“HR in Tech is about attracting, developing and retaining talent in a sector that is changing extremely quickly.” – Elsa

My name is Elsa Tannous: mom, entrepreneur, and human resources and technology expert with more than ten years of experience in France and Quebec. I am the founder and president of DigiWomen, an organization that works to make tech more inclusive for young girls, women, and their families. I am also a radio columnist and am involved with several organizations that support innovation, equity, and talent development.

A little more about Elsa

What is the role of HR in Tech?

HR in Tech is about attracting, developing, and retaining talent in a sector that is changing extremely quickly. This requires an acute understanding of technical professions, but also an ability to support teams in innovation, digital transformation, agility, and diversity. It’s a job where human skills count just as much as technological skills.

Why did you choose this sector?

Because tech is transforming absolutely everything: our companies, our jobs, our lives. I wanted to work in a field of the future, where the impact is real and where we can help create more inclusive environments. And honestly, tech chose me as much as I chose it: I followed extraordinary talents and innovative companies, and I never left this universe.

Are there fewer female candidates than male candidates in tech roles?

Yes, definitely. Women are still underrepresented, especially in technical positions. And this reality starts very early: from primary school, many girls don’t see themselves in tech because they don’t see role models, or because society still conveys the idea that “technology is for boys.” It is this perception that I strive to change.

What strategies do you put in place to promote diversity within your teams?

Firstly, I work on inclusive recruitment: gender-neutral job descriptions, objective criteria, and openness to atypical career paths. Then, I focus on training, mentoring, upskilling, and creating psychologically safe environments. You can’t attract diversity if you’re not able to retain it and help it grow.

You have worked in France and Canada. It is often said that Canada is more advanced in terms of equity. In your experience, is that the truth?

Canada is indeed ahead of the curve in some areas, including inclusion, accommodation, and social-issue awareness. But it’s not perfect: women in tech are still in the minority, and there are still significant gaps. Both contexts have their strengths, but also their challenges.

What does your work as a columnist consist of? Is it also linked to Tech?

Yes, absolutely. On the radio, I host the program Tech & Transmissions, a series of intergenerational interviews that highlight the journeys of women in tech, their challenges, their resilience, and the impact they create. It is a space for education, awareness, and inspiration for parents and young girls alike.

DigiWomen

Could you tell us what DigiWomen is and where the idea came from?

DigiWomen is a non-profit organization based in Laval, Quebec, that supports young girls, women, and their families in discovering technology. We offer immersion workshops, events, learning paths, and even a documentary. The idea came to me after noticing two things:

• the lack of women in tech professions
• the lack of information and role models for young girls, but also for their parents

I wanted to create a bridge between the three: school, families, and industry.

How can I join DigiWomen?

It’s very simple: through our workshops, our events, our memberships, our newsletter, or by becoming a volunteer or partner. Our goal is to create an accessible, welcoming, and intergenerational community.

I heard about the “J’ose La Tech” project. Could you explain its principle? Do you really manage to teach primary school students technically complex projects?

“J’ose La Tech” (“I dare Tech”) introduces girls aged 8 to 18 to technology through concrete and fun workshops: robotics, programming, AI, design, cybersecurity, and more. And yes, children learn very quickly. When you introduce them to technology in a simple, concrete, and fun way, they develop incredible fluency. Our goal is not to turn them into engineers in an hour, but to plant a seed and show them what they are capable of.

Could you share another striking project?

Our documentary Femmes en Tech, et alors ? (“Women in Tech, so what?”) is one of our strongest projects. It presents nine women with inspiring backgrounds through their experiences, perspectives, diversity, and ambition. This documentary raises awareness and inspires vocations with each broadcast. It has become a major educational tool for DigiWomen.

What are the next events planned?

We have just held the first edition of Digital Women’s Day, a highlight of 2025 that brought together companies, professionals and students around Tech and employability.

For the coming year, several major projects have already been confirmed:

• The new season of Women Tech Talk, with immersive workshops in various emblematic digital locations. We will address themes such as interactivity, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and the inspiring journeys of women from diverse backgrounds.
• The deployment of “J’ose la Tech” in three schools, to introduce even more young girls, and allied boys, to technology and broaden their vision of the jobs of the future.
• The filming of the second Women Tech Talk documentary, which will highlight new female voices in technology, always with an intergenerational approach.
• The preparation of the second edition of Digital Women’s Day (JFN 2), which will take place on an even larger scale and include an expanded job fair, panels, workshops, and an open stage for emerging talent.
• The creation of educational pods for parents, young people, and schools to better understand tech professions, AI, and cybersecurity, and to support equal opportunities as early as possible.
• The launch of the TechMoms Academy, a program specifically designed to support moms in developing their digital skills, professional confidence, and transition into tech jobs.
• The continuation of the Tech & Transmissions radio show, which will keep highlighting women from all walks of life and exploring major technological issues with a human and intergenerational perspective.

2026 will be a year of expansion and impact, with a clear goal: to equip, inspire, and connect even more women, young people, and families to the world of tech.

The role of parents in the diversification of Tech

How do you involve parents in the projects that DigiWomen carries out with the youngest such as J’ose La Tech?

We systematically integrate parents: educational explanations, intergenerational discussions, participation in certain workshops, and support in understanding the jobs of the future. Parents are key players in academic and professional guidance, so they need to be equipped and reassured.

And in the other projects, are parents involved?

Yes. In our events, our radio show, and our digital content, they are often present, curious, and committed. We are breaking the idea that tech is reserved for an elite: it is for everyone, and families have an essential role in this digital culture.

What are the main difficulties and barriers that mothers, especially single mothers, may encounter in the tech job market?

Availability, mental load, the lack of role models, the fear of not being “technical enough,” and sometimes a professional environment that does not adapt to the reality of family life. These are real barriers, and that’s why DigiWomen puts forward resources, mentors, and dedicated programs like TechMoms Academy.

And you, what practices do you put in place to give your daughter the choice and opportunity of Tech?

I show her female role models, expose her to different technologies without pressure, value her curiosity, and explain to her that tech is not a man’s world, it’s an open world. I want her to know that she has every right to be there, that she is capable, and that she can choose freely.

A few final words

If you had to recommend a book, movie, podcast, what would they be?

Book: Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez — a must-read on bias in our societies. Film / Documentary: Hidden Figures, which shows how women have built Tech even before they were recognized. Podcast / Show: Tech & Transmissions — because it gives a voice to women of all ages who are shaping the digital world.

What advice would you give to young women reading this article?

Don’t be afraid to try. DARE. Tech is not a separate world: it’s a space you can occupy, transform, and reinvent. You belong, and you have the right to go as far as your ambitions take you.