Gangverk & Vertonet: Celebrating Women’s Journeys in Tech

Nothing builds bridges in tech quite like a room full of inspiring stories, great conversations, and a little champagne.

Success in tech takes many forms. And careers rarely follow a straight line. Last month, Gangverk HQ hosted a full house for a special evening with our friends from Vertonet. The goal? To share and celebrate the journeys of the incredible women who are shaping our industry.

Vertonet is an Icelandic organization dedicated to empowering women and non-binary individuals in the IT sector. It aims to bolster connections, facilitate learning, and provide mutual support, all while championing greater diversity within the industry.

The night brought together voices from across Gangverk, daughter companies Basta and dala.care, and Vertonet, proving that there’s more than one way to thrive in tech—and more than one way to support each other along the way.

Photo by Alda Valentína Rós

The Voices Powering Progress in Tech

We heard from brilliant women who are breaking barriers, building products, and redefining what success looks like in tech. Each speaker brought something unique to the table, offering a glimpse into the many ways women navigate and excel in the tech industry.

Ása Rún Björnsdóttir (COO, Gangverk) welcomed everyone and raised a toast to the evening, sharing a bit about what makes Gangverk tick while setting the stage for the talks ahead.

Elísabet Ósk Stefánsdóttir (Chairwoman, Vertonet) introduced some of the most exciting projects Vertonet spearheaded this year. One highlight? The Vertonet Playbook, a guide to cultivating diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Photo by Alda Valentína Rós

Ingunn Róbertsdóttir (Design Lead, Basta) & Berglind Brá Jóhannsdóttir (Design Lead, dala.care) gave us a candid look at life as startup designers, sharing the challenges of being the sole creative forces behind their products. Balancing multiple roles, making quick decisions, and managing the occasional isolation that comes with lean teams—it’s not for the faint of heart. Their advice? Prioritize progress over perfection.

Pála Ögn Stefánsdóttir (Software Developer, Gangverk) shared how her dual roles as a programmer and a teacher intersect. She believes in the power of seeing potential in others and helping them uncover it. From her teaching experience, she highlighted that everyone learns differently and that unlocking someone's potential starts with showing them what’s possible.

Ragnheiður Ásta Pétursdóttir (Delivery Lead, dala.care) took us on a journey through two decades of tech, weaving between nursing school, fintech, and IT projects that ranged from integration development to CD-ROM deliveries (a throwback for the ages!). She conveyed a simple truth: career paths can twist and turn, and it’s okay not to have all the answers right away.

Photo by Alda Valentína Rós

Taylor Garcia van Biljon (UX Designer & Researcher, Gangverk) wrapped up with an inspiring talk that brought a fresh perspective to the value of embracing non-linear paths. As an immigrant, she opened up about the barriers to access she faced and how she’s worked to turn perceived weaknesses into strengths. Her reminder to the crowd? “Good design isn't just tools owned by a singular industry, it's an evolving thought process and a way of life that considers other people.”

Between the talks, the room was buzzing with connections, laughs, and the occasional shout of "Bingo!" during Vertonet’s interactive networking game. It was a night to celebrate successes, share struggles, and champion the incredible impact women have in shaping the future of tech.

Photo by Alda Valentína Rós

Let’s Keep This Party Going

This event reminded us how powerful it is to create spaces where people can connect, share, and inspire one another. A big thanks to Vertonet and everyone who joined us! 

Have a suggestion for our next event? Share your ideas with us.