BEYOND Expo 2025: Jill Tang, founder of She Rewires, discusses the importance of empowering women in technology.

      Credit: BEYOND EXPO

      Jill Tang, the founder of She Rewires, organized the SheTech Forum at the BEYOND Expo 2025 on Thursday, where she discussed her social enterprise’s mission to empower women in technology. She Rewires is a dynamic community focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) for women, aiming to increase female involvement in these fields. Established in 2017, the platform links over 70,000 members and 130 volunteer co-builders worldwide, creating an open-source environment that enables women to realize their full potential. With the goal of transforming the current landscape and fostering a more diverse and inclusive future in STEAM, She Rewires provides workshops, events, and forums that facilitate skill enhancement, collaborative intelligence, and leadership opportunities, motivating women to excel and lead in the tech industry. Technode interviewed Tang about the role of women in tech and other topics. The interview has been condensed for conciseness and clarity.

      Q: What has been your most significant personal insight from your work with She Rewires?

      Tang: My most significant insight has been recognizing my unique purpose and mission, fundamentally altering my value system. I transitioned from a passive, object-oriented perspective to an empowered, subject-oriented approach. This change has led to a transformation from merely executing tasks to actively building, evolving from linear skills to systemic contributions, and redefining my value from a solitary achiever to a participant in a collaborative network, enhancing collective worth through community efforts.

      Q: What is the primary challenge the community faces in promoting women’s involvement in the tech sector?

      Tang: The principal challenge isn’t a scarcity of external resources or a deficiency in skills or tools. It lies in altering the mindset of women: moving from viewing themselves as “objects” being acted upon to understanding themselves as capable, valuable “subjects” in their own narratives. This shift in identity and perception is essential for fostering genuine action and sustained engagement by women in technology.

      Q: What specific goals does the community have for the next three years? How do you intend to broaden your influence or enhance member services?

      Tang: Our community has progressed from Version 1.0, which concentrated on “building influence,” to Version 2.0, where we are now “force-driven.” We have shifted our focus from merely influencing the community to creating an open-source, co-creation platform that encourages each member to become a self-motivated individual who can leverage their energy to generate real value and enact meaningful change. Looking ahead, one of our primary objectives will be to co-create actionable impact projects in collaboration with enterprises, fostering a reciprocal relationship between impact and business and developing sustainable, scalable collaboration models. Additionally, we will work closely with SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) and individual creators to jointly develop valuable content and services. Through the collective strength of our community, we aspire to enhance individual values and establish an ecosystem centered on co-win, co-creation, and co-sharing.

      Q: What recommendations or actions would you suggest for individuals or organizations wanting to support women in tech? How can the public engage more effectively in this mission?

      Tang: Supporting women in tech is not solely the duty of a select few; it's an effort that everyone can contribute to. It’s crucial to understand that diversity and inclusion serve not just as ideals but as strategic paths to sustainable growth, innovation within organizations, and access to high-quality talent. We encourage individuals to become force co-builders. Whether you are a tech professional, a creative, or still figuring out your path, you can engage with She Rewires. Contribute your skills, ideas, and resources to co-create a more inclusive and forward-looking tech ecosystem. For companies and organizations, we recommend embracing community-driven innovation. By collaborating with She Rewires, you can co-develop products, services, and strategies that incorporate women’s viewpoints and address varied user needs. This collaboration not only enhances your brand but also unlocks genuine market insights and innovation possibilities. To policymakers, we advocate for continued support through policy, funding, and institutional frameworks. It's vital to have top-down measures that sustain and amplify grassroots community energy. Structural assistance is essential to unlocking the full potential of grassroots initiatives and women in technology.

      Jessie Wu is a technology reporter based in Shanghai, covering consumer electronics, semiconductors, and the gaming industry for TechNode. You can connect with her via email at [email protected].