My Story: Breaking Barriers and Building Dreams

SAFE’s lead recruiter reflects on how women in technology succeed

By Payal Parmar

As a woman working in a traditionally male-dominated field, being a recruiter in the tech and cybersecurity world has been a journey of challenges, growth, and triumphs. I’ve often heard the phrase, “It’s a man’s world,” but here’s the thing—it doesn’t have to be.

Image: Payal Parmar, center, with women of Safe Security

When I started my first job, I was tasked with proctoring a group discussion for a sales role. The topic was, “Do women make better managers?” I was excited, expecting a lively debate filled with interesting perspectives. What I didn’t expect, though, was the underlying bias that surfaced during the discussion.

While the women in the group passionately shared why they believed women made excellent leaders, some men pointed to emotionality, family commitments, and perceived softness as reasons why women might not excel as managers. I sat there, listening quietly as a neutral proctor, but inside, I was triggered. Was this how women leaders were seen? It made me reflect on my own aspirations to become a team lead and the challenges I might face as a woman in technology—not because of my capabilities, but because of biases like these.

Later, as my career progressed, I witnessed similar scenarios. In one meeting, a young woman leader and a male leader were equally assertive during a discussion. Afterward, the woman was labeled “bossy” and “aggressive,” while the man’s behavior went unnoticed.

And yes, I’ve been talked over in meetings or had my ideas dismissed, only to see the same idea celebrated when shared moments later by someone else. At first, I let it slide, questioning if I should speak up at all. But I quickly realized the importance of owning my voice. Now, I ensure I’m heard—I speak up, I speak louder, and I don’t back down.

These experiences taught me that breaking stereotypes isn’t just about proving others wrong; it’s about believing in yourself, standing firm in your abilities, and paving the way for others to do the same. 💪

Every day, I step into rooms where I’m outnumbered, where my voice sometimes has to work harder to be heard. And yet, I’ve learned to own my space, trust my instincts, and champion my abilities. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of recruiting some of the most talented minds and helping shape the future of incredible companies.

🚀 To all the amazing women in tech or any field:

• Don’t just sit at the table—own it. Speak up, share your ideas, and don’t let doubt hold you back.
• Build each other up. There’s enough room at the top for all of us, and together, we’re unstoppable.
• Remember that your perspective is your power. Diversity isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the foundation of innovation and growth.

💡 What I’ve learned:
Being a woman in the technology field isn’t just about breaking glass ceilings—it’s about building bridges. It’s about showing up every day, proving that passion and determination know no gender, and creating opportunities for the women who will follow.

So, here’s my message to every woman reading this: You belong. You are capable. And you can conquer anything.

Let’s continue to pave the way for ourselves and each other. Together, we can turn “a man’s world” into our world.

#WomenInLeadership #WomenInTech #DiversityAndInclusion #BreakingBarriers #Empowerment

At SAFE, we believe a startup is the people it hires, and not the plans it makes!  Check out our jobs page now!