Design and CX shape how we interact with the world, yet the industry hasn’t always made space for everyone at the table—especially women. At Pascal Satori we’re reflecting on the challenges women face in the design and customer experience industries this International Women’s Day. The World Economic Forum estimates that, at the current pace, achieving full gender parity will take until 2158. That’s five generations from now.

The invisible women of design, tech & CX

Women have always been part of the design world, but history hasn’t always given them the recognition they deserve. While the doors have been open (sometimes just a crack, sometimes more), they haven’t always been welcoming. From outdated gender roles to the glass ceiling, many women have had to push twice as hard just to be seen, heard, and valued.

Even today, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles across design, tech, and CX. In Australia, women make up only 22% of leadership positions in creative industries and hold just 28% of executive roles in technology—an industry that heavily influences digital and CX design. Despite the talent, expertise, and fresh perspectives women bring, there are still systemic barriers that slow progress.

How women are changing the industry

The good news? Women are breaking barriers, leading innovation, and reshaping the future of design and CX. They are redefining what leadership looks like, creating customer experiences that are more inclusive, and pushing for workplaces where creativity thrives—regardless of gender. Companies with diverse leadership perform 21% better in profitability and are 70% more likely to capture new markets. It’s proof that innovation flourishes when different perspectives are at the table.

For this IWD our team has reflected on our experiences in the industry and how working in a female-led agency has shaped our perspective.

Charlie: Being part of an all-female agency has profoundly shaped my perspective on work, leadership, and collaboration. I’ve felt a sense of nurture and understanding that extends beyond just the professional, it acknowledges the realities of life, from family commitments to health challenges, in a way that feels natural and understood rather than something to justify. There’s also an unspoken strength in working alongside women who understand the biases we navigate together in the industry. That shared experience has been empowering, making me feel more bolstered and confident in pushing boundaries, advocating for our work, and leading with both empathy and conviction.

Grace A: My has been fantastic—especially discovering skills I never expected to enjoy, like front-end development. The learning process has been fun, immersive, and has allowed me to explore a whole new side of myself. I like to keep a positive mindset so I see any challenges I face in the industry as opportunities for me to learn and grow. To me, women bring incredible creativity and expression to design. There are websites I see and just know they were built by women.

Grace M: It’s been a journey of continuous learning, growth, and collaboration. Something women in this field do so well is empathy – understanding people’s goals and needs is at the heart of great design and CX. What stands out most in our team is the way women invest in each other in a work environment—but I think women working together do this naturally. It makes for a wonderfully collaborative and dynamic workplace. We can be experts in our respective lanes but also source perspective from others in the team without fear of judgement.

Jade: While my experience in the industry hasn’t always been the best, being surrounded by women who uplift and empower each other has made all the difference. Women bring fresh perspectives, unique ideas. Our all-female team has helped me build confidence in my skills, trust in my craft, and push myself to be better every day. Simply working alongside other women—encouraging each other and pushing to be our best has been incredibly inspiring.

Tiahn: It’s been a journey of growth, confidence, and incredible opportunities. Over the years, I’ve built my expertise, worked on exciting projects with incredible people. ​​Early in my career, I faced moments that could have shaken my confidence—like being dismissed in a client meeting—but I refused to let them define me. I’ve continued to grow, running client meetings and confidently presenting hour-long brand and communication strategies. Who would have thought? Women bring unique strengths—empathy, communication, and emotional intelligence—qualities that make for stronger, more meaningful work. Being part of an all-female team has been an empowering experience, fostering a supportive environment where we can relate, empathise and uplift each other. We’ve been able to collaborate on incredible women-founded and women-oriented projects that we deeply relate to, making our work even more meaningful and impactful. Every day, I’m inspired by the brilliant women around me.

Why we need to accelerate action

Progress is happening, but not fast enough. If we keep moving at this pace, our daughters, granddaughters, and even great-granddaughters will still be fighting the same battles. That’s why Accelerate Action is this year’s International Women’s Day theme—it’s a call to push forward, break barriers faster, and make sure that change happens now, not in another 135 years.

So, what can we do?

• Recruit, retain and develop diverse talent
• Call out biases from workplace policies to everyday interactions
• Support women into leadership, decision-making, business and STEM
• Mentor and support the next generation
• Promote the creative and artistic talent of women

Change starts with all of us.