Belonging as the foundation of leadership
At this year’s #wetechtogether conference, the theme of belonging echoed through every session, conversation, and connection. How do we create spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to lead?
That question set the tone for our opening keynote – and who better to answer it than Lucy Han, Executive Vice President and Business Line Leader Building Automation in ABB’s Electrification Smart Buildings Division. With two decades of experience spanning China and Switzerland, Lucy’s story reflected exactly what belonging in tech looks like in practice: authenticity, courage, and compassion in leadership.
From engineer to executive – finding strength in difference
Lucy began her journey as a software developer at Siemens China, often the only woman in the room. Early on, she realised that success doesn’t always come from being the best coder – but from discovering and embracing your unique strengths.
Her ability to translate complex technology into clear, meaningful communication became her superpower – one that shaped her rise from product manager to global leader. “You need to find your unique strengths and use them as a hammer to break the ceilings,” Lucy shared – and you could feel the room nodding in agreement.
Growth begins where comfort ends
After 18 years at Siemens, Lucy made the bold choice to leave the familiar behind and join ABB.
“It felt like starting a new game – with new rules,” she recalled. But through observing, listening, and adapting, she learned that true transformation begins when we step outside our comfort zone – and stay there long enough to grow.
Collaboration: the power of human connection
Lucy’s view on collaboration struck a chord: it can’t be forced – it’s the result of genuine human connection.
She shared with the audience her three-step formula:
- Get to know each other – not just names, but the stories and values behind them.
- Invest in relationships – like a bank account, they grow when you give time and attention.
- Build trust – through consistency, openness, and helping others succeed.
“The joy of one is not as great as the joy of many,” Lucy quoted, reminding us that belonging amplifies happiness and collective success.
Redefining balance through self-love
In one of the most heartfelt moments of her talk, Lucy spoke about self-love and balance – or rather, the “power of conscious choice.” With roles spanning mother, leader, mentor, and more, she reminded everyone that prioritising oneself isn’t selfish – it’s essential. Her leadership coach once asked her: “Are you a good friend to yourself?” That question changed everything.
Lucy shared how even small acts – like greeting yourself with kindness in the mirror – can shift how you lead others. “When you are too hard on yourself, it’s easy to be tough on others. To lead others well, start by caring for yourself.”
A message to every woman in tech
Lucy closed with a message that captured the essence of belonging in leadership:
“Be brave enough to explore your strengths, patient enough to learn new rules, and kind enough to yourself along the way.”
Her words reminded us that belonging begins within – and when we lead from that place, we don’t just change our careers – we change cultures.
Keep the momentum going
If you’d like to relive some of the best moments from this year’s conference, take a look through our #wetechtogether 2025 gallery – it’s full of inspiration, smiles, and snapshots of a community that truly belongs. 💙
And if you missed the event, we hope this gave you a glimpse into what #wetechtogether is all about – inspiration, learning, and moving forward together.
Our partner communities host exciting events every month across Switzerland – from AI meetups to leadership workshops and networking sessions. Subscribe to our newsletter to discover the best events for women and allies in tech, all in one place. It’s also where we’ll announce updates for #wetechtogether 2026 – including early bird tickets, special deals, and new opportunities to get involved.
See you next year – same mission, even bigger impact.