This time two years ago, I had just been invited to join a panel hosted by Vanessa In on the topic: “I work in tech, but I’m not technical.”
At the time, one stat really stuck with me – around 43% of jobs in tech aren’t technical.
Fast forward to today…. with rapid advances in AI, the rise of no-code and low-code tools, and the success of platforms like Lovable, that number is only going to grow.
Tech is no longer just for coders – and this is a really good thing.
Because widening the ways people enter tech is one of the most powerful levers we have to improve equity, diversity and inclusion.
A few stats that matter:
- 43% of roles in tech are non-technical – spanning product, delivery, growth, partnerships, ops, sales, marketing and people
- Women currently make up ~26% of the tech workforce, but are significantly more represented in non-technical and hybrid roles
- Teams with greater gender and ethnic diversity are 25–36% more likely to outperform their peers financially
- As AI and no-code tools accelerate, long-standing barriers like “you must code” are falling – opening tech careers to people from more diverse socioeconomic, educational and career backgrounds
When tech stops gatekeeping who belongs, we unlock:
More women
More career-switchers
More neurodiverse talent
More lived experience
And ultimately: better products, better decisions and better outcomes.
ED&I in tech isn’t just about hiring different people. It’s about valuing different perspectives, and non-technical roles are a critical part of that shift.
That’s why I’m so excited to kick off Women Rock 2026, starting with Stacey Vickers.
Not every career in tech starts with code, and Stacey is a powerful example of why that matters.
As Head of Growth & Strategic Partnerships at Transform, Stacey plays a pivotal role in bringing people, ideas and capabilities together to solve complex challenges across the public sector.
With a background far removed from technology, she’s built a career grounded in curiosity, trust and connection, working side-by-side with highly technical teams without needing to be the technical expert herself.
In our interview, Stacey shares:
- Her unconventional path into tech consultancy
- How she’s built credibility in male-dominated environments
- Why non-technical perspectives aren’t just welcome in tech – they’re essential
If you’ve ever thought “I don’t belong in tech because I don’t code” – this one’s for you.
Join the community
We’ve already showcased over 200+ incredible stories around ED&I in tech – check them out.
If you have a story to share, we want to hear it! Drop us an email at hello@womenrock.tech.
