is that so many of the women who sat in that first audience are still with Women in Data® today, including Karen Jean Francios, Caroline Florence, Lynn Pope, Nikki Miles, Karishma Jaitly, Sam McCouig, Michelle Conway, Jeanette McQuillan, Sarah Robertson to name just a few. Their continued active involvement is a testament to the community we’ve built together. They are the women who embody our mission, who fuel our purpose, and who have helped shape this journey from day one. I feel such a debt of gratitude to this fabulous bunch.
We also garnered very welcome support from our long-standing friends at Data IQ, who amplified the event, helping us break the news of the inception of Women in Data®.
Year on Year, the event grew… From that initial meet up in a marquee to fully fledged, hyper professional staging that is The Flagship today.
The road to where we are now hasn’t been without its setbacks. When the pandemic hit, we were forced to pause our Flagship event for more than 30 months, a silence fell across our community and partners. Overnight, in-person gatherings disappeared, partnerships stalled, and the thriving movement we’d built felt suddenly at risk.
But the community didn’t fade. It rallied. We moved online, launched the Women in Data® podcast, and hosted our first virtual flagship with more than 800 people joining live. For almost two years, I was asked the same question:
“When will we be back in the room, feeling the Women in Data® energy again?”
We were ready to go live in 2023, full of confidence and optimism but then we hit another bump in the road – The Train Strikes (remember those?)- I remember sitting on the eve of the event, teeth clenched and fingers crossed as we counted down the hours praying that there would not be a strike on Flagship Day. The goddess of data was on our side and a beautiful day dawned 9 March 2023 and we were back where we needed to be. Our in-person Flagship returned to its largest audience yet, proof that the appetite for connection, inclusion, and community was stronger than ever, and that our partners were ready for the next chapter of Women in Data®.
Fast forward to 2025 and Flagship has grown into one of the largest gatherings of females and allies in the Data, AI and Tech field in the world, attracting 3,500 professionals from across the globe. Even though we had increased capacity, the ballot was 4:1 oversubscribed. Our first event in 2014 had a waitlist – proof, even then, of the hunger for representation and connection. Eleven years later, some things haven’t changed.
From scepticism to allyship
Right from the start of the journey we made a pledge to never stand still, always learning, always curious, never happy to rest on our laurels.
As a movement built on equity and inclusion we questioned whether focusing uniquely on women might exclude others. As the Flagship grew, perceptions shifted including my own. What started as a ‘Women only’ event had to be reviewed. We invited our male allies, colleagues, sponsors and sceptics to join us, building something that resonated more deeply with the whole community. Executives began to see the undeniable value of diverse teams, who were driving transformation and they wanted to be part of the story. Women in Data® has become the place to see innovation unwrapped, it is a trusted place for our partners to be- to trade, to connect, to exchange and launch their innovations.
Today, our allies are not just attendees, they are sponsors, mentors, and vocal advocates. The flagship has become a symbol of how inclusion benefits everyone.
Remembering the truly inspirational Dame Stephanie Shirley (Flagship 2019)
Looking back, the Women in Data® Flagship has been defined by unforgettable milestones. Our Mainstage has been graced by some of the most inspirational speakers from across the political, industrial and societal landscape. Who can forget Liz Truss, Sophia the Robot, Caroline Criado Perez and Katie Piper. And we do like a Dame. From Dame Helena Morrissey to Baroness Martha Lane Fox they represent women at the highest echelons of our society. But 2 speakers have a special place in my heart
At our second conference, Edwina Dunn OBE took to the stage, bringing her pioneering perspective and introducing the Female Lead. A year later we unveiled our very first Twenty in Data & Tech collective, shining a spotlight on extraordinary women whose contributions continue to inspire. Edwina was with us in 2025 once more and anyone who attended her Cofessions interview with Payal was party to the most explosive warts and all history of someone who has rightly earned the title of ‘Godmother of Data’ !
Dame Stephanie Shirley’s appearance remains legendary, her wit and wisdom drew not one, but two standing ovations, a testament to the power of her story. Her commitment to make her life ‘one worth saving’ and how she did this with humility and purpose is unbelievable. She is much missed and Women in Data® will continue to celebrate her spirit and achievements.
Flagship marks a moment in my life story
For me personally, Women in Data® has been more than a professional anchor. It has been a constant through marriage, divorce, grief, and the joy of welcoming my cherished ‘girl in data’, Margaux. Each Flagship is etched in my life and marks a moment in my life story. However it is the vibrations and energy that is created at Flagship, that is unrivalled. If you have felt it, you know what I mean, if you haven’t, I hope you get that opportunity, it will stay with you.
Looking ahead, I feel a sense of excitement. I’m not going to deny that each year it gets harder to deliver, but that is because our brilliant and unwavering community need and deserve more.
Our team has grown significantly over the decade, and I am lucky to work with some of the most talented people who are truly embedded with our mission to achieve gender parity, in Data Tech and AI. They also know how to put on a great show, from producing incredible content to feeding 3.5K people, prioritising accessibility, inclusion and ensuring every activation, speech and stream is memorable. Without this amazing team, none of this would be possible and the ‘WiD Magic’ would not come alive.
Representation matters. Women in Data® are not only breaking barriers but redefining what leadership, creativity, and impact look like in our ever-changing field.
Collaboration fuels progress. The stories we’ve heard during Flagship highlight how mentorship, allyship, and community can accelerate careers, amplify influence and create future solutions.
The future is inclusive. As organisations embrace Data, AI and Tech transformation, ensuring equity in opportunity and recognition will be the cornerstone of sustainable success.
I have the best job on the planet, I am so grateful and honoured to hold it.
Roisin McCarthy.
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