International Women’s Day is more than just a date on the calendar, it’s a moment to reflect on progress, acknowledge contributions, and continue working toward a truly inclusive workplace. While some may question the need for such a day in emerging egalitarian societies, the reality is that industries like tech and fintech have historically been male-dominated, making it essential to recognize and support the women who drive innovation and success in those fields.
At Toqio, inclusion isn't merely a policy, it’s embedded in our culture. Since we were founded in 2019, the number of women in our workforce has grown from 42% to 45%, with many holding leadership roles. In one of our key investor’s 2024 ESG report, our score of 80 ranked second highest among their 38 portfolio companies, reflecting our commitment. The breakdown (20 points for governance, 4 for environmental, and 56 for social) is a clear indication of our strength in building an equitable and diverse workplace.
The voices of women at Toqio
Rather than making broad statements, we believe the best way to understand our culture is through the words of our team members. Here’s what some of the women at Toqio have to say about their experiences:
Career opportunities at Toqio
“Yes, I believe that Toqio provides equal career growth opportunities for all employees, regardless of gender. Our workforce is diverse, and leadership roles are accessible based on merit, skills, and contributions.”
- Hyunju Lee, Technical Support Agent
"Toqio has done a great job of fostering an inclusive workplace where respect, growth, and opportunities are based on merit rather than gender. I’ve always felt valued and supported in my career development, and I’ve never experienced any barriers related to gender. The company promotes a culture of respect, and the women here are incredibly talented and have a promising future."
- Daniella Rhodes, Director of Engineering
On feeling valued for skills and merit
“One of the things Toqio does well is to recognize the value in all of us, independent of our gender or anything else. I have never felt like I needed to highlight that I am a woman. I'm just Maider, and I'm valued for my skills, which is what I like most.”
- Maider Hernandorena, Senior Software Engineer
What it's like to work with women
"Lovely! Nayra, Aliona, Mercedes, Elena, Hyunju, Maria, Tamara, Maider, and Luciana are some of the women I have worked with closely and they are REMARKABLE!"
- Lorenzo Candelaria, Solution Consultant
"As a founder, what can I say? It’s both incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. When we founded Toqio, women made up 42% of our team, and we work tirelessly to maintain that balance, not just within the organization, but among all our departments as well. Our goal is to foster a truly balanced and inclusive company 'coolture'".
- Arancha Riestra, VP of People
The challenges women still face in tech
“It’s crazy. This industry is changing, but every time I enroll in a new course, I see that women represent less than 10% of the class. The foundation lies in education, having role models, and breaking the barriers that society (and we ourselves) sometimes impose.”
- Nayra Infantes, Delivery Engineer
"Women in tech and fintech still face hurdles like fewer leadership opportunities, unconscious bias, and a lack of mentorship. Pay gaps and career growth challenges can make it harder to advance, as well as juggling work-life balance in a fast-paced industry isn’t always easy for women. I think that by building a more inclusive culture, ensuring fair promotions, and providing strong support networks, companies can help break these barriers and can attract more talent."
- Jessica Armada, Finance Lead
Advice for women entering fintech
“Trust your abilities, speak up, and don’t make yourself small. Build a strong network, find good mentors, and keep learning. Above all, always support other women.”
- Tamara Quintela, People Lead
Building a culture where women thrive
The women of Toqio bring diverse perspectives and leadership that strengthen our organization. While many express that they feel respected and valued, there are always areas for growth. Some employees have suggested increasing mentorship opportunities for women in tech, improving leadership diversity, and fostering more networking opportunities within the company. At Toqio, we are committed to listening, evolving, and ensuring that talent (and nothing else) defines success.
Elena Costa, Toqio's Sales Lead for Spain/EU, prepares to address executives at MWC (04-03-2025)
Looking ahead
As the fintech industry continues to grow, we believe that companies like ours must lead by example. Our growing representation of women in leadership demonstrate that inclusivity isn’t just an ideal, it’s a clear business advantage. By celebrating International Women's Day, we're recognizing the contributions of women in fintech, acknowledging the challenges of the past, and ultimately looking forward to building a more equitable future.
Happy Women’s Day to all the talented, driven, and inspiring women at Toqio and beyond!