Canva’s Jade Loyzaga has shared advice to other women in the technology industry on “breaking through the glass ceiling,” following her emotional win at The 2026 Women Leading Tech Awards.
Currently serving as senior engineering director, Loyzaga manages a large-scale organisation of around 140 people, including over 120 engineers across 13 teams.
Speaking to B&T after winning the Glass Ceiling Award at the ICC on Friday, Loyzaga reflected on the journey that led her to the top.
“I truly didn’t expect to be here,” she admitted. “I looked up all my co-finalists, and their stories are absolutely amazing. Truly, this is a testament to what it really takes to break the glass ceiling.”
Loyzaga, who has spent four and a half years at Canva, stressed that building and leading strong teams was central to her own progression.
“I started off with a small team focused on the main design editor, and I just focused on building the best team I could – great engineering, great leadership. I think that attracts other women in tech as well,” she said. “Over the past four and a half years, it’s been this journey of growing amazing talent, moving on to bigger and better things, and getting promoted twice along the way.”
For women looking to follow a similar path, Loyzaga highlighted the importance of mentorship and sponsorship.
“Seeing examples of what is possible, having sponsors really back you and champion you, that has made a huge difference for me,” she said. “The more women we have in the room, and the more sponsors representing and championing women at these levels, the more we will see women breaking that glass ceiling.”
She also encouraged women to focus on persistence and self-belief.
“It’s been a hard journey, we’ve launched a lot over these four and a half years, and I just know how much grit and effort has gone into it,” Loyzaga said. “I couldn’t be prouder of the team I get to lead, and proud of what it represents for other women at Canva.”
