March 22, 2025 – Ortigas, Pasig – Marking a powerful new beginning, the AWS User Group BuildHers+ Philippines hosted its first-ever event: the AWSUG BuildHers+ Summit: Architecting the Future with Innovation. This milestone gathering set the tone for the group's revival, renewing its commitment to uplifting women in technology through community building and skill development. The event was generously supported by Tutorials Dojo, CloudSensei, Giftology PH, Fantech Philippines, and KB Switches, with key partnerships from AWS User Group Philippines and K8SUG Philippines.
Held on a day filled with inspiration, learning, and empowerment, the summit celebrated women's leadership and impact in the tech industry. It brought together trailblazing women technologists who are actively shaping the future through innovation and inclusive leadership.
Each speaker shared not only technical insight but also a story that challenged conventional expectations of success in tech. Their journeys illuminated how innovation springs from resilience, reinvention, and a sense of purpose rather than following traditional paths.
The Power of Reinvention
Ms. Joyce Agus opened the summit with a compelling talk on the increasing importance of cybersecurity in our technology-driven age of cloud computing. As organizations increasingly migrate to the cloud, securing digital assets has never been more critical.
What made Ms. Joyce's session especially memorable was her professional evolution. Beginning her career in Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE), she pivoted toward cybersecurity and has since become a respected voice in the field. As a Solutions Engineering Manager, she leads and mentors a team of solutions engineers, combining technical expertise with leadership excellence. Her experience illustrated that transitions within tech can lead to unexpected opportunities, and that curiosity, adaptability, and lifelong learning often prove more valuable than following a single, predetermined path.
Ms. Joyce's story stands as a testament to the power of reinvention and proof that multiple pathways lead to meaningful careers in technology.
Breaking Ground in Autonomous Vehicles
Dr. Jheanel Estrada, captivated the audience with her deep insights into autonomous vehicle technology, sharing cutting-edge advancements and her hands-on experience developing self-driving systems. As the only woman on her team, Dr. Estrada has faced challenges that often accompany being in the minority within male-dominated fields. Yet she has consistently demonstrated the transformative impact of showing up, excelling, and leading in spaces where women remain underrepresented.
Beyond her groundbreaking work in autonomous vehicles, Dr. Estrada serves as Computer Science Program Chair and research fellow, significantly shaping the academic landscape. She teaches and mentors future technologists, inspiring students and cultivating the next generation of innovators. Her academic leadership reflects her commitment to fostering diversity and empowering emerging talent in technology.
Dr. Estrada's journey showcases what becomes possible when women break barriers and lead from the front. She contributes not only to innovation but also actively shapes the industry's future. Her work inspires others by demonstrating how passion, resilience, and technical expertise create opportunities for both individual success and collective advancement of women in tech.
Reimagining Business with GenAI
Ms. Trisha Pelagio guided the audience through the transformative world of Generative AI (GenAI), revealing how it revolutionizes business processes and workflows across industries. Her session masterfully applied emerging technologies to real-world scenarios, bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and practical impact.
Beyond technical expertise, Ms. Trisha's story of entering the tech space through AWS resonated strongly with students and young professionals. Her approachable, energizing presence reassured attendees that the tech industry welcomes everyone and that the future belongs to those willing to adapt, learn, and lead with purpose.
Building the Future, One Story at a Time
The AWSUG BuildHers+ Summit transcended being merely a technical event. It celebrated the diverse ways women redefine success in technology. From career pivots to breaking barriers, each narrative reinforced that innovation follows not a linear trajectory but a dynamic journey shaped by passion, perseverance, and purpose.
This summit powerfully reminded us that women in tech occupy roles across the spectrum: engineers, architects, cybersecurity experts, AI specialists, and innovators. They lead meetings rather than simply documenting them. They build tables rather than merely sitting at them.
As technology continues its evolution, our narratives must evolve too. These remarkable women aren't simply participating in technology's future—they actively architect it through skill, innovation, and impact.
Charting Your Own Path
The stories shared at the AWSUG BuildHers+ Summit reveal a powerful truth: there is NO single "correct" pathway into technology. Whether you're considering a career shift, facing challenges in a male-dominated team, or seeking to leverage cutting-edge technologies, these women's journeys offer valuable insights for anyone looking to make their mark in tech.
1. Embrace Your Evolving Technical Journey
Ms. Joyce's transition from Electronics and Communications Engineering to cybersecurity leadership demonstrates how technical skills can evolve and transfer across domains. Her career path shows that your foundation in one technical area isn't limiting—it's a springboard that enables you to approach new challenges with valuable perspective and insight.
Identify transferable skills from your current field. As a career shifter, your experience in project management, customer service, healthcare, education, or any non-tech field equips you with unique perspectives and problem-solving approaches that the industry desperately needs.
2. Create Visibility Through Excellence
As Dr. Jheanel showed, being the only woman on a team presents challenges but also opportunities to demonstrate exceptional leadership. Excellence speaks volumes and creates pathways for those who follow.
Identify one technical area where you can develop deep expertise, then use that mastery as a platform to advocate for greater diversity in your workplace or academic setting.
3. Become a Bridge Builder
Ms. Trisha's ability to connect theoretical concepts with practical applications highlights the importance of being a "translator" in technology. Those who can explain complex technologies in accessible ways become invaluable.
Practice explaining technical concepts to non-technical friends or family. This skill will distinguish you whether you're presenting to executives, teaching students, or mentoring newcomers.
4. Build Community Connections
The revival of AWSUG BuildHers+ itself demonstrates the power of community. Technology careers thrive through mentorship, shared knowledge, and collective support.
Find or create your own tech community. Whether joining established groups or starting small meetups, these connections provide practical and technical knowledge and crucial emotional support. You can always find the right community for you!
5. Redefine What Leadership Looks Like
Each speaker at the summit demonstrated that leadership in tech takes many forms—from academic guidance to business innovation to cybersecurity protection. Your leadership path doesn't need to follow conventional patterns.
Look beyond traditional leadership roles. Consider how you might lead through creating technical content, organizing community events, or mentoring junior colleagues.
The AWSUG BuildHers+ Summit reminds us that technology needs diverse voices not just to participate but to actively shape its future. By embracing your unique journey, developing excellence in your chosen area, building supportive communities, bridging technical and human understanding, and redefining leadership on your own terms, YOU TOO can architect the future of technology—one where innovation and inclusion advance together.
📸 Photos by Nish Ren
To stay connected with future events and join this vibrant community, follow AWS User Group BuildHers+ Philippines on:
Connect with AWS User Group BuildHers+ Philippines for more women-focused tech initiatives, resources, and networking opportunities that continue to inspire and empower women in technology across the country!
About the Author
Uriel Alonso is a Cloud Applications Specialist and part of the Professional Services Engineering team at Apper Cloud Labs that delivers innovative cloud solutions. Passionate about increasing representation in tech, Uriel serves as the Community Leader of AWS User Group BuildHers+ Philippines, where she works to create inclusive spaces and opportunities for women and gender-diverse individuals in the technology industry.
Beyond her professional and advocacy work, she actively fosters a supportive and inclusive tech community, creating environments where individuals feel not only welcomed but truly empowered, valued, and inspired to grow their careers in technology.